Sunday March 16th, 2025 9:37AM

S. Carolina beats New Mexico St.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina&#39;s Lou Holtz is happy to share a place in college football history with his friend and rival, Michigan coach Bo Schembechler. <br> <br> ``But if I worried about wins and losses, or winning percentages, I sure wouldn&#39;t have taken over six losing situations,&#39;&#39; said Holtz, who caught Schembechler with his 234th career win Saturday as the 22nd-ranked Gamecocks defeated New Mexico State, 34-24. <br> <br> ``All that means is I&#39;ve coached a long time,&#39;&#39; said Holtz, who can tie his former Ohio State boss, the late Woody Hayes, with four more victories. <br> <br> South Carolina&#39;s largest season-opening crowd of 83,717 didn&#39;t see the thumping it expected. But the Gamecocks got 113 yards rushing and a pretty, 44-yard touchdown pass from new quarterback Corey Jenkins to win their third straight opener. <br> <br> ``You can&#39;t win pretty all the time,&#39;&#39; said Jenkins, who also threw for 166 yards on 9-of-18 passing. ``The best part about this all is we won, and we got a lot of guys who are disappointed.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Especially since things were doubt until the final quarter. <br> <br> The Gamecocks could get little going early behind Jenkins, a 26-year-old senior starting for the first time. <br> <br> And when Walter Taylor ran in from a yard out with 1:35 left in the third period set up by Eric Higgins&#39; 75-yard carry the Aggies trailed just 20-17. <br> <br> ``I like how we silenced the crowd a couple of times,&#39;&#39; said Higgins, who finished with 111 yards rushing. <br> <br> But then Jenkins and the Gamecocks took control. <br> <br> Jenkins had a 16-yard run and an 18-yard pass to Michael Ages on the next drive. An 8-yard run by Jenkins took the ball to New Mexico State&#39;s 2, and freshman Daccus Turman followed with a touchdown that put the Gamecocks up 26-17 less than two minutes into the final quarter. <br> <br> A fumbled punt on the Aggies&#39; next series set up another score for South Carolina. Andrew Pinnock got his 21st career rushing touchdown to put the game away. <br> <br> ``We made mistakes. We know that,&#39;&#39; South Carolina runner Ryan Brewer said. ``We&#39;ve got to work hard every week.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> New Mexico State quarterback Buck Pierce scored on a 13-yard draw play with 3:29 left. The Aggies, though, could get no closer. <br> <br> Pierce was 17-of-26 passing for 207 yards. <br> <br> Jenkins&#39; highlight was his touchdown throw to James Adkisson in third quarter. Jenkins stepped back, pump-faked hard, then hit Adkisson right on the hands as he entered the end zone. <br> <br> Jenkins, who grew up less than a mile from Williams-Brice Stadium, raised his arms to the cheering crowd. <br> <br> ``That was something, wasn&#39;t it?&#39;&#39; Jenkins said, smiling. <br> <br> It was one of the few things Gamecocks fans got excited about. <br> <br> Two years ago they stormed the field, tore down the goal posts and ripped up the shrubs here when South Carolina ended a 21-game losing streak by beating New Mexico State 31-0. <br> <br> Pierce, a young player sitting out his redshirt season then, vowed such celebrations wouldn&#39;t happen against the Aggies again. ``It lit a huge flame under this team,&#39;&#39; he said. ``We showed the nation we can play with anyone.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The Gamecocks, on the other hand, still have much to prove. <br> <br> Jenkins, a former first-round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox, didn&#39;t complete a pass until midway through the second quarter. The Gamecocks&#39; defense, third in the Southeastern Conference a year ago, allowed 212 yards rushing and gave up a 34-yard TD pass by Pierce on fourth down. <br> <br> South Carolina twice had long drives stall inside the Aggies&#39; 15 and settled for field goals to lead 13-10 at halftime.
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