South Carolina football score updates vs Furman Paladins in 2023 Gamecocks' home opener
COLUMBIA — After an ugly Week 1 loss to North Carolina, South Carolina football aims to score its first win of 2023 in its home opener against Furman.
The Gamecocks (0-1) host the Paladins (1-0) in front of a sold-out crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPN+). South Carolina leads the all-time series 28-20-1, and it has won both meetings with Furman since 2000. The teams last faced off in Columbia in 2014, and the Gamecocks won 41-10.
Furman is ranked No. 6 in the FCS coaches' poll and opened its 2023 season with a 45-10 win over Tennessee Tech. The Paladins were predicted to finish first in the Southern Conference preseason after going 7-1 and 10-3 overall in 2022.
South Carolina game time, TV channel, odds today vs. Furman
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
ESPN FPI: 94.4% chance of South Carolina win
South Carolina football score updates vs. Furman Paladins
Fourth quarter
10:25 p.m.: South Carolina 47, Furman 14
South Carolina's freshmen continue to dominate the second half. LaNorris Sellers connected with 5-star wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor on a seven-yard pass for his second career passing touchdown. The Gamecocks haven't allowed Furman in the red zone since the second quarter.
Third quarter
10:10 p.m.: South Carolina 40, Furman 14
Spencer Rattler concluded his night with seven minutes left in the third quarter, and third-string QB LaNorris Sellers took over after a couple of snaps for Luke Doty. Sellers pitched a perfect deep ball to fellow freshman Tyshawn Russell for a 50-yard touchdown on his first drive under center.
9:50 p.m.: South Carolina 34, Furman 14
South Carolina took just four plays to cover 90 yards on its first drive of the second half. Spencer Rattler first connected with Eddie Lewis for 44 yards over the middle, then hit a tightly-covered Xavier Legette on the back shoulder for a 42-yard touchdown. Legette now has over 100 receiving yards for the second week in a row.
Second quarter
9:05 p.m.: South Carolina 27, Furman 14
Spencer Rattler hit O'Mega Blake for his first career touchdown after connecting with Xavier Legette on a 53-yard deep ball to get into scoring range. The South Carolina quarterback enters halftime 23-of-25 passing for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
8:55 p.m.: South Carolina 20, Furman 14
The Gamecocks put together a quarterback to quarterback play as Spencer Rattler connected with backup QB Luke Doty on a 36-yard passing touchdown. Doty also took reps at wide receiver against UNC and checked in after starter Ahmarean Brown exited with an injury. South Carolina attempted a 2-point conversion that was not completed.
8:30 p.m.: South Carolina 14, Furman 14
Spencer Rattler scored his first touchdown of the 2023 season, punching the ball across the goal line on third down from the 1-yard line. Rattler is already 13-of-13 passing for 131 passing yards with eight minutes left in the first half.
8:20 p.m.: Furman 14, South Carolina 7
Tyler Huff completed a four-yard pass to wide receiver Luke Shiflett for his first passing touchdown of the night. The Paladins' touchdown came on the play after South Carolina starting defensive back Jalon Kilgore exited with an injury. He seems likely to return after quickly leaving the medical tent and going through exercises on the sidelines
First quarter
8:00 p.m.: South Carolina 7, Furman 7
The Gamecocks responded quickly to Furman's first touchdown, marching down the field for a 72-yard scoring drive. Running back Dakereon Joyner scored his second rushing touchdown of the season on first down and goal from the 3-yard line. Spencer Rattler has yet to throw an incomplete pass.
7:50 p.m.: Furman 7, South Carolina 0
It only took the Paladins two plays to get into the red zone, one a 14-yard rush by quarterback Tyler Huff and the other a 51-yard pass to Kyndel Dean. Running back Dominic Roberto punched in the touchdown on fourth down from 1-yard line after South Carolina's defense made a big stop on third down.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina score updates vs Furman in SEC football Week 2
