GoGamecocks.com
USC vows to shake loss
Players say they will leave Vandy behind, not let last year’s slide happen again
South Carolina running back Mike Davis looks for room to run in the first quarter during the Gamecocks game against Vanderbilt at Vanderbilt Stadium.
Gerry Melendez/gmelendez@thestate.com
Written by JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com
Posted on 09.06.08
CommentsRelated Content
South Carolina has fallen, but this year it plans to get up.
A loss to Vanderbilt last year sent the Gamecocks on a season-ending tailspin that cost them a chance at an SEC East crown, a winning record and a bowl berth.
While acknowledging Thursday’s 24-17 defeat in Nashville might sting for a while, USC players vowed not to let one tough loss turn into a season full of them.
“We’re obviously down about this game. We’ve got to get ready for Georgia. Got to put this one behind us,” linebacker Eric Norwood said. “It’s a loss. We’re going to leave it on this field. We’re not going to take it to Williams-Brice.”
USC (1-1, 0-1 SEC) has eight days to shake off any Vandy malaise and prepare for No. 2 Georgia, which faces Central Michigan today in Athens.
Besides addressing their emotional state, the Gamecocks have a few on-field matters to attend to, including:
• Finding a few big-play threats on an offense that has produced just two plays of longer than 24 yards in two games: Moe Brown’s 34-yard reception and Mike Davis’ 50-yard run, both against N.C. State.
• Figuring out why a defense that did not give up a touchdown its first six quarters was run over in the second half by a Vanderbilt rushing attack that was missing its top tailback.
• Avoiding the costly penalties that kept a Vanderbilt touchdown drive alive while eliminating the sacks that ended a potential game-tying drive for USC.
USC led 10-3 at halftime and had held the Commodores to 50 yards on 26 plays. But with tailback Jared Hawkins barreling through would-be tacklers, Vandy scored 21 points and had 175 yards on 28 plays in the second half.
Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson did not think the Gamecocks were tired. But when USC needed a stop to get the ball back, the defense failed to deliver; Hawkins carried five consecutive times for 24 yards, picking up two first downs to drain the clock.
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier, who was giddy about the way USC bullied a worn-down N.C. State defense in the fourth quarter last week, was less enthusiastic after the Commodores pushed his team around late.
“They just beat us. I don’t know how else to say it,” Spurrier said. “They played better than we did. They beat us in the second half, so so much for conditioning in the second half.”
Vandy capitalized on several second-half mistakes by USC, scoring a touchdown a play after recovering a muffed punt that bounced off the foot of Addison Williams, who was blocking for returner Captain Munnerlyn and had his back to the ball.
The normally reliable Ryan Succop missed a pair of field goals, getting a 42-yard attempt blocked and pulling a 48-yarder left.
Special teams coach Ray Rychleski called the fumbled punt a fluke and was more upset about the blocked field goal than the miss. Rychleski said Succop told Spurrier he kicked the ball low so it would knife through a head wind.
But Rychleski pointed out Succop was kicking the same direction when he hit a 41-yard field goal with room to spare at the end of the first half.
“He’s got the strongest leg in the country. He kicked one before the half on a mayday situation and got good height on it,” Rychleski said. “He doesn’t need to think. He needs to kick. I need to think.”
But the Gamecocks had other chances.
Vandy’s final touchdown drive was prolonged by a pair of third-down penalties on Munnerlyn, who was whistled for holding and pass interference in a four-play span.
On their final offensive series, the Gamecocks drove to the Vandy 34-yard line before stalling when the blitzing Commodores sacked Chris Smelley on consecutive plays.
“We were real close to getting the play off and finding the open guy, but it didn’t quite happen,” said Smelley, who had a career-high 23 completions for 233 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted twice.
So the Gamecocks headed back to Columbia, where they have a week for All-SEC receiver Kenny McKinley’s hamstring to heal.
They hope the wounds of another loss to Vanderbilt will have had time to scab over, as well.
“Any loss you have, you’ve just got to put it behind you as fast as you can and look forward to the next game,” Smelley said. “We’ve got Georgia, so we can’t have our minds on this loss. We have to get everything focused on them.”
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
Most Viewed Stories
- Spurrier hires new assistant
- Late losses dampen USC bowl spirit
- Outback still likes USC; Beecher demoted
- RB Giles getting closer to decision
- Gamecocks pass Ivy League hoops test
- Spurrier questions Kiffin's call
- South Carolina rolls by Princeton 84-58
- Coaching news may ignite recruiting
- Two Carolina coaches hit the road
- Women's pregame: USC vs. Wake Forest
@Nyx.CommentBody@