In a rivalry that has been historically low-scoring and down to the wire, Georgia and South Carolina only got half of the equation right Saturday night in Athens.

The game came down to a final goal line stand – but well after plenty of offensive and special teams fireworks, as Georgia (1-1, 1-0 SEC) claimed a 41-37 victory over the Gamecocks (1-1, 0-1 SEC).

Facing a fourth-and-4 on Georgia’s seven with just seconds left on the clock, Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran knocked down a Stephen Garcia pass to seal the win for the Bulldogs and prevent them from starting the season 0-2.

“It was a crazy play in a tough situation,” Curran said. “But that was just one play that helped us win. We had guys all over the field making plays here and there, making turnovers. That was just part of my effort for this defense and this team.”

Bulldog quarterback Joe Cox was an efficient 17-of-24 passing for a 201 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

But Georgia’s two biggest offensive weapons might have been a pair of young cornerbacks – sophomore Brandon Boykin and freshman Branden Smith.

Boykin’s 100-yard kick return for a score (the longest in Bulldog history) tied the game at seven in the first quarter, and he added an interception (Georgia’s first of the season) in the second quarter that led to a Blair Walsh field goal.

Smith, after fumbling his first return, ran an end around for 61 yards and a score to set up Boykin’s pick at the start of the second quarter.

“It’s a good feeling, first touchdown, at home,” Smith said. “It’s a good feeling. Good blocking. You can’t ask for more . I’ve been working hard and I think I deserved that touchdown. Hard work pays off.

With the Bulldogs up 38-31 in the fourth quarter, Cox had his pass intercepted (his second turnover of the game) and South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood returned it for a touchdown.

“I didn’t get down about it. Things happen,” Cox said. “You’re going to throw interceptions, some of them are going to go back for touchdowns. Everybody kept coming up to me on the sidelines like hey man, we’re good, we’re good. And I was just like, I know.”

Enter Bulldog lineman DeAngelo Tyson, who blocked the subsequent extra point, keeping the Gamecocks down one with 13 minutes left to play. That would prove huge, as Walsh kicked a field goal on the Bulldogs’ next possession, keeping the Bulldogs up by four and forcing the Gamecocks and coach Steve Spurrier to go for the touchdown on their final drive.

Said receiver A.J. Green, who led the Bulldogs with six receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown: “We had to focus this week and know that we were going to get our offense rolling, and we were going to come out here and put some points on the board.”