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For the South Carolina Gamecocks, last year's victory over the Kentucky Wildcats stands out because it was the team's last SEC victory for a full year. But for junior defensive end/linebacker Eric Norwood, different memories are rekindled when the Wildcats are mentioned. It was during that Kentucky game that Norwood caught fire and did what only three other Division I-A players have ever done: return two fumble recoveries for touchdowns. In addition to the fumble returns, which came from two and 53 yards out, Norwood also recorded five tackles and two pass deflections. After the nationally televised Thursday night game, he spoke with ESPN reporter Erin Andrews.
"We just got after them. I told you we were going to get back there and get him," Norwood told Andrews. "Tell the SEC to get ready for us, because we're coming strong."
Looking back on the game a year later, Norwood says that the two touchdowns were more of a "right place at the right time" deal. Although it earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week and the Master Coaches National Defensive Player of the Week, he does not consider it his career best. He now has other goals in mind that differ from recovering fumbles.
"I feel like it was an average game because anybody could have picked up those fumbles and ran them back. It's not like I hit the quarterback and took the ball." Norwood said.
Although many things have changed since the win last year, the Gamecocks are still flying under the radar of the SEC teams, sitting in fourth place with a mediocre conference record of 1-2. But with a win against Kentucky, USC will have won two consecutive conference games, both on the road.
"It's a must-win game, no doubt. But so are the rest of them," Norwood said after Monday night's practice. "We just have to go out there and execute."
Currently in his junior year, the versatile 6-foot-1, 267 pounder has been rather quiet in comparison to his first two years. Last season, his 19.5 tackles for loss set a team record and were good for seventh in the nation. This year, at the season halfway mark, Norwood has four tackles for loss - not even on pace for half of last year's total. Also, Norwood's 2.0 sacks on the year, which tie him for the team lead with senior cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, fall behind the pace of his 6.0 sacks last year and 7.0 sacks in 2006. The reason for Norwood's statistical mediocrity is unknown, but with an important game on Saturday against a team that he has already gashed, a breakout game is foreshadowed.
"I'm just hoping to have a good day. Get a couple sacks, pressure the quarterback," Norwood said. "Whatever we have to do to get the ball back to the offense."
Norwood leads a defense that entered last Saturday's game against Ole Miss as the nation's leader in total defense. In the first half, however, the USC defense surrendered 21 points, 311 total yards of offense and 16 first downs, quickly relinquishing their first place title. But a different unit came out of the locker room for the second half - a unit that allowed only three second half points and 50 second half yards. After the game, the Gamecock D was no longer first in the nation in total defense, but remained at sixth best - a respectable spot for any team.
"We pretty much shut them down in the second half for the most part," Norwood said. "We performed decently, but we could have done a lot better in my eyes and I believe in my teammates' eyes as well. So that's why we're out here practicing."
Unlike the past two seasons, USC coach Steve Spurrier has been rotating Norwood back and forth from defensive end to linebacker. Previously, Norwood has served primarily as a linebacker, which is where he prefers to play.
"I'm more comfortable at linebacker because when we're in our certain formations I get to just rush off the edge," Norwood said. "They release me a lot and that helps me a lot at linebacker because it takes me to where I have to read stuff. Or sometimes he'll just let me go. I like it a lot better to blitz."
No kidding. Since 2006, Norwood's 15 sacks lead the team. Last year, he led the team with nine quarterback hurries and three pass break-ups. His rare combination of size and speed gives Spurrier the liberty of putting him in different spots all over the field and choose whether he will be dropping back into pass coverage, covering a zone or coming on a blitz. He can either be a huge, overpowering linebacker or a speedy defensive end.
"He'll play a little of both every game," Spurrier said. "We like to switch him around a lot."
It's not only on the field where Norwood likes to contribute. This week, he will be featured as the SEC Community Service Team Player of the Week during the broadcast of the game. Norwood is involved in several volunteer and charity activities such as mentoring at local Columbia schools and helping children with their reading and other activities. He also volunteers for a local charity for children with cancer. And, as if his plate isn't full enough, he speaks at Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities.
"Usually it's just visiting schools or reading to kids. It's just little stuff - that's all," Norwood said.
When the defense is on the field this week, no doubt most eyes will be on Eric Norwood to have the breakout game that so many are expecting. Yet even after a record-tying two touchdowns and an upset win over nationally ranked No. 8 Kentucky, Norwood's favorite highlight of the night was something totally different.
"Erin Andrews," Norwood said, recalling his interview after the game.
Well, if he burns Kentucky's offense and impacts the game as he did last year, he may have another Erin Andrews interview coming his way as the Gamecocks try to make a statement in the star-studded Southeastern Conference.
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