More Icing for Holtz

South Carolina is running out of goal posts.

For the second consecutive week, the Gamecocks ended a long losing streak in stunning fashion. They defeated No. 9 Georgia, 21-10, Saturday at Columbia, S.C., to end nearly three years of Southeastern Conference frustration.

Just like last week’s 31-0 victory over New Mexico State that ended South Carolina’s overall losing streak at 21 games, the goal posts and shrubs didn’t stand a chance at Williams-Brice Stadium after South Carolina ended its SEC losing streak at 18.

“I tell you what, I don’t want to start that as a tradition,” said Gamecock Coach Lou Holtz, who was soaked with a cooler of ice water for the second consecutive week.

South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 in the SEC) won a conference game for the first time since defeating Vanderbilt, 35-3, on Oct. 25, 1997.

Georgia’s Heisman Trophy contender Quincy Carter threw five interceptions, one less than in all of last season. After a first-possession touchdown, Georgia (1-1, 0-1) could only manage a 21-yard second-quarter field goal. Derek Watson had three touchdowns as South Carolina controlled the ball almost 24 minutes of the second half.

No. 8 Florida 55, Middle Tennessee 0--Backup Rex Grossman passed for three touchdowns at Gainesville, Fla., sparking another Gator quarterback controversy.

Grossman, a redshirt freshman, replaced Jesse Palmer in the middle of a series with his team leading, 24-0, and Gator Coach Steve Spurrier apparently unhappy with the way his starter was throwing and moving the offense.

Middle Tennessee (0-2) never threatened.

Palmer completed 15 of 23 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown. Grossman completed nine of 14 passes for 95 yards with one interception.

No. 13 Alabama 28 Vanderbilt 10--The Crimson Tide rebounded from last week’s loss to UCLA by scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter at Birmingham, Ala.

Ahmaad Galloway ran for 172 yards and a touchdown in 13 carries and Tyler Watts and Brandon Miree had fourth-quarter touchdown runs for Alabama (1-1), which all but abandoning the passing game in the final quarter. The defense added two late safeties against Vanderbilt (0-2).

Auburn 35, No. 19 Mississippi 27--Rudi Johnson ran for 165 yards and two touchdowns at Oxford, Miss., to help give Tiger Coach Tommy Tuberville a victory over his former team.

Deuce McAllister had 257 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns, including one on an 87-yard punt return that gave Mississippi (1-1, 0-1) a 27-21 lead in the third quarter.

But Auburn (2-0, 1-0) answered McAllister’s speed with Johnson’s power in the fourth quarter.

On a fourth-and-two play, Johnson broke through the left side of a tightly packed Ole Miss line and rumbled 42 yards for a touchdown that gave the Tigers a 28-27 with 13:59 left.

After an interception by Courtney Rose with 8:02 left, Auburn put together a 37-yard drive that took 6:21 and ended with Ben Leard sneaking into the end zone from a yard out.

Stanford Simmons’ diving interception with 1:27 left to play sealed the victory.

Louisiana State 28, Houston 13--Josh Booty passed for 177 yards and two touchdowns, and Damien James intercepted two passes late in the game to preserve the victory at Baton Rouge, La.

James’ interceptions--one in the LSU end zone and the other returned for a 56-yard touchdown-- stopped potential game-tying drives.

Neither, however, would have mattered if LSU (2-0) had not failed to score three times from inside the Houston 20 in the third quarter.

Houston is 0-2.

Kentucky 27, South Florida 9--Jared Lorenzen completed 30 of 57 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Wildcats (1-1) past the Bulls (1-1) at Lexington, Ky.

Chad Scott rushed for 106 yards in 14 carries as Kentucky bounced back from a 40-34 overtime loss to Louisville.