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When Carolina took the field Thursday night, Tommy Beecher was the starting quarterback, and Taylor Rank was in at tailback. When the game ended, most would argue that Chris Smelley should have the quarterback job, and Mike Davis in at running back.
USC snapped a five-game losing streak Thursday night, defeating N.C. State 34-0. With a score that looks like a blowout, the game was anything but one sided.
"It was a good win, but we aren't sitting around here bragging about it," said coach Steve Spurrier.
After thirty minutes of football that most would lose interest in, Carolina was leading just 3-0 at halftime.
"It was a big struggle," Spurrier said. "I appreciate the fans being patient with our offense."
On the first play of the game, all eyes were on Tommy Beecher, the Gamecocks new starting quarterback. After a short run from now starting tailback Taylor Rank, Beecher threw a 10 yard pass to Kenny McKinley. There was hope; the Gamecocks might put together an impressive offensive performance. All too quickly though, the offense turned sour for Carolina.
Later in the opening drive, Beecher threw an interception into the hands of N.C. State freshman Jimmaul Simmons. It was the free safety's first college play of his career.
Despite the lackluster offensive opening, the Gamecock defense came out ready to stop their opponent. After the interception, N.C. State took the field with their own rookie quarterback, freshman Russell Wilson. With Carolina reacting quickly and putting good pressure on Wilson, N.C. State lost three yards on their first offensive series. Wilson was forced to leave the game later in the half after suffering a concussion.
The USC offense continued to struggle throughout the first half, barely managing to break 100 yards of total offense through the first two quarters. Running backs Mike Davis and Rank saw almost equal playing time, yet neither one was able to establish the running game. For Beecher, poor throws continued to plague his first career start. Toward the end of the first quarter, Beecher threw another interception on an attempted pass to McKinley.
Another Beecher interception followed early in the second quarter, eerily bringing back memories of his poor spring game performance that was littered with turnovers. When all was said and done for Beecher, he threw four interceptions in a little over three quarters of play. Making the nightmare worse for Beecher was just who was picking off his passes. Four different N.C. State players tallied their first collegiate interceptions off the USC quarterback.
With the Gamecocks clearly struggling to get into an offensive rhythm, the defense took it upon themselves to jumpstart the lackluster game. In the opening of the third quarter, USC cornerback Carlos Thomas made an interception putting Carolina on the N.C. State nine yard line. Beecher and his offense were able to muster the yards to score the touchdown and extend the lead to 10.
"Fortunately, we seem to have a pretty good defense," Spurrier said.
Early in the fourth quarter, Smelley came on the field in place of Beecher to a chorus of cheers. Playing like a seasoned veteran, the junior helped spark the offense into motion. In just a little over 13 minutes, he led the team on three scoring drives all resulting in touchdowns. Smelley went five-for-five passing with 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Even with this stellar performance, Spurrier wouldn't make a clear choice as to who would start next week.
"I went out and did everything I was supposed to do," said Smelley "If it's my turn, then I will play."
Mike Davis also came out big for the Gamecocks late in the game. Rushing for 101 yards, Davis broke out in the second half with a touchdown and a 50-yard run.
"It was a total offensive effort." Davis said
The Gamecocks head to Tennessee next Thursday to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores.
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