SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 13, 2012
No. 8 Louisiana State 23, No. 3 South Carolina 21: Jeremy Hill rushed for 124 yards on 17 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns as the host Tigers took control late to overcome the Gamecocks.
Eric Reid hauled in a key interception in the fourth quarter and the defense dominated for LSU (6-1, 2-1 SEC), which bounced back from a rare loss and extended its home winning streak to 22 straight games.
Heisman trophy candidate Marcus Lattimore was held to only 35 yards on 13 carries for South Carolina (6-1, 4-1), which dropped behind undefeated Florida in the SEC East.
The Tigers trailed 14-10 with 9:13 left in the game when Reid picked off Connor Shaw and returned it 29 yards to the South Carolina 22. LSU settled for a field goal to pull within a point but forced a punt on the ensuing possession and got the ball back at midfield, where Hill needed only one play to break up the middle for a 50-yard score.
Shaw brought the Gamecocks back down and found Bruce Ellington for a 1-yard touchdown with 1:41 left, but South Carolina could not recover the ensuing onside kick. South Carolina had one last chance, but Shaw was intercepted on a desperation heave in the final seconds.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Gamecocks managed only 69 yards in the first half but still took a 7-3 lead into the break thanks to defensive back Jimmy Legree, who intercepted Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger and returned it 70 yards to the 2-yard line. Shaw found Ace Sanders for the touchdown one play later. … The Tigers improved to 18-1 after a loss under coach Les Miles. … South Carolina had its school-record 10-game winning streak come to an end. The Gamecocks have not started 7-0 since 1984.