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After life's interceptions, forward progress is vital
Jordin Lindsey snags a University of Arkansas pass for an interception in the second half at Williams Brice Stadium on Saturday, November 8, 2008.
Erik Campos/ecampos@thestate.com /Erk Campos
Posted on 11.09.08
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TALK ABOUT YOUR flashbacks.
There Jordin Lindsey was, late in the third quarter of South Carolina’s 34-21 win Saturday, fending off a block by Arkansas’ tight end, stretching to his full 6-foot-3, 261-pound length to pluck Razorbacks quarterback Casey Dick’s pass from the air, and then rumbling, stumbling and not quite bumbling to the Hogs’ 15-yard line.
With that 40-yard return, which included a Heismanesque stiff-arm of a would-be Arkansas tackler — “You like that? I tried to get as far as I could before I collapsed,” Lindsey said, grinning — the Gamecocks’ senior defensive end not only single-handedly reversed the game’s momentum, he simultaneously created a homecoming memory most senior players can only dream about.
Unless, of course, they’ve been there, done that. Lindsey has.
Saturday’s interception to set up USC’s third touchdown and stifle Arkansas’ comeback hopes was a near-clone of his theft against Houston in the 2006 Liberty Bowl, one of two turnovers that day (he also recovered a fumble) that earned him defensive MVP honors.
“It was pretty much the same play — that (Liberty Bowl play) was on a screen — but I’m glad I had the opportunity to do it in this game,” Lindsey said. “We needed something to change the pace of the game.”
Arkansas had just scored on a 15-play, 62-yard drive to trim USC’s lead to 20-14. Then, after forcing a punt, the Hogs completed a 30-yard pass to the Gamecocks’ 42. The visitors were rolling — and then, thanks to Lindsey, they were reeling.
“Jordin Lindsey made the play that turned it all around,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “Not many guys can jump up and intercept that pass; they usually knock it down, but that thing stuck. ... Obviously, Jordie got a game ball.”
Naturally. Lindsey epitomized a USC defense that had three interceptions and six sacks, allowed Arkansas 1.7 yards per rush attempt (54 total) and forced three-and-outs on four of the Razorbacks’ first five possessions. His was the highlight in a rock-solid performance.
Which brings us to Flashback No. 2.
A year ago in Fayetteville, Ark., Lindsey was the non-participating poster child for the defense’s no-show in a 48-36 embarrassment. Suspended for the season for academic failings, he could only watch as USC gave up a record 651 yards, including a humiliating 542 rushing, also a record.
That sort of flashback prompts nightmares.
“That was awful,” Lindsey said. “I was almost as sick as our team. You kiddin’ me? They had to keep me off the field.”
No, they didn’t. He had done that all by himself.
In their careers, he and twin brother Dustin have made most of their headlines for the wrong reasons. There was a street fight last December when Jordin was stabbed in the neck with a beer bottle; in another Five Points brawl involving Dustin, he was nearby.
Jordin was never arrested, but had enough close calls that Spurrier felt heat to cast the brothers adrift. Lucky to make Saturday’s big play? Lindsey was lucky to be around.
“He’s walked a tightrope occasionally,” athletics director Eric Hyman said diplomatically. “But life for young people is full of experiences. If he learns from it, it’s all worthwhile.”
Has Lindsey? “Time will tell,” Hyman said, sounding hopeful.
Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson knew what he was getting in Lindsey, having recruited him while at Mississippi State. “I knew there was a lot of off-field, downtown stuff here,” Johnson said.
“But the only thing I’ve seen (this year) from Dusty and Jordie is a love to play. They practice hard, work hard. I wish they were more motivated about their academics, but they do enough to get by. They’re just good, tough kids — throwbacks to when football was played with real pads.”
Throwbacks, flashbacks, take your choice.
“It’s been a long, bumpy road,” Lindsey said. “But I couldn’t ask for a better situation (now). I just want to finish (my career) solid and not give up.”
That’s four years and 10 games down, three (including a bowl game) to go, with everyone at USC holding their breath.
Time will tell, indeed.
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