Taxing Week – Being a Cubs fan was tough last week … After returning from a weekend in New Orleans the last thing I needed were sleepless nights worrying about if Chicago was going to win the National League Central Division … But, in true blue form, the Cubs made its fans sweat it out until late Friday night when Chicago routed Cincinnati and San Diego downed Milwaukee to wrap it up … During my lifetime that makes it East Division champions in 1984 and 1989, Central Division titles in 2003 and 2007, and a Wild Card berth in 1998 … Now, onto the desert to face the National League’s winningest team, Arizona … GO CUBS GO!
Pregame – Let me first state that I cannot stand kickoff times earlier than 3:30 … As you can imagine, I detest 12:30 start times … We made the quick trek from Cayce to the Farmers Market at 9 a.m., and were comfortably parked and tailgating with an assortment of Hardee’s biscuits by 9:15 … We were one of the first arrivals at the watermelon shed and the traffic really didn’t pick up until around mid-morning … Even then, there were a lot of empty spaces and we figured that would be reflected with the actual crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium … It was nice tailgating with Big Al (who arrived hopping mad due to sitting in traffic for a good while), Sonny, and the rest of the gang, which included some friends of mine from Anderson (the Smith’s) that were in town to work the game for television … Al brought the boiled peanuts and the cold Natural Lights went down easy … Also good to see the Dunlap clan! … On the way to the stadium there were a lot of ticket scalpers trying to get anything they could for this SEC contest.
Weather & Stadium – You couldn’t have ordered better weather for a Saturday in late September … A sun-splashed blue sky presence in the Capital City … Game time temperature was 78 degrees and though it got a little hot during this long game (3 hours, 29 minutes), there was an intermittent breeze throughout the contest ... The field seems to be in great condition and looked spectacular on Saturday – good job by the grounds crew … But, the Carolina fans performance was about like the team’s for 2 ½ quarters – lethargic and very little enthusiasm … Why add seats to The W-B if you aren’t going to fill up what you already have?
First Half – It could not have started any better for South Carolina as Chris Culliver bobbled the opening kickoff and then raced 30 yards where USC’s offense then marched 69 yards in 12 plays that was a nice mix of the run and pass … Mike Davis tallied the first of his three scores on the day and it looked like the Gamecocks were going to cover the 14 point spread in the first stanza … However, Mississippi State had other ideas as quarterback Josh Riddell came out throwing and caught USC off balance to actually move the ball without using bruising running back Anthony Dixon … Carolina adjusted and forced the Bulldogs to punt, but USC couldn’t do anything with it on the next possession and MSU took over on a short field due to a terrible punt by Ryan Succop – don’t roll out anymore (just punt the thing normally) … Riddell hooked up with Aubrey Bell on a 28 yard pass that evened the score at 7-7 … USC moved the ball once again on the next offensive set and got down inside the 20 yard line, but one of Smelley’s poorer decisions was collected by MSU standout Derek Pegues for a pick in the end zone – nice tackle by big Jamon Meredith … Emanuel Cook came up with a huge third down sack of Riddell and when South Carolina got the ball back Smelley hooked up with Lanard Stafford (3 yards), Jared Cook (22 yards), and Kenny McKinley (20 yards) to push the lead to 14-7 … What a catch, cut, and score by McKinley! … The next MSU possession netted only 18 yards and included a rare personal foul called on Rodney Paulk and then on the ensuing punt return that Captain took to the house, Carlos Thomas was whistled for a holding call … Very interesting … USC went three and out and Miss. State took over with 9:20 remaining in the first half – seven minutes later it was 14-14 as the Bulldogs ripped off 14 plays for 62 yards that was capped off by Dixon’s one yard rush … Carolina ran the two minute offense and moved the ball from its own 18 yard line to the Bulldogs’ 28 yard line where Ryan Succop knocked home a 45 yard field goal to give the Gamecocks a 17-14 lead at intermission … But, during that series, USC fans witnessed two consecutive incompletions and back-to-back false starts by Justin Sorensen and James Thompson before calling a timeout facing 3rd and 20 from the MSU 44 yard line … Smelley’s six yard pass was caught by J. Cook, who then tossed the ball to an on-rushing Cory Boyd, who covered another 10 yards to get USC into field goal range … One question on the field goal – why not run the game clock down to 2-3 seconds instead of 7 left in the half – that would have eliminated having to kickoff just before the half.
Halftime – Looked like the USC band members were sweating it out with those heavy uniforms … Is it just me or does the band look uncomfortable in those outfits? … When it’s sunny and hot the last thing I want to do is dress in dark colors and the black/red (it’s not garnet) outfits look absolutely hot! … What’s with the plumes sticking off the top of the headwear? … Personally, I’d just rather see a baseball cap and T-Shirts – like Miss. State’s pep band displayed … By the way, was that a guy carrying a flag during the halftime presentation?
Second Half – I asked last week where Mike West had been this season and after viewing the participation charts realized he had only played 12 snaps all year entering the MSU game … Well, West made his presence known on the opening kickoff as he made a solid head first tackle on Justin Williams and the Bulldogs were whistled for an illegal block that required Miss. State to start their first possession of the second half at their own nine yard line … When USC pins an opponent down inside the 10 yard line it always seems that the Gamecocks immediately allows their foe to make decent yardage and sure enough it happened again as Dixon rumbled for 11 yards … But, the Carolina defense stiffened and USC took over at their own 27 yard line … Smelley couldn’t do anything with the next three plays as MSU’s Titus Brown just blew by Sorensen on consecutive plays after Culliver was stopped behind the line on first down … Succop’s punt traveled just 31 yards and was fielded by Pegues in Carolina territory … Five rushes and 48 yards later it was 21-17 MSU on the ground game of Dixon and Christian Ducre … Culliver returned the kickoff to midfield and it looked like USC had something cooking when Davis picked up a first down on a 4th and 1 at the 41 yard line … However, the drive stalled and after contemplating going for it on 4th and 3, USC decided to attempt a 50 yard field goal, which Succop missed wide left … The Gamecocks, desperately needing a stop defensively, got what they needed when Casper Brinkley tallied a tackle for loss and Chris Hampton nailed Ducre in the backfield to force a punt … That setup the play of the game as Eric Norwood blocked a punt for the second straight game (Cliff Matthews vs. LSU) and the first time that I can remember of one going USC’s way since Derek Watson blocked two in the first quarter at Florida … From 27 yards out Coach Steve Spurrier called for the death nail and Smelley delivered it inside the five yard line where McKinley caught it and found the end zone … The momentum totally shifted with those two plays and the Carolina fans chanted its first rendition of “Game-Cocks” late in the third quarter … A possession later and the tandem of Smelley/McKinley connected again for 48 yards to setup Davis’ 2 yard plunge and the game was well in hand … The nail in the coffin was hammered down by E. Cook at the 11-minute mark of the fourth quarter when he drilled Dixon on 4th and 1 after MSU decided to toss sweep instead of rushing up the middle … USC sputtered on the next two offensive sets, but with the point spread in sight, Spurrier sent Boyd and Davis out to end the game and the duo combined for 48 yards to cover the 14 points … Norwood closed out the game with a sack that sent Carolina to a 4-1 record and 2-1 mark in SEC play.
Officiating – Lots of yellow hankies tossed about on the green pitch of Williams-Brice Stadium … Poor game by field judge C. Showalter … Captain Munnerlyn was flagged for “chicken fighting” near the South end zone and that cost USC a nine yard tackle for loss by Stoney Woodson, who read the halfback pass to perfection on third down and eight at the 11 yard line … 20 penalties in the contest illustrates the sloppiness and choppiness of the flow of the game … The actual catch and the replays show me that Weslye Saunders caught the ball – was it really that much evidence to over turn that call? … I don’t know what can be done, but the SEC officiating has been subpar this season.
Notes – South Carolina completed a sweep of the Bulldogs this fall with wins vs. Georgia, S.C. State, and Miss. State … I loved MSU’s all white uniform – sharp! … The Gamecocks’ victory snapped a four game home SEC losing streak as Carolina was winless in Columbia last year … USC’s last two losses have come at the hands of the 2006 National Champion Florida Gators and the current #1 ranked LSU Tigers – they’ll meet this weekend in Baton Rouge … Carolina has won seven of its past eight games overall and four consecutive at Williams-Brice Stadium … USC has outscored the opposition 40-6 in the final quarter (a testament to the conditioning of Coach Mark Smith) … In fact, South Carolina has almost tripled its foes scoring output in the second half, 64-23 … The Gamecocks have converted 18 of 20 red zone drives (90%) and have scored touchdowns 14 times (70%) … The opposition have recorded totals of 10 of 13 (77%) and 7 of 13 (54%), respectively … USC has converted 29 of 69 (42%) third downs and limited opponents to 19 of 74 (26%) … Carolina has fumbled 10 times and lost three while its foes have fumbled six times and lost one – that has to improve! … USC has thrown eight interceptions and Carolina has tallied six picks … The two headed monster known as Boyd Davs (Cory & Mike) have combined for 130 carries, 551 yards (4.2 average), and eight scores – that’s a pace of 1,102 yards over the course of 10 games! … Not to mention their pass catching prowess which totals 28 catches, 279 yards, and a score … Chris Smelley showed a ton of poise and nifty footwork in the pocket on Saturday … He also seems to throw to the spot rather than to the receiver and that is something Spurrier’s system emphasizes … Kenny McKinley is a stud – has been for three years now – and is duly getting the recognition he deserves … Jared Cook, who Spurrier commented needs to get better in the blocking game, has hauled in 10 passes for a whopping 165 yards and Freddie Brown looked comfortable in the passing game – nice targets! … Dion Lecorn got a lot of plays, but not much action his way … Still would like to see more of Mark Barnes … Nice to see Seaver Brown and James Thompson contribute nicely in the middle of the offensive line … Looks like the return unit of Captain Munnerlyn and Chris Culliver will be fixtures at USC for the immediate future and they are fun to watch … Ryan Succop, my vote for MVP through five games, has knocked home all 15 PATs and is 6 of 8 on field goals (misses from 47 and 50 yards) … In addition, he is averaging 41 yards per punt and downed five inside of the 20 yard line … On kickoffs the junior has notched eight touchbacks and averaged opponent returns to the 25 yard line … I felt like Eric Norwood and Emanuel Cook were the defensive stars vs. Miss. State and it’s not a coincidence that they lead the team in tackles with 30 and 28, respectively … Ladi Ajiboye turned in a spirited performance at tackle and Marvin Sapp and Rodney Paulk chipped in nicely to fill the shoes of Jasper Brinkley … I’m still waiting to see Marque Hall do something on a consistent basis as it looks to me that he is getting tied up an awfully lot … I thought Gerrod Sinclair played well in limited snaps as did Jonathan Williams … How about Ranzino Valentine coming up with the blocked kick – pick it up and score next time RZ.
Kentucky – The Gamecocks lead the overall series with Kentucky 11-6-1 and own a 10-5 mark vs. the Wildcats since joining the SEC in 1992 … USC has won seven straight games in the series and is 4-3-1 at Williams-Brice Stadium vs. the Wildcats, including three straight victories for Carolina … Steve Spurrier is 14-0 in his career vs. UK … Since 1992, the Gamecocks and Wildcats have averaged scores of 29.7-21.9 in Columbia – a difference of 7.8 points per game compared to 19.6-15.3 in Lexington – a difference of 4.3 points per outing … UK is 3-8 since 2005 in SEC road games or contests vs. BCS opponents – the wins came against Arkansas, Miss. State, and Vanderbilt … Kentucky has won 10 of its last 11 games … My prediction for Thursday night is South Carolina 30-20.
2007 (1-0)
@ Arkansas, 42-29 W
2006 (1-4)
@ Tennessee, 12-17 L
@ Miss. State, 34-31 W
@ LSU, 0-49 L
@ Florida, 7-26 L
@ Louisville, 28-59 L
2005 (1-4)
@ Georgia, 13-45 L
@ Vanderbilt, 48-43 W
@ Ole Miss, 7-13 L
@ South Carolina, 16-44 L
@ Indiana, 14-38 L Career Numbers vs. South Carolina:
Andre Woodson
2006, 18 CMP, 31 ATT, 289 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
2005, 11 CMP, 17 ATT, 90 YDS, 0 TD, 1 INT
2004, 4 CMP, 5 ATT, 22 YDS
Rafael Little
2006, 13 ATT, 50 YDS
2005, 28 ATT, 120 YDS, 1 TD
Keenan Burton
2006, 3 REC, 63 YDS
Big Thursday night for defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix - Since 2006 USC is:
- 2-2 when allowing 250 rushing yards
- 2-2 when allowing 250 passing yards
- 8-2 in all other games when ‘250’ was not reached. The two losses were to Georgia and Auburn in 2006.
2007
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE (28-14 W)
Rushing - 47 ATT, 252 YDS, 2 TD, 20 LONG
Passing - 12 CMP, 19 ATT, 63 YDS, 0 INT, 0 TD, 22 LONG
@ Georgia (16-12 W)
Rushing - 31 ATT, 128 YDS, 0 TD, 50 LONG
Passing - 19 CMP, 45 ATT, 213 YDS, 1 INT, 0 TD, 25 LONG
S.C. STATE (38-3 W)
Rushing - 47 ATT, 196 YDS, 0 TD, 17 LONG
Passing - 10 CMP, 21 ATT, 68 YDS, 3 INT, 0 TD, 13 LONG
@ Louisiana State (16-28 L)
Rushing - 50 ATT, 290 YDS, 3 TD, 33 LONG
Passing - 8 CMP, 20 ATT, 70 YDS, 1 INT, 1 TD, 24 LONG
MISSISSIPPI STATE (38-21 W)
Rushing - 42 ATT, 140 YDS, 2 TD, 22 LONG
Passing - 12 CMP, 27 ATT, 118 YDS, 1 INT, 1 TD, 35 LONG
2006
@ Mississippi State (15-0 W)
Rushing - 33 ATT, 79 YDS, 0 TD, 15 LONG
Passing - 8 CMP, 23 ATT, 82 YDS, 2 INT, 0 TD, 20 LONG
GEORGIA (0-18 L)
Rushing - 39 ATT, 198 YDS, 1 TD, 23 LONG
Passing - 10 CMP, 22 ATT, 189 YDS, 3 INT, 0 TD, 39 LONG
WOFFORD (27-20 W)
Rushing - 61 ATT, 290 YDS, 1 TD, 62 LONG
Passing - 5 CMP, 11 ATT, 67 YDS, 0 INT, 1 TD, 36 LONG
FLORIDA ATLANTIC (45-6 W)
Rushing - 35 ATT, 138 YDS, 0 TD, 47 LONG
Passing - 8 CMP, 25 ATT, 105 YDS, 1 INT, 1 TD, 25 LONG
AUBURN (17-24 L)
Rushing - 35 ATT, 127 YDS, 2 TD, 24 LONG
Passing - 13 CMP, 19 ATT, 180 YDS, 0 INT, 1 TD, 31 LONG
@ Kentucky (24-17 W)
Rushing - 27 ATT, 62 YDS, 1 TD, 20 LONG
Passing - 18 CMP, 32 ATT, 289 YDS, 1 INT, 1 TD, 63 LONG
@ Vanderbilt (31-13 W)
Rushing - 36 ATT, 133 YDS, 1 TD, 21 LONG
Passing - 11 CMP, 25 ATT, 120 YDS, 2 INT, 0 TD, 44 LONG
TENNESSEE (24-31 L)
Rushing - 23 ATT, 71 YDS, 1 TD, 25 LONG
Passing - 21 CMP, 29 ATT, 254 YDS, 0 INT, 2 TD, 62 LONG
ARKANSAS (20-26 L)
Rushing - 50 ATT, 267 YDS, 2 TD, 43 LONG
Passing - 11 CMP, 20 ATT, 228 YDS, 2 INT, 1 TD, 50 LONG
@ Florida (16-17 L)
Rushing - 32 ATT, 147 YDS, 1 TD, 21 LONG
Passing - 19 CMP, 29 ATT, 254 YDS, 1 INT, 1 TD, 28 LONG
MIDDLE TENNESSEE (52-7 W)
Rushing - 32 ATT, 81 YDS, 0 TD, 14 LONG
Passing - 6 CMP, 19 ATT, 119 YDS, 0 INT, 1 TD, 73 YDS
@ Clemson (31-28 W)
Rushing - 33 ATT, 181 YDS, 2 TD, 80 LONG
Passing - 13 CMP, 19 ATT, 191 YDS, 1 INT, 1 TD, 76 LONG
vs. Houston (44-36 W)
Rushing - 33 ATT, 135 YDS, 2 TD, 42 LONG
Passing - 27 CMP, 40 ATT, 392 YDS, 1 INT, 3 TD, 77 LONG
ESPN – Since 2003, USC has compiled a 14-22 record on television (6-11 in Columbia) – excluding pay-per-view telecasts … On strictly ESPN games (not ESPN2) South Carolina is 4-9 overall and 2-5 at Williams-Brice Stadium:
2007 (2-1, 0-0 ESPN)
@ Georgia (ESPN2), 16-12 W
@ LSU (CBS), 16-28 L
MISS. STATE (LF), 38-21 W
2006 (3-5, 1-4 ESPN)
@ Miss. State (ESPN), 15-0 W
GEORGIA (ESPN), 0-18 L
AUBURN (ESPN), 17-24 L
@ Kentucky (ESPN2), 24-17 W
TENNESSEE (ESPN), 24-31 L
ARKANSAS (ESPN), 20-26 L
@ Florida (CBS), 16-17 L
vs. Houston (ESPN), 44-36 W
2005 (4-5, 1-2 ESPN)
CENTRAL FLORIDA (ESPN), 24-15 W
@ Georgia (ESPN), 15-17 L
ALABAMA (CBS), 14-37 L
@ Auburn (ESPN2), 7-48 L
@ Tennessee (ESPN2), 16-15 W
@ Arkansas (JP), 14-10 W
FLORIDA (JP), 30-22 W
CLEMSON (ESPN2), 9-13 L
vs. Missouri (ESPN), 31-38 L
2004 (3-4, 0-1 ESPN)
@ Vanderbilt (JP), 31-6 W
GEORGIA (ESPN), 16-20 L
@ Alabama (ESPN2), 20-3 W
TENNESSEE (JP), 29-43 L
ARKANSAS (JP), 35-32 W
@ Florida (ESPN2), 14-48 L
@ Clemson (JP), 7-29 L
2003 (2-7, 1-2 ESPN)
VIRGINIA (JP), 31-7 W
@ Georgia (CBS), 7-31 L
@ Tennessee (ESPN), 20-23 ot L
KENTUCKY (ESPN), 27-21 W
LSU (ESPN2), 7-33 L
@ Ole Miss (JP), 40-43 L
@ Arkansas (ESPN), 6-28 L
FLORIDA (JP), 22-24 L
CLEMSON (ESPN2), 17-63 L
Men’s Soccer Update – The South Carolina men’s soccer team defeated UAB 1-0 in Birmingham this past Saturday in the Conference USA opener for both teams … Freshman goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer recorded the shutout, his fourth of the season, and tallied six saves while winning C-USA “Defensive Player of the Week” honors … Sophomore midfielder Jeff Scannella scored less than two minutes into the match for the only score … The win improves Carolina to 6-3 on the year and 1-0 in C-USA (atop the league tied with Marshall) … USC was ranked #4 in the South Region last week … The Gamecocks will continue with road trips to Davidson on Wednesday and at Florida International (C-USA) on Sunday.
Women’s Soccer Update – The Lady Gamecocks (8-3) have lost three of its last four outings after beginning the season with a 7-0 mark … USC went 0-2 in Southeastern Conference play last weekend with overtime road losses vs. Tennessee (2-3) and Georgia (1-2) … Carolina needs to right the ship this week at home vs. Kentucky on Friday and Vanderbilt on Sunday.
