TheState.com: GoGamecocks: Around the SEC

Kentucky rallies to beat Georgia 34-27

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:45 EST

Kentucky scored 14 points off four Georgia second-half turnovers and the Wildcats rallied to beat the Bulldogs 34-27 on Saturday night for their first win in Athens in 32 years.

Kentucky's Randall Cobb had scoring runs following Georgia turnovers at the Bulldogs' 14- and 8-yard lines.

Joe Cox threw three touchdown passes, but had a screen pass intercepted by Kentucky defensive tackle Shane McCord to set up Cobb's go-ahead 1-yard touchdown run with 9:55 remaining.

Kentucky (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) rallied from a 20-6 halftime deficit.

Washaun Ealey's fumble on a pitch from Cox at the Kentucky 1 stopped the Bulldogs from tying the game with 2:21 remaining. Linebacker Danny Trevathan recovered the fumble for Kentucky.

Clock runs out on LSU in 25-23 Ole Miss win

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:39 EST

So many unusual things happened in the final 3 minutes of Mississippi's victory Saturday against No. 10 LSU, it got confusing.

Even for the participants.

"I don't know what all happened down there at the end," Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. "I just know the scoreboard read 25-23 Ole Miss Rebels."

Nutt's confusion was nothing compared to what was happening on the LSU sideline as precious seconds ticked off the clock with less than a minute left and the game on the line.

The Tigers were divided over what plays to call, lost 17 seconds when the team tried for a timeout and didn't get it, and there was admittedly no backup plan when LSU went for the end zone on the last play of the game and came up short at the Ole Miss 5 with 1 second left.

Ingram, Tide roll over Chattanooga 45-0

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:13 EST

No. 2 Alabama was still celebrating Mark Ingram's second long touchdown run when coach Nick Saban told his star tailback to take the rest of the day off.

Ingram ran for 102 yards and TDs of 25 and 40 yards in the first 20 minutes, then happily yielded the stage while the Crimson Tide breezed to a 45-0 win over Chattanooga on Saturday.

"Just get in, get a good day's work, execute and have some success. Then let the other people get the playing time they deserve," Ingram said.

Yes, the Tide (11-0) did make it seem just that easy.

Alabama raced to a 35-0 halftime lead and showed no signs of a letdown ahead of games with rival Auburn and No. 1 Florida. That enabled the starters to take a break in the second half against the Mocs (6-5), although Ingram and the Tide still managed a few highlight-reel plays.

Gators rout FIU 62-3, extend winning streak to 21

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:13 EST

Top-ranked Florida moved another step closer to perfection with a 62-3 rout of Florida International.

Tim Tebow accounted for three touchdowns and Brandon Spikes returned an interception for a score to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 21 games Saturday.

Florida improved to 11-0 for just the second time in school history and needs two more wins - against Florida State and Alabama - to earn a shot at repeating as national champion.

After surviving some struggles during Southeastern Conference play, the Gators probably needed an easy week. The Golden Panthers (3-8) played the part to perfection.

Florida scored touchdowns on eight of 10 offensive possessions. The only scoreless drives came when Caleb Sturgis missed a 52-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter and when Florida ran out the clock in the final seconds.

Coach Saban pleased with Tide's play

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:29 EST

Three penalties. Three turnovers forced, none committed. And a commanding 444-213 edge in total yards.

No. 2 Alabama's all-around performance in a 31-3 victory over Mississippi State last week was solid enough to prompt a question for coach Nick Saban: Was this the Crimson Tide's best game of the season?

Saban didn't give a yes or no answer but said he was "really pleased" with Alabama's play against a fired-up Bulldog team.

"Knowing you've got to go out there and sort of get into a street fight right off the bat with all the emotion (the Bulldogs) had in the game. To be able to persevere and just keep playing through it, I think that was the most important thing," Saban said.

Quarterback Greg McElroy could find something else to like. The Tide had no offensive penalties.

SEC notes: Tebow isn't Heisman-worthy

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

Tim Tebow will get an invite to New York. But Tebow doesn't deserve your first-place vote this year.

Like the rest of Florida's offense, he's competing against himself. But it's not just that; Tebow is nowhere near his Heisman standard in 2007.

This year, he'll probably finish around 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Total. Not passing.

Tebow threw for 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns in '07, adding another 895 yards and 23 TDs on the ground.

More than numbers, he doesn't look the same. Really hasn't since that concussion.

SEC-ACC football rankings

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

1. Florida (5) 120 1

Come on, Gators. Florida International? Really? You can schedule someone better than that.

2. Alabama 115 2

Greg McElroy isn't spectacular, but he has thrown four interceptions in 10 games.

3. Georgia Tech 110 3

A first: Wofford beats Georgia

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:24 EST

ATHENS, Ga. | For the briefest of moments, Wofford coach Mike Young and his players might have thought they were experiencing the worst flashback imaginable.

But after losing to Georgia in all seven of its previous meetings - including an overtime loss last season - Wofford managed to hold on in the final seconds to take a 60-57 victory over the Bulldogs on Tuesday.

Leading 58-56 with just 6.1 seconds remaining, the Terriers (1-1) could only stand and watch as Georgia's Dustin Ware had two chances to tie the game at the foul line. But Ware missed the back end of a 1-and-1 and Wofford's Cameron Rundles made both ends of a subsequent 1-and-1 on the other end with 3 seconds remaining, putting the Terriers up by 3 points.

Georgia (1-1) managed to get one final shot, a 3-point attempt with 1 second left by Trey Thompkins near the Bulldogs' bench, but it didn't fall, allowing Wofford to escape.

In last year's contest, former Georgia guard Zac Swansey made two 3-pointers in the final 15 seconds, including one at the buzzer, to put the game in overtime, a memory Young didn't want to see played out again.

Mississippi defeats Alabama State 90-53

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:32 EST

Terrico White scored 19 points as Mississippi placed four players in double figures to defeat Alabama State 90-53 on Monday night.

Eniel Polynice added 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Rebels (2-0). Chris Warren and Zac Graham scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Ole Miss shot 34-for-69 from the field (49.3 percent) in the game.

Menji Mundadi had 13 points for Alabama State (0-1), who kept the deficit within single digits until the final 6 minutes of the first half.

The Rebels led 43-24 at halftime on the strength of a 10-0 run, highlighted by a three-point play from DeAundre Cranston. Alabama State was limited to eight first half baskets and missed all seven 3-point attempts.

Taylor leads Vanderbilt over Lipscomb 95-73

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:47 EST

Jeffery Taylor scored 20 points to lead Vanderbilt to a 95-73 victory over Lipscomb on Monday night.

The Commodores (1-0) rolled to a 38-21 lead with 5:24 remaining in the first half. The Bisons (1-1) responded with a 15-5 run that was capped by a 3-pointer from Brandon Brown at the buzzer to trail just 43-36 at halftime.

Vanderbilt's hot shooting was too much, though, for the Bisons. The Commodores shot 64.3 percent from the field (18-for-28) in the second half and 58.9 percent (33-for-56) for the game.

Jermaine Beal scored 17 points, A.J. Ogilvy added 13 and Brad Tinsley had 10 for Vanderbilt. Ogilvy, the Commodores' top scorer last year, came off the bench after suffering a concussion during practice last month. He had a game-high nine rebounds and three blocks.

Josh Slater led the Bisons with 20 points while Adnan Hodzic chipped in 18 and Brown had 12.

LSU knocks off Indiana State 56-45

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:32 EST

Storm Warren had his second double-double in as many games as LSU defeated Indiana State 56-45 on Monday night.

Warren had 14 points and 12 rebounds as the Tigers (2-0) advanced to a second round of the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Tipoff against Western Kentucky, which beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee 69-65. Warren had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the season opener against Louisiana-Monroe on Friday.

Bo Spencer and Dennis Harris each had 10 points for LSU. Tasmin Mitchell, who scored eight points, grabbed 14 rebounds - one off his career high.

Dwayne Lathan led the Sycamores (1-1) with 12 points.

Indiana State, which trailed by five points at half, stayed within striking distance of the Tigers during the first few minutes after halftime.

Wall leads No. 4 Kentucky past Miami, Ohio 72-70

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:17 EST

Kentucky coach John Calipari looked up at the clock after Miami of Ohio tied the fourth-ranked Wildcats with six seconds left and wondered if he should call timeout.

John Wall didn't give him a chance.

The heralded Kentucky freshman quickly grabbed the inbounds pass, raced by his coach in a blur and pulled up from 15 feet.

Before Calipari could collect his thoughts, Wall's jumper was through the net to give the Wildcats a 72-70 win Monday night and Kentucky's newest superstar was running down the floor pounding his chest in joy.

"John Wall catching it and going, I loved it," Calipari said.

Mallett sets record; Hogs beat Troy 56-20

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:01 EST

Ryan Mallett broke Arkansas' single-season passing record, and the Razorbacks beat Troy 56-20 Saturday night.

Mallett threw for 405 yards, bringing his season total to 2,882. He surpassed Clint Stoerner's mark of 2,629 in the second quarter.

Arkansas (6-4) has won three straight games for the first time under coach Bobby Petrino, who took over before last season. Mallett threw five touchdown passes, all to different receivers.

Troy (7-3) had its seven-game winning streak snapped.

The crowd spent several minutes booing at the beginning of the third quarter after back-to-back replay decisions went against the Hogs, but the Razorbacks held Troy to a field goal. Mallett then smoothly led Arkansas down the field, and his 28-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Williams made it 35-13.

King rallies Georgia past Auburn 31-24

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:46 EST

Caleb King ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, Bacarri Rambo made a jarring tackle that likely saved the tying score and Georgia assured itself of bowl eligibility, beating Auburn 31-24 Saturday night for its fourth straight win in the Deep South's oldest rivalry.

The Bulldogs (6-4, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) looked like they were headed for a blowout loss when Auburn (7-4, 3-4) scored on its first two possessions for a 14-0 lead. But Georgia rallied, taking the lead for good on King's second TD run from 24 yards out with 6:52 remaining.

Auburn was driving to force overtime when Chris Todd lofted a pass over the middle for Mario Fannin, who was hauling it in at the goal line until Rambo flew out of nowhere to knock the ball away.

The redshirt freshman safety was briefly knocked out and had to be carried off the field on a cart. But he was able to talk to his teammates and move his arms and legs, have apparently suffered nothing more serious than a concussion.

After a 10-minute delay while Rambo was carefully strapped to a board and lifted onto the cart, Todd was sacked by Cornelius Washington and a penalty left Auburn with a fourth-and-18 from the 30. Todd went for Fannin in the end zone, but the pass was knocked away.

Florida motto: Just win, baby

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:03 EST

Survive and advance.

That is the slogan for the defending national champion Florida Gators.

Style points don't matter, just winning so they can go into the SEC championship game against Alabama with a chance to play for their third title in four years.

That is how Florida's players summed up their outlook after South Carolina bowed to the top-ranked Gators 24-14 Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.

"That is the great thing about winning, the 'W' doesn't get bigger by how many points you score or how big the win was, and that is huge for us," Florida quarterback Tim Tebow said. "We have a team full of character and we fight to the end. It's not always pretty but we fight to the end."

Sports Talk: Pumping gas not looking so bad now

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:03 EST

You may have heard about the Tennessee football players arrested this week on charges of attempted armed robbery in a gas station parking lot.

Sure, it sounds bad, but it could have been worse. In four years, these guys could have been stuck pumping gas if they had attended USC. Now, after a few months at Tennessee, their futures look far more, uh, secure. You might even say they're going to have maximum security. And a free place to live!

And free from me to you are the rest of this week's sports headlines.

C.J. Spiller states Heisman Trophy case against Florida State. I remember those long-ago days when Florida State players stated their Heisman cases against Clemson.

Jimmie Johnson wrecks much of Chase lead at Texas Motor Speedway. He's just trying to make it close.

SEC preview: Calipari express, baggage extra

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:58 EST

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Coach John Calipari has held college basketball's highest-profile job for a few months, and he has yet to coach the first regular-season game. But he has attracted nearly a million followers on Twitter, more than 64,000 friends on Facebook, and legions more who expect Kentucky to win its eighth national championship this season.

Few seem the least bit concerned that Calipari coached two other men's programs to the Final Four (Massachusetts in 1996 and Memphis in 2008), and their results were later removed from the record book because of rules violations.

The marriage of Kentucky and Calipari is the dominant story line of the season. Nowhere else has all that is adored about college sports (fan loyalty, tradition and pageantry) intersected with so much that is criticized (high-salaried coaches, rule-bending and pressure to win now).

Calipari's arrival has not tempered enthusiasm or squelched expectations across Kentucky, from Paducah to Pikeville. Quite the contrary.

"We've got seven," the university's president, Lee T. Todd Jr., said. "We want more. And we want them to stick. And he wants them to stick, probably more than anyone else."

No. 3 Alabama uses big plays to beat Miss St 31-3

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:46 EST

Greg McElroy got tired of hearing all the critics. So he did something about it.

The quarterback hit three passes of more than 40 yards, including two for touchdowns, to lead No. 3 Alabama to a 31-3 win over Mississippi State on Saturday night.

McElroy has learned that being the Crimson Tide quarterback comes with close scrutiny, but for a night at least he won't hear any complaints.

"Three yards and a cloud of dust is pretty much the staple of our offense," said McElroy, who was 13 for 18 for 192 yards and no interceptions. "But we have the ability to break it for a big play."

That's an ability Tide fans haven't seen as much as they would like this season - until Saturday night.

Wittman's 23 lifts Cornell past Alabama, 71-67

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:31 EST

Ryan Wittman scored 23 points and made 5-of-8 3-pointers to help Cornell beat Alabama 71-67 on Saturday, spoiling Anthony Grant's Crimson Tide coaching debut.

Cornell (1-0) opened the second half with nine straight points, building a 35-20 lead on back-to-back 3-pointers by Chris Wroblewski and Wittman.

Grant turned up his full-court press to help the Tide whittle the margin down to 53-52 on Torrance's two free throws with 6:16 left.

But two-time defending Ivy League Conference champion Cornell, which returns all five starters, answered with a 3-pointer by Birmingham native Louis Dale and never gave up the lead. It was the Big Red's first win over a Southeastern Conference team since beating Arkansas in the 1972-73 season.

The Big Red's 7-foot center Jeff Foote finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Dale had 13 points.

McCluster, Mississippi run over Tennessee

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:23 EST

OXFORD, Miss. | Dexter McCluster rushed for 282 yards and finished with 324 all-purpose yards, setting records at both Mississippi and Tennessee as his Rebels ran over the Volunteers 42-17 on Saturday.

His rushing yards broke the Rebels record of 242 by Dou Innocent in 1995. He eclipsed the all-purpose mark of 317 yards by Deuce McAllister in 1999.

McCluster scored on runs of 15, 23, 32 and 71 yards in Ole Miss' first win against the Volunteers since 1983.

It's the most rushing yards given up by the Volunteers. Tennessee had yielded 217 yards to Colorado's Mike Pritchard in 1990 and Alabama's Bobby Humphrey in 1986.

Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) — off to its best start since 2003 — clinched bowl eligibility for the second straight year with the victory. It was the Rebels first win against Tennessee in 13 games.