 "Photo: Juan Blas / The Gamecock")
The big story lines for the visiting Kentucky Wildcats have an eerie familiarity about them: A banged up starting quarterback, a speedy freshman backup signal caller and a winless record in the SEC.
Indeed, when USC and UK take the field Saturday, there will be many similarities between the two teams. The game is a must-win scenario for both, and comparisons begins with the quarterbacks.
For Carolina, the quarterback position could be filled by two or possibly three players. Last week, with sophomore Blake Mitchell out because of an ankle injury, freshman Antonio Heffner started his first collegiate game against Auburn, throwing for 133 yards and a touchdown on 15-23 passing.
USC coach Steve Spurrier evaluated Heffner's performance against Auburn at a news conference after the game.
"Antonio did OK," Spurrier said. "A lot of things happened in that game. It was loud, and we had some communication problems. He had a nice touchdown throw to Sidney Rice."
While Spurrier was relatively pleased with Heffner's effort, he was not so enthused about the offensive output.
"(The Auburn game) was one of the worst offensive performances I've ever had," Spurrier said. "I am just glad we didn't get the big zero on us."
To put some more points on the board, Spurrier will look back to Mitchell as the starter.
After a week off, Mitchell appears to have made considerable progress in recovering from his injury. On Wednesday, he wore a yellow no-contact jersey during practice and listed his health at about 75 percent to 80 percent.
"I've been practicing pretty well," he said. "I haven't run much on it. That's the big question mark right there."
"I think (Mitchell) is going to be able to go," Spurrier said. "If somebody rolls into his ankle, we will have to take him out. Then we will put the next guy in."
After watching the Auburn game from the sidelines, Mitchell was excited about the prospect of playing again.
"I hope I can go out there and play the whole game. We will see how my ankle treats me."
The x-factor in USC's quarterback equation is junior wide receiver Syvelle Newton. He passed for 1,093 yards and six touchdowns last year after taking over the quarterback position from an injured Dondrial Pinkins.
In practice the past two weeks, Newton has been taking an increasing number of snaps under center. He was in one play at quarterback against Auburn. Spurrier indicated that Newton might receive more action against Kentucky.
"In case of an emergency, we are getting (Newton) ready a little bit (at quarterback)," Spurrier said.
Newton downplayed his involvement in the offense at quarterback.
"I just got a couple of (snaps during practice)," he said. "Blake got the majority of them. We just wanted to make sure that his ankle is strong enough to go out and perform on Saturday."
On the Wildcats' side of the ball, the situation is virtually identical. Wildcat coach Rich Brooks compared the quarterbacks from both schools.
"Comparing (Mitchell and Heffner) is a lot like comparing (Andre') Woodson and Curtis Pulley," Brooks said. "Heffner is a young quarterback - like Pulley - who is very athletic and can run like a deer and has yet to be polished in the passing game."
Woodson, a sophomore, established himself as the man to replace senior Shane Boyd during the summer. In UK's first three games, Woodson passed for 578 yards and five touchdowns. He set the school record for most passes without an interception with 153.
The streak ended against Florida two weeks ago when he threw three interceptions in the first half.
"He threw his first interceptions of the year," Brooks said. "He's a young quarterback, and he's going to look at that and learn from it."
Adding injury to insult, Woodson had to leave the game with an injury to the ribs. Pulley, a freshman, came in for UK and sparked the team with two rushing touchdowns in the second half. He finished the game with 38 yards passing and 32 yards rushing.
"Overall, we played much better in the second half," Pulley said. "We had to keep playing hard for our self-confidence and pride."
Despite appearing in only two games, he is the third leading rusher for the Wildcats and has also lined up at wide receiver.
With a bye week to rest up, Woodson is expected to start and go the distance against USC. However, after Pulley's electrifying play against Florida, it is likely he will see playing time.
Mitchell, Heffner or Newton. Woodson or Pulley. Ultimately the game will come down to which quarterback - or quarterbacks - can be most effective. The winner keeps its slim bowl chances alive, whereas the loser takes the lonely position in the cellar of the SEC East.
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