Take that, mediocrity.
The University of South Carolina’s much-maligned football program pulled off one of its greatest upsets ever Thursday night, knocking off No. 4 Ole Miss 16-10 at Williams-Brice Stadium in front of a national television audience.
The Rebels became the highest-ranked team ever to fall at Williams-Brice, and the second-highest ranked team ever defeated by the Gamecocks. In fact, South Carolina was 1-31 all-time against Top 5 opponents heading into Thursday’s game, with its only win coming in 1981 against the third-ranked North Carolina Tarheels at Chapel Hill.
“We thought we could beat them, thought it was a toss-up game,” USC head coach Steve Spurrier said.
The win – which will likely earn the Gamecocks a spot in the national rankings next week – almost slipped away from Carolina, as Ole Miss had the ball at the USC 32-yard-line with a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter.
Momentum was clearly on the Rebels’ side, too, as the Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1 SEC) found themselves reeling on both sides of the ball late in the game. Spurrier’s offense fell asleep in the fourth quarter, managing minus-4 yards in total offense (prior to kneeling on the last drive) and failing to record a single first down. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s defense found itself being gashed on the ground in the final frame, in which the Rebels rack up 125 yards in offense and their only touchdown of the game.
By contrast, Ole Miss had just 88 yards of total offense (and a field goal) through the first three quarters.
Thanks to a late Ole Miss injury on the game’s final punt return play, however, USC’s defense was able to catch its breath and make one final stand, prompting a collective “exhale” from the announced crowd of 74,724.
Led by linebacker Eric Norwood’s ten tackles and two sacks (one of which set a new USC career record), the Gamecock defense held Heisman Trophy hopeful Jevon Snead to an anemic 7-of-21, 107-yard passing performance – easily one of the worst outings of his career.
The Rebels (2-1, 0-1 SEC) lost their conference opener for the sixth straight year and saw an eight-game winning streak dating back to last October go up in smoke. They also became the fourth straight Top 5 team to fall this year.
Previously, No. 3 Oklahoma fell to BYU, No. 5 Oklahoma State fell to Houston and No. 3 Southern Cal fell to Washington.
For South Carolina, sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia connected on 16 of 34 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown.
WEB EXTRA
By Strom's Daughter September 25, 2009 at 2:26 am
I’ve got an idea for future nationally televised games at Williams-Brice:
Whenever a referee announces a penalty over the sound system, Gamecock fans should yell in unison, “You lie!”
That’ll really show the rest of the country how fuckin’ bright this state is.
And I know Joe could use the support. All we’ve heard lately is his normal monotone voice, the one that sounds like a small-town funeral home director doing his own TV commercial.
Pingback: Is Jevan Snead A Good Quarterback For Ole Miss? | Gadget Look
By Mincing Words September 25, 2009 at 7:47 am
Do you kiss your mother with that mouth, oh Daughter of Strom? I guess rather than show the world how bright we are, we could show it how vulgar we are, instead.
By old bike dude September 25, 2009 at 7:58 am
Strom’s Daughter I’m wit you.
And who the hell ranked Miss #4?
Go Cocks!!!
By Toyota Kawaski September 25, 2009 at 8:24 am
Strom’s Daughter you are a disgrace
By Mickey Blue Eyes September 25, 2009 at 8:48 am
It would only be a lie if the “community organizer” referee decided to institute “social justice” on behalf of Ole Miss and punish USC for having more points by throwing imaginary penalties.
Or maybe, like that Tulsa (I think) school, the community organizer referee having different standards for throwing penalties depending on who has more points. For example, the referee will overlook an “underprivileged” team (the one with the fewest points) committing a facemask violation.
The goal of a “community organizer” referee is for every game to end in a tie.
But back on-topic… Good on ya, Gamecocks! It reminded me of when the highly-ranked Gators lost to unranked Ole Miss.
By Jonny D September 25, 2009 at 8:51 am
Very nice win against a big and talented Ole Miss team. Outstanding!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08f5uCTjU9A
By SS Minnow September 25, 2009 at 9:05 am
Norwood for Heisman!
By CNSYD September 25, 2009 at 9:55 am
USC exposed the ridculous nature of the so called football “experts”. Snead is a great QB and is just behind Bradford on the NFL want list? You kidding me? He is obviously afraid of competition as he backed out of going to UF when they got Tebow. Then he leaves Texas because he is behind McCoy. Yet to hear the talking heads he is the second coming. Combine Snead with Nutt’s coaching (or lack thereof) and USC was assured victory.
By matt September 25, 2009 at 10:06 am
I wonder if Spurrier wants his Jevan Snead for 1st team all-SEC QB vote back yet…?
By Patrick September 25, 2009 at 10:35 am
The Cocks will win the national championship this year or next!
By eatme September 25, 2009 at 11:17 am
The “Kocks” will never win a national championship!!!!!!!Go bark up another tree.
By Neocon September 25, 2009 at 11:25 am
Ole Miss was so overrated and everyone with a third grade education knows that, USC will now likely lose against SC State next week, and they will never be National Champs…
By CNSYD September 25, 2009 at 11:41 am
Patrick, you forgot to take your medication. The NC is a closed shop. Only about 7 or 8 schools are allowed to win. USC is not one of them. Even if you beat Alabama and Florida in the same year you would still be out if Texas, Oklahoma, Southern Cal, Ohio St. or one of the other members only group have good years. Notre Dame is always slated for the NC if they win out with their pathetic schedule.
By confused September 25, 2009 at 11:51 am
the fact that this post is not intended to be ironic makes me sad/hysterical. it’s ole miss. they are not now, nor will they ever be, a top team in the country. the fact they were ranked in the top five ONLY serves to show how stupid, arbitrary, and wrong the rankings are. does any single person on the entire planet believe that, before last night, ole miss was the fourth best college football program in the country? really?
usc is still a very average team. ole miss is still a very average team. no sec team beating ole miss can ever, in the history or future of college football, be called an “historic” upset.
By Brandon September 25, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I disagree that Ole Miss is overrated…you all seem to forget this is a better team than last year that dismantled the Gators and Texas Tech
By CNSYD September 25, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Brandon, irt “dismantled”, how does that describe their game last year with FL? IRT TT, when a team runs a gimmick offense, such as TT and GT, they are bound to get beat when the opposition has weeks to prepare for it.
By joe morrison September 25, 2009 at 1:30 pm
gamecocks are for real. garcia is starting to get it. every snap he gets better. every snap, gurley, alshon, giles, miles, gilmore get better and understand what they’re doing. norwood and matthews are nearly unstoppable. ladi is back. woolford is transforming the line. culliver and d-stew are ferocious and nfl caliber players. the only games that we’ll be overmatched are bama and florida. can’t wait to shut up big mouth kiffin, cause spurrier aint losing that one, fer sure. bottom line, 9-3 is looking like a serious possibility.
By CNSYD September 25, 2009 at 2:01 pm
joe morrison, have you forgotten the Navy game? At least you aren’t drinking Patrick’s kool-aid. The best time to brag is, however, AFTER you do something not before.
By old bike dude September 25, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Hey Joe. They finished the game with 5 straight 3 and out. What an embarassment. Spurrier tried his best to lose but Norwood just wouldn’t let it happen. Wait till next year when Ara Parseghian is brought in to coach.
By gemma barnes September 25, 2009 at 8:47 pm
By joe morrison on September 25th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
gamecocks are for real. garcia is starting to get it. every snap he gets better. every snap, gurley, alshon, giles, miles, gilmore get better and understand what they’re doing. norwood and matthews are nearly unstoppable. ladi is back. woolford is transforming the line. culliver and d-stew are ferocious and nfl caliber players. the only games that we’ll be overmatched are bama and florida. can’t wait to shut up big mouth kiffin, cause spurrier aint losing that one, fer sure. bottom line, 9-3 is looking like a serious possibility.
I totally agree with this!!! Matthews is pretty much unstoppable!!!
By yessir September 26, 2009 at 1:55 pm
old bke dude,
you nailed it to the wall…..
two programs with a strong history of choking….
one did, one tried to…
By Toyota Kawaski September 28, 2009 at 8:54 am
Old Bike Dude they have TV at the Blue Oyster?