5 POINTS: Born to Run ... or Not -- LSU 24, South Carolina 17
by cocknfire
on Oct 19, 2008 8:37 PM EDT
1. 39 yards. If you want to know why the Gamecocks lost this game, it's all wrapped up in that number: 39 yards. As in, South Carolina's rushing total Saturday night. When you take out Stephen Garcia's numbers, it gets even worse: Mike Davis, Eric Baker and Bobby Wallace combined for 24 yards. If you think anyone can win with those kinds of rushing numbers -- well, you're delusional.
By way of comparison, 2007 Texas Tech -- by all accounts a decent team that relied almost entirely on the pass -- average 59.3 ypg. Hawaii last year? 72.6 ypg. If you can't even gain 50 yards on the ground, you're going to lose, unless you're playign an opponent whose defensive coordinator is an idiot.
To say that Spurrier's offense is a passing attack misses the point. (Errict Rhett, for example, led the SEC in rushing two of the four years he played for Spurrier.) You have to have a running game, or the defense can do exactly what LSU did Saturday night -- blitz or find other creative ways to put pressure on the quarterback.
Or don't, really, since the offensive line couldn't do much pass protection even when LSU was doing some pretty vanilla things up front. Garcia was sacked six times, and his mobility saved him from the same fate a few other times.
When you can't run, this happens.
Yes, Garcia gave up and took off running too early on some plays, but that didn't hurt the rushing numbers, and all it really did was ensure that LSU was always ready for the run even when they weren't afraid of it.
2. Garcia's the guy. Not that it much matters what I think, since Head Ball Coach has already said Garcia will start, but it's the right call. Whatever you think of some of the youthful mistakes Garcia made -- and there were some -- the reason to keep Garcia in there is wrapped up in the Spurrier quote that Mike Patrick and Todd Blackledge kept using: "He gives us hope."
We've seen the ceiling with Chris Smelley, and nothing against the guy, but he's a good backup and not a season-long starter. Garcia reminded us Saturday that there will be some bumps in the road -- but, with him, there's hope.
3. Fixing Succop. It's hard to say just how much Ryan Succop's missed field goal in the second quarter affected this game. On the one hand, South Carolina lost by a touchdown and the ensuing LSU drive, which ended in a touchdown, started on their own 22, about where it would have following a potential touchback. On the other hand, it would have given the Gamecocks the lead earlier and would have made it a two-score game (20-10) at the half, potentially altering the psychology and play-calling for LSU.
Not again.
Succop's struggles, though, could cause problems down the road -- either by costing South Carolina in close games or by forcing the offense to take too many chances on fourth downs. It's in his head; we all know this guy's leg, and he can kick the ball with strength and accuracy. But sometimes the injury to the brain is the hardest one to treat.
4. Defending the run: FAIL. The good news: The Gamecocks defense held RB Charles Scott, one-time Heism@n dark horse, to 61 yards rushing. Bad news: The rest of the LSU offense ran for 103 yards. In all, the Gamecocks surrendered 164 yards on the ground, which allowed LSU to chew up clock and dramatically shorten the game in the decisive fourth quarter. (LSU's time of possession in the fourth? 11:39.) It wasn't a Tyrone Nix-level breakdown -- nothing can quite top those -- but it was still a disappointing effort from Ellis Johnson and Co.
5. The big picture. Let's not kid ourselves: Despite the optimistic predictions offered here and elsewhere, this was always going to be a difficult game for South Carolina to win. LSU is one of the most talented teams in the country, they just lack some experience this year. The Gamecocks still have a chance for an eight-win season; Tennessee's blowout win over Mississippi State was much closer than it appears, Arkansas' strength is passing the football, and that should play into South Carolina's hands, and Clemson continues to tank no matter whom they fire. This is still the same team it was a week ago; the upset just didn't happen.
GRADE: C
South Carolina put itself in a position to win, the Gamecocks just couldn't do it when it mattered. You have to lose these games before you win them, and while we're all sick of losing them, there's still reason to believe South Carolina will win them one day soon.
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FIVE POINTS: First Impressions -- South Carolina 26, UAB 13
by cocknfire
on Sep 29, 2008 12:49 AM EDT
in Football
1. Not good, not as bad as it looked. Watching college football on a laptop monitor with a more "important" game (Alabama at Georgia) on a big-screen TV in the background can do funny things to your perception of a game. (It can also make you thankful for the technology that allows one to watch UAB vs. South Carolina at an Alabama-Georgia viewing party.) My initial thought about the game -- that it was a thoroughly mediocre effort -- was true to an extent. Even an offense as catatonic as the Gamecocks' should be able to pick up more than 353 yards against UAB's defense.
On the other hand, the South Carolina defense largely stifled an offense that might be as good as the one that took the field whenever the Gamecocks defense was done. UAB picked up just 207 yards and QB Joe Webb was largely contained (140 yards passing, 22 yards rushing). The only touchdown came as the final seconds ticked away.
The margin was close in part because the Gamecocks decided to run the ball. And run the ball. And run the ball. In fact, the play calling was heavily tilted to ground game: 45 rushes, 33 pass attempts. Part of this was the presence of Stephen Garcia, who rushed 18 times. South Carolina ended the game with a nearly 10-minute edge in time of possession and were far better on third down than UAB. Again, that's not a great measuring stick, but it's something.
2. Stephen Garcia did well. I know I'm parting with Gamecock Man here, but I thought THE SAVIOR OF THE PROGRAM performed pretty well both on the ground and through the air. He was unquestionably better than Chris Smelley or Tommy Beecher -- again, "compared to ... " -- and the throws I saw tended to be far more accurate than what we've grown accustomed to seeing from the signal-callers up until now.
His rushing average was better than any other Gamecock save Bobby Wallace, who might have made a case for more starting time by running six times for 51 yards. And, among the three quarterbacks, he won the passer rating battle with a 126.52, compared to 52.18 for Smelley and 92.00 for Beecher, despite facing the Blazers when whatever defense they have was likely at its strongest.
Plus, he can fly!!!
Give him time to learn the offense and get adjusted to the SEC, and Garcia could be a pretty good quarterback, though it remains to be seen if he can become everything his supporters expect him to be. Does he give us the best chance to win against Ole Miss? Probably; neither Smelley nor Beecher have shown us nothing that would lead me to believe they do.
3. Missing McKinley. There is something to be said for spreading the ball around, and the Gamecocks certainly did that in the passing game. Nine players caught the 18 completed passes, and no one had more than three.
But there are downside to that approach, too. There was no "go-to" receiver, and it's hard for the quarterback to get into a rhythm when there's not one person he can depend on. Notable: Jason Barnes with 3 catches, 46 yards.
Perhaps the biggest place where the team is missing Kenny McKinley is in the lack of a vertical game. The longest pass Saturday was a 23-yarder. It was one of two passes that went for more than 20 yards. This team needs McKinley back -- and quickly -- unless this is a lost season and he wants to redshirt and come back next year. (Unlikely, I know.)
And, after writing that, I look at GoGamecocks and see that I'm not the only one thinking that way.
Spurrier said he might approach All-SEC receiver Kenny McKinley about the possibility of a medical redshirt if McKinley’s right hamstring continues to bother him. McKinley, a senior who is in range of all of USC’s major receiving records, has missed the past three games and is doubtful for Ole Miss, according to Spurrier.
This would actually be in everyone's interest: McKinley's value will go down in the draft the longer he can't play -- no one wants to put a lot of guaranteed money into someone who's been hurt for much of the season prior to the draft. And, of course, it would give the Gamecocks one more season of McKinley, improving the depth of next year's team tremendously.
4. Succop's night. If there was one Gamecock who answered the call Saturday night, it was Ryan Succop. He hit a career-high four FGs and had 14 total points. Had it not been for Succop, the Gamecocks' margin could have been as low as 14-13, truly pathetic, instead of the uninspiring two-score edge.
Don't forget Spencer Lanning. He had a pretty good night as well, averaging 44.0 yards on his two punts. As for other special teams performers: Chris Culliver did an average to above-average job on kick returns, taking four back for 24.5 yards per, and Captain Munnerlyn was nothing special with punt returns, averaging 13.3 yards.
5. Finishing. Yes, this is to an extent an ESPN, coach-speak phrase, but it contains a kernel of truth. And it also points to a problem that could become something worse as the season advances. The Gamecocks seem to have trouble completing drives and putting away opponents.
It's not that UAB was ever truly close after South Carolina took a 10-3 lead with 44 seconds left in the fourth quarter; they weren't. But after being up by 14 at the half, South Carolina slowed down and scored just six more points in the second half and finished the game with a margin of 13.
That was in part because of two drives that ended up inside the Blazers 10 -- and ended up with field goals. Two more second-half possessions that found their way into UAB territory ended in interceptions. That's fine against UAB, but it will get you killed in the SEC.
Not that anyone's looking for a trip to Atlanta this year -- at least, I hope not -- but the only remaining nonconference game this year is the showdown with the Team from the Upstate. A successful year, however one defines it (unless you consider a four-win season a success) will involve beating some SEC teams. If the Gamecocks can't finish, the season is finished.
GRADE: C
The Garcia experiment starts on the right foot, and the Gamecocks avoid disaster. The defense remains stout; even if the Blazers defense is horrid, the offense is competent, and UAB was largely unable to move the ball. But the South Carolina offense has to, has to, has to do better soon. Otherwise, even dreaming of Shreveport might be optimistic.
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About this week
by cocknfire
on Jul 21, 2008 12:19 AM EDT
in News
A few notes about this week.
C&F is going to do his best to get through most or all of the "Gamecocks 2008" previews so he can start on the opponent previews over the weekend. That includes a look at the wide receivers/tight ends and a couple of defensive previews. Might take a look at special teams, too, but that would be brief.
Wednesday through Friday will be consumed with SEC Media Days, which C&F is scheduled to attend in person. The plan for now is to liveblog the coach's press conferences and, later in the day, do quick recaps of each team presented on each of the three days. C&F will post a complete schedule tomorrow. (Just to let you know, South Carolina takes the stage Friday.)
Because of that schedule, other posts will likely be minimal.
As, likely, will be the carries of Bobby Wallace:
Mike Davis is a clear choice as the starter at tailback, Spurrier said. Brian Maddux is making strides, but Eric Baker has some work to do.
As for Bobby Wallace: “He’s still here,” Spurrier said.
Again, honesty is never a problem for HBC.
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gamecocks 2008: After Cory
by cocknfire
on Jul 17, 2008 2:05 AM EDT
in Football
It's still one of C&F's favorite YouTube videos -- even better than Darth Vader playing a harmonica and the endless attempts to get cell phones to cause popcorn to pop. It is a tribute to one of the toughest and hardest-charging players South Carolina has seen in a long time.
Cory Boyd was the kind of player who exceeded his stats. And yet it seemed that the very thing that drove him -- a desire to run away from a troubled childhood as fast as he could -- also led to the poor choices, the year-long suspension, the reference to cocaine on national television.
But make no mistake: If there was a heart to the team last year, it was Boyd. Even as the Gamecocks collapsed down the stretch, fans could count on No. 3 to play until he couldn't run any more.
Not that his numbers weren't good.
| Year | Gms | Rush | Yds | YPC | TD | YPG | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | YPG |
| 07-08 | 12 | 180 | 903 | 5.0 | 9 | 75.2 | 36 | 405 | 11.2 | 1 | 33.8 |
| 06-07 | 12 | 164 | 823 | 5.0 | 8 | 68.6 | 35 | 406 | 11.6 | 2 | 33.8 |
| 04-05 | 11 | 62 | 309 | 5.0 | 3 | 28.1 | 35 | 347 | 9.9 | 1 | 31.5 |
| 03-04 | 11 | 58 | 232 | 4.0 | 3 | 21.1 | 11 | 145 | 13.2 | 1 | 13.2 |
| Total | 46 | 464 | 2,267 | 4.9 | 23 | 49.3 | 117 | 1,303 | 11.1 | 5 |
28.3 |
The top two years, bolded here, are when Boyd was the full-time starter. He did not play in 2005-06 due to suspension.
The challenge this year is to replace the near-freakish consistency of Boyd in his last two years. Yards per carry? 5.0, each year. Receiving yards a game? 33.8, each year. Combined TD? 10, each year.
Your leading candidate for successor is Mike Davis, who was the top rusher in 2005 and Boyd's backup since.
| Year | Gms | Rush | Yds | YPC | TD | YPG | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | YPG |
| 07-08 | 12 | 114 | 518 | 4.5 | 5 | 43.2 | 23 | 224 | 9.7 | 1 | 18.7 |
| 06-07 | 12 | 100 | 474 | 4.7 | 6 | 39.5 | 11 | 94 | 8.5 | 0 | 7.8 |
| 05-06 | 12 | 146 | 666 | 4.6 | 5 | 55.5 | 15 | 136 | 9.1 | 0 | 11.3 |
| Total | 36 | 360 | 1,658 | 4.6 | 16 | 46.1 | 49 | 454 | 9.3 | 1 | 12.6 |
Again, year bolded is the year he started.
The three remaining returners -- Brian Maddox, Taylor Rank and Bobby Wallace -- have a combined 74 rushes to their names over the last three years, including Wallace's 41 carries (135 yards) in the 2005 season.
The smart money, of course, is on Mike Davis to take the job. Wallace gives us little to go on, as does Maddox, though both should be in the fray. Rank could play in as well, but C&F seriously doubts that will be the case.
The wild card in all this is freshman Eric Baker, and all we have to go on there is his 800-yard military academy performance and the university PR.
Enrolled at Carolina in January 2008 and went through spring drills... considered one of the best "natural" runners on the squad... can do good things with the ball in his hands... runs hard and can make the defender miss.
Coincidentally, isn't the whole point of being a running back -- or being any skill player -- to make the defender miss? Is there a skill player alive, or a good one anyway, who says, "You know, I think I'm going to let the defense stop me here." Just an observation on something that's been bugging C&F.
The running game hasn't been stellar during Spurrier's time here. Part of that falls on the patchwork nature of most of HBC's offensive lines, with the lineups changing more often than John Mayer's dating selections.
This year, with a young quarterback (even if we don't know which one yet) and Kenny McKinley still waiting for a consistent No. 2, the running game has to step up, at least early on.
Success will come down to one question: Can Mike Davis fill the role of starter? And if not, can anyone? It's great to have depth, but it has to be meaningful depth and not just an abundance of players at one position.
Davis' 2005-06 numbers won't cut it; nor will his three career 100-yard games. (Boyd had five in his time at South Carolina, and that really wasn't enough.) To help the QBs find their footing, Davis will have to run well, particularly at the beginning of the year.
If not, there are plenty of running backs who are waiting for a chance to show they can do the job.
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