South Carolina Wins the 2018 Outback in a Comeback

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Tampa, FL — The 32nd Outback Bowl was played at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2018 between the Michigan Wolverines and the South Carolina Gamecocks of which both teams had an 8-4 season.

The first half of the game was not very action packed for either team. Michigan kicker, Quinn Nordin, scored the first points of the game with a 35-yard field goal and three more points with a 26-yard field goal, giving the Wolverines a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was more of the same as the only points scored were field goals. South Carolina kicker, Parker White, completed a 44-yard field goal on their first possession of the period putting them on the scoreboard, 6-3. Quinn answered back with a 45-yarder to close out the half with the Wolverines leading the Gamecocks 9-3.

The second half is where things started to heat up, despite the chilly 46℉ air with wind chills dipping down into the upper 30’s. South Carolina received the ball, gained five yards, and punted  to Michigan within the first 1:30 of the quarter. Their first drive led to a single-yard rushing touchdown by Ben Mason and giving the Wolverines a 16-3 lead. The Gamecocks weren’t able to produce any points during their next drives while Michigan tacked on another three points by Quinn splitting the uprights from 48 yards taking their lead to 19-3.

At this point, a lot of South Carolina fans left the stadium and chalked the ‘W’ to Michigan, but it wasn’t over yet. The Gamecocks quarterback, Jake Bentley, took the team 77 yards down the field to the Wolverine 17 (with the help of a 15 yard personal foul on defense’s Josh Metellus for unsportsmanlike conduct) where Rico Dowdle rushed in for the TD closing the gap to 19-9.  Then South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw recovered a fumble by Brandon Peters at the Michigan 21-yard line. Bentley stepped in strong again completing a pass to Bryan Edwards for another SC TD shortening the Wolverines lead to three and ending the quarter, 19-16.

Michigan had first possession in the fourth and punted away after five plays. South Carolina responded with another touchdown pass from Bentley. This time to Shi Smith to take their first lead of the game, 23-19. Eight plays and 75 yards down the field, Michigan’s Brandon Peters from under center threw an interception to JaMarcus King. Not able to produce anything, SC punted the ball to Michigan receiver JD Peoples who muffed the catch that was scooped up by South Carolina’s A.J. Turner on the Michigan 14.

The Gamecocks posted another three points by White, extending their lead to 26-19. Afterward, Michigan attempted a fourth down play unsuccessfully on their next possession. With 3:32 to go in the game, South Carolina moved the ball six yards, but they took 1:40 off the clock leaving Michigan with 1:43 to score a touchdown. Peters attempted a 4th and 1 pass that was picked by South Carolina’s Steven Montac at the SC 45. This allowed  The 2018 Outback Bowl MVP Jake Bentley to take a knee to claim the victory and a 9-4  final record for his school.

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