NC State Falls To South Carolina In Season Opener 7-3
Jamelle Eugene rushed 9 times for 35 yards.
North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson, foreground, is tackled by South Carolina's Eric Norwood. (AP)

North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson, foreground, is tackled by South Carolina's Eric Norwood. (AP)

Sept. 3, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)--Brian Maddox had a short touchdown run while Stephen Garcia completed a key third-down pass in the final minutes to help South Carolina beat North Carolina State 7-3 on Thursday night.

Garcia threw for just 148 yards on a frustrating night for both offenses, but the sophomore came through with a 33-yard completion to Moe Brown that allowed the Gamecocks to run out the final 2 1/2 minutes. It gave South Carolina a second straight season-opening victory against the Wolfpack, who was shut out 34-0 in last year's meeting and failed to reach the end zone in the rematch.

Maddox scored from 1 yard out in the first quarter and finished with 66 yards rushing.

The Wolfpack managed just 133 yards, with all-Atlantic Coast Conference quarterback Russell Wilson throwing for just 74 yards while under steady pressure from the speedy South Carolina defenders.