This year looks like last seasonBy Ken Burger (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Friday, August 29, 2008
 COLUMBIA — The new Gamecocks look an awful lot like the old Gamecocks. Although South Carolina opened the season Thursday night with a 34-0 win over N.C. State here in Williams-Brice Stadium, more than 80,000 USC fans had to leave the game shaking their collective heads. In Steve Spurrier's fourth season at the helm, USC's offense looked about as inept at the beginning of this season as it was at the end of last season. Despite a deceptive final score. The only difference was the quarterback, handpicked by the Head Ball Coach himself. All during the preseason, Spurrier insisted that redshirt freshman Tommy Beecher was his starting quarterback and would be for the entire season. Beecher, who hadn't started a game since his high school days in Concord, N.C., rewarded his coach's confidence by throwing four interceptions in three quarters of play. As a result, the Gamecock defense had to do the heavy lifting, giving the offense two easy scores on turnovers and shutting out a Wolfpack team picked just ahead of Duke at the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference. All of which cheapens the victory and makes it look all too much like a continuation of last year's five-game losing streak. Bright spots One bright spot was USC's defensive play under first-year coordinator Ellis Johnson, a former head coach at The Citadel who also directed the defenses at Alabama and Mississippi State, who was awarded the game ball for his squad's effort. Remember it was the defense that kept the Gamecocks afloat through a 6-1 start last season, only to crumble as the team lost five straight games after key injuries at linebacker (Jasper Brinkley) and cornerback (Captain Munnerlyn). In this season opener it was once again the defense that stepped up and kept the Gamecocks in play, holding the Wolfpack to only 138 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers in the first half that led to a field goal and a touchdown. The other bright spot was the play of backup quarterback Chris Smelley. Only in the fourth period, after Beecher suffered a head injury, did Spurrier insert Smelley, who immediately drove the offense downfield on three consecutive, impressive touchdown drives (6 plays, 60 yards/ 5 plays, 69 yards/ 6 plays, 74 yards), while hitting five passes for 92 yards, much to the delight of the remaining fans. It also was a good night for USC's special teams, which had been sketchy in the past. What happened? So what does Spurrier think of his starting quarterback now? "We'll have to watch the tapes and see what in the world happened with Tommy," the USC coach said of Beecher, who was 12-for-22 passing with those four miserable pickoffs. "We'll evaluate that. " Spurrier said part of Beecher's problem might have been first-game jitters, but said next week's starter against Vanderbilt is "up for debate." "If he (Smelley) is the best, we'll put him out there," Spurrier said. "Our offense certainly sputtered tonight." Much like it did last year. "We've got a long way to go on offense," Spurrier said. "It was a struggle. I appreciate our fans being patient with our offense. We're not very good right now." Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5598. |
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Comments
This article has 10 comment(s)
Posted by moonpie on August 29, 2008 at 6:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No kidding.
Posted by theronce on August 29, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A win is hardly a continuation of (a 5 game) losing streak. The NY Giants did an ok job last year with a defense that kept them in most games while the offense sputtered during the regular season.
Posted by bigriver1 on August 29, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Like I said those qb's would not start at Slippery Rock. Going to be a LOOOOONG year lamecocks. This sc team is terrible. This is wonder stevie after 4 years? LOL. Georgia will roll this team like a cheap cigar and you hear it first right here. New predictions. 4-8, 2-6 and NO BOWL. LOL.
VANDY 27 sc 3
Posted by TAR1 on August 29, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
In the famous words of Tammy "Defense wins championships" But that OL better get it together.. LOL!!!!!!!!
Posted by carolinadude on August 29, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ken,
The thing that looks like last season is your eternal negativity towards the Gamecocks. Some folks say that's understandable as you are a Georgia Bulldog fan. However I call it "media bias". We witnessed last night one of the finest Gamecock defensive performances since the Joe Morrison era. True, the offense struggled in the first three quarters, but Smelley came on in relief, took "the bull by the horns" and led his team on three straight scoring drives. As a former coach, my perception is that this is Smelley's team. He's the leader out there, and I continue to believe that this team will win eight or nine games and go to a bowl! That eight or nine games includes kicking the "you know what" out of your Georgia Bulldogs, Ken. Have a nice day!
Posted by JRob on August 29, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't read too much into one game.
Posted by Rggr on August 29, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Smelley looked good when he came in. The offensive line looked pretty bad until late. It's hard to know if they just got it together or if NC State's defense was worn out. USC's defense is very good as expected.
Posted by rebel1 on August 29, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ken is pis#ed because we beat his dogs. his comment about the remaining fans is crazy. Not only is he bias he must be blind. The place was packed from start to finish. Maybe he should get off his couch and go to a game he is reporting on. Where's all the puttykat fans. Why arnt they talking up the weakest conf in the nation. At least that what espn and the rest of the sports world says. WOW, They had to get tired of hearing everyone talk about how the SEC is the strongest in the nation year in and out. Thats ok, tammy sch the puttykats with a pre bowl 6-6 ALA. Maybe you wil have a chance this year.
Posted by NativeSC on August 29, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bigdouche, you vinegar scented bag licker, why don't you go polish your removable teeth and try and come up with some new material. I know the interweb is fun for porno and repeating the same stats, but no one cares what you have to say.
Posted by tf29301 on August 29, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in Charlotte so I am not too familiar with the Charleston newpaper but, is this a serious journalist or a free contributor?
I agree that the offense needs some work but I can not imagine that anything, depending on your defense or beating a team 34-0 that is picked to finish low in their conference, "cheapens the victory". A lot of teams, including the Super Bowl Panther team, rely on defense. Never once in the super bowl year did a Charlotte Observer writer declare that the win was cheap because the defense carried the team. In fact, it became known as a defensive team. Burger's comment is close to one of the most ridiculas statements that I have seen a sportswriter make. Of course, he followed up that up with another ....this looks like a contintuation of last year.
2 of the three phases of the game (special teams & defense) were much better than last year. Granted it is only one game but Florida & Arkansas made the defense look silly last year. This defense looked a ton better than that. Giving up 4 interceptions,some resulting in terrific field position for State, and still pitching a shutout is a great game by any standards.
Not sure what this guy is trying to say but, I have seen better articles in free publications.