Parker White’s 36-yard field goal as time expired gave the University of South Carolina a 20-17 victory over East Carolina Saturday in Greenville, NC.

It was the senior placekicker’s 5th gamewinning field goal for the Gamecocks (2-0), who rallied from a 14-0 1st half deficit.

On the 1st play from scrimmage, East Carolina went with the halfback option. Tyler Snead took the handoff, rolled to his right and launched a downfield pass to an open Jsi Hatfield who raced into the endzone for a 75-yard touchdown.

South Carolina looked to answer, but the offense was stymied by turnovers. The Gamecocks’ opening drive ended with an interception by Warren Saba of quarterback Zeb Noland.

After East Carolina missed a 43-yard field goal, Noland completed a 48-yard pass to Josh Bell to the East Carolina 26. The next play with 1:55 left in the 1st quarter saw Noland hit Josh Vann in stride and he appeared headed for a 20-yard touchdown.

As Vann reached the goal line, East Carolina defensive backs Nolan Johnson dislodged the football away. It rolled out of bounds for a touchback and replay confirmed the on-field call.

The Pirates’ defense forced a 3rd turnover in the 2nd quarter. As Dakerean Joyner caught a reception for a 1st down at the East Carolina 23, the ball was forced out by Jeremy Lewis and returned 10 yards by DJ Ford.

2 plays later, quarterback Holton Ahlers rushed untouched for a 3-yard touchdown. The PAT put East Carolina up 14-0 with 11:41 left in the 2nd quarter.

With 1 minute left in the 1st half, the Gamecocks turned the tables on the Pirates. On 3rd and 10, 5-year senior linebacker Damani Staley picked off the deflected pass and returned the ball 63 yards for the touchdown.

“Like coach always says, tips and overthrows, you gotta get those,” Staley said, the son of former Airport, University of South Carolina and NFL running back Duce Staley said. “We take a lot of pride in it.

“It was an amazing feeling, my first career pick-6. Great celebrating with my teammates, celebrating with my coach. It was a great feeling.”

The Gamecocks tied the game at 14-14 with 47 seconds left in the 3rd quarter as Noland found a leaping Joyner in the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown.

East Carolina answered with a 7-minute, 14-play, 67-yard drive which ended with a 27-yard field goal.

On the ensuing kickoff, Juju McDowell returned the football 63 yards to put South Carolina deep into East Carolina territory. This put the Gamecocks in position to set up a 39-yard field goal by Parker White to tie the game with 6:42 left.

After getting the football back at their own 38-yard line following the punt, the Gamecocks embarked upon the gamewinning drive with 4:54 left. Utilizing long runs by McDowell, who finished with 117 rushing yards, South Carolina reached the East Carolina 25 with 3 seconds left.

Following a timeout, White calmly kicked the football through the uprights as time expired for the win.

“I just told the team in there I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of a football team than that group right there,” South Carolina head coach Beamer said, adding: “Having said that, we’ve got to get a whole lot better.”

South Carolina plays host to 2nd ranked Georgia (2-0) Saturday. The game will air on ESPN starting at 7 pm.