USF vs. South Carolina: Score and Reaction for 2016 Birmingham Bowl

Most of South Florida's opponents this season found it nearly impossible to contain Quinton Flowers. South Carolina was no exception.

The electrifying quarterback was up to his old tricks at the Birmingham Bowl on Thursday, leading USF to a 46-39 overtime win. Flowers finished the game with 261 passing yards, 105 rushing yards and five total touchdowns, with three rushing scores in the first half alone.

That put him in rare company, per ESPN Stats & Info:

And he saved the best for last, finding Elkanah Dillon in the back of the end zone on the first play of overtime for what was ultimately the game-winning touchdown, via the Birmingham Bowl's official Twitter account:

Flowers' efforts—along with five turnovers from the Gamecocks, including two in the red zone, and South Florida's 208 yards on the ground—were the difference, even as South Carolina erased an 18-point deficit late in the third quarter to force overtime.

The loss spoiled excellent performances by South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley (32-of-43 for 390 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (14 catches for 190 yards and a score).

It also moved the SEC's record in bowl games to 1-3 this year, an unflattering mark for the conference, as Dan Wolken of USA Today noted:

Flowers took little time before going to work against South Carolina's overmatched defense, rushing for touchdowns on the team's second and third offensive drives to help the Bulls seize an early 15-0 lead. 

Flowers' second run, in particular, was worthy of the highlight reel, as the Birmingham Bowl's Twitter account shared:

A Mitchell Wilcox fumble late in the first quarter gave South Carolina life, however, and four plays later, Bentley found tight end Hayden Hurst downfield for a 25-yard touchdown to help cut the deficit to 15-7.

The Birmingham Bowl shared the replay:

Flowers had another answer, however, running for his third touchdown of the day 10 players later. 

The two teams traded touchdowns late in the second quarter, and South Florida took a 29-14 lead into halftime.

USF's first half impressed Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports:

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com agreed, especially considering that former head coach Willie Taggart left the program to become Oregon's next head coach:

The Bulls extended their lead to 39-21 about halfway through the third quarter.

But the Gamecocks kept fighting, cutting the deficit to eight points with 9:41 remaining in the fourth after Bentley escaped pressure and found Bryan Edwards in the back of the end zone on fourth down. Edwards showed fantastic concentration on the play, catching the ball after his defender managed to tip the pass, as the Birmingham Bowl shared:

The Gamecocks moved downfield again on their next drive and found themselves in the red zone, looking to tie the contest. However, A.J. Turner's fumble gave the Bulls the ball back with 4:19 on the clock. 

But South Carolina's defense held, and Chris Lammons returned the ensuing punt to the 2-yard line. Three plays later, Turner plunged into the end zone, and Hurst's jumping catch on the two-point conversion tied the ballgame.

The Gamecocks' official Twitter account was thrilled with the comeback performance:

USF couldn't muster a game-winning drive in regulation, and the contest headed to overtime. But Flowers connected with Dillon on USF's first possession, and the team's defense held.

For USF, which improved to 11-2, the win ushers in the Charlie Strong era, as he'll take over as the head coach starting next season. The Gamecocks and Will Muschamp will have a sour taste in their mouths after losing in the head coach's first bowl game with the school, meanwhile, as his first season at the helm resulted in a 6-7 record.

Postgame Reaction

Butch Dill/Associated Press

After the contest, Flowers felt vindicated in his decision to play for USF.

"A lot of big schools didn't give me a chance," he told Jeff Odom of the Tampa Bay Times. "A lot of big schools wanted to make me a different position. USF wanted me."   

After USF's showing Thursday, a few schools may want interim coach T.J. Weist as well. The coach spoke about his approach to the contest, both before the game and heading into overtime, per Odom:

The defense, meanwhile, had its struggles but came through at a huge moment, forcing a fumble to end the game.

"It's kind of ironic," linebacker Auggie Sanchez told Odom. "We struggled all year, defensively, and then we make the biggest play at the end."

He added: "For me, the goal was to make history. ... Eleven wins is history."

South Carolina and Muschamp were singing a different tune, of course.

"You score 39 points, you ought to win the game," Muschamp said, lamenting the team's defensive performance, per David Caraviello of the Post and Courier.

He also made it clear which area of the team he wanted to address in the near future and evaluated his first season at the helm, according to GC Game Updates:

South Carolina has its work cut out in front of it, especially considering the SEC is unlikely to be as weak across the board as it was this season. For Muschamp and the Gamecocks, a return to prominence is the goal.

For Strong and South Florida, meanwhile, continuing the ascension started by Taggart remains the goal. Thursday's performance was a strong start to that process.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter.