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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina is running out of goal
posts.
For the second straight week, the Gamecocks ended a long-losing
streak in stunning fashion, earning a stunning 21-10 victory over Georgia (No. 10 ESPN/USA Today, No. 9 AP) to end nearly
three years -- and 18 losses -- of Southeastern Conference
frustration.
|  | | South Carolina's Andre Offing takes to the air to tackle Georgia's Randy McMichael. |
Just like last week's 31-0 win over New Mexico State that ended
South Carolina's 21-game overall losing streak, the goal posts and
shrubs didn't stand a chance at Williams-Brice Stadium.
"I tell you what, I don't want to start that as a tradition,"
said Holtz, who was soaked with a cooler of ice water for the
second consecutive week.
If the Gamecocks (2-0, 1-0 SEC) keep winning, he never will stop
it.
"These are what make last year enjoyable, if that's possible,"
said South Carolina offensive coordinator, and Holtz's son, Skip.
"To see it all come together and to see it all come together is
really exciting."
And unbelievable.
Georgia's Heisman Trophy contender Quincy Carter threw five
interceptions, one less than all of 1999. After a first-possession
touchdown, the Bulldogs (1-1, 0-1) could only manage a 21-yard
second-quarter field goal. Derek Watson had three touchdowns as
South Carolina controlled the ball almost 24 minutes of the second
half.
"I think Georgia underestimated us a little bit," Gamecocks
defensive lineman Kalimba Edwards said.
The Bulldogs were held to 287 total yards. Even worse for
Georgia fans who considered this one of its strongest teams since
Herschel Walker's days 20 years ago is that any title hopes -- SEC or
national -- could be over.
If Georgia's offense struggles against South Carolina, which
hadn't won an SEC game since beating Vanderbilt 35-3 on Oct. 25,
1997, what can it possibly do against Tennessee and Florida next
month?
"It's still early in the season, even though you don't want to
lose to an inferior team," George defensive tackle Richard Seymour
said.
Carter was supposed to be Georgia's junior leader, who passed up
a shot at the NFL draft last year to lead the Bulldogs to glory.
But he never gave them a chance in this one. He missed receivers,
threw two first-play interceptions and had a personal-foul penalty
that led to South Carolina's go-ahead score.
After Andre Goodman returned Carter's interception 70 yards, the
quarterback rushed to make the tackle and flung Goodman hard to
ground out of bounds. The penalty put the ball on Georgia's 2 and
Watson rushed over for a 14-7 lead.
The Bulldogs drove to South Carolina's 5 three minutes before
halftime. On third down, Carter missed a wide open Jervaris Johnson
in the end zone and Georgia settled for a 21-yard field goal.
Carter, who carved the Gamecocks for 253 yards and a touchdown
last year, was 10-of-24 for 108 yards.
"Obviously, we have some real problems offensively," Georgia
coach Jim Donnan said. "From my standpoint, this is a real
letdown."
Things turned for South Carolina early. Georgia scored on its
opening possession on Brett Millican's 5-yard TD. But Watson, a
sophomore who passed on Tennessee to join Holtz in February 1999,
returned the kickoff 53 yards. He finished the drive with a 5-yard
scoring run.
"It showed we weren't going to back down to them," said
Watson, who finished with 93 yards on 20 carries.
Watson's final score, a 21-yard cutback run with 4:10 left in
the game, put things away and got students and fans massing along
the end zone railings. The yellow posts fell a lot quicker this
time -- the fans got better from week one to week two.
"It's the Gamecock millennium baby," one yelled as they
tumbled.
Georgia's defense kept South Carolina off-balance most of the
game -- holding the Gamecocks scoreless on five straight trips
inside Georgia's 35. But nothing was going right for the Bulldogs.
Corey Alexander dropped the ball in the backfield, picked it up
ran out of bounds, where he was hit hard by Georgia linebacker
Kendrell Bell. The referee threw the flag as Bulldogs tackle Marcus
Stroud pleaded and shouted at officials.
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ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard
Georgia Clubhouse
South Carolina Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 USC's Derek Watson muscles his way 5 yards for the touchdown.
avi: 382 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
USC's Derek Watson goes 21 yards for the touchdown.
avi: 887 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
USC's Derek Watson breaks three tackles on this 2-yard TD run.
avi: 411 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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