Call it a case of role reversal …
Usually, it’s the University of South Carolina’s vaunted defense that comes up with a big, game-deciding stand while head coach Steve Spurrier’s offense limps along throughout the game and fails to “seal the deal” when it has a chance in the fourth quarter.
On Saturday at Williams-Brice stadium, that script was flipped – with the the defense getting gashed throughout most of the game by a Kentucky offense that was playing without its starting quarterback. Meanwhile, USC’s offense sizzled – thanks to the sophomore Stephen Garcia and his new favorite target, true freshman wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
And for once, the Gamecocks (5-1, 2-1 SEC) actually finished off an opponent at the end of a game with some good old-fashioned smash mouth football – perhaps the most impressive departure from the norm on this sweltering fall afternoon.
Rather than hanging on for dear life in the closing minutes of a game – like they did two weeks ago against No. 4 Mississippi – on Saturday the Gamecocks took control.
After the USC defense gave up a late fourth quarter touchdown to the Wildcats, USC took possession with 4:34 on the clock – which as long-suffering Carolina fans know is typically three-and-out territory for Spurrier’s “Cock-n-Fire” offense.
Not this time.
With its offensive line leading the way, USC picked up two game-sealing first downs, one of them on a slashing run up the middle by freshman running back Kenny Miles and the other on a leaping dive by Garcia.
USC’s sophomore quarterback – who led the Gamecocks to a thrilling come-from-behind win in Lexington, Kentucky a year ago – threw for three touchdowns (all of them to Jeffery) and ran for another to pace the Gamecock offense.
Garcia hit on 16 of 23 passes for 233 yards – but he was picked off for the first time in 124 throws in the second quarter and also lost a fumble late in the third quarter.
For Jeffery, the heralded true freshman from Saint Matthews, S.C., it was a coming-out party. After catching just five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown heading into the game, he literally exploded against a depleted Kentucky secondary.
Jeffery caught seven passes for 138 yards, including scores of 10, 28 and 22 yards. His second touchdown was a thrilling, one-handed, over-the-shoulder ESPN highlight reel grab.
Jeffery – FITS fans will recall – was the subject of a hilarious Lane Kiffin Show spoof after he chose the Gamecocks over the Tennessee Volunteers earlier this year. Kiffin, UT’s first year head coach, infamously told Jeffery that if he attended USC he would end up end up “pumping gas for the rest of (his) life.”
Nice, huh?
Anyway, Saturday’s win puts USC in sole possession of second place in the SEC East – behind No. 1 Florida, which defeated No. 4 LSU 13-3 in Baton Rouge Saturday night. It also preserves Spurrier’s perfect record against Kentucky (17-0) and marks USC’s tenth straight victory over the Wildcats.
Of course, the Kentucky game has also marked a turning point in Carolina’s season – one that has unhinged the Gamecocks in recent years.
From 2006-08, South Carolina is 15-5 in games played prior to October 15 – which is roughly the middle of the college football season. Add the 2009 totals to the mix and USC’s record during the first half of the season is 20-6.
After October 15?
Yeah … the wheels fall off. Over the last three years, the Gamecocks have posted a gaudy 6-12 mark in games played after October 15, and a 2-9 record over the past two seasons.
This year it won’t get any easier.
South Carolina travels to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama next Saturday to take on the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide. Nick Saban’s team moved to 6-0 on the year with an impressive 22-3 win over Ole Miss Saturday, and will easily be the toughest opponent the Gamecocks have faced all season.
After that? The Gamecocks host Vanderbilt – a team that’s beaten them twice in a row – before going on the road against Tennessee (which just pummeled Georgia) and Arkansas (which just thrashed Auburn). Carolina closes out its year with home games against No. 1 Florida and arch-rival Clemson.
That’s a brutal six-game stretch, people – one that will test the mettle of the team and its fans.
Speaking of which, there were plenty of empty seats Saturday against Kentucky, despite an announced crowd of 68, 278.
WEB EXTRA:
GAME PICS:
(Click on any of the thumbnails below for high-resolution images from Saturday’s game …)
By CNSYD October 11, 2009 at 9:33 am
The empty seats are getting to be a concern everywhere. I believe the economy coupled with too much TV exposure are the cause. Of course ADs don’t care if you buy tickets and don’t show as they already have your money. Different story for vendors, hotels and restaurants. It is interesting that in the spring when ticket orders are due there are all these restrictions on the number of away game tickets you can order. Then when you get to the game there are thousands of empty seats.
By southernmapart October 11, 2009 at 10:10 am
Interesting comment about the empty seats. Are seats empty for home games at Death Valley and in Athens for UGA games?
By CNSYD October 11, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Can’t speak for UGA but the answer is yes at Clemson. It was like that at Grant Field when Clemson played GT this year.
By Toyota Kawaski October 12, 2009 at 8:51 am
Mr.TCU should find all those cardboard cut outs from that “awesome?” movie The Program filmed at WB several years back and place them in the upper deck
By joebo October 12, 2009 at 9:25 am
Hot day. Game on TV. Expensive tickets. Big hassle getting to and from game. No wonder people stay home. I did.
By Seymour Glass October 12, 2009 at 11:24 am
For the USC/UGA game this September, there were plenty of seats available and/or unfilled. That’s not Georgia’s biggest game of the year, but it was the first home game and first SEC game, so there is generally no problem selling out.
By CNSYD October 12, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Athletic departments are killing the golden goose. They worship at the altar of TV. To hell with the fans. Just up prices to cover the dropoff.
By Eric October 12, 2009 at 1:46 pm
That photo of Garcia diving is great! I’ll be flying in for the UF game in November. Stadium should be packed then.