By Ron Aiken

Of all the coaches in Clemson history, leave it to Dabo Swinney to find a way to lose to USC twice in less than a week.

For Gamecock fans, Dabo is the gift that keeps on giving, the Energizer Bunny of Clemson’s fall from in-state relevance and promise of pleasant tomorrows.

It is widely acknowledged that Clemson is a school stuck in the Twilight Zone, where the past is the present and where “recent history” means 30 years ago. On Thursday, Swinney validated, once and for all, USC fans’ theory that Clemson fans – and now, coaching staff – are a base of people living in a past whose fleeting national success was immediately poisoned by massive NCAA violations and whose school the rest of the country correctly identifies as both the greatest waster of talent and biggest underachiever in college football year-in, year-out.

Oh, and here’s a little more history for Swinney. He now holds the distinction of being the first Clemson coach to go 1-3 in his first four games against South Carolina since Jess Neely in 1934. Funny he didn’t mention that tidbit in his impromptu history lesson that was as full of fallacies as facts.

As my friend April Alsup tweeted following Swinney’s unraveling at his post-practice presser, it’s the height of irony to declare oneself as having class, malign someone else – wrongly – as having none and then proceed to define classlessness with a rant that can be charitably described as childish at best, comically pathetic at worst. In fact, Swinney’s were exactly the arguments I heard as a child from other children: “Carolina” is in Chapel Hill, “USC” is in California, “We’ve won more bowls than they’ve been to,” etc., etc. The difference was that they said this after Clemson victories 20 years ago, not after a string of 20-point defeats.

What’s more, this is coming from a coach who is the epitome of immaturity and wild emotion on the sidelines, shouting, scowling and pouting when he’s losing and pumping his fists, screaming on television after games and dancing in the locker room when he wins. He’s a child in a man’s body, he’s “Dat Boy,” a name that by itself that forces grown-ups to speak baby-talk.

It’s well known that losers live in the past, winners live in the present. Losers make statements based on false information (that Spurrier issued the quote, that Clemson has more bowl wins than USC has been to – it’s even at 16) and predictions based on 30-year-old intelligence, such as that it will be 50 more years until USC wins three in a row again (unlikely) and that “My kids’ grandkids won’t ever live long enough to see this really become a rivalry.”

I hope, for the sake of the lives Dabo hung out to dry, that he’s right. I don’t want to see anyone die prematurely. But the margin is only 25 games, which isn’t unreachable in the next 40-50 years, maybe sooner. When you go taunting God and fate like that with the lives of your own family members, you’re obviously at the end of your rope.

Dabo did get one thing exactly right, though, that no one will dispute.

“This rivalry, you know, there’s a lot of rivalries out there, and this is more of a domination. And that’s the fact.”

Couldn’t agree more with Dabo on that one. If Dabo’s rant was music to the ears of die-hard Clemson fans, it was even more beautiful to USC fans who saw it for exactly what it was: A coach, program and fan base in full-on panic mode whose only recourse to the humiliating facts of the past three years is to summon ancient history and trot out 20-year-old taunts that have as much relevance to the present as Atari to the iPhone.

Of course, when your subsequently disgraced national championship came when Atari was the leading technology of the day and live in a place where the past begins in 1981, who could expect more?

By Ron Aiken

At the end of the day, both South Carolina and Clemson found themselves precisely where everyone thought they’d be at the beginning of the season having arrived in precisely a manner no one possibly could have imagined.

The 2011 Gamecocks entered the campaign loaded on offense unlike any team in SEC history. No Southeastern Conference team had ever – ever! – returned a 3,000-plus yard passer, 1,100-plus yard rusher and 1,500-plus yard receiver. Throw in an offensive line finally stabilized by a returning position coach for the first time in three years and a bevy of talented and experienced running backs and receivers and it appeared clear that finally, Steve Spurrier would be able to operate on opposing defenses with a surgeon’s scalpel.

It quickly became apparent, however, that things were not going to go as planned, as Stephen Garcia somehow transformed himself over the offseason from vibrant human being and steadily improving quarterback to a barely animated golem with as much ability to complete a pass as Herman Cain, finally deactivating himself with a stone-dead performance against an Auburn squad history will declare as pathetic. His release from the program was a mercy killing.

Then, a week later, Spurrier loses Heisman Trophy candidate and superstar Marcus Lattimore, on pace to rush for something like 1,700 yards, to season-ending injury. In the span of one week, Spurrier’s scalpel suddenly became a spork.

Armed thusly with a defense as stout as advertised, however, and a fifth-string freshman running back few outside the corporate limits of Blythewood had much faith in, what does Spurrier do? He proceeds to bludgeon, unmercifully and unfashionably, every remaining opponent except Arkansas with that that spork and construct a 10-win (for now, at least) season that can only be declared by history as a masterpiece.

Clemson, of course, wasn’t expected to accomplish terribly much coming off a 6-7 (4-4) season that concluded its season losing four of its last six games, including the last two to USC and South Florida. That doubt was soon erased, however, by the emergence of freshman sensation Sammy Watkins, whose spectacular talent allowed the Clemson offense to become a lethal weapon no one could slow down, much less stop as it rolled over quality opponents in building an 8-0 record and No. 6 national ranking when Oct. 29 rolled around.

Suddenly, a team no one believed would challenge for the ACC title before the season began suddenly looked capable of challenging for a national title, as no one left on the schedule looked capable of beating the Tigers. Georgia Tech was coming off back-to-back losses before the Clemson game in which they averaged 14 points; Wake Forest was 5-4 and playing at Clemson, N.C. State was 5-5 and averaging 7.6 points a game over its previous three games, and the Gamecocks were still squeaking by people, scoring just enough points to win and had been soundly beaten by a team sporting a similar offense to Clemson’s.

We know the rest. Dreams of an undefeated season crushed in Atlanta, scared shitless in the home finale against Wake Forest and any remaining national title hopes suffocated in a blowout in Raleigh. Then, of course, the coup de grace for Dabo Swinney, Chad Morris, Kevin Steele and the Clemson team and season: another nationally televised beatdown for the third year in a row at the hands of the suddenly inspired Gamecocks.

In a meltdown that can only be described as radioactive, the Tigers imploded in every phase and the Dabo Swinney that was dancing with players in the locker room, acting as if he’d won the national championship on the field after the Auburn game, couldn’t talk long enough at his weekly press conferences suddenly had no answers, couldn’t prevent the collapse and doesn’t appear right now as if he can stop the bleeding heading into the ACC Championship game against a revenge-minded Virginia Tech team and subsequent bowl game. After starting 8-0, it’s not unrealistic to think Clemson could finish 9-5.

Wow.

South Carolina responded to adversity, reinvented itself mid-season and, for the first time in a long, long time, got better as the season went on and saved its best for last. South Carolina’s sophomore quarterback Connor Shaw, so shaky and vulnerable early as Spurrier play-called conservatively to bring him along, was a bona fide, game-changing weapon against Clemson, never losing composure or focus and throwing some of the best passes of the Spurrier era while destroying the Tigers’ defensive schemes with his scrambling feet.

Kenny Miles, never a quitter besides being benched behind a true freshman for the second year in a row, ran like his hair was on fire against the Tigers. Alshon Jeffery, the biggest loser in the Garcia drama and change in offensive philosophy, manned-up and played through injury to catch a spectacular game-clinching touchdown with a broken hand.

And of course, the defense was as solid, fast and physical as it had been all season, terrorizing the Tigers’ offensive line and quarterback Tajh Boyd, who with his recent inconsistency can be compared (un)favorably not with fellow sophomore Shaw but with the departed Stephen Garcia.

In the end, two teams met going in opposite directions, just as many predicted would happen before the season began, and the result was predictable. How they got there, however, was anything but, and that can only mean happy Gamecocks and sad Tigers for another 365 and beyond.

In which it’s finally officially Carolina-Clemson week, which can’t come soon enough for Darrin Horn to deflect attention away from his nose-diving basketball team, which dropped a home contest to Tennessee State – a school I had honestly never heard of before the schedule was announced – to continue its plunge into irrelevancy and overall despair (I know, I was there at the Colonial Life Arena last night along with about 200 others). On a positive note, I will say that the BAND was FANTASTIC at the game, USC finally DITCHED the RIDICULOUS RADIO GUY who used to bark nonsense at every break in play the last few years and the USC DANCERS were AMAZING. I’d encourage fans to go to the CLA if for no other reason – and, let’s face it, there is no other reason – than to watch the band (Bigger! Louder! Faster!) and the dance team (Hot Girls in Skimpy Outfits! Terrific Choreography! Multiple Costume Changes!) do their remarkable things.

It’s also a Monday in which Clemson fans find themselves wondering if anyone got the license plate of that truck in Raleigh that sent them catapulting from a high-flying No. 7 in the nation to a hardscrabble No. 18 and the College Gameday crew from Columbia to Auburn.

And finally, it’s a Monday that mourns the passing of legendary Georgia broadcaster Larry Munson, who I’ll never forget delivered one of the most memorable Columbia Touchdown Club speeches in history. Possibly drunk, Munson shocked that rather aged crowd by dropping F-bombs and G-damns right and left and telling extremely off-color jokes about, among other similar topics, gorilla rape.

But the headlines await on a slow, sleepy Monday, so let’s go!

Note: Gamecock Digest will be off tomorrow (Tuesday) while travelling to Mississippi for Thanksgiving but will be back in force on Wednesday off of Steve Spurrier’s Tuesday presser!

From the Charleston Post & Courier’s Darryl Slater, a preview of the game off of Steve Spurrier’s Sunday teleconference:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/21/spurrier-this-is-our-big-championshipspurrier/

Also from the P&C, its ‘Braggin’ Rights Barometer’:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/21/21bragginrites/

From the Spartanburg Herald-Journal’s Matthew Connolly, a story about USC seeking the 10-win mark and third-straight win against Clemson:
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111120/ARTICLES/111129975/1002/sports04?Title=USC-eyes-second-10-win-season-in-school-history

From the betting-centric website Sports Chat Place, a bettor’s in-depth look at the USC-Clemson games. I love the attention to trends and minutia these kinds of previews have. “Mitch’s Free Pick,” however, is for the Tigers:
http://sportschatplace.com/college-football/mitch/2011/november/26/south-carolina/clemson/

From WIS, some VIDEO off of Spurrier’s Sunday remarks:
http://www.wistv.com/story/16085488/another-year-of-bragging-rights-on-the-line-for-usc

From our student journalists over at USC, The Daily Gamecock has this feature on the Gamecocks fighting the injury bug after The Citadel:
http://www.dailygamecock.com/sports/item/2919-gamecocks-exit-citadel-game-with-numerous-injuries?tmpl=component&print=1

And also from the Daily Gamecock, a feature on Alshon Jeffery’s patience being rewarded against The Citadel:
http://www.dailygamecock.com/sports/item/2918-kratch-the-good-soldier-is-rewarded

OPPONENT HEADLINES

From the Spartanburg Herald, a story on the Tigers taking a long look in the mirror:
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111120/ARTICLES/111129977/1088/sports?Title=After-ugly-loss-Tigers-taking-a-long-look-in-the-mirror

Also from the Herald, a blog on Clemson getting punched in the mouth in Raleigh:
http://acc.blogs.goupstate.com/10491/clemson-got-punched-in-the-mouth/

From the P&C’s Travis Sawchik, an injury update for Clemson:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/20/clemsons-prices-status-uncertain-watkins-hopefully/

And also from Sawchik, a story about the Tigers limping into the final stretch of the season:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/21/clemson-is-limping-into-defining-stretchclemson/

From NBC Sports, a piece on Dabo Swinney expecting Sammy Watkins back for the USC game:
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/21/swinney-expects-sammy-watkins-to-be-back-this-week/

From the Raleigh News & Observer, here’s its N.C. State page with plenty of photo galleries and Wolfpack features if, you know, you need a pick-me-up:
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/ncstate/

BONUS!!!

From the Greenville News, TWO rivalry previews for you for FREE!

10th win on line for Clemson, Carolina

Victories add heat to already hot game

By Mandrallius Robinson | Staff Writer

The primary prize is still the same as always — a 364-day license for bragging rights.

However, over its 115-year history, the Clemson-South Carolina football rivalry has never had stakes, or at least win totals, this high.

For the first time, the Tigers and Gamecocks will enter their annual meeting with identical 9-2 records.

South Carolina will host Clemson at 7:45 on Saturday night in Williams-Brice Stadium, with both teams aiming for a 10-win season, a benchmark of success for a college football program.

South Carolina has reached the milestone only once in school history. The Gamecocks finished 10-2 in 1984.

Clemson has achieved the feat seven times but not since 1990. The Tigers managed a 10-2 record each year from 1987-90.

“I’m excited about this game. This is the biggest game of the year,” said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, who is 1-2 against South Carolina as the Tigers’ head coach. “It’s the biggest game of the year, because it’s our instate rival. It’s a game that’s incredibly important to this team. It’s incredibly important to our fans. It’s a big, big, big game.”

Even with a loss on Saturday, both teams would still have another opportunity to claim that coveted 10th victory. Both will be invited to a bowl game, and Clemson will also play in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

Still, “this is the game of the year for us,” said Carolina defensive back D.J. Swearinger. “Carolina against Clemson for the state championship. So much on the line right now. A lot of fans don’t know how much it means to us to beat Clemson, but it is a big deal.”

Clemson leads the rivalry series 65-39-4, although South Carolina has won the last two games.

For only the fifth time in the teams’ 109 meetings, Clemson and Carolina will both enter the game ranked. Clemson won the last such meeting 16-14 in 2000.

After its win over The Citadel on Saturday, South Carolina stepped up one spot to No. 13 in the USA TODAY coaches poll. The Gamecocks are ranked No. 12 in the Bowl Championship Series.

Clemson was defeated 37-13 at North Carolina State on Saturday night. Consequently, the Tigers plummeted nine spots to No. 17 in the coaches poll and 10 spots to No. 17 in the BCS.

Swinney said the Tigers will not spend much time sulking over their last loss. Besides, as the adage goes, records are always thrown out in a rivalry game.

“Whether we were 11-and-0 right now or sitting here 9-and-2 like we are, none of that would matter this week,” Swinney said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with these four quarters we are getting ready to play against South Carolina.”

###

USC ready to complete more goals with win over instate rivals

Battered team hanging in there

By Rudy Jones

With a Southeastern Conference championship out of reach, coach Steve Spurrier and his South Carolina Gamecocks now fully turn their attention to playing Clemson for the state championship this Saturday.

“Hopefully we can regroup and try and play our best game of the year when we play Clemson,” Spurrier said Sunday on his weekly teleconference.

Saturday’s victory over The Citadel moved the Gamecocks up one spot to 13th in the USA Today Coaches Poll. They remained 14th in The Associated Press poll. They remained 12th in the Bowl Championship Series standings, which suffered a considerable shakeup after four of the top seven teams and eight of the 25 lost last week.

Both teams enter the game with 9-2 records – the first time in series history both squads have had that many victories entering the game.

“I think that’s a sign both programs are in pretty good shape,” Spurrier said. “We’ve both recruited pretty well and have two good teams.”

One more victory by USC would tie the school record set by the 1984 team.

“We set a goal to win 10 games; to win 8, to win 9, to win 10,” Spurrier said. “And, it’s always a goal to beat Clemson for the state championship. We’ve got two huge goals out there this weekend.

“I’m sure they’re in the same boat also – 10 wins and win the state championship, so it should be a heck of a game,” Spurrier said.

The Gamecocks had a school-record 6-2 SEC record, but finished one game behind Georgia (9-2, 7-1), which won seven straight league games after falling to the Gamecocks.

“It was just one of those years,” Spurrier said. “Georgia won seven straight conference games. We, unfortunately, lost a couple. To go 6-2 … I would take that every year. Usually if you go 6-2 and beat everybody on your side you usually win the division. That’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Spurrier says, given a choice, he’s rather win a conference championship than a rivalry game. “To me, that’s what you play no matter where you are anywhere.

“I know our fans don’t look at it that way,” Spurrier said. “And we’re going to try our best now because we have no conference championship. This becomes our big championship for the year right here.”

Because he had yet to talk with the training staff, Spurrier had no new information on several Gamecocks who suffered injuries against The Citadel: safety DeVonte Holloman (headache or mild concussion), defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (mild concussion) spur Damario Jeffery (high ankle sprain), linebacker Reggie Bowens (stinger) and wide receiver Bruce Ellington (ankle sprain).

Spurrier said linebacker Shaq Wilson may have suffered a knee sprain. Linebacker Quin Smith missed The Citadel game with disc problems in his back.

“We’ll have to wait and see as the week progresses where they are,” Spurrier said.

Spurrier doesn’t use the injuries as a crutch. “Other teams have injuries, too. Clemson’s had some that have hurt them. Most of our teams have not had many injuries.

“We’re 9-2 and have the best record since we’ve been here and we’ve had the most injuries since we’ve been here,” Spurrier said. “That means we’ve got enough ballplayers to keep playing.”

###

In which we give you an unprecedented breakdown of who wrote what, how well they did it and why on a Saturday in which the Gamecocks cruised, the Tigers came unglued and the BCS is finally getting exposed as the complete sham it has always been. I’ve gone more in-depth than I ever have before with these links, providing you the insider information as a professional sports journalist that no one else can tell you about who is working hard and who is mailing it in regarding the stories they write.

Let’s go!

Here’s the gamer from the A.P.’s outstanding Pete Iacobelli. Even given the restrictive nature of A.P. style, Pete’s gamers are always in the top two or three, if not the best most of the time, of anyone covering the same event he’s at. In fact, I don’t think there’s a better game story writer right now than Pete covering USC. Decide for yourself here, thanks to the Orangeburg Times & Democrat:
http://thetandd.com/sports/article_1f1866d2-12f9-11e1-9e14-001cc4c002e0.html

Also from Iacobelli – see how hard he works! – another gamer with a Citadel slant as printed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which does beg the question…wonder why the AJC would want to run Iacobelli’s Citadel-focused game story as opposed to the USC-focused one. Let your conspiracy theories run wild! Check it out and compare:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/citadel-takes-positives-from-1233439.html

Here’s the game story from The State’s Josh Kendall. Compare it to Iacobelli’s – and game stories, more than features or any other form, are all about the “lede” (pronounced “lead” and spelled like I have here). The lede is the opening paragraph(s) and is how the writer chooses to draw the reader into the story. Strong ledes are what separates writers from hacks. This one from Kendall is, I think you can see, Dead on Arrival. So far since taking over for the talented Joe Person, as a writer, Kendall is B-L-A-N-D.
http://www.gogamecocks.com/2011/11/19/176364/ggf-usc-the-citadel.html

Here’s the game story from Gamecock Central’s Scott Hood, who I have to say, hasn’t written a good lede in his life, and he’s not starting here. Scott’s as hard a worker as there is, but Michelangelo he’s not:
http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1296060

Here’s the Post & Courier’s new beat writer Darryl Slater’s game story. Also have to say, this lede SUCKS. Worst of the day without question; no imagination, no creativity and just plain lazy intro writing. Again, I go back to Iacobelli. This would be an ideal A.P. game story because it’s simplistic factual reporting, but Iacobelli, rather than coasting to do only that, takes pride in his craft. And yet Slater, who I’d think would be eager to please his new masters and show his peers what he’s capable of, decides to punt, fumbles the snap and shanks it:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/19/gamecocks-bulldogs/

I’m going to give you a link to another story to show you the difference between good writing and bad and stay with the Post & Courier. Below, look closely at the P&C’s Clemson writer Travis Sawchik’s lede for the N.C. State-Clemson game to see the difference a real writer makes to the rather limited game story narrative format:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/19/clemson-suffers-stunning-loss-nc-state/

Also from the Post & Courier, a column off the game from Gene Sapakoff. Sapakoff is more along the lines of columnists who write what are called “features down the rail,” meaning the columns are predominantly more like feature stories, feel-good stories, than they are examples of strong opinion about a given situation, which is more the forte of a Ron Morris and others. This column is an example. I challenge you to find any opinion whatsoever in his column:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/20/strides-go-beyond-the-4-7-recordstrides-go-beyond/

And again, just to show the difference in approaches, here is  Ron Morris’ column off the Clemson-N.C. State win.
(http://www.thestate.com/2011/11/20/2052893/morris-tigers-poorly-prepared.html#storylink=omni_popular)
It’s full of strong opinion. Personally, I believe columns should be for strong opinion and strong opinion only. There are places in the paper for features, and columns aren’t it. It’s a cop-out, in my mind, as a columnist to avoid taking positions you know will be unpopular; such columnists serve no one, especially not readers, and are the journalistic equivalent of ‘yes’ men. It takes balls to be a columnist, and not everyone is cut out for that. Case in point – The Citadel has its own pedophile sex scandal and cover-up going on right now, and Sapakoff has contributed greatly the P&C’s comprehensive coverage of the story. However, as the paper’s lead sports columnist and therefore its most important sports voice, Sapakoff has written not a single column calling the school out, advocating for victims or addressing any aspect of it whatsoever. Looking the other way in the regard is a dereliction of duty, in my opinion.

Who doesn’t have strong opinions about pedophiles and institutional cover-ups? Instead, during the span this has been unfolding in the Holy City, Sapakoff has written about The Citadel looking to Wofford for inspiration against USC, Clemson proving early season doubters wrong (before Saturday, that was), another feature disguised as a column about Clemson’s field goal kicker, a piece on titles in various conferences being up for grabs a week ago, a smidgen of opinion in a column about how the SEC officiating crew missed the helmet-to-helmet contact in the Arkansas game, etc., etc., etc. Meanwhile, as I’ve said, The Citadel and a number of schools and churches in the Charleston and Mount Pleasant communities are coming to grips with the most serious serial alleged pedophile case in decades. And what does the state’s most respected paper and influential column voice have to say on this outrage right under his nose? Nothing. Had this happened in Columbia, Morris would have been all over it and heads already would have rolled. It’s a pathetic silence in Charleston from Sapakoff right now on this.

And as if by magic, just as I was about to write that it’s a crying shame that former P&C sports columnist — the best the state of S.C. has ever had, BTW — Ken Burger isn’t around to take this issue on, I go to his blog and lo and behold, he provides as well-reasoned take on the situation. Kudos, Ken, as always:
http://www.kenburgerblog.com/2011/11/20/hindsight-is-haunting/

Moving on, I often talk about how terrific Gamecock Central photographer Paul Collins is, and here’s a great example of why. Credit GC for always posting their galleries for free, unlike so many sites. Check out Paul’s great work here:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/citadel-takes-positives-from-1233439.html

Also FREE from Gamecock Central, a “Five Key Plays” feature:
http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1296511

Here’s some AUDIO for you from Spurrier’s post-game presser courtesy of Kevin McRarey of the Sports Talk Radio Network:
http://sportstalkgolive.com/index.php/2011/11/19/usc-takes-the-bite-out-of-the-bulldogs-audio/

From ESPN SEC blogger Chris Low, a piece on “What We Learned” from Saturday’s Week 12 action. There’s nothing about USC in here, but it is interesting for other reasons, such as ESPN is projecting that the top three BCS spots in the next poll will be LSU, Alabama and Arkansas:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/tag/_/name/what-we-learned-112011

From the Anderson Independent-Mail, a nice story on USC and Clemson now turning their thoughts to the rivalry game, not six days away:
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/20/usc-clemson-turn-attention-rivalry/

From The New York Times’ college sports blog ‘The Quad,’ a handy Top 25 ‘how they fared’ rondup:
http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/how-the-top-25-fared/

Finally, here’s a FREE Greenville News story on USC getting banged-up vs. the Bulldogs:

Clowney, others come away bruised after win

COLUMBIA — There may need to be plenty of non-contact injury jerseys in the equipment room at the University of South Carolina.

The Gamecocks cruised past The Citadel, 41-20, on Saturday but suffered several injuries which, depending on their severity, could hamper the defense’s effort to beat Clemson here next Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and linebacker Qua Gilchrist left the game with what team officials called “mild” concussions. Linebacker Reggie Bowens left the game early with a “stinger,” while spur Damario Jeffery had to be helped off the field after suffering a high ankle sprain. Safety Devonte Holloman, who missed last week’s win over Florida with a concussion, left the game because of illness.

USC linebacker Quin Smith didn’t dress because of a back strain – also described as a disc injury by USC assistant coach Ellis Johnson. Smith was third on the team with 43 total tackles after 10 games.

The offense didn’t escape unscathed, either. Wide receiver and kick returner Bruce Ellington suffered a sprained left ankle.

With the win over Southern Conference competitor The Citadel, Steve Spurrier padded his record of wins over non-SEC schools during his tenure at South Carolina.

The Gamecocks are now 24-7 with wins in 22 of their last 27 non-SEC games.

South Carolina’s regular-season win steak over non-SEC opponents improved to 11.

Carolina fans won’t like to be reminded of this bit of related trivia with the looming matchup against Clemson. However, the last time the Gamecocks lost a non-conference matchup in the regular season was at Clemson three years ago.

Heading into Saturday’s game, The Citadel was coming off a homecoming loss to Samford.

The USC game marked the second game in a row that the Bulldogs faced a coach who is a former Heisman Trophy winner. Samford coach Pat Sullivan won the award in 1971 when he played at Auburn.

Steve Spurrier won his Heisman in 1966 as a quarterback at Florida.

The Citadel’s opening score against the Gamecocks was a fumble recovery in the end zone by Darien Robinson for a touchdown to tie the game, 7-7.

Prior to Saturday, the Bulldogs had to look back to 2004 for the last time they scored that way. It happened in a loss at Duke.

Ryan Sellers, who accounted for eight of The Citadel’s 20 points against the Gamecocks in either field goals or PATs, is from Mount Pleasant and played soccer at prep soccer powerhouse Bishop England for four years.

Sellers hit on field goals of 32 and 41 yards Saturday.

Alshon Jeffery’s 22-yard reception on USC’s first play extended his streak of consecutive games with at least one pass to 34. That ties him for second on the school’s career list with Sterling Sharpe and ex-Berea High star Jermale Kelly. Jeffery finished with five catches for 81 yards – one for 32 yards and a touchdown on a splendid one-handed grab. He moved into eighth place on the Southeastern Conference career receiving yards list with 2,865. He is 100 yards away from being in third place.

Saturday marked the first time all season USC did not get a turnover. The Citadel fumbled four times, but recovered them all.

The Outback Bowl was the only postseason game with a representative scheduled to be at Saturday’s game.

Saturday was Military Appreciation Day. Several members of the Tuskegee Airmen were introduced on the field between the first and second quarters. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American pilots in the U.S. armed forces and distinguished themselves during World War II.

Capers Williamson, the starter at quarterback for Wade Hampton last season and a member of the Generals’ AAA state champion basketball team, is listed as a tight end for The Citadel. He has not played this season.

Ellis Johnson, USC’s assistant head coach – defense, is a 1975 graduate of The Citadel. He also served as head coach there and has coaching stints at Gaffney and Spartanburg high schools.

###

In which the men’s soccer team sunk like a stone in postseason play – again – after a promising regular season, the women’s basketball team crushed rival Clemson – again – and Steve Spurrier delivered the most boring radio call-in show performance in recent memory, which is saying A LOT. It’s Citadel week, which means we get to pour salt on a school that has its own Penn State/Jerry Sandusky scandal, embarrassing cover-up included, going on right now – it actually broke before Sandusky, I believe (links provided below).

On to the headlines! Let’s go!

From The State’s Josh Kendall, who we’re patiently waiting to see some, any, enterprise or investigative work from, a nice feature on brothers Connor and Jaybo Shaw:
http://www.thestate.com/2011/11/18/2050432/qb-shaws-each-others-biggest-supporter.html

From the Anderson Independent-Mail’s Brad Senkiw, a feature on Mike Matulis, one I think every news outlet has done some version of this week. Are there no other feature-story candidates, people? Antonio Allen? T.J. Johnson? Devin Taylor? Too often these things are herd-mentality affairs, and as I said, I think I’ve read this story three times this week, no lie. But, here’s Senkiw’s version:
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/18/uscs-matulis-making-most-second-chance/

From our esteemed colleague James Harley of the Free Times (who, BTW, has been leading ALL print, radio, TV and web media members in the season-long pick ‘em contest – he’s in third now, but he’ll rebound. Check those results here: http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1261898&fb_source=message to see who blows), a column on how The Citadel is just what the doctor ordered for the Cocks:
http://www.free-times.com/index.php?cat=1992912064035856&ShowArticle_ID=11011611113108696

From the Post & Courier’s Citadel Jeff Hartsell, a piece on how the Bulldogs’ win over USC in 1990 is still the biggest news event the school can claim outside of allowing female cadets and producing its own version of Jerry Sandusky in Skip ReVille. It’s worth noting here that like Penn State, The Citadel also allegedly covered-up complaints about ReVille in 2007 about ReVille’s conduct during a 2002 summer camp at the school that, had it been acted upon properly and legally, may have prevented the molestation of at least 12 boys. But here’s the football story:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/17/citadels-1990-victory-against-usc-still-huge/

BTW, if you want to read more about ReVille and The Citadel’s shameful handling of the case – the school president has admitted publicly that it was quieted to protect the school’s reputation – here are some links. The P&C and Mt. Pleasant Dispatch have done a good job following all developments in this sad situation, and here’s hoping heads roll down there.
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/07/child-molester/
http://mountpleasant-sc.patch.com/articles/citadel-president-we-didn-t-do-what-we-should-have-done#photo-8447496
http://mountpleasant-sc.patch.com/articles/missed-opportunities-to-stop-reville
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/17/citadel-placed-its-reputation-above-stopping-sexua/
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/17/citadel-faces-more-suits/

From The Sports Network as published in the Kansas City Star, a USC-Citadel game preview that’s not half-bad at all:
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/16/3269470/south-carolina-takes-break-from.html

From the the Post & Courier’s Darryl Slater (as reprinted in the Rock Hill Herald, which once upon a time had a terrific beat writer in Gamecock Central’s extremely talented David Cloninger), a story on the Gamecocks winning in spite of the offense:
http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/11/18/3538050/gamecocks-winning-in-spite-of.html

From The State’s Ron Morris, a column on former USC quarterback Erik Kimrey, who has built a SCISA football dynasty at Hammond Episcopal School:
http://www.thestate.com/2011/11/18/2050581/morris-kimreys-philosophy-is-winning.html

From the Sports Talk Radio Network’s Phil Kornblut – one of the best guys in the business, hands-down – a post with some stats about the Gamecocks inability to get a holding call flagged on an opponent:
http://sportstalkgolive.com/index.php/2011/11/18/hold-that-line-or-is-that-line-holding/

If you care for such things – and I have a gut feeling you do, you saucy minx – you like this kind of thing from time to time, an up-to-date ranking of current SEC football coaches’ salaries. Where do you think SOS rates? Find out here!
http://blogs.courier-journal.com/rickbozich/2011/11/17/sec-salaries-show-petrino-makes-more-than-chizik-richt-spurrier/

From the kids in the halls over at USC, The Daily Gamecock offers this notebook of items for your perusal. Full disclosure: it’s kinda boring, kinda lazy and there’s nothing new, but hey, they’re learning, right?
http://www.dailygamecock.com/sports/item/2867-usc-hopes-to-avoid-falling-victim-to-citadel

Also from The Daily Gamecock, a much better effort on the defense facing its third tiple-option attack of the season here:
http://www.dailygamecock.com/sports/item/2905-defensive-point-of-emphasis-gamecocks-to-face-another-triple-option-attack

Here’s a story I think you’ll like from the New York Times about how the new pass-happy college offenses of the past decade have been shattering longstanding passing records with shocking regularity, making Spurrier’s Fun ‘N Gun offenses of the 1990s seem downright conservative.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/18/sports/ncaafootball/new-offenses-speed-the-demise-of-college-records.html

From the blog Garnet and Black Attack, a post assessing how Connor Shaw has done thus far replacing Stephen Garcia:
http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2011/11/15/2565069/checking-in-on-connor-shaw

And finally, from the Greenville News, here’s the feature on Travian Robertson I’ve been wanting to see and that’s long overdue. Enjoy it here for free, because that’s how much I care about you!

USC’s Robertson plans on going out a winner

Senior aims for his best season
By Rudy Jones

COLUMBIA — Travian Robertson’s college career is down to three games – four if Kentucky should somehow beat Georgia on Saturday to put No. 14 South Carolina in the SoutheasternConference Championship Game.

The fifth-year senior defensive tackle from Laurinburg, N.C., is on target to go out with his best season statistically. He has 35 total tackles for the Gamecocks (8-2) and can top last year’s 42 total tackles if he continues to average 3½ tackles per game.

“It’s getting close,” Robertson said of his career’s end. “The main thing I want to do is finish strong. It’s the memory of a lifetime finishing up the season with a win. That’s one thing we want to focus on doing: finish strong this year.

“The SEC Championship was one of our goals,” Robertson earlier this week. “We can’t control that. The only thing we can control is beating all the teams in the (SEC) East. That was one of our goals. We fell short with two losses against teams in the West.

“The main thing we want to do now is finish strong and take care of what we can control,” Robertson said.

Robertson had two tackles and two assists last week in a 17-12 victory over Florida. He picked up his first sack of the season, nailing Gators quarterback John Brantley on the game’s final play.

“Travian had an excellent game,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “In fact, he graded out the highest of all the guys last week against Florida.”

Robertson and the Gamecocks play host to The Citadel (4-6) at noon Saturday. The Bulldogs are averaging 291 yards per game rushing in their triple-option offense. The Gamecocks struggled to contain Navy’s option game, allowing 274 yards in a 24-21 victory.

“We’ll probably go back and watch Navy film,” Robertson said, “look at a lot of mistakes we had, and see what we need to clean up because it’s basically the same offense.”

Robertson said facing an option team is a challenge for defenses. “They run it well. They do a lot of different stuff out of the same formation. It’s difficult because you’re not going to get the same look from the scout team.’

“We’ve got to do the best we can; watch film, prepare well and just be talented against the triple option.”

The attention given defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram and Devin Taylor – all have more sacks than Robertson, but only Ingram has more tackles – doesn’t bother Robertson.

“We all work hard,” Robertson said. “Whoever makes the plays and gets attention – that’s just because they’re working hard. We try not to pay too much attention to it just so no one will get out of focus of the game plan.

“All I care about is winning,” Robertson said. “I don’t care as much about attention as I do winning.”

“Travian’s been here five years and has already graduated (May, criminal justice),” Spurrier said “He’s one of our best representatives of a Gamecock football player. I’m really proud of Travian.”

Spurrier believes Robertson has a chance to play on the next level.

“I certainly think he’s got a chance to play some ball in the NFL,” Spurrier said. “He’s a big, strong inside tackle. He’s hard to move.”

Robertson said coaches have advised the Gamecocks that The Citadel won the teams’ last meeting in 1990.

“We know that (The Citadel) is a team that has the potential based on its scheme,” Robertson said. “Finishing strong is something we’re always talking about. Our main thing is go out and play hard.

“We have an opportunity to win 10 games here,” Robertson said. “This is one of the games we have to win to make 10 games. Any team could come in and win if we don’t play well.”

USC defensive backs DeVonte Holloman (consussion) and D.J. Swearinger (foot) practiced Thursday night. Assistant head coach – defense Ellis Johnson said both would play Saturday if medically cleared.

In which Steve Spurrier advocates for sticking it in your earhole and Elon is still celebrating the school’s first home win over a D-1 opponent IN SCHOOL HISTORY. If Horn thinks this loss is minor, he is absolutely, 100-percent mistaken, and can take that sentiment right to the unemployment line.

I have no idea why it took a Knoxville news outlet to comment on this, but here’s a take on USC’s idiotic, paranoid and wrong-headed position on media coverage of its sports teams:
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/editor/2011/11/the-university-of-south-caroli.shtml

In a Gamecock Digest first, we travel the Great White North for a story. Here’s the AP feature on Spurrier preferring wins to watching the film sessions of his sickly offense as printed in the esteemed college sports publication Canadian Business:
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/57527–spurrier-likes-the-wins-not-film-sessions

From CBS Sports and Tony Barnhart, a take on Spurrier’s handling of a season full of personnel setbacks:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/16137670/despite-setbacks-overachieving-gamecocks-may-reach-10win-mark

From our friends at the Sports Talk Radio Network, some AUDIO with Bruce Ellington, who will return to the basketball team following the Clemson game. Check it out here:
http://sportstalkgolive.com/index.php/2011/11/16/bruce-ellington-eyes-return-to-hardwood-audio/

Also by Sports Talk’s Kevin McCrarey, a post about one gambling service establishing Clemson as a 1.5 point favorite over USC if the game were played today. Check it out here:
http://sportstalkgolive.com/index.php/2011/11/17/clemson-an-early-favorite-in-next-weeks-game-at-usc/

From SB Nation Atlanta, a post with some slightly humorous musings on Spurrier’s loaning out of Jadeveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram and Devin Taylor to Kentucky this week:
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-bulldogs/2011/11/16/2566016/georgia-football-mark-richt-hot-seat

Speaking of Clowney, from the Post & Courier’s Darryl Slater, a notebook with a lead item on Clowney meeting expectations thus far:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/17/clowney-keeps-improving/

Also from Slater, a piece off the Tuesday presser with Spurrier worrying more about the Gamecocks than The Citadel.
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/16/spurrier-reminds-team-of-upset/

From the AP’s David Brandt, as printed in the Gadsden (Ala.) Times, a story on how the SEC’s heavyweights face light slates this weekend, with Gamecock interest:
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20111116/WIRE/111119842?p=2&tc=pg

From ESPN SEC blogger Edward Aschoff, a Week 12 predictions post:
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/53317/predictions-sec-week-12

From the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, an SEC notebook citing Spurrier’s knowledge of statistics and a nice reference to Lane Kiffin’s Alshon Jeffery comments:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/17/sec-notebook-spurrier-can-recall-every-stat-and/

Here’s a post from Justin King on The Big Spur about the 2011 Gamecocks’ grit:
http://southcarolina.247sports.com/Article/Proud-49141

From the blog Garnet and Black Attack, a Citadel preview:
http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2011/11/16/2568036/the-citadel-at-south-carolina-preview-checking-in-on-uscs-offense

From the Anderson Independent-Mail’s Brad Senkiw, a piece on the potential long-term effects of the basketball team’s loss to Elon:
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/17/loss-elon-could-be-major-setback-usc-hoops/

This is from last week, AND doesn’t take into account the basketball team’s loss to Elon (with VIDEO):
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/16066545/coaches-on-hot-seat-times-running-out-on-indianas-crean-co

And in case you need salt for that Elon wound, here’s a pro-Elon story on the game that’s sure to make you ill:
http://www.thetimesnews.com/articles/elon-49747-house-party.html

Finally, from the blog Saturdays Down South, a take on Spurrier’s winning ways in Columbia over the past two seasons:
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/winning-the-new-norm-in-columbia/

By Ron Aiken

The University of South Carolina basketball program following the departure of legendary coach Frank McGuire in 1980 has been the fetus in the dumpster of big-time men’s athletic programs in Columbia.

Tuesday’s pitiful effort in a loss to Elon was just the latest example of how far such a proud program has come, and if Darrin Horn survives to coach the 2013 Gamecocks it will be nothing short of a miracle.

Now, it’s not Horn’s fault that USC hasn’t gotten past the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 40 years. I’ve said before and I stand by it that Horn was a solid hire and what the program needed following the up-and-down tenure of Dave Odom. The Garnet Army was a terrific idea and has remained in service, the program featured a spectacular player, an all-time great, in Devan Downey and Horn has improved his testy relationship with the local media. In short, he seems like a good guy you’d want to see succeed.

But just like the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the graveyard of college basketball coaches is littered with good guys who couldn’t land the big one.

Eddie Fogler was the program’s best coach since McGuire and was positioned to keep the Gamecocks relevant both in the SEC and nationally on anything resembling a regular basis. But despite the program’s SEC Championship in 1997 and back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths in 1997 and 1998 – both bitter, stunning losses that sting to this day – Fogler’s teams went 8-21 (3-13), 15-17 (5-11) and 15-15 (6-10) in his next three seasons, leading to a tempestuous showdown with then-athletics director Mike McGee. McGee believed the Gamecocks should be in the NCAA tournament every three years. Fogler disagreed, vehemently. The result was that Fogler retired, and the program hasn’t had a whiff of the level of success he brought since.

Of course, in hindsight, Fogler’s position appears the more reasonable. And yet, the NCAA field is wider now than it was then, and it’s not unfair or unreasonable, I believe, to expect an SEC coach to deliver a tournament-worthy team every five years, give or take.

Horn is in year four. His team is as likely to make the NCAA Tournament field this year (or next, realistically) as Jerry Sandusky is of beating the rap. I mean, theoretically, it’s possible, but we all know this team is bound for a mercy killing. Horn’s best team was his first, and his record both overall and in Southeastern Conference play has gotten worse every year he’s been at USC, with no end in sight.

This past offseason was the worst perhaps in program history. For the first time anyone can remember, a player transferred back to the school he had transferred away from. Players fled the program as if their lives depended on it. His best player, Bruce Ellington, bolted across campus to play football. The losses were replaced by signees so lightly-regarded it was almost comical.

And that, by far, has been Horn’s biggest failure – recruiting. His recruiting hauls have been modest, to put it kindly. To put it unkindly, they have flat-out sucked, not even approaching the kind of mediocrity most fans now would heartily welcome. There have been no program-changing signees, such as a Marcus Lattimore, Alshon Jeffery and Jadeveon Clowney in football. Horn’s promise of youth, energy and relentless recruiting has yielded a pitiable collection of revolving doors who can’t shoot, defend or even, it seems time and again, make free throws. In fact, their specialty seems to be losing to inferior opponents away from home and threatening all-time scoring lows.

Face it: For the past two years and the next two to come, the Colonial life Arena can lay claim to being the nicest place in America to watch church league basketball. It’s just where things are, and having lost out on the state’s biggest recruiting prize a few weeks ago when Brice Johnson opted for Chapel Hill, there is precious little hope that something big – anything, for God’s sake – is going to happen anytime soon.

Unfortunately for USC basketball, it’s nothing new.

In which millions of people across America cursed their alarm clocks this morning for the sham that is Daylight Savings Time (well, the fall version, anyway), and will curse their clocks at work later today at 4 p.m. when they know they could be getting off work but have another blasted hour to look busy.

It’s a new-perspective Monday, where USC fans should flush the Arkansas game out of their memories and focus on the task at-hand; namely, figuring out who in the world is going to run the Gamecocks’ offense should the struggling Connor Shaw not be able to return to active duty following his concussion.

In conference news, Missouri is now the 14^th SEC team, which means teams will now play nine conference games and the Gamecocks will play the Tigers – does the SEC really need another team with the Tigers as its mascot? – next year. Seriously, people, three Tigers and two Bulldogs in one conference?

And finally, sources are reporting that, in no surprise, Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt will not return next year to coach the Rebels. Anyhow, we have some USC and Florida headlines to hit on a light-news Monday as we curse our lost sleep, so let’s go!

From The Daily Gamecock, a story on Missouri joining the SEC with thoughts from USC president Harris Pastides, one of Gamecock Digest’s favorite people:
http://www.dailygamecock.com/news/item/2747-pastides-sec-schools-will-now-play-nine-conference-football-games

From the Charleston Post & Courier’s USC beat writer Darryl Slater (as reprinted in the Spartanburg Herald), a story on how many question marks hang over the Gamecocks’ heads heading into the Florida game:
http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/11/07/3504647/lots-of-questions-looming.html

From Fox Sports South, a bit on Shaw might not be ready for the Florida game, with VIDEO of USC-Arkansas “highlights”:
http://www.foxsportssouth.com/11/06/11/Connor-Shaw-might-not-be-ready-for-Flori/landing.html?blockID=598040&feedID=3703

From ESPN’s Chris Low, a “This Week in the SEC” with a capsule on USC and Florida:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post?id=32496

OPPONENT HEADLINES

From GatorZone.com, a piece from Scott Carter on how Florida head coach Will Muschamp feels staying the course will produce success:
http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/11/03/11/Muschamp-confident-current-path-leads-to/landing_gators.html?blockID=596138&feedID=3720

From the Palm Beach Post, a story by Jason Lieser on how the Gators’ win over Vanderbilt has the team talking smack:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/gators/florida-gators-let-loose-a-bit-after-ending-1952899.html

From the Florida Times-Union’s Michael DiRocco, a story on UF’s pass defense needing to be fixed:
http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/florida-gators/2011-11-07/story/floridas-pass-defense-still-need-fix

From the same paper, a blog post by Hays Carlyon thinking that the Gators will be good sooner than later:
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/459576/hays-carlyon/2011-11-07/monday-hays-state-gators-union-nfl-red-zone-bliss-and

From GatorSports.com (a product of The Gainesville Sun), Robbie Andreu offers a story on how the “Pistol” formation is the right one for Florida:
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20111106/ARTICLES/111109652

In which the most significant, least-cared about top-10 of the season takes place tonight in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Got a handful of preview stories and lots of notes for you to sort through while you wait impatiently for kickoff. Let’s go!

From Gamecocksonline.com, USC’s official athletics site, a preview with TONS of game notes you’ll want to sift through as you prepare for tonight’s kickoff:
http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110411aaa.html

From ESPN SEC Blogger Chris Low, a Q&A with Ellis Johnson here:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/32204/kicking-it-with-ellis-johnson

Also from Low, if you’re interested, the SEC Weather report for Week 10:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/32232/sec-weather-report-week-10

From Brad Senkiw of the Anderson Independent-Mail, a straightforward game preview:
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/05/usc-looks-tame-hogs/

Also from Herr Senkiw, a “Breaking Down Arkansas” piece with “The Good,” “The Bad” and “The Skinny”:
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/05/breaking-down-arkansas/

From the Post & Courier’s Gene Sapakoff, a column talking with collegerpi.com inventor Jerry Palm in which they break down how it’s still very possible for USC to win the national title should it win out and offers his weekend picks:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/05/palm-usc-can-still-win-it-all/

From the P&C’s newly minted beat writer Darryl Slater, a preview focusing on USC’s defense being put to the test in Fayetteville:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/nov/05/uscs-defense-will-be-tested/

And here’s a blog post from Slater talking with Ellis Johnson about what makes Arkansas’ passing attack difficult to defend, with tons of good stats. Definitely check this out:
http://www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks/?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&UID=6076b782-972c-43ee-b7e6-6c16fbce4f12&plckPostId=Blog%3a6076b782-972c-43ee-b7e6-6c16fbce4f12Post%3ad49ef483-073e-419f-ad6e-c596bb9b9210&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

From Gamecock Central, a FREE “Key Battles” feature for you here:
http://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1288417

OPPONENT HEADLINES

From ArkansasNews.com, a pregame analysis piece with keys to the game, key matchups, etc., etc.:
http://arkansasnews.com/2011/11/05/arkansas-vs-south-carolina-pregame-analysis/

BONUS:

Here’s the Greenville News’ preview, for free to you because it’s free to me!

USC, Hogs try to keep pace for division titles

By Rudy Jones

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — On most Saturdays, a matchup of the country’s No. 8- and No. 10-ranked football teams would be dominating talk shows nationwide.

But No. 10 South Carolina’s visit to No. 8 Arkansas tonight is flying under the radar even in its own conference because of the SEC West matchup between national No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Nonetheless, tonight’s game is crucial for both the Gamecocks and Razorbacks.

“It’s a Top 10 matchup,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “That’s one of the things as a coach, as a player you want to be in games like this.”

South Carolina (7-1 overall, including 5-1 SEC) controls its destiny in the East Division. Wins today against the Razorbacks (7-1, 3-1) and next week against Florida would allow the Gamecocks to repeat as division champions and earn a spot in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3 in Atlanta.

A loss today would force the Gamecocks to beat Florida next week and root for Georgia to lose to either Auburn on Nov. 12 or Kentucky on Nov. 19. USC wins the East if it finishes in a tie with Georgia by virtue of a 45-42 victory head-to-head in September.

“We know what’s on the line, and it is sort of fun to know there is no room for error,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “If we’re going to win the East, we are not going to back into it. We have to go play ball.”

“We know we control our own destiny,” said USC safety D.J. Swearinger, who shares the team lead with three interceptions. “We can’t worry about Georgia. We can’t worry about any other team. We’ve got to worry about Arkansas. It’s a do-or-die game, and we’ve got to have it to accomplish a lot of our goals.”

Arkansas has designs on a three-way tie for the SEC West title, which could happen if LSU beats Alabama today and Arkansas beats LSU on Nov. 25.

The Razorbacks, whose only loss is to Alabama, need a win to keep that scenario in play.

“I don’t feel like we’re playing as well as I want to play,” Petrino said. “But I’ve had years where you play really well in a game and all of a sudden you look up and you’ve lost the game.

“Although we haven’t played as well as we’ve wanted to the last two weeks, we’ve found a way to win the game and there’s something to be said for that.”

That USC is still in contention after losing starting tackle Kyle Nunn (back injury), tailback Marcus Lattimore (knee injury) and quarterback Stephen Garcia (dismissed from the team) speaks to the jobs done by their replacements.

Cody Gibson’s playing time picked up in Nunn’s absence. He made a touchdown-saving tackle at the 2-yard line on an interception at Tennessee last week. USC’s defense cashed in with an interception two plays later and the offense followed with a game-changing 98-yard drive for a touchdown.

Brandon Wilds, a freshman who was the fifth-team tailback and a redshirt candidate in preseason, rushed for 137 yards against Tennessee in his first career start, with 51 coming on the 20-play drive after the interception.

After a 311-yard, four-touchdown passing day in a 54-3 rout of overmatched Kentucky, sophomore Connor Shaw has been unflappable at quarterback in his last two outings – both SEC road games. The son of a high school coach in Georgia, Shaw has completed 32 of 50 passes for 266 yards and two touchdowns while mixing in 92 yards and one score rushing.

“Connor’s a smart young man and he’s been around football all his life,” Spurrier said. “I read the other day where he and his dad, they talk football a lot when they’re talking.

“He’s such a good runner sometimes that he may take off a little too quickly. But he’s a good passer, also. We’re trying to get him to throw a little bit more, but still run a bit,” Spurrier said. “But he’s only played, three, four games now and hopefully he’s going to continue to get better as we go. He should.”

If Shaw does pass more, junior receiver Alshon Jeffery may be one of his first options. The 6-foot-4 Jeffery has been one of the Gamecocks’ best offensive threats against the Razorbacks. He has caught 12 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown in two games, though USC lost both games.

“He’s really a good player,” Petrino said. “There’s been battles every year that we play him with his size and the way he’s able to go get the ball.”

Junior Tyler Wilson is the quarterback for the Razorbacks, who lead the SEC in passing at 321 yards per game.

USC has intercepted 16 passes and ranks No. 3 nationally in passing defense.

“We see the style of defense they play and how well they do in rushing the passer,” Petrino said;. “They’re very, very sound in what they’re doing, coverage-wise. I think the style they play and the defensive front’s ability to rush the passer is the challenge for our team.”

The Razorbacks rolled over USC 41-20 in Columbia last season, but Petrino said that’s no factor this year. “They’re a completely different team,” he said. “We’re a completely different team.”

South Carolina has won a school-record six consecutive road games, including five straight in SEC play.

Spurrier often says he and he staff don’t talk much about playing on the road or home. And the players follow that line.

“When we go on the road we don’t pay attention to all the things they do to hype up the home team,” safety DeVonte Holloman said. “We focus more on football.”

And the focus has been crystal clear in recent weeks.

###

In which we learned that Steve Spurrier anticipates coaching at least three more years so that he can leave South Carolina as the winningest coach in USC history, had a dog he loved named Sparky and thinks Connor Shaw can be a special quarterback down the road.

Nationally, no one is giving USC any chance to win this game, and hopefully Arkansas is thinking the same thing. My gut tells me Spurrier will be his vintage self playcalling, and the defense will show up angry and come up with three, maybe four turnovers — while Razorbacks QB Tyler Wilson hasn’t thrown a pick since Alabama, he put about four balls right on Vanderbilt defenders that should have been interceptions, and our secondary will not be confused for Vandy’s. I think the stars are lining up for a fun night in Fayetteville with payback in the air. Now, on to a jam-packed lineup of headlines! Let’s go!

From the Post & Courier’s brand-new USC beat writer Darryl Slater, his first story on how the running back plans for both Arkansas and the Gamecocks have not gone to plan. I’m linking to it not on the P&C site but the Spartanburg paper’s site, GoUpstate.co, for no other reason than I feel chippy this morning. It’s a nice, lengthy piece:
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111103/WIRE/111109913

From the AP’s outstanding Pete Iacobelli, a story on the lack of hype the USC-Arkansas game is receiving:
http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/15953243/not-as-much-buzz-in-secs-other-showdown

From the College Football Examiner, a very interesting piece you’ll want to look at with national college football writers from around the country weighing in with predictions on the game. They’re not very kind to the Cocks:
http://www.examiner.com/college-football-in-national/examiner-com-round-table-didn-t-forget-about-south-carolina-vs-arkansas

From Brad Senkiw of the Anderson Independent-Mail, a feature on D.J. Swearinger leading the secondary’s charge into Fayetteville:
http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/nov/04/uscs-swearinger-leading-secondarys-charge/

From The State’s Neil White, who we think is doing a terrific job working hard to help cover USC after years of working very little to write the sadistically unfunny ‘Talk of the Town’ columns back when The State published a real newspaper, a piece on the defense tightening up:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/04/2746357/gamecocks-tighten-up-defense.html

From The State’s excellent Andrew Shain, a piece on the videoboard (and, groan, softball stadium) getting final approval here:
http://www.gogamecocks.com/2011/11/03/171404/ggf-video-board-softball-field.html

From The State’s Ron Morris – I’m linking to its reprinting in the Charlotte Observer because, like I said above: Cheeky! – a piece on the “Fun ‘n’ Snooze’ offense:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/04/2746298/fun-n-gun-this-isnt-but-7-1-isnt.html

From Saturdays Down South, a preview of the 20^th meeting between Arkansas and USC since both began football play in the SEC:
http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/arkansas-vs-south-carolina-20th-time/

From ESPN SEC Blogger Edward Aschoff, an SEC “Did You Know” with some interesting tidbits, such as USC having the youngest offense in the conference and most experienced defense. Check it here:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/32153/did-you-know-week-10

If you’re into capsules – and I know some of you are – here’s the AP’s Top 25 capsules including, of course, USC-Arky:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iNWOGpBsqm9lSz3AhxkB56mFsllw?docId=a55c54d128a24eb3868587e82cf03a0a

From our J-school friends at The Daily Gamecock, a meaty game preview here from Paulina Berkovich here:
http://www.dailygamecock.com/sports/item/2728-a-major-test-gamecocks-improved-pass-defense-to-tangle-with-high-powered-arkansas-air-attack-in-pivotal-sec-contest

And also from the college kids, a “Behind Enemy Lines” feature interviewing their Arkansas counterparts at the Daily Traveler:
http://www.dailygamecock.com/sports/item/2732-behind-enemy-lines-five-questions-with-the-daily-traveler

From gambling911.com, a story on the USC-Arkansas line opening with the Gamecocks getting 5. Includes some video and team betting notes:
http://www.gambling911.com/football-news/south-carolina%E2%80%93arkansas-spread-opens-razorbacks-5-video-110211.html

And one last story for you bettors out there, from Vegas Sports Betting:
http://www.vegassportsbetting.com/2011/11/04/south-carolina-arkansas-betting-pick-and-predictions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=south-carolina-arkansas-betting-pick-and-predictions

From the blog Garnet and Black Attack, a game preview with a focus on USC’s defense:
http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2011/11/3/2536565/south-carolina-at-arkansas-preview-checking-in-on-uscs-defense

OPPONENT HEADLINES

From USA Today, a story on Arkansas’ sights still set on an SEC West title:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/sec/story/2011-11-03/arkansas-sec-west/51066844/1

From Arkansas Sports 360, a story a “3 and Out” feature with bits on defensive coordinator Willy Robinson’s take on the USC offense, how the Gamecocks still remember vividly last year’s loss to the Razorbacks and Alshon Jeffery’s matchup problems:
http://www.arkansassports360.com/27556/3-and-out-south-carolina-remembers-2010-loss-robinson-sees-no-major-changes-to-gamecocks-offense

Also from Arkansas Sports 360, the latest news and notes from Thursday’s practice, including a freshman D-lineman quitting the team, a note on WR Greg Childs a “possibility” to play against the Gamecocks and poor Marquel Wade’s “difficult week.”:
http://www.arkansassports360.com/27579/3-and-out-gosha-leaves-team-petrino-wants-razorbacks-physical-against-gamecocks

From the estimable Baxter Bulletin, a story on the Razorbacks gearing up to stop USC’s running game:
http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20111104/SPORTS/111040325

From NW Arkansas online, a Thursday notebook with VIDEO of Petrino post-practice;
http://blogs.nwaonline.com/slophouse/2011/11/03/wright-out-childs-iffy-for-saturday/

From ArkansasNews.com, a story on how USC also has started slow this year along with personnel news and notes you’ll want to be up on:
http://arkansasnews.com/2011/11/03/notes-gamecocks-start-slow-too-wright-day-to-day/

Also from the same outlet, a story about Arkansas preparing for an improved USC defense from a year ago:
http://arkansasnews.com/2011/11/03/football-hogs-prepare-for-improved-south-carolina-defense/

And finally from the same source, a Q&A with Arkansas linebacker Jerry Franklin on the USC game:
http://arkansasnews.com/2011/11/03/blog-thursday-qa-with-lb-jerry-franklin/

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal (have always loved that name, BTW), a story on how Georgia coach Mark Richt is now Arkansas’ biggest fan:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/nov/04/sooie-richt-is-now-hogs-biggest-fan/

And last, and certainly least, the UGA site DogBytes online, another piece on how Richt and the Bulldogs will be cheering on the Razorbacks:
http://dogbytesonline.com/bulldogs-rooting-interest-goes-from-vols-to-hogs-51362/

BONUS!

It was brought to my attention by an astute reader (OK, James Harley of Free Times, one of our biggest supporters and longtime friend) that the links to the Greenville News give you just a headline and prompt you to pay to see more. Since this site is all about FREE news, not pay stuff, AND since I get the links for free to my inbox, from here on out I’m going to post their stories for you to read in their entirety here! Enjoy!

USC’s Offensive Line Could be Key Against Arkansas

By Rudy Jones

COLUMBIA — Rushing yardage has been hard for the South Carolina football team to come by in recent games.

Other than during their manhandling of Kentucky, the Gamecocks topped 131 yards rushing once in their last five games.

Even freshman all-American Marcus Lattimore topped 100 yards just once in his final four games before going down with a season-ending knee injury at Mississippi State Oct. 15.

But the running game showed promise in last Saturday’s 14-3 victory againstr Tennessee. The Gamecocks netted 231 yards rushing, including 137 by first-time starter Brandon Wilds, a freshman.

Tenth-ranked USC (7-1 overall, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) will be looking for comparable success Saturday when it visits No. 8 Arkansas (7-1, 3-1) at 7:15 p.m. A productive rushing game would help keep the ball away from Arkansas’ offense, which has the conference’s best passing game.

The offense had a 20-play, 98-yard drive against Tennessee. Seventeen of the plays were runs.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said, “We got a little surge going in the second half and we got some pretty good run plays called. Tennessee played more two-deep zone and challenged us to run the ball more. We thought that was the best way to try to win the game.”

Despite the better running numbers, USC center T.J. Johnson said, “I still don’t think as a unit we’ve played our best game yet. We’ve still got a long way to go, but I do think we’re progressing every week.”

Offensive line coach Shawn Elliott said the run blocking — “at times it’s pitiful, and at times we’re decent,” he said — must improve. If it does, Johnson said, passing opportunities will come.

“I think the run blocking kind of sets it up,” Johnson said. “If you can pound a team – and keep pounding them – then whenever you do pass they don’t come off as hard and it just sets everything up. Run blocking goes hand-in-hand with pass blocking if you’re successful at it.”

The Gamecocks have lost three offensive starters – including left tackle Kyle Nunn and star tailback Marcus Lattimore to injuries – since the beginning of the season, but Johnson is not surprised USC is in position to repeat as East Division champion.

“I believe in our team,” Johnson said. “I believe we’ve done a good job of gelling together. The leaders of the team have stepped up and had meetings and said and done different things to get us prepared for these games. I believe as a unit we’re gelling together than we ever have.”

Johnson said the offensive line entered the Tennessee game determined to make Wilds’ debut as successful and stress-free as possible.

“We talked all week. Everybody knows Marcus is gone,” Johnson said. “We all believe Brandon could do the wonderful job that he did, but we kind of took it upon ourselves that if we’re going to be successful we’ve got to run the ball. We’ve got to take it on our shoulders and tote the rock.”

Former Riverside High star Brandon Bennett has been named the USC’s representative in the 2011 SEC Football Legends Class.

Each SEC school has one player in the group, which will be honored during the SEC “Weekend of Champions” in connection with the SEC Football Championship Game Dec. 3 in Atlanta. The Legends banquet is Dec. 2.

Bennett is second only to Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers on the school’s career rushing yards list with 3,055.

##

–Ron Aiken