The Appalachian State Mountaineers traveled to Columbia, S.C., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks in a night game at Williams Brice Stadium.
The Mountaineers came into the game 7-1, beating the University Of North Carolina earlier in the season, and defeated the Gamecocks on Saturday night to give them two victories against Power Five programs.
South Carolina came into the game 4-5, keeping in mind that it was essential the Gamecocks win this game in order to be in contention for a bowl game in the postseason; they needed two wins of the three games left in the season. Now, after being defeated by the Mountaineers, the only hope the Gamecocks have of postseason play is to win against Texas A&M on the road and Clemson at home to close out the season.
South Carolina started the game with possession of the ball and after a 15-play opening drive that took just over six minutes off of the clock, and Parker White kicked a 41-yard field goal to put the Gamecocks on the board first. Appalachian State returned in the next drive and also put a field goal on the board to tie the game.
In the next South Carolina drive, White kicked another field goal to put the gamecocks ahead by three. It was a game of field goal scores in the first half as South Carolina put yet another one on the board, and Appalachian State also put another three points up before the quarter ended. The only touchdown of the half occurred when South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski threw an interception to Nicholas Ross, who took it all the way for an Appalachian state touchdown. The second quarter ended shortly thereafter with the Mountaineers on top 13-6.
Appalachian State started the second half of the game with possession of the ball. In what seemed to be a good start for the Gamecocks, the possession was ended early when Ernest Jones intercepted a pass by Zac Thomas and South Carolina capitalized in their first drive when Parker White kicked another field goal, this time for a career-long 50 yards. The Mountaineers answered with a touchdown, widening the lead to 20-9. The score would remain the same until South Carolina tried to make a comeback with two minutes left in the game. It looked like they would succeed as Hilinski connected with Bryan Edwards for a 23-yard touchdown and nearly connected with him again in the last play of the game … but threw the ball way over Edwards’ head as time expired.
The Mountaineers took home the 20-15 victory over the Gamecocks.
Many of the South Carolina faithful were let down yet again with this disappointing loss and called for head coach Will Muschamp and athletic director Ray Tanner’s jobs after losing at home to a team from the Sunbelt Conference. Perhaps if the Gamecocks would have played the whole second half like they played in the last two minutes, the outcome would have been different, but as it is, the Gamecocks go to College Station next week to face the Texas A&M Aggies, to finish out conference play for this season with a 4-6 record.
All heart, all Gamecock.
@Edwards_Bryan4 continues to create a legacy that will last forever 🤙 pic.twitter.com/eUkOxP2TKA
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 11, 2019
