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Maddox, Baker, Hills see spike in playing time
USC running back Eric Baker (28) runs by Wofford linebacker James Mitchell No. 44 during the third quarter Saturday as South Carolina defeats Wofford 23-13 at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., Sept. 20, 2008.
Gerry Melendez/gmelendez@thestate.com /The State
Written by JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com
Posted on 09.21.08
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survey:
South Carolina went with a youth movement on offense Saturday, giving several underclassmen their first significant action in a 23-13 victory against Wofford.
Steve Spurrier said this past week he hoped to get several younger players involved, and the USC coach did not wait long to do so.
On the Gamecocks' second series, four first- or second-year players touched the ball: tailbacks Brian Maddox and Eric Baker, receiver Joe Hills and tight end Weslye Saunders.
Maddox, a sophomore from Anderson, picked up 9 yards on his first carry, the longest rush of his career.
Maddox, who was the state's leading rusher in 2006, added his first career touchdown on the next series, a 7-yard burst up the middle that gave the Gamecocks a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
"It was a great feeling getting in the end zone and picking up some yards tonight," said Maddox, who had a team-high 52 yards on 12 carries. "It built my confidence because I haven't really played much in any games."
Baker, a freshman from Jacksonville who led the state of Florida in rushing in 2006, finished with 49 yards on 11 carries. Baker was disappointed he was unable to score in the third quarter on three consecutive carries inside the Terriers' 4-yard line, but he was pleased with his overall performance.
"I was ready," Baker said. "When it was my time, I made a couple of plays."
Hills, a sophomore from Palmetto, Fla., pulled down the first catches of his career, a pair of first-half receptions covering 10 and 13 yards.
O-line maneuvers. There were two new starters on the Gamecocks' offensive line — one an expected move and the other a surprise. Junior-college transfer Jarriel King made his second career start at left tackle, bumping Jamon Meredith to left guard.
In an unexpected change, Terrence Campbell made his first career start at right guard in place of Heath Batchelor, who was benched for the start of the game for missing classes, according to Spurrier. Batchelor later took over for Campbell and played the entire second half.
Divided loyalties. Freddie Brown Jr. left college coaching so he could watch his son play college football. But the first-year Spartanburg High coach was in a tough spot Saturday — cheering for his son against the school where he played and coached.
"I like to see the alma mater do well, and I want to see Freddie do well," Brown said.
Brown, a running back at Wofford from 1987-90, was a member of Mike Ayers' staff for seven years before leaving in 2005 when receiver Freddie Brown III began his USC career. The elder Brown said his son was not interested in following him to Wofford.
"He had been around there his whole life," Brown said. "So he had really did it already and wanted to see something different and do something different and go to a bigger school."
Freddie Brown III hoped to play football and basketball at USC, and he spent about a month practicing with Dave Odom's squad during the 2005-06 season, his father said. But the former Byrnes star decided to concentrate on football and has carved out a niche as a possession receiver.
His father has enjoyed following the Gamecocks, including the 2006 game, when Wofford gave USC a scare before falling 27-20. Asked where he planned to sit Saturday, Brown laughed and said: "It's according to who's winning. I got the best of both worlds."
Other Wofford-USC connections. Terriers safety Greg Gasparato's late father, Nick Gasparato, was a USC assistant under Sparky Woods in 1992. Wofford safety Jason Leventis' father, Andrew Leventis, was a Gamecocks defensive lineman from 1972-72.
Extra points. Spurrier lost an instant-replay challenge in the first half, the first time Spurrier has asked for a review this season. After Chris Smelley fumbled on a sack by Mitch Clark, Spurrier wanted officials to check if Smelley's arm was moving forward when he lost the ball. The call was upheld. ... Reserve defensive back Chris Hail was flagged for a personal-foul penalty for the second consecutive game. Hail, who had a head-to-heat hit against Georgia, was penalized on a first-half kickoff vs. Wofford.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
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