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Gameday preview: USC vs. Iowa
Steve Spurrier takes questions for the media Wednesday ahead of meeting Iowa in the Outback Bowl.
Erik Campos/ecampos@thestate.com
Written by JOSEPH PERSON
Posted on 01.01.09
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survey:
Outback Bowl
WHO: Iowa (8-4) vs. USC (7-5)
WHEN: 11 a.m., Jan. 1
WHERE: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
TV: ESPN (channel 26 in Columbia, HD channel 950)
RADIO: WNKT-FM 107.5, WISW-AM 1320
LINE: Iowa by 3.5
TV, radio notes
Sean McDonough will do the play-by-play, Chris Spielman will offer analysis and Rob Stone will be on the sidelines. The game can be heard on WNKT-FM 107.5 and WISW-AM 1320 with Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs in the booth and former USC and NFL star Duce Staley on the field.
Keys to the game, injury report, five questions with Stoney Woodson, and more.
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Three keys
Don't force throws | USC quarterbacks tossed seven interceptions in back-to-back losses at Florida and Clemson, including six by Chris Smelley. The Gamecocks have thrown 24 picks this season, more than any team in the county except SMU. Iowa is not a big blitzing team, but the Hawkeyes will try to pressure Stephen Garcia, who must scramble and throw the ball away rather than fire it into tight coverage.
Get to Greene before he gets going | Shonn Greene, winner of the Doak Walker Award given to the country's top running back, is an explosive, powerful player who runs over defenders in the open field. USC defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said the key is getting penetration and forcing Greene to slow or change direction. To do so, look for Johnson to employ interior blitzes from the linebackers in the Gamecocks' 4-3 scheme.
Play loose | After ending the regular season on a down note, USC tried to inject positive energy into its bowl practices. The workouts in Florida were particularly spirited. The Gamecocks need to take that attitude into the game. Steve Spurrier should break out the trick plays he seldom used during the season, and players must stay relaxed and not worry about making mistakes, which some admitted was the case vs. Clemson.
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Key matchup: C Garrett Anderson vs. DT Mitch King
About Anderson: The junior from Irmo started all 12 games in his first season at center. The Dutch Fork graduate has 20 career starts. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Anderson is the first left-handed center that King will face this season.
How he'll win the matchup: With King lined up to Anderson's right, the USC center will have his off hand free to engage King quickly. Anderson likely will get help with King in certain pass protections. But Anderson said the key is matching the intensity of a lineman who goes hard every play.
Key number: 26 - pounds by which Anderson outweighs King.
About King: The Big Ten's defensive lineman of the year has 55 career tackles for loss, second nationally behind South Florida's George Selvie among active Football Bowl Subdivision players. The 6-3, 284-pound senior leads the Hawkeyes with 15.5 tackles for loss, which is tied for 25th nationally.
How he'll win the matchup: King is a quick, agile lineman who uses his hands to shed blockers. The Hawkeyes like to use stunts with King and fellow defensive tackle Matt Kroul, sending them on twists to create confusion and get in opponents' backfields. King is the emotional leader of the Hawkeyes' defense, and he will be fired up about playing his final college game.
Key number: 44 - career starts for King, including the past 29 in a row.
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Five Questions with Stoney Woodson, Cornerback/No. 36/Tampa, Fla.
The fifth-year senior will get the start in his hometown for his final college game. Woodson leads the Gamecocks with four interceptions, including one against Tennessee that he returned 68 yards for a touchdown.
Q: Everyone talked all week about Stephen Garcia coming home, but you're a Tampa guy, too. How far away did you grow up from here (Jefferson High)?
A: About 10, 15 minutes away. It's a good feeling coming back to play at Raymond James. I played an all-star game here. So that's a good feeling, coming back to play your last game in college. And then all my family's going to be here, so it's a good feeling.
Q: Have you sort of been the unofficial tour guide this week?
A: I showed them around Tampa just a little bit. But everyone goes their own way, so a lot of people found their own way around.
Q: Did you have a chance to go home?
A: Before the team flew down here, I spent some time with my family. So that was good.
Q: What was your most interesting summer job in Tampa?
A: I worked at Adventure Island. I was a lifeguard around the (lazy river).
Q: Did you ever have to rescue anyone?
A: No, it's like three feet of water. It was pretty low-key. Just watching everybody.
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Injuries
USC — DB Akeem Auguste (hamstring) and WR Matt Clements (hamstring) are out. G Lemuel Jeanpierre (knee) is probable.
Iowa — None reported.
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Steve Spurrier comments
Hear Steve Spurrier's final comments Wednesday as the Gamecocks prepare to face Iowa in the Outback Bowl.
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