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From buzzer-beaters to walk-offs, my favorite SC moments By Josh Hyber | Staff writer D eebo Samuel’s week one gameopening kickoff return for a touchdown in Charlotte.

Bryan Edwards’ one-handed, behind-his-head catch in Knoxville. Parker White’s walk-off field goal against Louisiana Tech.

Ty Harris’ 71-foot heave that swished through the net against South Dakota and Zia Cooke’s game-clinching interception against Mississippi State.

Felipe Haase to Chris Silva to beat Florida. Alyssa Kumiyama’s walk-off against Duke to complete a four-run comeback that secured Beverly Smith’s 300th win.

There have been highlight moments that could span a lifetime over the past two and a half years I have spent on the Gamecock beat for Spurs & Feathers.

But the electrifying moments above all miss the cut for my favorite moments. Here’s a look at the best of the best:

FOOTBALL

I stood between the hedges during the final moments of the fourth quarter and during all three overtimes as South

Carolina upset Georgia. But more than Israel Mukuamu’s three interceptions and Georgia kicker Rodrigo Blankenship missing a field goal that clinched the Gamecock win, I remember the postgame celebration.

I remember watching Ryan Hilinski, carried by two team staffers, hobble around the field celebrating. I remember following Mukuamu, chomping down on a twig from the hedges, embrace his family in the stands. Same for T.J. Brunson.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Eighteen thousand fans in attendance for a women’s basketball game? That’s special. The atmosphere inside Colonial Life Arena when South Carolina beat UConn for the first time in program history was magical.

I was in the AT&T Center in San Antonio when the Spurs beat the Miami Heat to clinch the 2014 NBA Finals. Monday, Feb. 10 inside CLA was just as electrifying.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

South Carolina has a thing for coming back from 14 points down to beat Kentucky. It did so on Jan. 17, 2018 and again on Jan. 15, 2020. This past season’s came in dramatic fashion, with Jermaine Couisnard knocking down a long 3 at the buzzer to knock off the No. 10 Wildcats.

Kentucky tied the game with five seconds remaining, but Couisnard, who made his first career start that night, raced down court and sank the 3-point shot from the top of the key, setting off mass hysteria at CLA.

SOFTBALL

South Carolina came into its game against Hofstra on May 19, 2018 facing season-ending elimination. Trailing 4-3 with two out, South Carolina’s Krystan White blasted a two-run, walk-off home run to send the Gamecocks to the NCAA Regional championship the next day.

“Last year was a tough year because we lost [Krystan’s] father [Buck] tragically,” Smith said after the game. "… You just talk about a moment. Just unbridled joy. It could have been anybody. But it was Whitey. We have that picture on the wall. Everyone’s mouths are open. Their feet are off the ground. They’re hugging, crying. It was awesome.”

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Since 2001, South Carolina and Florida have played 25 times. Sixteen have been one-goal games (not including two ties), including seven overtime games (including the ties).

On Nov. 24, 2017, the Gamecocks punched their first ticket to the College Cup after topping Florida 2-0 in the Elite Eight. Sophomore defender Grace Fisk and senior midfielder Lindsey Lane scored the goals on a wild night in a standing-room-only Stone Stadium.

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