Associated Press
ATHENS, Ga. ó Melvin Ingram had never scored a touchdown for South Carolina. Not surprising, since he plays defensive end.
On Saturday, the 276-pound senior finally made it to the end zone.
Twice.
Looking like a running back, Ingram went 68 yards for a touchdown with a fake punt, then scooped up a fumble and stepped into the end zone with just over 3 minutes remaining to clinch No. 12 South Carolinaís wild 45-42 victory over Georgia, handing embattled coach Mark Richt another galling loss.
The Gamecocks (2-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) gained the early upper hand in the East Division by taking advantage of every Georgia mistake: Antonio Allen returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown, and Stephon Gilmoreís 56-yard return with a fumble set up another score for South Carolina.
ěReally, it was three defensive scores. And the punt, too. Melvin, heís a defensive player. So thatís basically four defensive touchdowns,î coach Steve Spurrier said. ěGeorgia outplayed us. Give ëem credit. They definitely outplayed us. But we won the game. Sometimes it happens like that. Somebody was looking out for us tonight.î
Georgia (0-2, 0-1) got four touchdown passes from Aaron Murray but simply couldnít overcome all the major blunders.
ěWhen we look at the film, there will probably be some things that cause us to slam the projectors against the wall. Thereís so many things we canít afford to do,î Richt said. ěBut just as many times, weíll probably say, ëThat was awesome. That was awesome execution.í We did a lot of great things too. I think we have all the ingredients to be a really fine team, ultimately.î
The teams combined for 60 points over the final 21:09 and the lead changed hands four times (with a tie, as well) during that span.
Marcus Lattimore, who rushed for 176 yards on 27 bruising carries, put the Gamecocks ahead for good on a 3-yard run that made it 38-35 with 31/2 minutes left.