McKinley leaves with leg injury

NASHVILLE, TENN. — Kenny McKinley, South Carolina's star wide receiver, left Thursday night's game at Vanderbilt in the first quarter and went to the locker room with a right leg injury.

McKinley artfully beat Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis for a 19-yard touchdown catch on a third-down pass from Chris Smelley in the first quarter.

But McKinley was watching in street clothes by the second half. He caught six passes (for 37 yards) to lead the Gamecocks in a 34-0 season opening victory over N.C. State.

Smelley's turn

Smelley got off to a slightly better start against Vanderbilt than Tommy Beecher did in last week's victory over N.C. State, but a pair of interceptions dimmed the glow of his touchdown pass to McKinley.

Smelley, a sophomore, got the start after Beecher threw three interceptions in his first college start the previous Thursday night. Smelley came off the bench to go 5-of-5 passing for 92 yards and two touchdowns against N.C. State.

At Vanderbilt, Smelley under pressure was picked off by strong safety Reshard Langford in the first quarter (33-yard return). Smelley had to make a touchdown-saving tackle after cornerback Darlron Spead returned a second-quarter interception 46 yards to the South Carolina 30 to set up a field goal.

Return man

The longest kick return of sophomore Chris Culliver's young career, a 50-yarder near the end of the first half, set up a long Ryan Succop field goal to make it 10-3 at intermission.

Culliver's previous long, last season, was 44 yards.

The receiver-turned-safety was also making an early impact on the defense. On the preceding Vanderbilt possession, Culliver halted a sure touchdown by dragging down Commodores receiver Jamie Graham on an end around play. Vandy was held to a field goal.

False starts

Coach Steve Spurrier made good this week on his threat to bench anyone who jumped early after USC had five false starts in the opener. Well, sort of.

Spurrier was referring to linemen, but it was actually tight end Jared Cook who had the first false start, on USC's initial touchdown drive. Sure enough, Cook trotted off and Weslye Saunders replaced him on the next play. But Cook was back in for the next possession.

The second false start was on left tackle Jarriel King, but Spurrier allowed the former North Charleston High standout — who was making his first start — to remain in the game.

Maybe he should've pulled him. King whiffed on a block on the ensuing play, causing Smelley to rush a throw that was tipped and intercepted.

Who's holding

Spurrier said this week that Beecher, despite the shoulder injury, would still be the holder. But it was actually Wando's Stephen Flint who held for Succop's first extra point and field goal.

Flint, a receiver, is the younger brother of former receiver Michael Flint.

Spurrier's son, Scott, was listed on the depth chart as the backup holder. He's been in that spot the past two seasons.

Extra points

Trouble-ridden defensive end Jordin Lindsey was among the Gamecocks' captains for the game. ... Senior running back Bobby Wallace wasn't on the dress list and didn't make the trip. Wallace was buried, fourth or fifth, on the depth chart. Defensive end Clark Gaston and center Ryan Broadhead also didn't make the trip. ... American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler sang a long and loud version of the national anthem. ... A drenching rain soaked the area just before kickoff, but it subsided once the game got going.