Oct 27, 2018; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Ty’Son Williams (27) scores a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Photo Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
COLUMBIA, S.C. –The South Carolina Gamecocks rallied from 12-points down in the second half to defeat Tennessee, 27-24, in a SEC contest on Saturday. The game played on the weekend before Halloween looked like a horror movie for Gamecocks fans with South Carolina playing the role of Jekyll and Hyde. Adding to the Halloween atmosphere, the Gamecocks were dressed in all black uniforms, while Tennessee was attired in white and orange uniforms.
The Vols looked like they had gained control of the game when they went up 21-9 on Carlin Fils-aime’s 14-yard TD run early in the third quarter. The Gamecocks, notorious for slow starts, finally came to life in the third quarter behind the running of Rico Dowdle and the passing of quarterback Jake Bentley. Dowdle rushed for a season high 140 yards and one touchdown, while Bentley was 11-16-1 passing for 152 yards and one touchdown. Bentley also ran for a big two-point conversion in the Gamecock comeback.
The big play of the second half came when Bentley hooked up with Bryan Edwards on a 73-yard pass down to the Tennessee one-yard line to set up the Gamecocks second touchdown. A Parker White 25-yard field goal with 5:52 remaining gave South Carolina its first lead and proved to be the difference in the game. White’s game-winning field goal was the second time in South Carolina’s last three game that he’s kicked the game-winning points.
South Carolina preseason All SEC defensive end D.J. Wonnum was back after missing five games with an ankle injury. He came up with the defensive play of the game with a sack and fumble caused on Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano on fourth down with 1:08 to go to seal the win. The Gamecocks offense was able to run out the clock for the victory to run their record to 4-3 and 3-3 in SEC play.
