The South Carolina Gamecocks started the 2017 season with a bang as Deebo Samuel returned the opening kickoff from N.C. State for a 97-yard touchdown.
South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel is one of the most underrated playmakers in the SEC.
Samuel led the Gamecocks with 59 receptions and 783 yards, but scored only one receiving touchdown in 2016. Yet Samuel found the end zone six times on the ground last year and also returned a kickoff 100 yards against Western Carolina, helping the Gamecocks qualify for a bowl game in head coach Will Muschamp’s first season in Columbia.
Samuel wasted no time scoring in the 2017 season opener against N.C. State. The junior fielded the opening kickoff from N.C. State kicker Kyle Bambard at the three-yard line and weaved through several Wolfpack tacklers before sprinting down the left sideline and into the end zone. The 97-yard TD was the eighth longest return in South Carolina football history.
DEEBO SAMUEL TO THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ynw5LSQGVG
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 2, 2017
As luck would have it, ESPN didn’t broadcast the touchdown live, missing it by mere seconds after wrapping up coverage of rival Clemson’s 56-3 blowout victory over Kent State.
ESPN missed the South Carolina touchdown by that much. https://t.co/Wve0lwyX9N
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) September 2, 2017
Though unranked, N.C. State is considered by some to be a dark horse candidate to win the ACC, and potentially make it to the College Football Playoff.
SEC Network television personality and former Auburn offensive lineman Cole Cubelic made waves during the preseason for including the Wolfpack in his playoff final four in large part because N.C. State boasts one of the best defensive lines in college football. Of course, the defensive line could only watch from the sideline as the N.C. State kickoff coverage unit dug an early 7-0 deficit against the Gamecocks.
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Nevertheless, N.C. State answered quickly and quarterback Ryan Finley scored on a six-yard touchdown on the following drive to tie the score.