The Epic 2005 Independence Bowl Recap - Mizzou vs. South Carolina

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Missouri (7-5) trailed 21-0 after the first quarter as Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks dominated the first half.

"We knew he (Mizzou QB Brad Smith) was an excellent quarterback," Spurrier said. "We had him hemmed in in the first half."

The Tigers didn't convert a third-down until the final 58 seconds of the half. South Carolina (7-5)
outgained Missouri 312 yards to 174 in the first half and held the football almost 11 minutes longer.

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With a Gamecocks lead of 28-7, Missouri staged its first long drive of the game. The Tigers went 77 yards and Smith hit Chase Coffman with a 5-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-14 at halftime. Coffman finished with eight catches for 99 yards.

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On their first drive of the 3rd quarter, Missouri faked a field goal at the Carolina 14. Martin Rucker ran to the 1-yard line, but the Tigers couldn't push it in and Adam Crossett's 22-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

Smith pulled Missouri to 28-21 with a 31-yard run with 2:41 left in the third quarter.

Another apparent Missouri touchdown was nullified by a 15-yard tripping penalty. Smith finally got the score on a 4-yard run that tied the score at 28 early in the fourth quarter.

Crossett kicked a 50-yard field goal to put the Tigers up 31-28, but Josh Brown countered with a 30 yarder that tied it at 31-all.

Then, with 2:13 remaining in the game, Smith sealed the Missouri win with a 1-yard TD run.

"It shows us no matter where we are or who we play, we can stay with them," Missouri safety David Overstreet said. "We spotted them 21 points. To go out and get the win is great for everyone's confidence."

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