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 Football 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.Mike Edwards Jersey . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. Matt Gay Youth Jersey .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. http://www.authenticbuccaneerspro.com/Devin-white-buccaneers-jersey/ . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Lee Roy Selmon Womens Jersey . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. Sean Bunting Womens Jersey . John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo were also being counted on to slow down sizzling Rangers forward Rick Nash. That plan didnt go so well early.Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez deserves to win the Ballon dOr this year ahead of Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi.Suarez has been included on the 30-man shortlist for the award and is one of the favourites to take the title after scoring 59 goals in 53 games for the La Liga champions last season. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! Rodgers, who managed Suarez during his time in charge of Liverpool, is set to face his former player on Wednesday night when Celtic take on Barcelona in the Champions League. And the former Reds boss believes the Uruguayan deserves to win footballs top individual prize for the first time, ahead of previous winners Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Suarez is one of the favourites to win the award along with team-mates Neymar and Lionel Messi and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo If youre talking about the Ballon dOr and the last year then I dont think theres been any player better than Luis Suarez, said Rodgers. Rodgers worked with Suarez during his time in charge of Liverpool In terms of that award, I think he would be very deserving of it in terms of how hes played, what hes given the team, how hes carried the team and the level that hes played at consistently. But listen, Lionel Messi is a player that Ive admired since I saw him as a young player, a teenager. Ive seen him come into the team at 16,17 and the last ten years hes been remarkable. Celtic face Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night His quality and just the things hes done in the game are magical.dddddddddddd Ive had the fortune to work with Luis so I know first-hand his qualities but theyre both brilliant players.Barcelona visit Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday night. See Luis Suarez play as a goalkeeper while training with Uruguay... but he still manages to score The Hoops need to record a shock victory over the five-time European champions in order to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage of the competition.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!Also See:Rodgers: No repeat of 7-0 lossSinclair: No fear of BarcelonaCharlies CL predictionsMessi fit for Celtic trip ' ' '