Ohio native comes back to haunt Buckeyes.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

TAMPA, Fla. _ The one that got away without a fight came back to haunt 20th-ranked Ohio State Monday at the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium.

Ryan Brewer, Ohio's Mr. Football in 1998, had the game of his college football career in leading unranked South Carolina to a 24-7 upset win over the Buckeyes before 65,229 fans. It was sweet revenge for the 5-foot-10 sophomore, whom the Buckeyes opted not to offer a scholarship after his senior season at Troy High School.

The only Ohio native on the South Carolina roster, Brewer was voted the game's Most Valuable Player. He rushed for a game-high 109 yards, scored on runs of 3 and 7 yards and caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Phil Petty. The converted receiver tied bowl game records with three touchdowns and 18 points.

Ohio State coach John Cooper walked up and down the sideline searching for a way to stop Brewer and South Carolina's offense in the second half after the Gamecocks led only 3-0 at halftime.

Cooper and his bewildered Buckeyes seemed clueless. They scratched to within three points, 10-7 late in the third quarter, but wilted down the stretch.

In the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks gained indisputable control of the game physically _ and mentally. They took advantage of Ohio State's lack of poise over the last 15 minutes.

Defensive back Richard McNutt was whistled with a personal foul on a South Carolina punt return, giving the Gamecocks the ball at the Ohio State 45. It took the Gamecocks 44 seconds to capitalize, covering 45 yards in four plays to take a 17-7 lead when Brewer danced 28 yards through the Ohio State defense on a screen pass with 14:17 to go.