 "Photo: Juan Blas/The Daily Gamecock")
Exactly one year ago Saturday, South Carolina upset No. 8 Kentucky by a score of 38-23. Until this Saturday afternoon's 31-24 victory over Ole Miss, this was the last time the Gamecocks had won an SEC game.
The Ole Miss Rebels marched down the field and into the end zone on the first possession of the game, making the nation's No. 1 defense look like a pee-wee team. The Gamecocks were able to respond with a field goal, but on the ensuing drive watched the Rebel offense once again stroll into the end zone with ease. After its first two drives, Ole Miss had 148 total yards on 19 plays. Only once had they not gained positive yards on a play.
From then on, it was USC coach Steve Spurrier's favorite style of play: a shootout. At the end of the first half, both teams combined for 38 points, 600 total yards of offense and 30 first downs.
"It was a great team effort," said Spurrier after the win. "A lot of guys contributed and we gave out a lot of game balls."
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Smelley, among others, brought the Gamecock offense out of the doldrums by throwing for 327 yards and three touchdown passes. For the first time since the loss to Vanderbilt in week two, only one quarterback took the field for USC. Spurrier approves of Smelley's play, but still expects more.
"Chris threw some good ones. He missed a few, but I really like the way he played in the fourth quarter," said Spurrier. "He had a good game, but I really believe he can play better."
Another key contributor to the USC offensive attack was redshirt freshman wide receiver Jason Barnes. Barnes entered the game with four catches and 58 yards on the season.
Against Ole Miss, he caught seven balls for 76 yards and two touchdowns, including his first career TD catch which was nothing less than spectacular. On third and goal from the 20-yard line, Smelley found Barnes in the back of the end zone to bring the Gamecocks within four points, but it certainly didn't come easy. In mid-air, an Ole Miss defender laid a hit on Barnes that evoked an incredulous gasp from the crowd.
"He said he didn't have any feeling in his jaw for a while ... but he held on to the ball and it was just a super play," said Spurrier. "He's practicing a lot better. He's catching everything. He's running good routes. He's learning how to use his feet."
A USC turnover ensued after Barnes's catch, but junior defensive tackle Nathan Pepper got it back for the Gamecocks. After a Clifton Geathers sack forced a fumble, Pepper scooped the ball up and ran 29 yards into the end zone, giving the Gamecocks their first lead of the game.
The teams would trade punts until a Mississippi touchdown regained the lead for the Rebels with 2:46 remaining in the half. The Gamecocks then pieced a drive together, but it was to no avail as kicker Ryan Succop missed a 38-yard field goal. The Rebels led 21-17 at the half.
In the third quarter, Smelley threw his only interception of the game, but Mississippi would return the favor with a fumble inside the Gamecocks' 10-yard line. The fumble was recovered by junior safety Emanuel Cook, who ran it back to Ole Miss' 42-yard line. Smelley and the offense went on to finish what Cook had started with a six-yard touchdown pass to Barnes in the end of the third quarter.
The Gamecocks entered the fourth quarter with a three-point lead and never relinquished it. After an Ole Miss punt put the USC offense on their own four-yard line, Smelley and Mike Davis combined for 82 of the offense's 96 yards on the drive, which culminated in a Joe Hills four-yard touchdown catch. With 8:57 to go in the fourth, the Gamecocks led 31-21.
After nearly a four minute drive, the Rebels settled for a field goal to make it a one possession game, and then opted against an onside kick, putting their defense under pressure. The USC offense was able to hold on to the ball for 2:27 until turning it over on downs at the 35-yard line, giving the Rebels one chance to tie the game. Senior cornerback Carlos Thomas would have none of that, however, intercepting a Jevan Snead pass to secure the victory.
Now, the Gamecocks look to win two SEC road games in a row, as they travel to Lexington, Ky., next week to face the Kentucky Wildcats.
But after a productive Saturday in Mississippi, the quarterback situation in Columbia is solidified, at least for the moment.
"[Smelley] is our starter," said Spurrier.
Be the first to comment on this article!