ESPN College Football

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Dondrial Pinkins led two first-quarter touchdown drives as South Carolina grabbed an early lead and rolled to a 31-6 Southeastern Conference victory over Vanderbilt in the season opener for both schools.

The senior quarterback capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a two-yard scamper into the end zone. On South Carolina's next possesion, he threw a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brian Brownlee, making it 14-0 just 10 1/2 minutes into the game.

In the first quarter, the Gamecocks had a 167-3 advantage in total yards. They stretched their lead to 17-0 on a field goal by Josh Brown on the first play of the second quarter.

In all, Pinkins was 11-of-18 for 168 yards and added 77 yards on 17 carries.

Demetrius Summers added 87 yards on 11 carries to pace a ground attack that outgained the Commodores, 269-36, and controlled the ball for nearly 38 minutes.

Defensive back Brett Nichols forced a fumble and returned an interception 98 yards for a TD to close the scoring. He led a defense that forced four turnovers.

South Carolina won its fifth straight season opener while Vanderbilt lost its seventh consecutive opening game and 14th straight SEC opener.