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 Ftball 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. Ecco Shoes Uk Online Sale . U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan agreed that lawyers on both sides could make their formal requests by Nov. 8. A hearing is scheduled for a day earlier. Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Rodriguez, wrote in a joint letter to the judge from lawyers on both sides that MLB lawyers planned to ask that the lawsuit be dismissed. Ecco Shoes Wholesale . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing rm, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.clearanceeccouk.com/ . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Ecco Shoes Sale Clearance Uk . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Cheap Ecco Shoes Online . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Tragedy defined Arizona Cardinals?receiver Larry Fitzgeralds offseason.Fitzgerald lost his former coach/mentor Dennis Green and his agent, Eugene Parker, within four months of each other.Green died July 21 from cardiac arrest and Parker died March 31 after battling kidney cancer.Its been very difficult, Fitzgerald said. Those two men are tremendous mentors for me. Coach Green gave me both jobs Ive ever had in my life. All the ups and downs of going through my career, hes always been one thats always been there for me.Same with my agent, Eugene Parker. Met him when I was 19 years old and we grew together over the years. Itts been really tough losing two people I hold in the highest regards.dddddddddddditzgerald first met Green when he was 9 years old through Fitzgeralds father, Larry Fitzgerald Sr.Fitzgerald Jr. became a ball boy for the Minnesota Vikings during Greens tenure there and then was drafted by the Green-coached Cardinals in 2004.Parker helped negotiate each of Fitzgeralds four NFL contracts, as well as a restructured deal in 2014. Fitzgerald has earned about $129.3 million in his career, according to Spotrac research. ' ' '