South Carolina defeats ECU with walk-off field goal

After a shaky start to Saturday’s game against East Carolina, South Carolina came away with a close victory behind a walk-off field goal. Kicker Parker White nailed a 36-yard field goal as time expired to help South Carolina beat ECU and improve to 2-0 in the Shane Beamer era.

It wasn't pretty.

But wins don't have to be.

Carolina pulls it out… Parker White with the game-winner.

20-17 the final. @abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/Xc2O99nCFK

— Mike Gillespie (@MikeABCColumbia) September 11, 2021

South Carolina struggled through the first half

ECU got out to a fast start, calling the trick play on the first game of the game. ECU quarterback Holton Ahlers tossed the ball to wide receiver Tyler Snead behind the line of scrimmage, and Snead pulled up and fired a bullet to Jsi Hatfield that went for a 75-yard touchdown. The Pirates went up 14-0 early in the second quarter after a three-yard touchdown run by Ahlers.

With it looking like the Gamecocks would be shut out in the first half, Ahlers attempted a screen pass into the line of scrimmage and it was intercepted by Damani Staley. Staley returned the ball 63 yards for the touchdown, making it a 14-7 game at halftime.

Zeb Noland found receiver Dakereon Joyner in the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown late in the third quarter for South Carolina’s first and only offensive touchdown of the game. Noland completed 13 of his 24 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. South Carolina’s running game struggled against ECU’s defense with 106 carries on 39 yards, just 2.7 yards per carry.

South Carolina’s defense led the way to victory

After the first play of the game, ECU’s offense struggled to move the ball for the remainder of the game. Ahlers completed 11 of his 24 pass attempts for 77 yards and two interceptions. ECU averaged 3.1 yards per carry with 116 yards on 38 attempts.

South Carolina forced ECU to punt nine times in the game. ECU’s second touchdown drive started in the redzone due to a South Carolina turnover. The Pirates had a long 14-play, 67-yard possession to begin the fourth quarter that took seven minutes on the clock. South Carolina held strong, though, and forced the field goal.