A low scoring battle went USC's way as kicker Bobby Marino dropped a 21-yard field goal through the uprights for a last minute 10-7 win over Mississippi. The Gamecocks had controlled the ball on the ground all day, as Kevin Long (109) and Jay Lynn Hodgin (107) both went over one hundred yards rushing and quarterback Jeff Grantz added another 71. Long provided the game's score, as his six yard touchdown run ended a 16 play, 69 yard drive that was extended when Ole Miss got a roughing the kicker penalty on a field goal attempt from the Rebel 17 yard line. Mississippi tied the game when USC fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half and the Rebels recovered at the Carolina 12. Larry Kramer scored from the one to tie the game. Gamecock kicker Steve Young missed two field goal attempts as the second half went on and the two squads were mired in a turnover battle that saw a combined seven lost fumbles on the day. The game turned late as Ole Miss had driven to the USC 45, but on third and five Carolina defensive end Russ Manzari fell on an errant pitchout with 2:46 left in the game. Hodgin picked up 12 yards on first down, Long added another 14 and a 13-yard pass from Grantz to Phillip Logan got USC within striking distance. Coach Paul Dietzel, noting Young's two misses, decided to switch kickers, and sent Marino in and the junior from Atlanta split the uprights for the win. Dietzel said after the game 'I talked with Bobby midway through the fourth quarter and told him to get ready because he was going to win the game for us.' The win, Carolina's first of the year, improved the Gamecock record to 1-5; |