South Carolina vs. Missouri 2013 final score: Gamecocks roar back to win overtime thriller
The Gamecocks came back from a 17-point second half deficit to beat Missouri and stay alive in the SEC East, while the Tigers’ dream season is no more.
Missouri blew a three-score second half lead over the Gamecocks to force overtime, and the Tigers could not keep pace with the Gamecocks in extra frames, falling 27-24 in two overtimes. Missouri still controls its own destiny in the SEC East but has four conference games to play, including a pair of tough match-ups with Texas A&M and Ole Miss.
It was a forgettable first half for the Gamecocks, who missed a field goal and fumbled twice in Missouri territory on their way to a 17-0 halftime deficit. But South Carolina made a change that sparked a remarkable fourth quarter turnaround. Dylan Thompson's stat line to that point looked pretty decent, but some questionable decisions in key spots prompted Steve Spurrier to bench Thompson in favor of Connor Shaw -- who was expected to miss the game with two sprained knee ligaments. That change keyed the Gamecocks on a 17-0 run of their own, forcing overtime thanks Connor Shaw's 2-yard touchdown strike to Nick Jones.
The Gamecocks and Tigers traded touchdowns in the first overtime, and Missouri forced South Carolina to settle for a field goal in the second bonus round. Missouri looked to be in good shape to match the South Carolina’s field goal and force a third overtime. But Andrew Baggett’s chip shot 24-yard field goal bounced off the uprights and Missouri and the game was over.
This left several Missouri fans in a understandable despair.
Box Score Hero: Bruce Ellington caught 10 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, including this unlikely fourth-and-14 conversion to force a second overtime.
Rankings Ramifications: Missouri came in ranked 5th in the BCS standings. Most of the favorites held serve this week, so they’ll probably fall to around 14th. South Carolina was ranked 21st and should move into the mid-teens.
But Did They Cover? Missouri was favored by three. They did not cover.
For More On This Game: To read more on Missouri football, check out SB Nation's Missouri Tigers community Rock M Nation. For more on the Gamecocks, stop by Garnet And Black Attack.
Next Week's Schedule: Missouri welcomes the Tennessee Volunteers to Faurot Field, while the Gamecocks return to Williams-Brice Stadium for the first time in four weeks to take on Mississippi State.
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