On September 2, 2000, South Carolina snapped the nation’s longest losing streak (21 games) with a 31-0 victory over New Mexico State. The following week the Gamecocks welcomed #9 Georgia into Williams Brice with hotshot quarterback Quincy Carter. Phil Petty and Derek Watson paced the offense, but the story of the game was Charlie Strong’s zone blitz-crazy defense that led propelled the Gamecocks to a stunning 21-10 victory.
Georgia fans still recall with horror Carter’s five-interception day.
The following year in Athens, the Bulldogs were breaking in a new coach named Mark Richt and new quarterback named David Greene (you know, David Pollack’s roommate). They had the game against South Carolina circled because they wanted revenge and wanted it bad.
But once again a defensive struggle ensued, and a late fumble by Watson seemingly sealed the Gamecocks fate. But Petty, with a major assist from Ryan Brewer, led the Gamecocks on an improbable drive at the end of the game that resulted in this touchdown and a 14-9 victory.
Was there for both. Georgia fans were very rude to us and we had to have the police to allow Gamecock fans to leave the stadium in Athens. It was my last time to go there and I have no desire to go back.