A Tiger Welcome for the Gamecocks

By: Laura Norsworthy, Senior Editor

  Tiger Stadium is not typically known for being a welcoming place for visiting teams as the nickname “Death Valley” might suggest.  However, this week was different.  The South Carolina Gamecocks, unable to host the game as scheduled due to the recent devastating flooding in South Carolina, found help from an unusual source – the opposing team – LSU in Baton Rouge.  Louisiana State University offered to allow the game to be played in Tiger Stadium with all profits from ticket sales going to the University of South Carolina.  But the hospitality didn’t stop there.  The LSU band learned the Gamecock Alma Mater and played it during pregame.  They also played the Gamecock fight song at half time.  The South Carolina flag flew on the stadium wall.  The American Red Cross collected donations at the game from those who attended and Red Cross workers commented on the generosity of the crowd.  Most unusual of all was the welcome for the Gamecocks when they entered the field at the beginning of the game.  Instead of entering to “boo,” fans clapped enthusiastically to show support for South Carolinians during this difficult time.  Those from Louisiana have not forgotten when they suffered similar disasters with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.   As a final gesture of concern for South Carolina’s speedy recovery, Leonard Fournette donated his game day jersey for auction for the relief efforts.

For LSU fans, the game experience was unique. Accustomed to record crowds, it was strange to be at an SEC game in Tiger stadium with less than half of the stadium full.  Many fans enjoyed better seats than they can usually afford with nearly all attendees seated on either the East or West sides of the field and “nosebleed seats” almost all vacant.  The weather was pleasant and the football game in many ways could be argued to be the best one yet.  

The Gamecocks came out from the gate with a score on their first possession of the game.  Thanks to the LSU defense, they were only able to put 3 on the board with a field goal.  The Tigers would answer back with a touchdown on a 4 yard run by Darrel Williams.  Domingue was good for the point after and the Tigers would never again trail the Gamecocks in the game.  During the second quarter, the Tigers scored another touchdown on a 10 yard pass from Brandon Harris to Malachi Dupre.  The extra point was good and the Tigers lead with a score of 14 to 3.  However on the kick off, the Gamecocks ran it 96 yards back for a touchdown, narrowing the lead which was now 14 to 10.   Trent Domingue was good for a 29 yard field goal before the half, making the score 17 to 10 Tigers.

The 3rd quarter began with what every fan loves to see – Leonard Fournette from the line of scrimmage running 87 yards for a touchdown.  To the delight of Tiger fans, the next score came on a 62 yard pass from Brandon Harris to Travin Durel for a touchdown.  The score was now 31 to 10.  South Carolina would score two more touchdowns in the 3rd quarter before Darrel Williams would score another touchdown for the Tigers. The Tigers would score one more time in the 4th with a 4 yard run by Derrius Guice.  Domingue iced every point after kick requested of him and the final score was LSU 45 to South Carolina 24.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about this game was that we saw great play from more players than just Leonard Fournette.  It is amusing that it is being said that Leonard Fournette had “only” 183 all-purpose yards for the game.  However, what a delight it was to see true freshman Derrius Guice, looking very much like a Leonard Fournette in training, racking up 163 all-purpose yards in this game!  Tiger fans thrilled to see Brandon Harris have his best passing game yet with 228 yards and 2 touchdown passes.  It was a great game!