Michigan has 182 yards of offense in the first half of the Outback Bowl, but the Wolverines trail, 21-13, at halftime of the Outback Bowl.
South Carolina has built its lead thanks to several big plays and a special-teams boost.
The first drive of the game, the Gamecocks scored on a 56-yard pass from Connor Shaw to Damiere Byrd, to take a 7-0 lead. South Carolina also has a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown by Ace Sanders, and in the second quarter, a 70-yard pass set up another touchdown for the Gamecocks.
Michigan, meanwhile, after a sluggish start — quarterback Devin Gardner threw an interception to end the Wolverines’ first drive of the game — pulled to 14-10 after a Brendan Gibbons field goal and a five-yard pass from Gardner to Dileo.
But the Gamecocks expanded the lead to 21-10 when, after the 70-yard play, Dylan Thompson found Sanders for a four-yard touchdown pass.
Michigan got a boost with about eight minutes left in the half when Mario Ojemudia forced a fumble of tailback Kenny Miles. Jake Ryan recovered at the South Carolina 30 yard line. Michigan then faked a field goal when holder Drew Dileo ran it eight yards for the first down to the Gamecocks’ 20. Michigan had to settle for another Gibbons field goal, this time from 40 yards.
Michigan had 182 yards in the first half, while South Carolina had 163, including 155 passing.
Gardner was 11-of-21 for 130 yards with a touchdown and interception. Denard Robinson had 10 carries for 48 yards. Jeremy Gallon has four catches for 74 yards.
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