COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mississippi wasn’t ready for prime time — or South Carolina’s defense.
Star passer Jevan Snead was hounded all game and the fourth-ranked Rebels never got in gear, losing to South Carolina 16-10 on Thursday night.
“I’m glad it’s gone,” Rebels left tackle Bradley Sowell said of the high-intensity spotlight, “so we can just get back to basics and win ballgames.”
South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) entered the game 1-31 all time against top-five foes but left Williams-Brice Stadium with the biggest victory of coach Steve Spurrier’s five seasons.
Spencer Lanning kicked three field goals and fullback Patrick DiMarco made a key 2-yard touchdown reception for the Gamecocks.
“It was good to get a win when everybody watches,” Spurrier said. “It was good for all Gamecocks.”
Ole Miss (2-1, 0-1) had one last chance at a go-ahead TD that would have extended its eight-game winning streak. But Snead was sacked by Cliff Matthews, then had a fourth-down pass knocked away by Darian Stewart.
“We really hurt ourselves and we continued to do it all throughout the game, into the last series. It’s tough,” Snead said.
South Carolina’s lone victory over a top-five team came at North Carolina in 1981.
“It was a pretty ugly win, but a win and we’ll take it every time,” Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia said.
