COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina's Derek Watson was relieved to be on the football field, where he almost never has a problem finding his way.

Derek Watson goes in for his first of two touchdowns Saturday night.(AP)

"It was a long offseason," said Watson, the tailback who scored twice in No. 21 South Carolina's 32-13 victory Saturday night over Boise State. "I wanted to come back and prove a point to the team that I'm behind them 100 percent and they wanted to prove to me they were behind me 100 percent."

Watson had a 16-yard touchdown catch to start South Carolina's scoring and a 6-yard TD run in the third quarter as the Gamecocks opened with a victory for the fifth time in six seasons. A 1,000-yard rusher last year, Watson finished with 71 yards on 13 carries.

But Watson is as known for his off-the-field problems. He was suspended twice by coach Lou Holtz since playing last against Clemson a year ago. The junior was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly punching a female student. His conduct and attitude is discussed almost daily in newspapers and sports talk radio.

About the only time Watson says he feels completely safe is during football season.

"I feel comfortable," he said. "Most of the time, you're going to practice, going to class, study hall, things like that. You don't have any time for error."

Boise State had won seven straight, including the Humanitarian Bowl on its home field last season. But the Broncos couldn't recover after Rashad Faison returned a blocked field goal 82 yards for a touchdown -- the longest such score in Gamecocks history -- as time ran out in the first half to put South Carolina ahead 19-7.

Andrew Pinnock added a 5-yard touchdown run for the Gamecocks, and Phil Petty was 18-of-25 for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

But the evening belonged to Watson, who has given coaches fits when not playing football since arriving at South Carolina as probably the highest-profile recruit in Holtz's three seasons at the school.

Watson was suspended by Holtz for the Outback Bowl after crashing a teammate's car in December. He was disciplined by Holtz in February for allegedly shoving a student referee during an intramural basketball game. Then came the arrest in May and a second suspension.

Holtz gave him a list of requirements to meet before football camp began last month. Watson spent part of the summer at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp in North Carolina and roomed with former Alabama standout Shaun Alexander, learning how to handle the attention that comes with the game.

Holtz was satisfied enough with Watson's progress to bring him back. Watson has applied for a pretrial intervention program that would wipe out his assault arrest, but it has not yet been approved by prosecutors.

"Derek ran well. I thought all our first team offense played well," said Holtz, who has spoken loudly in the past of ending the talk of Watson's problems and focusing on the future.

The past surely didn't matter to the 83,019 at Williams-Brice Stadium who loudly welcomed him back when he hit the field after six plays.

Teammates surrounded Watson after his opening touchdown and he pointed his finger to the crowd in celebration.

"We've always been 100 percent behind Derek," center Larrell Johnson said. "He's our running back. He's our teammate."

The Broncos of the Western Athletic Conference had their moments.

Brock Forsey ran in a 1-yard touchdown following a fumble by reserve quarterback -- and former first-round Boston Red Sox draft pick -- Corey Jenkins that cut the lead to 13-7.

Boise State was driving again right before halftime and set up for a field goal on South Carolina's 12 with four seconds left.

But Langston Moore blocked the try by Nick Calaycay, who had made 15 of 16 field goals a year ago, and Faison brought it all the way back for South Carolina.

"I don't know what you would say happened on the block," first-year Boise State coach Dan Hawkins said. "It looked like we got crushed. It looked like a sea of red to me."

The Gamecocks started the second half like the first -- pounding the ball at Boise. Pinnock had a 9-yard run and Watson an 18-yarder before he finished the 79-yard drive with his 14th touchdown in his past 12 games.

Boise State ran just three plays for 7 yards in the third quarter.