Sports

“Defenseless”

SOUTH CAROLINA LOSES SHOOTOUT … By FITSNEWS  ||  University of South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier pulled out all the stops in search of a season-changing upset victory over fifth-ranked Auburn on the Plains Saturday night … and it almost worked. After converting an onside kick on special teams…

SOUTH CAROLINA LOSES SHOOTOUT …

By FITSNEWS  ||  University of South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier pulled out all the stops in search of a season-changing upset victory over fifth-ranked Auburn on the Plains Saturday night … and it almost worked.

After converting an onside kick on special teams and five straight fourth downs against the Tigers’ shaky defense – South Carolina came up short on its final fourth down conversion attempt (the one that mattered most).

Quarterback Dylan Thompson – who threw a career-high five touchdown passes – couldn’t connect with Shaq Roland in the end zone on South Carolina’s next-to-last possession of the game.  Then Thompson’s Hail Mary attempt on the final play of the game was intercepted by Jonathan Jones – the third pick thrown by the fifth-year senior on the night.

For the Gamecocks (4-4, 2-4 SEC), there just wasn’t enough magic in the dice … although the 19-point underdogs were throwing to the bitter end against the defending Southeastern Conference champions.

Why all the gambles from Spurrier?  Easy: The complete and total inability of defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward‘s unit to even slow down – let alone stop – Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn‘s offense.

After being forced to punt on its first possession, Malzahn’s offense reeled off six consecutive touchdown drives – each one looking easier than the last.  Those six straight scoring drives provided enough points to enable the Tigers (6-1, 3-1 SEC) to escape with a 42-35 victory.

Auburn’s offensive juggernaut moved through the Gamecock defense like a hot knife through butter – amassing a whopping 551 yards (including 395 yards on the ground).  The blitzkrieg was paced by senior Cameron Artis-Payne – who racked up 167 yards on 25 carries.

Quarterback Nick Marshall added 89 yards on ten carries – scoring three rushing touchdowns.  He also completed 12 of 14 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.

The latest evisceration of Ward’s SEC-worst defensive unit squandered a gutsy effort by Spurrier’s offense – which racked up 535 yards (including a career-high 402 passing yards courtesy of Thompson’s right arm).

Thompson, who slipped to 7-4 as a starter, easily had his best game of the season – although his interceptions were tremendously costly (two thrown in the end zone and another in the red zone).

Of course it’s impossible to win on the road in the Southeastern Conference when you’ve got to put up seven points on literally every single drive … which was the untenable position in which Spurrier’s offense found itself on Saturday night.

As a result the “defenseless” Gamecocks – who rank last or next-to-last in every defensive category – have now lost as many games over the last two months as they lost during the previous two seasons. They’ve also lost three straight SEC games for the first time in five years.

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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59 comments

Lorenzo Ward October 25, 2014 at 10:57 pm

Considering the talent discrepancies between the two teams, I think South Carolina gave Auburn all they wanted and then some.

But yeah, the defense was a complete embarrassment on both sides.

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E Norma Scok October 26, 2014 at 7:56 pm

While tailgating in Clemson this weekend..you know what I noticed most?

No trash.

You USC F’ers are a bunch of friggin pigs. Have some pride in…something.

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a face in the crowd October 25, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Good effort by SC. Came up short.

In the upstate, Clemson had better hope the freshman QB is back for the Georgia Tech and SC games.

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idcydm October 25, 2014 at 11:26 pm

Only if SC can find some defense.

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not a problem October 25, 2014 at 11:52 pm

no need. with out Watson that offense sucks even worse than the USC D. 16 on the Cuse at home?

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Squishy123 October 25, 2014 at 11:03 pm

$400,000… that’s what you get for $400,000.

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Your taters suck too October 25, 2014 at 11:48 pm

funny though, $400,000k is a lot less than the highest paid offensive coordinator in the country gets, and he could only score 16 against Syracuse. he better pray “Glass man Watson” plays vs USC or its going to be 6 in a row. They suck without Stoudt.

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Moses Supposes October 25, 2014 at 11:11 pm

USC Defense = Big T Intellect

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Squishy123 October 25, 2014 at 11:12 pm

Are you saying USC Defense plays like a girl?

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Moses Supposes October 25, 2014 at 11:16 pm

A little girl.

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Squishy is my bitch October 25, 2014 at 11:50 pm

No, he is saying they play just like your mom. How is that in the dirt pecker lover mother doing?

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Haystacks Calhoon October 26, 2014 at 12:12 am

USC Defense =Tom Ervin and his ugly wife

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Tigerbobby October 25, 2014 at 11:11 pm

This is starting o look like ACC football! No defense and basketball score.
Clemson plays the better ACC football this was pathetic and to have Ward Finnish out the season shows that the will to do anything to win is just not there!
Recruiting will suck and next year will be the same, after getting some turkey stuffings this year by Clemson…we were really close but the guys at the helm dropped the ball spurrier included ! Ran a great offensive today but it ain’t enough with that high school defense

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Tatertommy October 26, 2014 at 12:03 am

and your “great” offense did what exactly with that high powered fast paced attack you taters love? 16 total points? Against big time highly ranked Syracuse? Hell if it weren’t yet another shit ass ACC team you would have had your ass handed to you. good job tater fan. come to life prediction: USC out scores that suck ass O of yours by 17 in November. 6 in a row bitch!!!!

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E Norma Scok October 26, 2014 at 7:57 pm

hahaha..you hope.

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Bible Thumper October 25, 2014 at 11:47 pm

Auburn wasn’t penalized for having two players with a number “1” on their jerseys on the last play.

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whatever October 26, 2014 at 7:31 am

Does SC ever lose that fans don’t find some reason that it’s not their fault they lost?

Are we going to see Auburn fans 6 bombing little Stevie?

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wrong team October 26, 2014 at 9:52 am

sounds more like a clem5on saying to me. “we didn’t lose we beat ourselves!”

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Bible Thumper October 26, 2014 at 10:15 am

The penalty would’ve given them another hail mary attempt five yards closer. I’m a tiger fan, but it would be eight bombing by Auburn.

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Jackie Chiles October 26, 2014 at 12:57 am

South Carolina’s playcalling was surprisingly creative. If Whammy has a job at the end of the season, there’s something wrong with Spurrier.

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9" October 26, 2014 at 1:20 am

Football season never ends in SC.You never know though;maybe they’ll go to the
Okra Bowl,this year.

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SC Political Digest October 26, 2014 at 8:07 am

LMAO: Now, after reality slaps FITS upside the head, he just ignores the bruising truth that makes him look so stupid. Hahahaha…PRICELESS…

How many times has FITS, like all cliche media, immediately attacked Spurrier as the one source for SC’s disaster of a season.

Last night, even the most ignorant, and talent-less observer could deduce, easily, that SC has NO defense, and a pretty decent Spurrier-led offense…

Nice try FITS, but you’re still punch-drunk, trite and a joke.

PS: We’ve got a better (more practical and forward-thinking) reaction on SCPSD…and we’ve been RIGHT about the Gamecocks, ALL along, while the now-slobbering FITS and The State newspaper were looking for a way to bury Spurrier. Check our archive.

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Sandi Morals October 26, 2014 at 9:28 am

You have some good stuff on there the last few days. Keep up the good work. MANY are reading your brilliant analysis of events as they unfold.

Nice to read opinion and analysis knowing its not “bought and paid” for.

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SC Political Digest October 26, 2014 at 9:53 am

Thanks Sandi. We NEED an alternative voice MORE THAN EVER now. FITS is in lockstep w/ the establishment. The State newspaper, today, endorsed Sheheen (just like FITS) and the Charlotte Observer endorsed Hagins (D) for the US Senate.

And FITS is most-ignorant anytime he craps out anything about the Gamecocks…

These idiots are OUT OF TOUCH!!!

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grandtangosuglydog October 26, 2014 at 11:27 am

When i looked to see just how many visits you have had on tumbleweed.com (your lame ass blog no one reads) Here is the answer from Google: Topics
SCPoliticalDigest.com
Search term
+Add term

Not enough search volume to show graphs.

LOLOLOLOLOLROFLMAOLOLOLOLOL bang up job asshole.

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tangonotawifebeater October 26, 2014 at 11:44 am

I don’t believe Tango accepts money from politicians or public officials before deciding what his opinion will be on a subject.

Does Fits?

TontoBubbaGoldstein October 26, 2014 at 12:09 pm

I don’t believe Tango accepts money from politicians or public officials before deciding what his opinion will be on a subject….

TBG has never accepted a sexual proposition from Mila Kunis, either.

grandtangosuglydog October 26, 2014 at 12:50 pm

had to change your name huh..sad.

SC Political Digest October 26, 2014 at 11:59 am

It seems you’re too stupid to know where to look to see the numbers, but they are there. And: I get a charge out of the fact that you are S#!tting all over yourself, scared….LMAO…

Guest October 26, 2014 at 11:11 am

oh so your the second unique visit to this idiots blog site..i was guessing Emilys mom but looks like its you Sandi.

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grandtangosuglydog October 26, 2014 at 11:13 am

Oh so now it makes sense, you’re the second unique visitor on this idiots tumbleweed blog, when I saw that two people had actually went to the blog i assumed it was Emilys mom but nope, it was you. Shows the old truth that two fucking idiots will hang together. You two make a cute couple.

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guest October 26, 2014 at 11:50 am

T-Rav and Fits made a cute couple until the break-up..Ervin and Fits make a cute couple…Ron Paul and Fits make a cute couple…ISIS and Fits make a cute couple

What is the problem? Everybody needs a friend! :-)

Reply
shifty henry October 26, 2014 at 10:54 am

“Check our archive” —- I tried but discovered that the garbage is picked up every Thursday in your neighborhood.

Reply
grandtangosuglydog October 26, 2014 at 11:14 am

Still no visitors on your ghost town blog huh? Still spend all day posting on THIS site instead..LOL even you dont go to your own blog..that is sooooo sad.

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SC Political Digest October 26, 2014 at 12:00 pm

Don’t like being fed reality, do you? …LMAO….

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grandtangosuglydog October 26, 2014 at 12:48 pm

well then how many visits are you getting daily, its so small that google doesn’t even register the hits but please do tell…

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grandtangosuglydog October 26, 2014 at 12:51 pm

still no visitors to the site? Spend all day on this site = loser of the year

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 26, 2014 at 8:52 am

What ever happened to “FITSPICKS”?

Did FITSPICKS run away with Sakerlina’s National Championship SEC Championship SEC EAST Championship Decent Bowl Game Hopes?

Should we put out a BOLO?

Reckon if FITSPICKS returns…it’ll be a baby mamma/daddy?

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Sandi Morals October 26, 2014 at 9:24 am

My guess he is sitting in a tree with Steve McGarret and Tom Ervin outside the governor’s house waiting on Wo Fat to deliver a bag of “asian” money.

Book em Dano!! What clowns.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 26, 2014 at 1:37 pm

+1 for the Wo Fat reference.

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idcydm October 26, 2014 at 9:53 am

“FITSPICKS”…He knows as much about picking football winners as he does political winners, case in point…T-Rav.

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SC Political Digest October 26, 2014 at 9:54 am

Notice you left out SIX IN A ROW…LMAO…ball-less…huh???…Hahahaha…

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 26, 2014 at 10:28 am

Notice you left out SIX IN A ROW…LMAO…ball-less…huh???…Hahahaha…

TBG’s sources say that there is a big party at a Hartwell lakehouse scheduled for the first weekend in December.

SIX IN A ROW will be there, along with FITSPICKS, SAKERLINA’s Championship Hopes (all of them: National, SEC, SEC-East, State, Major Bowl, Lesser Bowl, ANY Bowl), Obama’s Positive Poll #s, Upstate Support of ISIS, Lindsey Graham’s Heterosexuality, Sakerlina’s Defense, 2015 Florida Coach Will Muschamp, Philip Branton’s Understandable Posts, South Carolina Political Digest’s Blog Traffic, The Colonel’s Love of ALL THINGS T-RAV, Harrell And Haley’s Ethics [They may bring some *friends*] and T-Rav’s s Current Sex Life W/ His BABYMOMMA.

Probably going to be a pretty quiet affair, if you ask TBG.

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shifty henry October 26, 2014 at 10:37 am

but – but – but- ……… will we be invited?

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 26, 2014 at 12:03 pm

…but – but – but- ……… will we be invited?

TBG doesn’t care.

Rumor has it that while all of 2014 FITSNEWS Tittie Pics are attending; there will be NO STRIPPERS.

No scrippas. No TBG.

shifty henry October 26, 2014 at 10:29 am

The MAJIK ROUND DICE have been ….. silent.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 26, 2014 at 10:33 am

The MAJIK ROUND DICE have been ….. silent.

ITBGRC, at the beginning of the season, the MAJIK ROUND DICE and TBG were beating FITSPICKS like the proverbial red-headed step-child a Lorenzo Ward defense.

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OBS is dried up October 26, 2014 at 1:58 pm

With the remaining schedule, the Old Ball Sack and Gamecocks may not be going to a bowl game this season. Major disappointment from winning the SEC championship!!!!!!!!

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 26, 2014 at 8:52 am

What ever happened to “FITSPICKS”?

Did FITSPICKS run away with Sakerlina’s National Championship SEC Championship SEC EAST Championship Decent Bowl Game Hopes?

Should we put out a BOLO?

Reckon if FITSPICKS returns…it’ll be a baby mamma/daddy?

Reply
VoiceofReason October 26, 2014 at 9:10 am

Give Spurrier and the chicks some credit. It was a gutsy performance no matter how you look at it. However, I do think AU was looking very much ahead to Miss.

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bogart October 26, 2014 at 9:54 am

WAR EAGLE

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SCBlues October 26, 2014 at 10:23 am

I thought SC played a helluva game – heartbreaking loss.

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Manray October 26, 2014 at 11:00 am

I thought Cocks fans would still be crowing about their decisive victory over Furman.

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BoGo October 26, 2014 at 7:50 pm

You can’t lick our cocks !

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CorruptionInColumbia October 26, 2014 at 7:52 pm

Is anyone else getting a weird version of Disqus comments on their computer? Mine has a faded character to the typed text being displayed in the comments.

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E Norma Scok October 26, 2014 at 7:59 pm

Yes.

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Toyota Kawaski October 27, 2014 at 9:09 am

We see which staff can prepare in 3 weeks and which can not.

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ELCID October 27, 2014 at 12:32 pm

Comparing the USC Defense against Clemson’s both running a similar Defense, just shows how rotten a coach is Ward. Clemson stunts, moves their Linebackers constantly and sacks QB’s all the time. While USC freezes its linebacker 6 yards off the ball, never moves, never stunts, and runs the same Defensive setup, never changing the defense to confuse the Offense.

Clemson’s Defense is in the top 10 in the Nation, while USC with a much better Offense than Clemson, couldn’t stop a loon in a wheel chair.

Interesting to note, that the same rotten Defensive Coach USC had Ward as an assistant too, Ellis Johnson, was coaching Auburn’s Defense. And, getting about the same results as USC’s similarly duplicate coached Defense. Looks like neither one of them are worth a damn at coaching Defense.

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realogic October 27, 2014 at 9:38 pm

Fire Lorenzo Ward.

Reply

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