Yeah, I just don’t understand why Spurrier dialed up the tipped pass/ interception play right there.

Seriously, though, I don’t have a problem with the play calling. In fact, I have not had a problem with the play calling all season. The thing about the Spurrier offense is that you’re supposed to be able to get 2 yards on a pass play on third down. The mind set is that you can rely on the pass like teams usually rely on the run. We happened to be a little unlucky and get the ball tipped for an INT on that play, but the call wasn’t bad. Had that play been a normal busted play (read: incomplete), we could have kicked the field goal and gone on with the game. People are focusing too much on one play. There is just as much of a chance that Maddox could have been stuffed trying to cram it up the middle. I like, nay, love, the call to get the ball to Saunders over the middle (a play that had previously gone for big yards) on 3rd and 2. It had a very good chance of going for a touchdown if it had been complete.

I’d also like to point out that there was no discernable different in the play calling his week when Spurrier was supposedly calling the plays than any other weeks when Spurrier Jr. was calling them. You might say, “But we ran the ball more!” Come on. Who do you think was responsible for the lack of running plays earlier in the season? It was Spurrier Sr. He said after the first half of the Arkansas game that we were playing too conservatively. Then, low and behold, the second half we abandon the run. I’m not trying to blame Spurrier Sr. for poor play calling, either. My point is this: when things aren’t going well people look for a scapegoat. The play calling has not been our problem, execution has.

I think people should look at this game for what it was – a damned fine effort from our Gamecocks. I can be proud of the team I saw this past weekend, win or lose (the UT game? not so much). Garcia had a good game, and those two interceptions weren’t the same type of interceptions that we saw from him all last year. Maddox looked like a bona fide starter in the SEC. We’re going to need him to perform at that level in two weeks if we want to beat Clemson. Other players of notable mention: Norwood, Alshon, Saunders, Geathers, and Lanning. I don’t know if our players read this particular blog, but I want them to know that not all Gamecock fans are questioning their effort, commitment, and heart.

Coming from a team coached by Steve Spurrier, I can only assume that’s a joke.

(chuckle)

A pretty good one, too.

Gotta give your boys credit. They played hard. We made some good plays defensively — that was the difference in the game.

Some scary moments for Gator Nation, there. And for me, personally… losing to Spurrier is such a horrific thought I can barely frame the concept in my feeble mind. I’m happy with the 4-1 record, though.

I think Urban’s attempt to score on the final possession was rather half-hearted, no? Would it have been more callous to attempt the FG? That set Randy Shannon off last year, I guess. It’s kind of a no-win situation for the winning team (irony, anyone?) I don’t think anyone’s going to lose too much sleep over it.

Glad we get y’all next year in the Swamp. Oughta be a doozy — Garcia’s on an upwardly mobile track and we’ve got Brantley, a player I think will really surprise the SEC as being a very high-quality SEC quarterback.

… he does what he wants, period, and no amount of outside influence ever reaches him. He is a good coach, and he represents Gator Nation with pride, but make no mistake, he does what he pleases, period. So I think his respect for Spurrier is genuine. Spurrier could reciprocate a bit more, but… eh… who cares.

Genuine question: is Spurrier’s seat getting a bit warm? 3-5 SEC in year 5… Hmm.