In what was an agonizing, aggravating, and in the end, thrilling game for South Carolina Gamecocks fans, the 2013 Outback Bowl provided some great memories, including two that should live on in the memories of those fans for decades.
First, the play of the game, and maybe the season for South Carolina for several different reasons.
One: It came after that hideous, mind-boggling, and questionably dirty first down call I linked to in the opening.
Two: It involved Jadeveon Clowney.
Three: It resulted in this GIF.
Next, we have this great throw from Connor Shaw and catch from Damier Byrd to open the scoring.
A few other plays that won’t be shown visually, but deserve mention:
Dylan Thompson’s big third down throw to Nick Jones who almost ran it in for a touchdown.
D.J. Swearinger’s touchdown saving pass deflection in the front left corner of the endzone.
Tyler Hull’s 50 yard punt, as well as the fact that he averaged 41 yards per punt against Michigan.
The final two could also be called the “play of the game”, but if you really argue about it, that Clowney hit is number one. Still, Ace Sander’s punt return touchdown will be remembered for a while.
And finally, the play that ultimately won the game for South Carolina: Dylan Thompson’s courageous throw down the field to Bruce Ellington, who got wide open, stopped when he caught the ball, then walked into the endzone with 11 seconds left.
What a game, what a (group of) play(s), what a season.