Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - South Carolina proved on Tuesday that two
quarterbacks are better than one.
Starter Connor Shaw threw for 224 yards and pair of scores, while backup Dylan
Thompson also tossed two touchdown passes, including a 32-yarder with 11
seconds remaining to send the 11th-ranked Gamecocks to a 33-28 victory over
No. 19 Michigan in the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.
Shaw completed 18-of-26 passes and also rushed for 96 yards on 11 carries, but
the junior quarterback was injured during South Carolina's go-ahead drive late
in the fourth quarter. Thompson carried the Gamecocks from there, completing
back-to-back passes before spiking the ball at the Michigan 32 to stop the
clock with less than 20 seconds left and his team trailing by one.
The sophomore signal-caller then found Bruce Ellington streaking down the seam
for a 32-yard touchdown to give the Gamecocks a decisive five-point edge.
Thompson finished 7-of-9 for 117 yards and two scores, while Ace Sanders
hauled in nine passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns and also returned a punt
63 yards for a score to help South Carolina (11-2) earn back-to-back bowl
victories and notch its second consecutive 11-win season.
Devin Gardner connected on 18-of-35 passes for 214 yards with three touchdowns
and one interception for the Wolverines (8-5), who fell to 20-22 all-time in
bowl games.
Denard Robinson, playing his final game in the maize and blue, carried the
ball 23 times for 100 yards, while Jeremy Gallon finished with nine catches
for 145 yards and two scores in the setback.
The Sports Network