The 2002 Outback Bowl featured the

South Carolina Gamecocks The South Carolina Gamecocks represent the University of South Carolina in the NCAA Division I. The University of South Carolina uses "Gamecocks" as its official nickname and mascot. While the men's teams were traditionally known as the Fighti ...

, and the

Ohio State Buckeyes The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Ohio State University, located in Columbus, Ohio. The athletic programs are named after the colloquial term for people from the state of Ohio and after the state tree ...

. South Carolina had comfortably defeated Ohio State in the previous year's game, 24–7. This was the 16th edition of the

Outback Bowl The ReliaQuest Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, usually on New Year's Day. The event has been formerly called the Hall of Fame Bowl from 1986 to 1995 and the Outback Bowl from 1996 to ...

Summary

South Carolina scored first, when running back Andrew Pinnock scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to open up a 7–0 second quarter lead. Quarterback Phil Petty found Brian Scott for a 7-yard touchdown pass, to increase the lead to 14–0. In the third quarter, Phil Pettey found Andrea Gause for a 50-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 20–0. Andrew Pinnock made the lead seemingly insurmountable when he rushed 10 yards for a touchdown, to put USC up 28–0, late in the third quarter. Late in the third quarter, quarterback

Steve Bellisari Steve Bellisari (born April 21, 1980) is a former American football quarterback. He is best known for his time playing football at Ohio State University from 1998 to 2001. College career Bellisari, a special teams player and a defensive back hi ...

rushed 2 yards for a touchdown to put Ohio State on the board, 28–7. Early in the fourth quarter, he found

Darnell Sanders Darnell L. Sanders (born March 16, 1979) is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played in 36 games (23 starts) at Ohio State University and finished with 42 catches for 474 yards and nine touchdowns. ...

for a 16-yard touchdown pass to trim the margin to 28–14. Ohio State was driving again with 6 minutes left, when Belisari fumbled a snap at South Carolina's 23-yard line. On the very next play, South Carolina gave it right back, when they fumbled, giving Ohio State new life. Steve Belisari threw a 22-yard pass to Michael Jenkins, and Jonathan Wells took a handoff 1 yard for a touchdown, bringing Ohio State to 28–21. South Carolina went three-and-out on its next possession, giving the ball to Ohio State. Steve Bellisari engineered a perfect drive, going 5-for-5 passing for 63 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown pass to Sanders with 1:54 left, to tie the game, 28–28. Ohio State intercepted a South Carolina pass, but Belisari threw an interception, and South Carolina got the ball back in good field position. Daniel Weaver kicked the winning field goal for South Carolina as time expired, giving the Gamecocks a narrow 31–28 victory.

References

External links

* http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores102/102001/102001307.htm

ReliaQuest Bowl Ohio State Buckeyes football bowl games South Carolina Gamecocks football bowl games January 2002 sports events in the United States

21st century in Tampa, Florida {{Collegefootball-bowl-stub