By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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The Gamecocks might not have been extremely-efficient, but they were quite resilient.

Facing an East Carolina team fresh off a victory over North Carolina State, South Carolina gave up 400 yards passing, did not score a touchdown after the first quarter, allowed 34 first downs while compiling just 13 — and won. Saturday was far from the traditional typical recipe for success, but, as was the case in the opening victory at Vanderbilt for the Gamecocks, they fought, scratched, clawed and did whatever it took to win a football game. Despite very modest outside expectations for South Carolina this summer, new head coach Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks are 2-1 ahead of a winnable road game at Kentucky.

In many ways, South Carolina did not play very well against the Pirates. East Carolina outgained the Gamecocks by over 200 total yards and held South Carolina to just three points over the game’s final three quarters. The Gamecocks were only 3-of-12 on third downs, had possession of the football for only 21:35 and had a long drive of just seven plays all afternoon long. Zay Jones, receiver for the Pirates, was one reception shy of an FBS record as he caught 22 passes. The box score was not a flattering one for the home team.

South Carolina might not have been extremely-efficient, but the Gamecocks were quite resilient, and they now have a winning record to show for it.

“It was a very gutty performance by our players. They kept battling and kept hanging in their in the game,” Muschamp explained. “They fought through adversity.”

In Muschamp’s home debut, South Carolina forced four critical turnovers, including one interception in the endzone, another at the 1-yard line and a fumble recovery defending the goaline as well. The defense was at its best when it had to be; plays were made when they had to be. The Gamecocks, conversely, did not have a single such misstep. Both in the huddle and on the sidelines, the tone set was a resonating one.

“I see a defense that doesnt give up. We feed off of them, just like they feed off of us. It was amazing to see them go out there and not let them cross the pylon. The defense did a heck of a job,” nodded offensive lineman Mason Zandi.

True freshman signal caller Brandon McIlwain got the start at quarterback, scoring a touchdown on a 9-yard run on his first-ever play from scrimmage at Williams-Brice Stadium. McIlwain managed the game well, rushing for two scores. He avoid the critical mistake and showed some poise in a close, hard-fought football game. Expect to see notable improvement from McElwain as the season progresses.

The play of the day was a gritty one, a gut-check moment for Muschamp and his young team. Up five, facing a 4th-and-1 at the ECU 40-yard line with just over two minutes remaining, South Carolina opted to play for the win, not to play defense. Running back David Williams took the handoff 25 yards, resulting in a conversion for the offense, a victory for the Gamecocks and a statement made by Muschamp.

“I am really proud of our guys,” he added.

Win two was similar to win one for South Carolina, a 13-10 triumph in Nashville where Elliott Fry kicked a game-winning 55-yard field goal on a night where the Gamecocks didn’t score until midway through the third quarter and finished the contest with 13 unanswered points. Neither game was aesthetically-pleasing; both, however, finished with South Carolina on the winning end. The Gamecocks now have some early season momentum, traction they have worked hard to earn.

Plenty of football remains, but South Carolina is developing an identity as a team that, regardless of the stat sheet or superlatives, somehow finds a way.