Arkansas’ Mallett Bashes Gamecocks
For the fourth consecutive year, the University of South Carolina’s football season is unraveling right in front of head coach Steve Spurrier’s eyes … only this time the dreaded season-ending “Orange Crush” had nothing to do with it.
This time, it was another “red storm rising.”
To the strains of “Woo Pig Sooie,” Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett threw for 329 yards – including 12 of 13 completions in the second half – as the Razorbacks reeled off 23 unanswered points to smoke South Carolina 33-16 Saturday in Fayetteville.
It was a game Arkansas head coach Bobby Perino termed “must-win” for Arkansas (5-4, 2-4 SEC), which can now become bowl-eligible with a win next week against Troy.
For the Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4 SEC), it’s their third loss in the last four games and the second atrocious showing they’ve turned in against an unranked SEC foe that had just one conference win prior to USC coming to town.
After playing perhaps their worst game of the year in a Halloween night loss to Tennessee a week ago, South Carolina briefly appeared to have righted the ship against the Razorbacks. Tied 10-10 at the halftime, South Carolina’s first play from scrimmage in the second half was an 80-yard touchdown bomb from sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia to freshman phenom Alshon Jeffery that put USC up 16-10.
Jeffery finished the game with five catches for 116 yards, but his touchdown grab was the last thing that went right for Carolina.
After botching the extra point following Jeffery’s touchdown, USC’s vaunted defensive unit let Arkansas storm down the field on an 11-play, 73-yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard Ryan Mallett touchdown run. Carolina responded by driving all the way to the Razorbacks’ 25-yard-line, but Garcia’s fade pass to Jeffery was picked off in the end zone by defensive back Jerell Norton.
That miscue led to a seven-play, 80-yard drive and another Arkansas touchdown.
With the window for error closing, USC couldn’t stop shooting itself in the foot.
On the third play of its next drive, South Carolina center Garrett Anderson and Garcia botched a shotgun snap, the ball sailing over Garcia’s head and winding up in the end zone where USC running back Brian Maddox recovered for a safety.
Just like that, a 16-10 lead had turned into a 26-16 deficit, and the Razorbacks added a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to finish USC off.
The loss dropped Spurrier to 34-26 all-time at USC, including an 18-21 mark against the SEC.
It also sets the stage for what could be another epic collapse to a once-promising season.
Over the last four seasons, USC has played well in its first seven games – posting a 21-7 mark and climbing as high as No. 6 in the nation back in 2007.
But the wheels always seem to fall off.
Since 2006, Spurrier’s Gamecocks are an atrocious 6-14 in their final five games of the season – including a horrific 0-5 finish two years ago and an 0-3 collapse last season that saw them outscored 118-30 in their final three games.
South Carolina faces top-ranked Florida at home next week, followed by a regular season-ending showdown against arch-rival Clemson two weeks later. Spurrier is 1-3 against both the Gators and Tigers.
Comments
By Missing Brad Scott on November 7th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Enough. USC has the dumbest and most undisciplined players in the SEC. That falls directly on the head of The Old, Old, Old Ball Coach.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on November 7th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Don’t be too tough on Spurrier. Nobody has ever done shit at USC. Keep him or replace him, the results will be the same — failure.
By joe morrison on November 8th, 2009 at 1:43 am
i knew we would lose that game the second the extra point was missed. the interception in the end zone and, obviously, the snap for a safety were the nails in the coffin, but that missed extra point was the biggest clue that nothing was going to go right from that moment. And that was like 13 seconds into the second half. in hind sight maybe it was over when we had to use 2 time outs in a row on the first drive and had to settle for a field goal.
By You're a bunch of fools on November 8th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Are you nuts? If you watch the games, SC still has the best offensive schemes in college football. They’re just not going to beat out Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, LSU or Georgia for the top players.
These end of season collapses are because they have no depth. As players get hurt at undersized SC, they simply don’t have enough quality players left to compete in the SEC. Lou Holtz had the same problem.
By Beentheredoneit on November 8th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Garcia is in over his head, If he were able to get control of his passing arm perhaps things would be better. He probably will not make it to the next level (NFL) because thus far he has not been able to transition from high school to college level play.
By CNSYD on November 8th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
You’re a bunch of fools, USC and the schools you mention have the same number of scholarships available. From Holtz to Spurrier you are looking at 10 years. So how in that period could USC not stock the roster? Maybe if fans would stop buying the “ratings” of Kornblut over coaches whose jobs actually depend on their choices you might do better.
By pee my pants laughing on November 8th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Hey Fools,
“best offensive schemes in college football…” Ha ha ha ha ha aha ha ah aha aha ha hahahahahahahahahhahaha..
you’re killing me… ha ha ha ha ha aha ha
“..undersizes SC…..”
ha ha ha ha
you must not be able to read a roster. they are teh same size as everyone else in the conference, except in the heart.
By 1 + 1 = 3 on November 8th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
After what RR did to him at Michigan, Mallett deserves a good season…kid is playing for pride…his.
By Andrew on November 9th, 2009 at 12:44 am
The past five seasons under Spurrier have been the best consecutive five years in Gamecock football.
That alone illustrates the inept suckitude that is Gamecock football.
Look, USC in the SEC pecking order, is another Mississippi State – lovable losers who will never compete at the top level beyond a season, where USC has depth and some breaks in the schedule.
Coaching is overrated. USC, athletic wise, is a poor school, in a poor, low population state. Consistently finishing 7-5 or so, is about the best the Gamecocks have to hope for.
By pee my pants laughing on November 9th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Andrew,
Louisiana has the same population, demographics, income levels, etc. as South Carolina, yet LSU has won 3 national championships, two in the last few years.
Find another excuse.
By Augustadog on November 9th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Spurrier should be toast aftervthis year.
By CNSYD on November 9th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
pee my pants laughing, your comparison of SC to LA in regard to college football is incorrect. Although Tulane is the other Division 1A prgram in LA, they are no threat to LSU in regard to talent as their academic standards would not allow them to take many of the players who get into LSU. LA’s proximity to East Texas and especially Houston gives LSU a fertile recruiting area with less competition whereas USC bumps heads with UGA, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, Tennesse, etc. for talent in Georgia.
LSU has a reputation for loose admittance standards in particular for LA residents. All of this are possible reasons for LSU success on the gridiron.
By Andrew on November 9th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
LSU has financial and physical plant resources that USC can only dream of, and it’s a much better recruiting base.
Fact is, USC is a historic .500 team. The program, this decade, is playing far above its average.
Take heart USC fans, these are your halcyon days!
By Rapine on November 9th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier . . .
The University of South Carolina: “Where legends come to die, decompose and stink up the state even worse.”