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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Nearly two years after he came to revive South Carolina's stumbling program, Lou Holtz and the Gamecocks took their first
steps to success Saturday, breaking their 21-game losing streak
with a 31-0 victory over New Mexico State.
"We're becoming a team," said Holtz, who won for the first
time since returning to college football in 1998. "It's coming and
it's coming, but it's not there yet."
Derrick Watson rushed for 114 yards, Andrew Pinnock scored two
touchdowns and the Gamecocks pestering defense kept the Aggies
off-balance in the opener. It was South Carolina's first win since
beating Ball State -- which now inherits the nation's longest losing
streak at 18 after falling to Florida 40-19 -- on Sept. 5, 1998.
"All the burden was lifted off us," South Carolina linebacker
Kenny Harney said. "Now, we know what it feels like to win."
The whole city is celebrating. Fans, bubbling over from two
years of defeat, swarmed the field with 36 seconds remaining. Holtz
and his coaches helped clear the field for the final plays.
It was bedlam when the game ended with fans chanting, cheering
and ripping down both goal posts. They tore apart shrubs that lined
the field and left with twigs and leaves to commemorate something
they wondered when they'd see this year.
A group of student fans, hustled a 20-foot chunk past the gates
with one saying, "We're going to take this everywhere tonight."
South Carolina officials said a fan broke a leg during the
on-field celebration.
Finally, South Carolina players and fans could point to those
faded bumper stickers playing at Holtz's name first slapped on cars
and trailers when he arrived in December 1998 to replace Brad
Scott.
Then Holtz talked to about 5,000 fans in Williams-Brice Stadium
of Southeastern Conference and national titles. But his 0-11 season
brought injuries and questions to Gamecocks and their fans.
The 80,814 in attendance knew early that things would be
different. The Gamecocks' used a four-receiver spread offense that
took them places -- like the end zone -- they didn't see very much in
averaging less than 8 points a year ago.
South Carolina scored two rushing touchdowns and got two
interceptions of New Mexico State's K.C. Enzminger to lead 17-0 by
halftime. In 1999, it took the Gamecocks two games to score a
touchdown, five to do it on the ground and six before the defense
got an interception.
Holtz, who paced the sidelines like he has for six teams over 29
seasons, fretted about team unity and a lack of confidence that
comes from two years of losing. He worried the Aggies, who knocked
off then-ranked Arizona State in their 6-5 season last year, would
use the multifaceted Enzminger and a Nebraska style offense put in
by coach Tony Samuel to pick his club apart.
But the Gamecocks put his fears -- and the Aggies -- in the first
half.
New Mexico State reached South Carolina's 9 on its first series,
but defensive lineman Cecil Caldwell caught Enzminger for an
18-yard loss. Dario Aguiniga missed a 43-yard field goal.
Gamecocks quarterback Phil Petty led a 13-play, 73-yard drive
that ended when Pinnock pushed through for a 4-yard touchdown. The
offense smothered Pinnock as fireworks shot off from the scoreboard
for the 6-0 lead.
Watson, who jilted Tennessee for South Carolina in 1999, got
going two series later. His 24-yard run got the Gamecocks past
midfield and a 7-yard run brought it to New Mexico State's 1.
After two false start penalties, Watson hurdled the pile from 2
yards out and South Carolina had its biggest lead, 14-0, in two
seasons.
"It's just the first game," said Petty, who left in the third
quarter with cramps but expects to play next week against No. 10
Georgia. "We did some good things, but we've still got a lot to
do."
Watson had his second career 100-yard game. He had 36 yards on
the drive that ended with Pinnock's 3-yard TD run in the third
quarter.
New Mexico State had only 112 yards at halftime. It gained only
18 yards in the third quarter.
Enzminger threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns in New Mexico
State's 35-7 victory last year over Arizona State at Sun Devil
Stadium. But here, he rushed throws, missed receivers and was hit
for four sacks.
Enzminger fumbled after one sack that was run in for a
third-quarter touchdown by linebacker Andre Offing and a 31-0 lead.
Enzminger was 6 for 14 for 59 yards.
The Aggies hadn't been shutout in Samuel's four seasons.
"We had a tough night," said Samuel, whose team fell to 0-8
against the SEC. "For us, it's time to move on to the next game."
South Carolina faces No. 10 Georgia next week. The Gamecocks
still have lost 18 straight Southeastern Conference games.
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ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard
New Mexico State Clubhouse
South Carolina Clubhouse
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