University of South Carolina Libraries
TffifS&AMECOCK /^Ni T^W /^\ ”| \ m GAME SCHEDULE II I I El I f I I 1 VOLLEYBALL at Tennessee, 7 p.m. Wednesday |—* | | |—£ | MEN’S SOCCER at Conference USA Tourney, Wednesday ^ I I 111 I L ^ MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. USC-Aiken, 7:30 p.m. Thursday Page 10 rV_y JL Vy —I— JL LJ Wednesday, Oct. 19,2005 Spurrier, Gamecocks live up to expectations Transformed Gamecocks continue four-game streak to become bowl eligible And after the ninth game, Steve said, “Let there be bowl eligibility.” And there was. And it was good. I don’t know how it happened, but with two games still left on the schedule, the {, n , Broom Gamecocks are bowl eligible. Third-year Even I, the Polltical biggest Spurrier fan stwUnt you’ll ever meet, had my doubts about this year. Spurrier was inheriting a team that not only was depleted, but if was built for an entirely different type of football. The offensive players were recruited to slow the game down as much as possible and run an offense that could very well have been drawn out on stone tablets and called by an offensive coordinator named Moses. The defense was picked apart by recruits not getting into school, or, just as likely, getting kicked out before they ever made a real impact on the program. Not only are the Gamecocks less talented than most of the other teams in the conference, but they are also inexperienced. Senior outside linebacker Terrell Davis, who had six tackles, a tackle for a loss and a sack Saturday, was the 28th Carolina player to make his first career start this year. That is more than any other team in division I-A. At least three of those first-time starters, Thomas Coleman, Kris Clark and Carson Askins, are either currently non-scholarship players, or came to Carolina as non-scholarship players. Basically, Spurrier got the keys to a Ford Focus and is driving it in the SEC, the Indy 500 of college football conferences. And although he isn’t leading the race, he is definitely driving the car as fast as it can go. These aren’t your father’s Gamecocks, and really, they aren’t your older brother’s Gamecocks either. They have something different from previous teams, even something different from last year’s team. They go into every game believing that they can and will come out as winners, and that, above all else, has been the difference in the last three games. Guys aren’t just making plays, they are making them at the right times. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph was there to tip a pass in the back of the end zone just inches before it got to the hands of a Razorback tight end. Freshman wide receiver Kenny McKinley streaked into the end zone since Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring was eyeing Sidney Rice almost as hard as he eyes the last piece of pizza at the dinner table. Defensive players Ricardo Hurley, Stanley Doughty and Dakota Walker all saved their best plays for crucial fourth quarter third and fourth downs. Even backup quarterback Antonio Heffner had his first career reception as a wide receiver on a 7 yard gain on a big third and six in the fourth quarter. These guys believe they can beat anybody, anywhere, at any time. And without a doubt, Steve Spurrier is the source of that belief. Not only are his players playing harder than ever, but Spurrier even has opposing coaches doing things BROOfll • 9 SOUTH CAROLINA (6-3) 14 — ARKANSAS (2-6) 10 UNBOWLIEVABLE Danny Johnston/The Associated Press USC quarterback Blake Mitchell looks to hand off to a running back during the fourth quarter of Carolina’s 14-10 victory against Arkansas on Saturday in Fayetteville. Defense stops Razorbacks in crucial situations, preserving USC victory f)J Bembry STAFF WRITER Luckily for co-defensive coordinators John Thompson and Tyrone Nix, gained yards don’t win football games. The Gamecocks football team was outgained 405-261 in total yardage on Saturday, but the Carolina defense stood tall and shut down the potent Arkansas ground game when it needed to, allowing the Gamecocks to escape Fayetteville with a 14-10 victory. The win marks the second-straight year Carolina has defeated Arkansas to give the team six wins and a bowl eligible record. “I know for the seniors, they haven’t been in a couple years... this is their opportunity,” freshman defensive end Dakota Walker said. “To be a freshman and come in and go to a bowl game, it’s a great feeling.” The Gamecocks were tested by the Razorback offense as standout true freshmen Darren McFadden and Felix Jones combined for 256 yards on the ground. The defense allowed Arkansas room to run in the middle of the field, but once Arkansas got to the red zone, Carolina held the freshmen tandem without a single touchdown. The defense showed its resolve early in the game when it stopped the Arkansas offense on its first drive. The Razorbacks faced fourth and 1 on their own 29-yard line. Freshman quarterback Casey Dick was stood up at the line of scrimmage by defensive end Orus Lambert, a decision Arkansas coach Ffouston Nutt regrets. “Probably shouldn’t have gone for it,” Nutt said. “I know better than that. We just wanted to come out and get some momentum.” The Carolina offense responded with the short field and struck first in the game. Mitchell and the offense had a brief drive that was significantly helped by an Arkansas personal foul penalty, and for the 12th time this oerense • g ♦ i Danny Johnston /The Associated Press Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, right, is chased by USC defensive lineman Stanley Doughty in Saturday’s game in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Gamecocks stopped the Razorbacks twice on fourth down in the fourth quarter. Carolina 12 Touchdown catches by reciever Sidney Rice, a career high 89 Rushing yards by Mike Davis, his career high 6 Number of wins USC has, making them bowl eligible 4 Consectutive wins in the SEC, a school record Arkansas 187 Rushing yards by freshman running back Darren McFadden 3 Number of times quarterback Casey Dick was sacked 356 Total yards by Razorback offense 0-of-4 Fourth down conversion rate by the Hogs www. dailygamecock. com Offensive output proves just enough to propel Carolina past Arkansas (Ilex Riley ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Six SEC titles and a national championship at Florida. An ACC title and bowl appearance at Duke. And following Saturday’s 14-10 come from-behind win against Arkansas, USC coach Steve Spurrier said this was the one that meant the most. “This was one of the biggest of my career,” Spurrier said. “This was a fun win. It was just as much fun as last week and even more fun than winning by four or five touchdowns.” “Arkansas was tough and this was a big win for us,” Spurrier said. That sixth win didn’t come easy for the Gamecocks as a swirling wind and Razorback defense that was looking to keep Sidney Rice as a minimal factor held the normally pass-heavy offense of Carolina in check. Quarterback Blake Mitchell only attempted 25 passing plays on the day, completing 12 for 142 yards. “They have a great defense that did a good job of getting pressure on me and took Sidney (Rice) out of the game,” Mitchell said. After Arkansas failed to convert on a fourth-and-inches play, the Gamecock offense took control at the Hogs’ 29 yard line. USC moved to the 7-yard line when Mitchell hooked up with Rice for a leaping grab in the end zone to put Carolina up 7-0. The score was Rice’s 12th of the season and seventh straight game with at least one touchdown. Arkansas responded in the second period as freshman quarterback Casey Dick threw the first touchdown of his career to Peyton Hillis, tying the game at 7-7. Dick then led the Hogs for a first and goal all the way down to the 2-yard line. After failing to score, the Hogs settled for a 19-yard field goal from Chris Balseiro, giving them a 10 7 lead going into the half. Defense ruled the entire third period offense #9