South Carolina Football: 3 takeaways from shootout loss to Ole Miss

2 of 3

Nov 14, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ole Miss offense outlasted South Carolina’s

There was a lot of noise surrounding this game about who would start in the quarterback position, with an open contest between Collin Hill, Ryan Hilinski and Luke Doty, yet no changes were made and the former started the game as the signal-caller.

The opening drive went South Carolina’s way and the Gamecocks put the first touchdown on the board when Hill connected with Shi Smith for an 11-yard touchdown catch.

Ole Miss answered in its opening drive with a touchdown as well when Matt Corral hit Dontario Drummond for the 3-yard touchdown score. Early on the game was tied 7-7. The Gamecocks gave the ball back to the Rebels early in their next possession when A.J. Finley intercepted Hill’s pass.

The Rebels capitalized on the turnover and put another touchdown on the board. This time Corral took it into the endzone himself for a three-yard rushing score. Ole Miss was on top 14-7 going into the second quarter.

Kevin Harris took the ball 46 yards for a rushing touchdown in the Gamecocks’ opening drive and with just over 45 seconds of gameplay, the game was tied, 14-14.

Corral connected with Jerrion Ealy for a 15-yard touchdown in their next possession and took the lead, 21-14 with just under ten minutes in the first half.

The Gamecocks fought to answer with a touchdown of their own in the next possession, and following 10 plays and almost six minutes of play, Kevin Harris took it into the endzone for the one-yard touchdown and tied the game again, 21-21.

Unfortunately, the Gamecocks were unable to keep the score tied, or to take the lead when they had the opportunities, and the Rebels went to the locker room with a three-point lead, 24-21.

The Gamecocks started the fourth quarter with possession of the ball and converted the opening drive into yet another touchdown score when Harris took it 12 yards for his fifth touchdown of the game and again the Gamecocks took the lead, 42-35. They wouldn’t keep the lead for long as Corral connected with Elijah Morre for 91 yards, another touchdown, and again the three-point lead, 42-45.

Ole Miss come back in their second possession and put another touchdown on the board, extending the lead to 10 points.

Ole Miss took a chance on a fourth-and-11 and went for the first down instead of kicking the field goal attempt. Corral tossed the ball to Wood for the 25-yard touchdown score, and a 17 point lead with under four to play.

The Rebels just outlasted South Carolina in the final minutes after mounting that late lead.

Home/Ole Miss Rebels