South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt final score: Gamecocks beat Commodores 48-34

By Mike Marteny | Sep 20, 2014

Sep 20, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Patton Robinette (4) is upended after running for a first down during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

It was not an easy trip to Nashville for the 14th ranked South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday night. The Vanderbilt Commodores return the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and ran the lead to 14-0 by the end of the first quarter. South Carolina survived two return touchdowns by Darrius Sims to pull away late for a 48-34 victory.

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Vanderbilt quarterback Patton Robinette left the game with what is being called a head injury early in the second quarter and did not return. This forced freshman quarterback Wade Freebeck into action. Robinette was 4-5 with 55 yards and a touchdown prior to his departure. Freebeck didn’t fare so well. He did come around and lead a couple of good drives late in the fourth quarter to finish his night 11-20 for 168 yards and a touchdown to go with an interception

The Gamecocks stormed back the last six minutes of the first half. Dylan Thompson found Damiere Byrd for 29 yards for the first South Carolina touchdown. Then with 23 seconds left in the half, Brison Williams returned an interception for a touchdown to give the Gamecocks their first lead of the game at 17-14 heading into intermission.

It was a lead they would not relinquish.

Thompson had a great night leading the Gamecocks. He threw three touchdown passes without an interception.

Pharaoh Cooper was the jack of all trades spark that the South Carolina offense needed. He ran for 74 yards on just two carries, and caught ten passes for 114 yards.

Vanderbilt did keep the South Carolina lead at ten or under for most of the second half, but as well as their defense played, they just did not get the bounces. South Carolina had three fumbles that went out of bounds before Vandy had a chance to recover.

The Gamecocks will welcome Missouri to town next Saturday for a prime time tilt on ESPN.

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