When Saturday afternoon's game against Arkansas rolls around, USC fans will be hoping that sophomore quarterback Blake Mitchell and freshman wide receiver Sidney Rice hook up early and often and lead the Gamecocks to their fourth consecutive victory.
The tandem has combined for nine touchdowns already this season, making them the top touchdown-producing duo in the SEC.
While Rice is Mitchell's most publicized target, the other Gamecock wideouts are beginning to make names for themselves.
Senior receiver Kris Clark converted from quarterback in high school to the wide receiver position in college. He was used little by former USC coach Lou Holtz, but Clark has emerged in the clutch this year for the Gamecocks.
Clark came up big for the team in its last drive against Vanderbilt, bringing in passes of 14 and 32 yards from Mitchell. Carolina went ahead in that game for good with that drive. He continued his good play in crunch time of the Tennessee game, helping the Gamecocks to a historic 16-15 victory.
How does he perform so well in pressure-packed situations?
"I've been living for those kinds of situations my whole life," Clark said. "I know I can stay poised and calm myself down in those situations. I love the pressure."
But what has earned Clark the most notoriety from his Gamecock teammates and from his new coach hasn't necessarily been the catches he's made this season. It's been his excellence in the areas of football that aren't always the most glamorous and don't get as much attention.
Clark says he simply plays every down like it's his last. This includes blocking downfield, trying to spring one of his running backs or fellow wide receivers for a big gain. He's also trying to take more of a leadership role on the team.
"When we sit down and watch film, I don't want to be accused of loafing around and not wanting to be out there on the field," Clark said. "I pride myself on doing the little things."
Clark isn't the only receiver who has helped to compliment Rice this season. Enter freshman wide receiver Kenny McKinley.
McKinley has worked his way up the Gamecock depth chart and has become an important piece in the Gamecocks offensive puzzle. Last week's game against Tennessee was a coming-out party of sorts for him. He caught five balls for 54 yards and showed off nice hands in the victory.
McKinley isn't satisfied with his teams or his own accomplishments so far this season. He still feels there's a lot more to be done.
"I want our team to win out and go to a nice bowl game." McKinley said. "Personally, I'd like to have a 100-yard receiving game sometime this season."
While McKinley and Clark have been big for USC, there is little disputing the passing offense revolves around No. 4, Sidney Rice.
Rice glows when he talks about playing in the USC coach Steve Spurrier's offense. "Man, it doesn't get any better than this. I love catching the football, and this offense gives receivers lots of opportunities to make plays."
With the numbers Rice has been piling up week after week, it comes as no surprise that teams are focusing their defensive game plan around stopping him.
"I noticed corners are playing me a lot tighter now and there's usually a safety over the top to try to stop me," Rice said. When asked if he changes his approach when he faces the extra coverage, Rice said, "I don't really change my approach, I just try to stay focused and do the things I was coached to do."
There might be another addition to the Gamecock receiving corps this weekend. Spurrier indicated earlier in the week sophomore quarterback Antonio Heffner might also see some action at wide receiver. Heffner has impressed Spurrier with his athleticism, and with the injury problems Carolina has had at receiver he might be called into action.
But this second-tier of wide receivers are trying to make sure that when the Gamecocks travel to Fayetteville, the Razorbacks will have more to deal with than just Sidney Rice.
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