Biete - Kristall » two-time silver medalist down Tunisia 68-

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Deebo Samuel scored three touchdowns, including a 100-yard kickoff return, Rico Dowdle ran for 226 yards and South Carolina became eligible for a bowl in coach Will Muschamps first year with a 44-31 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday night.Samuel, the sophomore receiver, made his mark in the running game with a pair of 2-yard TD runs and with his dazzling return on a first-quarter kickoff as the Gamecocks (6-5) doubled their win total from a year ago -- and won for the fourth time in their past five games.This is a huge relief for us, left tackle Mason Zandi said. Its even bigger for the program moving forward.The Catamounts (2-9) of the FCS Southern Conference kept denting the Gamecocks defense and were within 41-31 after Detrez Newsomes 93-yard kickoff return touchdown with 9:13 to go.But South Carolina was able to hold on and avoid the embarrassment of a second straight FCS defeat after falling to Citadel 23-22 in their 3-9 season last fall.At the end of the day, we needed to get to a bowl game, Muschamp said. It was really important with where we were after our first games.The Gamecocks were 2-4 headed into their bye week. Since, theyve won four of five games with only rival and fifth-ranked Clemson left in the regular season.Freshman tailback Dowdle had a 43-yard touchdown run on South Carolinas opening series, then a 1-yard TD rush on the teams next series. He has rushed for over 100 yards in three of the past four games.A.J. Turner added 97 yards rushing for South Carolina, which ran for 422 yards, its highest total since gaining 352 yards rushing against Coastal Carolina in 2013.Western Carolina fell to 0-52 against Football Bowl Subdivision teams and 0-19 all-time against Southeastern Conference opponents.THE TAKEAWAYSouth Carolina is still getting its feet wet under Muschamp. Where more advanced SEC teams mightve run from the Catamounts at the start, the young Gamecocks needed some time to get going before securing the win. Thats a big reason coach Will Muschamp wanted his team to qualify for the bowl -- the extra weeks of prep, planning, film study and practice the postseason gives his building program.SAMUELS SWEEPReciever Deebo Samuel has been an effective scorer for South Carolina near the goal line. He had two touchdowns near the goal line, running a patented jet-sweep play. That jet sweep is money for us, Samuel said, smiling.How long did it take Muschamp and the offensive staff to know Samuel could be effective in the red zone? After about the third day of spring practice, Muschamp said.UP NEXTWestern Carolinas season is finished.South Carolina plays at Clemson on Saturday, trying to end a two-game losing streak to its rival. Evan Fournier Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Pat Garrity Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have placed centre Cody Hodgson on injured reserve and recalled two players from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. https://www.cheapmagiconline.com/758i-jason-williams-jersey-magic.html . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Darko Milicic Jersey . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. Jameer Nelson Jersey . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Hosts Italy and Serbia got off to winning starts Monday in the final qualifying tournaments for mens basketball at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.In Turin, Italys Andrea Bargnani scored 15 points to help the two-time silver medalist down Tunisia 68-41 in Group B.In Belgrade, 2014 world championship runner-up Serbia led Puerto Rico by 20 points before winning 87-81 in Group A.A third qualifying tournament starts in Manila, Philippines on Tuesday..dddddddddddd From each of the three six-nation events, one team will earn an Olympic berth to complete the 12-team draw in Rio.Also in Turin, former two-time European champion Greece downed Iran 78-53 in Group A, while Dairis Bertans 20 points led Latvia in an 88-48 routing of Japan in Group B of the Belgrade event. ' ' '