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Gameday preview: USC vs. Vanderbilt
Posted on 09.04.08
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Keys to victory
Keep Smelley clean
In last year’s 17-6 loss to Vanderbilt, the Gamecocks gave up seven sacks against the Commodores’ zone blitz scheme. Vandy coach Bobby Johnson estimated the ’Dores rushed five defenders 70 percent of the time, and USC never could solve the blitz. USC allowed Tommy Beecher to get sacked five times vs. N.C. State last week, but did a better job protecting Chris Smelley in the fourth quarter.
Leave on time
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier has threatened to bench any offensive player who jumps offsides after watching his linemen get whistled for four false-start penalties against the Wolfpack. USC was flagged for five false starts last year against Vandy, part of a lackadaisical offensive effort that Spurrier called one of his worst. With a less than capacity crowd expected at Vanderbilt Stadium, the Gamecocks have no excuse for missing the snap count.
Don’t get outflanked
USC’s defensive ends did a good job last week of keeping N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson contained. But the Gamecocks face a more dangerous running threat in Vandy quarterback Chris Nickson, who rushed 20 times for a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-13 victory against Miami (Ohio). Jordin Lindsey and Cliff Matthews must maintain their outside leverage against Vandy’s option package.
Five Questions with Ryan Succop
Q: Did you notice a difference last week when you just concentrated on kicking?
A: Absolutely I noticed a difference. I felt a little fresher the first game than I have in the past. I felt a little stronger. I just had a little more power on my kicks.
Q: Now (backup punter) Ryan Doerr has left the program. Are you going to end up doing all of them again?
A: Right now Spencer (Lanning) is our punter. He’s going to do really well. Spencer’s a great punter. I’ll be the backup. I’ll hit a few punts in practice during the week. But it’s not going to be something where I have to go out and hit 15 punts a day.
Q: With the fresher leg, how deep can you go on kickoffs?
A: Just depends. The other night it was really calm, there was no wind at all. Watching on film, we were hitting 5, 6, 7 yards deep just about every time. It’s kind of funny: A couple years ago when we were kicking off from the 35, they’d all be in the bunches now.
Q: What do you have for distance on a field goal?
A: It all depends on conditions. I definitely feel comfortable going out there anywhere inside the 60. Getting it there shouldn’t be a problem. As long as I hit it well, I feel pretty comfortable anywhere around 60 yards.
Q: When you watched the Alabama kicker hit a long one, do you ever get envious for a dome game?
A: Yeah, you play in those domes it is a little easier to kick. You hear about climate control all the time. If I hit it well, it’s tough to say — 63, 64 if you hit it well.
Key matchup
USC WR Kenny McKinley vs. Vanderbilt CB D.J. Moore
About McKinley: The All-SEC senior is closing in on all of the Gamecocks’ major receiving records. A catch tonight would give McKinley at least one reception in 35 consecutive games, breaking the mark he shares with Sterling Sharpe and Jermale Kelly.
How he’ll win the matchup: McKinley has a knack for finding open space in zone coverage, which the Commodores will employ with a mix of man-to-man. Moore, who has good upper-body strength, could try to jam McKinley at the line of scrimmage. But such a strategy could be risky against McKinley, who had four catches for 79 yards last season vs. Vandy.
Key number: 10 — McKinley needs 10 catches to tie Sharpe’s record of 169 career receptions. McKinley’s single-game high is 14.
About Moore: The Spartanburg native had two interceptions last year against USC, then angered the Gamecocks by calling their receiving corps “average.” The All-SEC junior is coming off a big game against Miami (Ohio). In a span of six minutes, Moore intercepted a pass, made a sack that took the RedHawks out of field goal range, and returned the ensuing punt 91 yards to the Miami 1-yard line.
How he’ll win the matchup: Moore, one of the SEC’s best ball hawks, shared the conference lead with six interceptions in 2007. Though strong enough to play bump-and-run, Moore likely will give McKinley a little cushion to bait USC’s quarterbacks into throwing passes he can break on.
Key number: 25.7 — Moore’s kickoff return average last year when he ranked among the nation’s leaders in the category.
Injury report
USC — TE Nick Prochak (knee) is out; QB Tommy Beecher (shoulder), DT Marque Hall (knee) and DE Clifton Geathers (thigh) are probable.
Vandy — WR John Cole (knee), WR George Smith (foot) and WR Alex Washington (knee) are out; RB Jeff Jennings (shoulder) is doubtful.
Video preview
— Joseph Person
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