The Maroon and Orange had seen enough, after a six yard scamper by Lanorris Sellers on 4th and 5 to give the South Carolina Gamecocks a first down heading into the 2 minute time out, they were heading to the parking lot. Virginia Tech had done all they could on offense, outgaining the Gamecocks 336-328, turnovers and special teams proved to be the difference in Atlanta.
After an opening drive touchdown that was 7 plays and 75 yards and only taking 2:51 off the clock the Gamecock offense fell into a lull, until a 5 minute drive late in the 2nd quarter ended with a William Joyce 27 yard field goal. In the 4 drives between the touchdown and field goal Carolina only managed to gain 20 yards on 14 plays and gave up a safety. South Carolina’s lead was 10-8 going into halftime after a 56 yard John Love field goal for the Hokies.
No scoring in the 3rd quarter had fans from both sides sitting on the edge of their seats. After a decent punt by Virginia Tech bounced out of bounds at the Carolina 26, Shane Beamer made the decision of the game. An illegal formation on the Hokies could have moved Carolina’s possession to the 31 yard line, but he chose to move the punter back five yards and make him punt it again. Beamer said post game on his decision, “I was told 20 years ago by a special teams coach that nothing good happens after a rekick.” This punt was better, sky high pushing Vicari Swain back to the 20 yard line. Swain proceeded to take it 80 yards to the endzone, breaking a tackle from what seemed like every Virginia Tech player on the roster, extending the Gamecock lead to 17-8.
The Hokies then took the ball right down the field for another Love field goal, this one from 39 yards to cut the lead to 17-11 with nine minutes to play. Then on the third play of the Gamecocks next drive, Gamecock fans got a chance to see something they have waited on for three years. Harbor out runs his defender and Sellers delivered it perfectly for a 64 yard touchdown, giving Carolina a 24-11 advantage. After having a touchdown overturned in the 2nd quarter by review it was redemption for Harbor. On a 4th and 10 from midfield, Hokie head coach Brent Pry chose to go for it with their backs against the wall. The pass was high and intercepted by Peyton Williams and returned back to midfield. The Hokie offense would not come back on the field in the game as Sellers and Adawys legs were enough to get 3 first downs and run out the clock.
Sellers numbers were not through the roof,but he was effective and efficient. He finished 12-19 for 209 yards and a touchdown through the air and 13 carries for 25 yards on the ground, with 36 yards lost on four sacks. He was impressive on multiple runs, including a 16-yard run in the 4th quarter where he broke multiple tackles on his way to convert a 3rd and 14, helping keep the Gamecock offense on the field to end the game. A 64 yard touchdown to Nyck Harbor in the 4th quarter was a career long touchdown passing TD, also a career long reception for Harbor.
Oscar Adaway III led the way for South Carolina on the ground with 14 carries for 60 yards, he also caught two passes for 23 yards. Utah State Transfer and only cleared earlier in the week Rahsul Faison carried the ball 7 times for 40 yards.
Tight-End Brady Hunt had the most catches with 4 for 45 yards. Harbor hauled in three catches for 99 yards and a score. Irmo native Donovon Murph caught his first career pass for 23 yards, Two other tight ends had catches with Maurice Brown II catching 1 for 14 yards, and Micheal Smith had seven yards on a catch.
Fred “JayR” Johnson had 10 total tackles, an interception, and another pass break up to earn SEC Defensive Co-Player of the week. Edge Rusher Dylan Stewart had seven tackles, including a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Other defensive standouts were DQ Smith (6 tackles), Jatius Geer added a sack, and Brandon Cisse had four tackles and two pass break-ups. The defense only allowed 3 field goals to The Hokies (29,56,39) while forcing 2 turnovers and 6 punts.
Vicari Swain was also named SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his 80 yard 4th quarter score.It was South Carolina’s first punt return for a touchdown since January 1st, 2013, a 63 yarder by Gamecock Great Ace Sanders in the Outback Bowl. Mason Love also had a great day punting with 5 attempts with a 44.7 yard average. He had a long of 57 and 2 inside the 20 yard line.
Other Notes:
This was the first South Carolina win in Atlanta since 1976 when Ronnie “Sunshine” Bass beat Georgia Tech 27-17.
Hokies led in time of possession with 34:09, Gamecocks had it 25:51
Game Attendance was announced at 55,531 (my estimate of at least 70% were gamecocks)
Frank Beamer gave a pre-game prayer where he was announced as “Virginia Tech Legendary Coach” but was in Gamecock Apparel
Gamecock place kicker was Virginia Tech’s John Love’s back up and holder at Spartanburg High School.
The Gamecocks return home September 7th, for a 7pm kickoff against in-state foe South Carolina State.
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