The No. 19 South Carolina Gamecocks provided some fireworks but ultimately couldn't keep pace with the No. 21 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, falling 45-38 in the Gator Bowl after a back-and-forth affair that failed to go the Gamecocks' way despite a promising start.
South Carolina got the game off to a rollicking start, opting to receive and cashing in on that decision by marching down the field thanks to tight end Nate Adkins and receiver Xavier Legette, who reached the end zone on a screen pass to quickly make it 7-0 in front of what sounded like a home crowd.