2001 Outback Bowl
| MVP | Ryan Brewer (South Carolina RB) |
|---|---|
The 2001 edition to the Outback Bowl featured the South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
After a scoreless first quarter, South Carolina's kicker Jason Corse put the Gamecocks on the board with a 23-yard field goal, giving USC an early three to nothing lead. That score would hold until halftime, with both teams playing terrific defense.
In the third quarter, South Carolina's Ryan Brewer rushed seven yards for a touchdown, increasing the margin to ten to nothing. South Carolina's defense held again and got the ball back. South Carolina fumbled on that drive, and Ohio State's Mike Gurr recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, pulling OSU to within three points.
Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Phil Petty found Ryan Brewer for a 28-yard touchdown pass, increasing the lead to seventeen to seven. With seven minutes left in the game, Brewer again scored from two yards out, making the final 24 to seven.
Ohio State's head coach, John Cooper, was fired following the game.