Notes: Key receiver McKinley returns to role

OXFORD, Miss. — So much for that medical redshirt.

A week after USC coach Steve Spurrier suggested he might seek a redshirt for Kenny McKinley if the All-SEC receiver’s hamstring did not heal, McKinley returned after a month on the sideline and caught four passes for 58 yards Saturday in the Gamecocks’ 31-24 win at Mississippi.

Doctors thought McKinley, who had been out since injuring his right hamstring at Vanderbilt on Sept. 4, would participate in about seven to 10 plays against the Rebels. The senior from Mableton, Ga., wound up playing the entire game.

“I got out there, kept loosening up. The intensity just picked up on me and I was able to finish the game,” McKinley said. “I’ve got to get back in game shape. I was out there tired. I’m going to do a little extra running this week.”

Despite missing three games, McKinley said he never considered a redshirt.

“I knew I was going to be back,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of big games this year and I knew I’d be back to finish the season out.”

After being held without a catch in the first half, McKinley had an 11-yard reception on the first play of the second half to extend his school-record streak of consecutive games with at least one catch to 36.

McKinley needs four receptions and 241 receiving yards to surpass Sterling Sharpe as USC’s career leader in both categories.

Spurrier hopes to have McKinley in the lineup the rest of the year.

“We didn’t know if he would be able to hold up or not. The doctors thought he might play seven or eight plays,” Spurrier said. “Fortunately, he ran a couple, little post routes and we didn’t send him deep. He should be fine now.”

Akeem the dream. After backup free safety Akeem Auguste had two pass breakups, including a vicious hit on Lionel Breux, fans can expect to see more of the freshman from Hollywood, Fla.

“I think he’s a ballplayer. He got the big hit on the sideline over there and knocked down some other balls,” Spurrier said. “Look for No. 3 to be playing more. Sometimes it takes a few games to find out who can really play.”

Strong safety and fellow Floridian Emanuel Cook, who led USC with a career-high 14 tackles, said Auguste plays with an attitude.

“He’s got swagger. He’s from Florida also. He’s from that down South way,” Cook said. “He’s got a mentality like he can get in there, hit somebody and get the ball out by any means necessary.”

Grading the ball plays. Spurrier said he was happy with the play calling by his son, receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr., with one exception — Mike Davis’ run that went for no gain on fourth-and-1 late in the fourth quarter.

“Steve called about the whole game. I only called a few here and there,” the elder Spurrier said. “Next time I’m going to veto that goal line formation, though.”

Good sports. When Ole Miss and USC coaches wished each other well after the game, Spurrier said it was from the heart. Besides former Gamecocks defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, Spurrier said he is familiar with many of Houston Nutt’s assistants.

“That’s the way sports should be every week. It’s not quite like that every week,” Spurrier said. “We don’t play those guys every year, so there are some friendly teams. You want to beat them, they want to beat you. And when it’s over, you wish ‘em good luck the rest of the way.”

Picking on Williams. Sophomore cornerback Addison Williams made his second career start in place of Captain Munnerlyn, who was benched for missing a weightlifting session and a recent special teams meeting.

Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead threw at Williams the first two plays for completions of 21 and 11 yards. Munnerlyn entered on the final play of the Rebels’ opening drive and played most of the game, although Williams also started the second half.

Extra points. Jared Cook’s 63-yard reception in the first quarter was the Gamecocks’ longest play since Bobby Wallace’s 88-yard touchdown run against Middle Tennessee on Nov. 18, 2006....

Ryan Succop’s streak of successful field goals was snapped at eight when he pushed a 38-yard try right in the second quarter. It was Succop’s second miss in 24 career field goals inside 40 yards. ...

USC wore its white jerseys with white pants for the second time under Spurrier. The only other time the Gamecocks were in all white was a 48-7 loss to Auburn in 2005.

Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.