University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
South Carolina
Cajuns
8/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Aug. 30 2003
Statistical Recap
COLUMBIA, S.C.
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Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns came to South Carolina.
looking for the first SEC win in school history. The
Cajuns came-up short on Saturday night, falling 14-7 to
the Gamecocks.
Jerry Babb's first career interception, the Cajuns third turnover of the first half, appeared to lead the way for USC's second score. Deandre Eiland's pick with 95 seconds left gave the Gamecocks enough time to mount a drive. Starting on the Cajuns 46, USC went 35 yards in eight plays before attempting a 29-yard field goal with three seconds on the clock.
Josh Brown's attempt was blocked by Michael Adams and picked-up by Patrick Lamy. Lamy raced 89 yards untouched for a Cajuns touchdown. Sean Comiskey's extra point tied the score at 7-7 to end the first half.
The teams traded punts in the third quarter until a short 27-yard kick by Grant Autrey gave the Gamecocks the ball on their own 44-yard line. USC marched quickly in the end zone, needing six plays, the last coming on Kenny Irons' seven-yard touchdown run.
A missed 52-yard field goal by Sean Comiskey preceded a missed 38-yard field goal by Brown.
The Cajuns got the ball past midfield with 5:04 remaining in the game. UL Lafayette was unable to move the ball and had to punt.
USC mounted a long drive on the ground, consuming all but four seconds of the game clock. Babb's Hail Mary as time expired was unsuccessful.
A Cajuns turnover led to South Carolina's first score. Chester Johnson coughed-up the ball on his own 22-yard line during the Cajuns first drive of the game.
Three straight rushes by Daccus Turman put the Gamecocks on the Cajuns eight-yard line. Dondrial Pinkins first completion of the night went into the end zone to Troy Williamson for a touchdown. Derace James blocked the extra point, but UL Lafayette was flagged for an offsides penalty, giving kicker Josh Brown a second chance. He converted to put USC up 7-0 less than five minutes into the game.
The Cajuns were driving toward the tying score on their next possession, but Johnson's second fumble of the game occurred at the USC five-yard line, where it was recovered by Darel Slay.
Babb completed his first career pass on the drive, a 28-yard strike to Fred Stamps. The reception extended Stamps' receiving streak to 33 consecutive games with a catch.
The attendance of 82,227 was the fourth largest home opener in Williams-Brice Stadium history. The crowd was the fifth largest the Cajuns have ever played in front of.
-Ragin' Cajuns-
