Gamecocks take bite out of 'Dawgs

ATHENS, Ga. - Despite the fact the Georgia Bulldogs came into the Saturday's game against South Carolina ranked No. 11 in the country, USC coach Steve Spurrier refused to call the 16-12 win a shocker.

"This was not a shock to us to win this game," Spurrier said. "This was two even teams. We made all our field goals and kept them out the end zone."

Georgia native Jasper Brinkley sealed the win for the Gamecocks (2-0, 1-0 SEC) with an interception of a tipped ball on a long pass from Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford as time wound down.

Brinkley, who said the win was like getting a chip off his shoulders, ran the ball back to near midfield and a victory knee sealed the upset win.

"Coach talked all week about a special player making special plays," Brinkley said. "So far since I've here I think this is the best defense we've ever had. We played a ranked team and we just came out on top."

The Carolina defense kept the Georgia offense out the end zone for the first time since the 2001 season when the then Lou Holtz-coached Gamecocks held on a for a 14-9 win over first-year coach Mark Richt.

"We missed too many opportunities to make plays that could have made all the difference," Richt said. "And South Carolina did enough to win. You have to give them credit."

The Gamecocks got the early lead off a Cory Boyd 9-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to go ahead 7-0. The Bulldogs remained within striking distance the remainder of the game but Ryan Succop's four field goals were enough of a margin for the win.

"We knew they weren't going to lay down so we had to come out and play strong and that's what we did," Brinkley said.

After sitting out the first game of season due to suspension, Georgia native Blake Mitchell came back to guide USC to a win. The fifth-year senior now owns the distinction of being the only quarterback in Gamecock history to earn wins over Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Clemson.

"I guess it's pretty big. One day I might look back on it and it might be a little more special than I think it is now," Mitchell said. "Any win you're happy and especially an SEC win on the road."

Spurrier, who labeled the game an ugly win, was more worried about starting the SEC season off at 1-0 than making history.

"In my career I've not won many like this. I'll take it," Spurrier said. "If we can build on this that will be super."

But for the senior linebacker in Brinkley, the win is something he hopes could vault Carolina to a championship caliber season.

"We know they were the stepping stone to get to the SEC championship and we knew we had come out play," Brinkley said. "It's letting the whole country know that we can play with anybody, with any top ranked school. They already know what we're capable of."