ATHENS, Ga. — After everything that happened over nearly four hours — the kickoff return for a touchdown, the interception for a TD, the safety, the blocked extra point, the 24 penalties — it all came down to one play, one make-or-break decision.

Rennie Curran took a step forward, thinking he would have to make a tackle. Then he stopped, stuck out his left hand and batted down the final pass of a wild night.

No. 21 Georgia had survived. Barely.

Curran broke up Stephen Garcia's fourthdown pass from the 7- yard line with 22 seconds remaining, and the Bulldogs held off South Carolina 41-37 Saturday night.

"Man, it was a nail-biting play," Curran said. "I was kind of put in a bind because it looked like Garcia was about to tuck it and run into the end zone."

Instead, Garcia decided to throw his 53rd pass of the night to a receiver cutting behind Curran. The junior linebacker reached out and swatted the ball to the ground.

"I knew he liked to hit his tight end on that play," Curran said. "I didn't know whether to come up and try to hit him or stay back in coverage. As soon as I took a step forward, he lobbed it up and I was able to stick my hand out there and tip the ball down."

The Bulldogs (1-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) avoided their first 0-2 start since 1996. South Carolina (1-1, 0-1) was hurt by a blocked extra point after its final touchdown, which prevented the Gamecocks from going for a tying field goal at the end.

The goal-line stand set off a raucous celebration for the relieved crowd at Sanford Stadium.