STARKVILLE – Showing a propensity for moving backward, punting and picking their quarterbacks off the Scott Field turf, both Mississippi State and South Carolina showed Thursday night that they have a long way to go before being legitimate challengers in the Southeastern Conference.

Cory Boyd scored on a 54-yard double pass play in the fourth quarter and Ryan Succop booted three field goals to lead the Gamecocks to a 15-0 season-opening win.

&#8220It’s wonderful to get a win here in Starkville,” said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who had never won in Starkville, the only SEC school he had never won at. &#8220It’s good to be a Gamecock.”

South Carolina did just enough to score points and took advantage of a Mississippi State offense that not only lost its quarterback to a broken collarbone, but also managed 161 yards of total offense.

Michael Henig went out late in the first half and returned after halftime wearing a jacket with his arm in a sling. He will be examined again today. Redshirt freshman Tray Rutland completed 5 of 16 passes for 63 yards and was intercepted twice.

&#8220The injury to Michael hurt, but it is not an excuse,” MSU head coach Sylvester Croom said.

Mississippi State didn’t pick up its first first down until four minutes into the second quarter and only gained 73 yards in the first half.

South Carolina scored the game’s lone touchdown on a trick play in the fourth quarter. Mississippi State had just unsuccessfully tried to make a first down on fourth-and-one near midfield, but Carolina stuffed a run and took over. The Gamecocks’ TD – a pass from Blake Mitchell to Syvelle Newton and then to Boyd for a wide-open score – gave the visitors a 12-0 lead.

&#8220I made a critical error in going for it on fourth-and-one,” Croom said. &#8220Had I made the right choice, I think it would have gone right down to the end. This loss falls squarely on my shoulders, and they’re big enough to carry it.”

MSU’s inept offensive performance certainly got a boost from a defense that showed power up the middle and speed on the outside Mississippi State hasn’t shown since the late 1990s Bulldogs who challenged for SEC championships.

&#8220Mississippi State was very tough on defense, even better than we thought,” said Spurrier, who watched as MSU recorded four sacks, eight tackles for loss and an interception.

Quinton Culberson intercepted Carolina’s Blake Mitchell on the first play of the game, but MSU missed a field goal. Carolina scored three minutes into the second quarter on the first of three Succop field goals for a 3-0 lead.

In the second half, facing a fourth and long, Succop nearly had a punt blocked, but tucked the ball under his arm and ran for a first down. He later capped the drive with a 35-yard field goal with 8:18 left to give USC a 6-0 lead.

&#8220That was a 10-point swing,” Spurrier said. &#8220They block that kick and maybe run it in for a touchdown. But Succop tucked it under and ran.”

Boyd’s touchdown catch 1:17 into the fourth quarter give USC a 12-0 lead and began to clear the stadium.

South Carolina added a 47-yard field goal by Succop with 8:19 to play to wrap up its sixth straight SEC victory.