Gamecocks Dominate Opener, 41-13

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Quarterback Stephen Garcia and freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore each ran for two touchdowns and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier won his 18th straight college opener 41-13 over Southern Miss on Thursday night.

Garcia got things started with a 22-yard touchdown run and Lattimore followed with first-half scores of 3 and 7 yards to send the Gamecocks to a surprisingly easy win against the Golden Eagles.

And Lattimore wasn’t the only young star to excel for Spurrier.

Sophomore Alshon Jeffery had 106 receiving yards and freshman Ace Sanders had a 53-yard rush — the Gamecocks’ longest in four years — to set up Lattimore’s first score.

Even freshman backup passer Connor Shaw came through, connecting with D.L. Moore for a 15-yard touchdown pass for South Carolina’s final score.