South Carolina Football: Ranking the top plays in Gamecock history
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Greatest Play of All-Time:
Mike Hold off the Bench vs. Georgia
The Situation: The top-12 Georgia Bulldogs came to Columbia in 1984 expecting to knock off the Gamecocks. Carolina played well and had the score tied at 10 when starting quarterback Allen Mitchell left the game with an injury. Less than a week after being told by offensive coordinator Frank Sadler that he’d “never see the field,” Mike Hold was called on to save the day.
Hold executed a nice quick kick that went over 60 yards to flip the field and, sensing that scoring opportunities would be few and far between, on the next offensive possession, Sadler asked Hold to throw the ball deep. (In the video clip above, Hold enters the game after Mitchell’s injury at the 10:30 mark)
Impressiveness: Hold had played only seven plays in his South Carolina football career before this moment. The junior college transfer uncorked a 62-yard bomb that hit Ira Hillary in stride and set up the game-winning score, one that Hold ran in himself. The throw was impressive in that it was on target, but it was even more so considering Hold’s lack of experience or in-game rhythm.
Impact: The impact of this play was enormous. Not only did the Gamecocks hold on to beat the Bulldogs that day, but it sparked one of the best seasons in Carolina history. Hold became a regular contributor in the offense as South Carolina football finished the regular season 10-1 in what was known as the “Black Magic” season.
Improbability: Backup quarterbacks come into games for a number of reasons, and it is not that uncommon for it to happen. However, what was so improbable about this play was that Hold had called his father earlier that week about transferring away from the South Carolina football program after offensive coordinator Frank Sadler told him he would never play for him.
Thanks to Mr. Hold convincing his son to stick it out, #7 was called upon to provide some heroics for the Gamecocks, and he delivered in the biggest way possible. Adding to the improbability of this play was the fact that Hold was asked to throw the ball deep, something most backup quarterbacks are not prepared to do.