The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
PAGE 2B
Carolina embarks on new season Experienced roster looks to bring success to USC James Kratch
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
South Carolina Gameccocks Last Season: 7-6 (3-5 SEC) Coach: Steve Spurrier (35-28 at USC; 177-68-2 career) The Skinny: Heading into coach Steve Spurrier’s sixth s e a s o n at C a r ol i n a , t he Gamecocks have recorded the most wins in program history (35) in any five-year span, but have won more than seven games only once (2006). However, with the abundance of ex perience among t he returnees and uncertaint y around the division, USC is being heralded as a potential contender to win the SEC East. T h e O f f e n s e: Fr om h i s frequent and pointed offseason comments about quarterback Stephen Garcia, Spurrier would have you believing that the USC offense would live or die based on how the Tampa, Fla., native performs this fall. That won’t necessarily be the case, though. There’s a lot of high expectations for Garcia and his talented corps of receivers, led by freshman All-America selection Alshon Jeffery, but the running game could well end up being the difference if USC makes noise in the SEC. New offensive line coach Shawn Elliott is the third man in as many years to try and turn around what has been a vulnerable unit, but the difference this season is that the Gamecocks have proven horses in the backfield. Kenny Miles emerged as the go-to back last year down the stretch, Jarvis Giles showed an abilit y to make people miss and Marcus Lattimore, the reigning Mr. Football in the state of South Carolina,
is one of the most heralded and hyped recruits in USC history. The Defense: The defense has been a strong spot ever since assistant head coach for defense Ellis Johnson arrived in 2008, and that should continue this season. All-time school sacks king Eric Norwood has moved 90 miles north to the Carolina Panthers and the NFL, but there is still a great deal of t a lent i n t he u n it . Shaq Wilson and Rodney Paulk lead the linebacking corps and have plenty of opportunities to make tackles with a very solid defensive line in front of them. Cliff Matthews may be the best defensive end in the SEC, Travian Robertson and Ladi Ajiboye bring experience at defensive tackle and junior Melvin Ingram and transfer By ron Jer ideau a re bot h expected to contribute. The secondary was a concern last season, but this fall it should be a bragging point. Stephon Gilmore has the potential to someday be an All-America selection and D.J. Swearinger has impressed coaches by mak ing leaps and bounds since spring practice started. Plus, Chris Culliver brings a hard-hitting approach and senior leadership to the group. The Special Teams: The top priority has to be the kickoff team. That was the thorn in USC’s side last season, allowing three touchdown returns and numerous other big gains. Two transfers, Jay Wooten and Joey ScribnerHoward, are expected to vie for the job as kickoff specialist along with Adam Yates, who served in the role on and off last year. The hope is that one of them will be consistent e no u g h t o a l lo w s e n io r Spencer Lanning, one of last USC ● 3B
t / The Da ily Ga Sam Bennet
mecock
USC ● CONTINUED FROM 2B season’s pleasant surprises, to focus solely on placekicking and punting. Coach’s Comment: “Until we prove we can play on a consistent basis, we just got hope. We got to go earn our way to believing that we can
be a top SEC team.” — USC Coach Steve Spurrier
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Kara Roache / The Daily Gamecock
Top: USC wide receiver Alshon Jeffery runs for the first down against Clemson. Bottom: USC coach Steve Spurrier
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The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
Quarterback battle continues Garcia, Shaw fight to gain starting nod against USM Chris Cox
SPORTS EDITOR
Don’t g ive a nu mber s lesson to South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. I t d o e s n’t m a t t e r t o Spurrier that incumbent quarterback S t e p h e n G a rc ia is the
conference’s active leader in career total yards (4,078) and passing yards (3,694). It doesn’t matter that he’s eighth in Carolina history wit h 3,694 passing yards a nd t ied for n i nt h w it h 23 touchdow n passes, or eighth in pass
Sam Bennett / The Daily Gamecock
completions (304) for that matter. A s f a r a s S p u r r ie r i s concerned, you’re only as good as your last game. And that last game — a 20-7 noshow against Connecticut in the PapaJohns.com bowl — doesn’t look very good on Garcia’s resume. E nt e r t r u e f r e s h m a n quarterback Connor Shaw , who has been a breath of fresh air for the coaching staff. A hard worker who supposedly sleeps in t he film room, Shaw possesses t he m at u r it y le v e l a nd athleticism to play for South Carolina right away. “He has kind of a knack — t he ‘it’ factor when it comes to decision making,” quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus said. “For a young player, the most impressive
thing that I see is his ability to ma ke qu ick decisions at h i s a g e a nd le v e l of experience. He also didn’t play quarterback his first two years in high school. He has experience at a bunch of different positions and understands t he game of football.” Added Spurrier, “Connor’s going to play with the first team. Right now, we’re planning on both of them playing, and go from there. Statistically, he’s been the best quarterback on the team in every scrimmage.” So it’s a no-brainer that Shaw starts then, right? Not so fast. “Stephen ha s ac t u a l ly thrown the ball very well here lately. He’s had a good week the last week,” Mangus said. “We’re hitting some plays down the field better than what I’ve seen. That’s encouraging and gives us hope we can hit some of these guys down the field. He’s learning some of the nuances like getting his head in the right position and how to get guys open with his eyes. It’s very hopeful.” So with less than a week
to go before South Carolina kicks off the season against Southern Mississippi, the coaching staff still doesn’t k now who w ill star t t he opener. Either the veteran quarterback who has struggled with his decisionma k i ng or t he footba l lsmart youngster who has yet to take a snap. “ Yo u g u y s j u s t d o n’t k now w ho t he s t a r t i n g quarterback is going to be,” Mangus said. “We have a good competition going on out here. Someone has to start the game, right? The expectation is both of them will play and play well. The g uy who’s goi ng to play and fi nish gives us the best chance to win.” A two-quarterback system isn’t anything Spurrier is unfamiliar with, especially at USC. He’s fl ipped between Blake Mitchell and Syvelle Newton, Chris Smelley and Garcia and now Shaw and Garcia. “They look good. Both of them. They’re trying to be perfect. They want to be perfect. We’re going to QB ● 5B
Sam Bennett / The Daily Gamecock
South Carolina junior quarterback Stephen Garcia looks to the crowd during warmups prior to USC’s game against the Clemson Tigers at Williams-Brice Stadium.
QB ● Continued from 4B have a good quarterback, whoever it is,” f reshman tailback Marcus Lattimore said. “They k now how to lead. They both know how to do it.” Shaw points to his work ethic as the reasoning behind his surge up the depth chart. “I put my investments in the film room and studied hard. I think it’s starting to pay off,” Shaw said. And Garcia counters with his in-game experience. “I don’t think there’s any question [Garcia’s experience is a leg up for him],” Mangus said. “I’ve told him many times that’s why I expect him to play well and play like the veteran that he is. Thirteen starts last year. Coming off
that year, you would expect that to be an advantage. I fully expect to see the results next Thursday.” So who will start? Only time will tell. But all t hat matters to Steve Spurrier is that they play better than they did on that chilly January day in Birmingham. “We t hink our of fense has got a chance to be much improved from the last time we played,” Spurrier said. “Two hundred yards against a t e a m [ UC o n n i n t h e Papajohns.com Bowl] that was giving up about 450 a game.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksportspage@ sc.edu
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The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
Marquee players battle for Heisman trophy Alabama tailback Ingram faces still competition in 2010 James Kratch
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
The Favorite: Terrelle Pryor, QB – Ohio State If you were to create a checklist to outline what a legitimate preseason Heisman favorite should look like, Pryor would hit every one of them. He’s atop almost ever y watch list out there and is the face of the consensus preseason No. 2 team in the nation. He’s riding the momentum of a breakout performance — his 266 passing yards for two touchdowns and 72 rushing yards in the Buckeyes’ 26-17 Rose Bowl win over Oregon. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, he has coach Jim Tressel, who will put aside his button-down offensive philosophy a bit to accommodate his signal-caller’s talent and candidacy. As long as the Buckeyes win the Big Ten and Pryor doesn’t completely implode, the trophy will be his. He’s
clearly the head of the class. The Incumbent: Mark Ingram, RB – Alabama There have been five instances since Archie Griffin won his second Heisman in 1975 (six if you count Sam Bradford’s injury-thwarted 2009 season) in which a Heisman winner has returned to school in search of a repeat. No one has done so, and only once has the returning winner fi nished higher than third the next time out (Billy Sims was second in 1979 after winning in ’78), although Tim Tebow did get the most first place votes en route to third place in 2008 after winning in 2007. Could Ingram win it again on the strength of an amazing statistical season? Yeah, but that won’t happen. The Crimson Tide is going to throw the ball more this season (a development that might open the door for another Heisman candidate to emerge from Tuscaloosa, as we’ll discuss later) and Ingram’s carries will be cut down a bit, thanks to
Tony Ding/ The Associated Press
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is in the hunt for the Heisman this year. the coming emergence of super sophomore, Trent Richardson. The Dark Horse: Ryan Mallett, QB – Arkansas There’s no way getting around it: The kid’s an absolute stud — 6-foot-6 with a rocket laser arm — and Bobby Petrino is going to hand him the keys to the Hog offensive attack and get
out of the way. He will most likely be the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. That being said, his offseason foot injury should be a cause for some concern. It doesn’t happen frequently, but sometimes foot injuries just don’t get better. If Mallett is plagued HEISMAN ● 7B
Julie Jacobsen / The Associated Press
Alabama tailback Mark Ingram accepts the Heisman trophy. HEISMAN ● Cont. from 6B by a bum foot in even the slightest way, it’s going to completely alter his season. He also has to hope that the Razorbacks play better defense this season early and often. A rkansas will have played four (potent ially) high-powered offenses in Georgia, A labama, Texas A&M and Auburn all by the halfway point in October. Lose one or two of those, and Arky’s SEC West shots
are dashed, with Mallett’s Heisman hopes likely trailing right behind. The Best of the Rest: QB Case Keenum (Houston) ; RB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech) ; QB R ick y Dobbs (Navy); QB Greg McElroy (Alabama); QB Ricky Stanzi ( Iowa); DE Bruce Carter (North Carolina); QB Andy Dalton (TCU); QB Kellen Moore (Boise State) Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksportspage@ sc.edu
PAGE 8B
The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
Carolina schedule at a glance Southern Miss
Coach Larry Fedora didn’t mince words when he told a gathering of USM f a n s t h a t t h e y ’d k nock of f Sout h Carolina in the nationally-televised opener. Fedora is expecting a breakout year for his team this year and for good reason. Everything centers on third-year starting quarterback Austin Davis, who has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in his fi rst two seasons under center. He’ll need some help from an inexperienced offensive line, however, which returns just one starter from a season ago. But as impressive as the Southern Miss offense has been, it has seemingly been the opposite for the defense, which gave up 392.47 yards per game last season, good for 80th in the nation. The group, which returns nine starters overall, will try to reverse those numbers in 2010.
Georgia
T h e Bulldogs m a y b e break ing in a new quarterback a nd three new defensive coaches in 2010 — the most ever for coach Mark Richt’s staff — but they’ve still got a wealth of experience to work with. Georgia returns a whopping 17 starters from last season, including All-SEC wide receiver A.J. Green and all five starters along the offensive line. New defensive coordinator Willie Martinez will install a new 3-4 defense this season in the hopes of returning the Georgia defense to the prominence its traditionally known for. Leading the charge will be linebacker Justin Houston, who led the team last season with 39 tackles for loss and accumulated 7.5 sacks.
Furman
T he Pa lad i ns ret u r n 12 starters total from last year’s 6 -5 squad — six apiece on bot h offense and defense — and those veterans will be heavily relied on if Furman has hopes of knocking off Carolina, the only FBS school on FU’s schedule. Furman will rely upon a former FBS quarterback — UCLA transfer Chris Forcier — as they try and improve from their mediocre 2009 record. Junior linebacker Kadarron Anderson anchors
the Furman defense, which finished 2009 ranked 111th in passing defense and 94th in rushing among 124 FCS schools. Last season, Anderson led the team with 123 tackles, including six for loss. Anderson, an All-SoCon selection, earned 46 more tackles than the next player on Furman’s defense.
Auburn
After a bounceback performance i n 20 0 9, m a n y bel ieve Aubu r n could be poised for a championship run in 2010. The Tigers are hoping junior college transfer Cameron Newton can spark the Auburn offense as the primary signal-caller. And while AU will be replacing departed tailback Ben Tate, coach Gene Chizik and Co. are looking forward to the arrival of the highly-touted Michael Dyer, who should compete for playing time immediately. Junior linebacker and preseason All-SEC selection Josh Bynes is expected to once again anchor the defense. He led the team with 104 tackles while recovering two fumbles. In the secondary, junior Neiko Thorpe will look to lead a group that was third in the SEC in interceptions last season. Recognized as preseason All-SEC team, Thorpe managed 84 tackles and two interceptions in 2009.
Alabama
It’s safe to say that Alabama won’t be sneak ing up on anyone’s schedule this season. In 2009, coach Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide rolled to a p er fec t 14 - 0 record, went undefeated i n t he SEC regular season for the second consecut ive year, captured its 26th conference championship, and reclaimed its position at the top of college football with its thirteenth national title. They’ll see few changes on the offensive side in 2010, as eight of 11 starters return from last season, headlined by Heisman winner Mark Ingram and quarterback Greg McElroy. They’ll have to replace eight starters on the defense, but all three returnees have each been named to the preseason All-SEC team.
Kentucky
Joker Phillips takes over at head coach for Kent uck y, succeeding Rich Brooks, who ret i red a f ter se ven years of guiding UK. Sen ior qu a r terback Mike Hartline will be back after missing the majority of playing time following a knee injury suffered against South Carolina. Hartline will be challenged, however, by sophomore Morgan Newton and redshirt freshman Ryan Mossakowski for the starting job. The spark of the offense is still Randall Cobb, who excels at wideout, tailback and quarterback. The defense allowed the third-highest yards per game in the SEC last season, with the majority of those yards coming on the ground. The Wildcats hope junior linebacker Danny Trevathan can change that along with linemen Dequin Evans and Taylor Wyndham.
Vanderbilt
After the sudden retirement of coach Bobby Johnson, the position has been given to the loquacious Robbie Caldwell, a Pageland, S.C., native. He’ll try and right the ship for Vandy, which went winless in league play last season, just a year removed from their Music City Bowl victory in 2008. Featured tailback Warren Norman highlights the Commodores’ offense, as he led the conference in all-purpose yards per game last year, earning SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team Freshman All-America honors. Junior linebacker Chris Marve will be called upon to help keep the opposition at bay. He maintained a solid presence in the middle last year and led the conference with a hair over 10 tackles per game.
Tennessee
The controversial a nd hated La ne K iffin is gone, replaced byy the intense an nd respected Derek and D ooley ey, ey y, bu b upDooley, butt thee up he eav avaal remains, rem mainss, with th h heaval the bulk of of offseason offfseason fs headlines d omiinated by the t legal issues of players, dominated the most infamous i nfam mous a Knoxville Kn bar room brawl, and nu u merous tra raa ns n fer the biggest of which numerous transfers, SCHEDULE ● 9B
The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010 SCHEDULE ● Cont. from 8B is the standoff between last year’s star recruit, Br yce Brown, and Dooley. Former Louisville quarterback and junior college transfer Matt Simms is the front-runner to lead an offense returning only five starters while the defense must find a way to replace its top three tacklers from 2009. Look for veterans like wide receiver Gerald Jones and linebacker Nick Reveiz to anchor the Volunteer youth movement this season.
Arkansas
A da rk hor se pick by m a n y t o w i n t he SE C West this year, the Hogs completed an 8-5 season in 2009 and have even higher expectations in 2010 with quarterback Ryan Mallett at the helm. The signalc a l ler, who’s pegged a s a h igh select ion in nex t year’s N FL Draf t, leads an A rkansas offense that ra n ked eight h in t he n at io n l a s t s e a s on w i t h 3 7 . 3 p oi nt s p e r game l a s t yea r. Additionally, their 439.3 yards per game were good enough for 15th out of all 120 Division I-FBS teams. But if the Hogs have title dreams of Atlanta, they’ll need more production out of a defense that ranked worst in the SEC in yards a l lowed per ga me, w it h opponents averaging 401.8 yards against UA in 2009.
Florida
Four of five starters on the offensive line return for the 2010 season, so last year’s confere n c e leading offense is unlikely to su f fer f rom t he loss of quarterback Tim Te b o w. Redsh i r t ju n ior Joh n Brantley, who saw action in seven games last year, will take over as signal-caller for the Gators. The Florida defense looks to be equally as ng g tthis hiss ti hi time me aaround, round,, as strong thre reee starters re star arrters return ret etur urn ur n amon ng three among h e defensive l i ne w h ile i le t he wh an not o herr three thre th reee return re retu re turn tu rn in n th the he another see co c nd d a r y. y Exp ec t t hei h ei r seconda pec tu urnov rn nov over num um mbe bers rs ffrom rom ro m la late turnover numbers they th ey’v ey ’vee averaged ’v aver av erag er ag ged 18.8 18.8 8 inin— they’ve terceptions a season over the last five years — to continue in 2010.
Troy
A pr i m a r i ly of fen sive team, Troy averaged nearly 40 points a game in its nine wins last year, but the graduation of quarterback Levi Brown, the 2009 Sun Belt Player of the Year, will give t h e team a different look . Greg
Jenk ins takes over now and will be suppor ted by sen ior w ide g , receiver JJerrel JJernigans, w ho h o aav aver ove verr 10 0 ve ver a g e d over rece e iv ivin ing in g yards y rd ya d s a ga game me in receiving 2009 09. Sh 09 S haw awn aw n So Sout uthw ut hwar hw ard, ar d,, last d last 2009. Shawn Southward, year’s F reshmaan of re of tthe he Year Freshman n hiss cconference, on nfe fere ere r nc nce, e, w illl look il in will to fol l lo low w up on o n last la st year’s y ea e r’s follow 12-touchdown wn sseason eason with a successful sophomore sea-
son. Bryan Willis, last year’s team leader in interceptions and pass breakups, will be a major force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball while Jonathan Rob e r t s o n a nd To m m y Stephens, t wo incom ing freshmen defensive ends, look to strengthen the defensive line.
Clemson
The Tiger offense returns s e v e n starters from a season ago, but t he biggest loss is certainly a tough one in tailb a c k C .J. Spi l ler . A unanimous f i r st-tea m A l l- A mer ic a n , Spi l ler ’s AC C -r e c o r d 2 , 6 8 0 a l l-
purpose yards will be difficult to replace. However, Clemson thinks it has the backs in A ndre Ellington a nd Ja m ie H a r per, who combined for 909 rushing yards last season. The offensive line is largely intact with four starters returning, but like Spiller, its loss is a big one as All-American g uard Thomas Aust in departs. Quarterback Kyle Parker returns to anchor t he consistent of fense. The defense looks to be consistent as well, as AllAmerican safety DeAndre McDaniel leads a group that returns three of four starters on the defensive line and a bevy of athletes in the secondary.
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PAGE 9B
PAGE 12B
The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
Baseball title inspires Carolina football Gamecocks hope to build off baseball national championship Chris Cox
SPORTS EDITOR
So much for a Chicken Curse. After the dust had settled at the final College World S e r ie s g a m e at s t o r ie d Rosenblat t Stadium , t he Sout h Ca rol i na fa it hf u l f inally had something to c r ow ab out : a n at io n a l championship. Despite losing t he Southeastern Conference title in the fi nal weekend of the regular season to Florida, t he USC ba seba l l tea m tore t hrough t he NC A A Tournament en route to an 11-1 record, with the only loss coming against Oklahoma in
both team’s College World Series openers. And after Whit Merrifield’s base hit to right a g a i n s t UC L A b r ou g ht home the Gamecocks’ first national title in a men’s sport, the football team started thinking. “Our baseball team certainly proved you can w i n a big cha mpionsh ip at the University of South Carolina,” said coach Steve Spurrier at SEC Media Days. “We believe that will rub off on the other sports, and hopefully we’re the next one up. Hopefully, we can take a cue from those guys and have a good run as we go through this season.” The football team, meanwhile, has never won more than 10 games in a season and hasn’t won a
Dave Weaver / The Associated Press
USC’s baseball team celebrates after knocking off UCLA in the College World Series. conference title since the ACC crown in 1969.
But the Gamecocks believe that the newfound success of t he baseball team can translate over to the gridiron. “W hen t hey walked through the crowd, it was a feeling I never felt before,” defensive end Cliff Matthews said of the baseball team’s celebration. “That kind of ignited us. We want to feel how our baseball team felt.” As the 2010 football season arrives, the Gamecocks feel as though they’re contenders for t he Sout heastern Conference crown. All one can hope for is to make it to the conference title game in Atlanta and go from there. W hen Sout h Carolina is stacked up against the likes of Flor ida, G eorg ia a nd Tennessee, the Gamecocks look like they may finally have a chance to make some noise in the title hunt. “ We’ve been st uck on se ven v ic tor ie s a yea r,” Spurrier said. “We hope to do better and we think we can do better. We need to win more than seven games. It’s unacceptable. We have to rise up and show we can compete
against the top teams. We haven’t done poorly, but we just haven’t done super. We want to do real well.” Spurrier said the Gamecocks’ best days are hopefully ahead of them. “Winning breeds more winning. We just haven’t quite had the big year yet,” Spurrier said. We’re still pushing for that.” Spu r r ier a nd Co. w i l l hope to begin those best days Thursday at the season opener against Sout hern M i s s i s s ip p i , w h e r e t h e Gamecocks have planned for the baseball team to run out to “2001” after the football team enters. Spurrier said he wanted t hem to “get t he biggest ovation of their lives.” Maybe for Carolina football, they’ll get a similar ovation at the end of the season. And maybe they’ll have the baseball team to thank for it.
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The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
The Daily Gamecock’s Bowl Predictions
The Daily Gamecock’s Top 25 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Alabama Ohio State Florida Texas TCU Boise State Virginia Tech Iowa Nebraska Oklahoma Southern California Miami (FL) Wisconsin Oregon LSU Arkansas Auburn Pittsburgh Georgia Tech North Carolina Florida State Georgia Oregon State South Carolina UConn
PAGE 13B
National Championship Game: Alabama vs. Ohio State
Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Nebraska
Cotton Bowl: Arkansas vs. Texas
Chick-fil-A Bowl: USC vs. Florida State
Rose Bowl: Boise State vs. Oregon
Outback Bowl: LSU vs. Wisconsin
Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. UConn
Gator Bowl: Georgia vs. Penn State
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. TCU
Liberty Bowl: Kentucky vs. Houston
Capital One Bowl: Auburn vs. Iowa
Music City Bowl: Ole Miss vs. North Carolina
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PAGE 14B
Defense poised to carry USC Despite preseason injuries, unit expected to carry Gamecocks James Kratch
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
Ellis Johnson is the archetype of a football coach. Stoic, no-nonsense and honest, sometimes so much so the truth is brutal. So when you ask him what he thinks about his defense for this fall, he’s going to give it to you straight, and he’s going to admit that he’s worried because that’s what he does. “I’m always concerned. Like everyone teases me, the glass is always half empty. I don’t have any way to predict the future,” Johnson said. “Just because we played pretty well these last two years doesn’t have anything to do with this year.” Johnson’s natural reservations aside, the 2010 Carolina defense, on paper and at glance, looks like it should continue USC’s recent tradition of staunch defensive units thanks to a high level of talent inside the unit. There are some areas of concern, though. The linebacking corps is somewhat uncertain at the moment, as Shaq Wilson, the team’s leading tackler a year ago, appears to have his status for the opener up in the air with a nagging hamstring injury — something Johnson laments. “He makes a difference. When you’ve got a guy like that in there, there’s a lot of little wrinkles
that all of a sudden clear out, as far as checks and alignments and adjustments and those type things,” Johnson said. “I really have a lot of confidence in those other guys just playing the game, but I’m a little edgy about him not being in there to quarterback the defense and make some checks and things.” But Wilson’s understudies, Quin Smith and Tony Straughter, are expected to fill in nicely alongside sixth-year senior Rodney Paulk in the second level. Smith would likely be the first guy in — a reality he says he’s starting to deal with. “Shaq’s still out, and we’re right around the corner from the game, so I’m trying to prepare myself for it,” Smith said. Moving from the second level to the third level, two issues stand out for the secondary — turnovers and suspension uncertainty. The fi rst is rather simple. USC had a measly six interceptions last season — something it is determined to change and has trained all offseason to do so. “We’ve got to get more interceptions, more fumble recoveries,” cornerback Jimmy Legree said. “More turnovers, basically.” The second is different. Thanks to the Whitney Hotel issue, USC may or may not be losing several defensive starters, with the bulk of the hit potentially coming in the secondary, where starting safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback C.C. Whitlock , who rotates in frequently, are
candidates to miss time. “A l l we k now is t hat t here a re a lot of possibilities,” Johnson said when asked about possible suspensions. “That’s as much as we’ve been informed.” Johnson said that anything can become a distraction, that dreaded word in football coachspeak, but the leader of the defense, end Cliff Matthews, doesn’t think the hotel uncertainty has become one. “To be honest with you, we haven’t had any distractions,” Matthews said. “We’ve stayed humble, just avoided unwanted situations. Just getting ready for Southern Miss.” The concerns aside, t here’s a lot to like. Matthews is an All-SEC talent and the rest of the line has solid depth. Stephon Gilmore could be poised for a breakout season at corner. Many feel Smith can contribute if he is pushed into starting duty. Paulk is expected to have a big season if he can stay healthy. Plus, Wilson will be back eventually, and Johnson still is one of the best defensive minds in the nation. His high, six-figure contract proves that. All that’s left now, according to Matthews, is to keep getting better. “Keep peaking each week,” Matthews said.
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Kara Roache / The Daily Gamecock
Sam Bennett / The Daily Gamecock
Kara Roache / The Daily Gamecock
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The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
Kratch: Postseason success awaits USC Carolina poised to play in Chick-fil-A bowl in 2010 If you have come here looking for a bold prediction regarding the 2010 season of South Carolina football, you have unfortunately come to the wrong place. Rather, I have a simple prophec y for you: T hat USC will end this up c om i ng c a mp a ig n b y doing something it hasn’t done since t he Ni xon administ rat ion — play a postseason game in Atlanta. On Dec. 30, 1969, t he newly crow ned ACC champion Gamecocks lost to West Virginia 14-3 in the Peach Bowl . They haven’t been back since. That will change though this coming N e w Ye a r ’s Eve, a few hours past 41 y e a r s t o t he date. D re a m s of t he f irst James E a s t e r n Kratch Division title Third-year in school history English student and a bert h in t he SEC C ha mpion sh ip Game will remain on hold for at least another year, but USC will come away with a solid consolation prize: an invitation to the Chick-fil-A Bowl. It w ill get t here by doi ng somet h i ng t hat most Carolina teams have failed to do over the years: what they’re supposed to. Nothing more and certainly nothing less. The G a mecock s w ill tea r t h rough t heir nonconference schedule. Southern Miss may hang around for a half, but USC will win decisively in the end. T he sa me goes for Troy in November. As for Furman, pencil that in as the offensive fireworks display of
the season. USC will score at least 50 that day. Why will the Gamecocks ha ng ha lf a hu nd red on an opponent for only the second time under coach Steve Spu r r ier? Because that’s what SEC teams are supposed to do to 6-5 SoCon teams. Then, t here’s t he only non-SEC road trip of the yea r — Clem son. T hat , too, w ill go as pla n ned. The Tigers have gotten a big boost with Kyle Parker opting to return for one last go-round under center, but he’ll probably regret not playing professional baseball full time come the Saturday after Thanksgiving. USC will roll, defeating the Tigers in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1970. A s for leag ue play, t he Gamecocks will continue the pattern of stellar SEC pl a y at W i l l i a m s -Br ic e Stadium it started a year ago, duplicating 2009’s 3-1 league record at home. USC will beat the three teams it is supposed to in Columbia — G e o r g i a , Te n n e s s e e and Arkansas. It will lose, though, to the undefeated No. 1 A labama Crimson T id e i n C o l u m b i a . No matter. Like the lone home SEC loss in 2009 — to the undefeated No. 1 Florida Gators — the Gamecocks aren’t supposed to win that one. Spea k i ng of Flor ida, USC will do what should be expected on the road in conference play — earn a split. Carolina will return triumphant from the two road swings they’re supposed to take care of business on — at Vanderbilt and Kentucky — and it will lose the two road games it’s supposed to — at Auburn and Florida. Add it all up, and it will result in a 9-3 record (5-3 SEC) and a second place f in ish in t he East, good
enough to head to Atlanta. W hen t hey get t here, Florida State will be waiting, albeit a year too late for Steve Spurrier and Bobby Bowden to go at it one last time. It will be a season lacking a glorious high, like defeating No. 4 Ole Miss, but also without a desolate low, like the late-season swoons of the past two falls. And, when it comes to a close, both the Gamecocks and their fans will file out of the Georgia Dome and into the New Year knowing that the wait to return won’t be anywhere near four decades long. In fact, it’ll take a mere 337 days. That’s when the 2011 SEC title game will be held. On second t hought , maybe you are getting a bold prediction here.
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Check Thursday’s paper for the first issue of the Blitz! • Alshon Jeffery strikes for greatness • Quarterback shakedown • Five questions with the enemy • A look at this weekend’s college football scene • And much more!
The Daily Gamecock ● MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 2010
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Injury hits offensive line Gamecocks search for increased production from embattled unit James Kratch
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
back from an injury. Walk-on deep snapper Ch r is Vaugh n switched over to become a reserve center and freshman A.J. Cann has taken a great deal of reps as a starting guard this summer. Elliott doesn’t care. “ You’re never goi ng to go through a season feeling good as an offensive lineman,” Elliott said. “I don’t care who you are, the nicks, the bruises — they’re things you’ve got to learn to play through, and that’s what we’ve got to do right now.” For now, the line appears to have stabilized. T.J. Johnson will start at center, Garrett Chisholm a n d Wa t k i n s a t t h e g u a r d positions, Jarriel K ing at left tackle and either Hutch Eckerson or Kyle Nunn at right tackle. But, any more injuries and Elliott may be looking at elevating his greenest charges. No coach wants to play a true freshman, let alone several true freshmen. But, as Elliott said, the time may come when he has no other choice. “Ever y t ime someone goes down, they’re getting closer,” Elliott said. “I can’t go buy them off the streets and pull them in here.” But then again, if guys like Cann and Ronald Patrick do get pressed into duty as rookies, their veteran teammates are confident they can deliver. “We have a lot of guys that can play this year. I feel like we have a lot of younger guys; a lot of freshmen that are going to be playing,” Eckerson said. “They want to put the best guys out there, and my job is to make sure I’m one of them.” No mat ter who ends up playing, this is a huge year for the offensive line. Long tagged the weakness of USC, the thing holding t he Gamecocks back from challenging the SEC’s elite, all eyes will be on the unit and its new coach.
The USC offensive line has spent the majority of its summer banged up. Guys have quit the team, g uys have been lost to season-ending injuries and guys have missed time with nagging ailments. True freshmen have been forced onto not only the t wo-deep, but the theoretical starting lineup. But line coach Shawn Elliott said adversity is to be expected when it comes to the offensive line. “Their backs are against the wall every single day. They’re offensive linemen,” Elliott said. “They’ve got to learn to fight, they’ve got to learn to be gritty types of players.” A Ca mden nat ive a nd t he architect of several stellar lines at FCS powerhouse Appalachian State, Elliot t is USC’s t h ird offensive line coach in as many years. John Hunt was fi red after the loss to Clemson in 2008 and replaced by Eric Wolford of Illinois. But, after just a year on the job, Wolford bolted for the head coaching job at Youngstown St ate , open i ng t he door for Elliott. L i k e Wo l f o r d , E l l i o t t i s a loud and outspoken man on the field, passion and intensity running over. But where Elliott and Wolford depart is in their personnel philosophy. Wolford had a quick trigger — shaking up the starting line every week depend i ng on per for ma nce. Elliott, on the other hand, prefers to find the five best guys and play them. That’s been hard to do this summer, though. Nick Allison q u it t he t e a m a nd Q u i nt i n Richardson and Ryan Broadhead are out for the season. Terrence Campbell has been recovering Comments on this story? f r o m a n a n k l e i n j u r y a n d E-mail gamecocksportspage@ Rokevious Watkins is just getting sc.edu
Kara Roache / The Daily Gamecock
Top: Tailback Kenny Miles runs behind the offensive line in USC’s 34-17 win over Clemson. Middle: USC offensive guard Garrett Chisolm prior to USC’s game against Ole Miss. Bottom: USC’s offensive line prepares for the snap against Clemson.
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4 tuesday, august 31st 5:30pm kickoff 4 usc marching band 4 usc cheerleaders w/ cocky 4 coach spurrier
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down gadsden street again!
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and his call-in show 7-8pm
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