The 2001 edition to the Outback Bowl featured the South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. After a scoreless first quarter, South Carolina's kicker Jason Corse put the Gamecocks on the board with a 23-yard field goal, giving USC an early three to nothing lead. That score would hold until halftime, with both teams playing terrific defense. Ohio State's head coach, John Cooper, was fired following the game.