USC-Georgia: Clogging up the middle

KELCY QUARLES

Position: Defensive tackle

Hgt./Wgt.: 6-4, 286

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Hodges

Key stats: 19 tackles, 5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 QB hurry

Comments: Quarles, whose father Buddy also played for the Gamecocks, has helped the USC defense rank second in the SEC and seventh in the nation in stopping the run. Opponents are gaining 77.60 yards per game rushing against USC, an average of 2.24 per running play.

JOHN JENKINS

Position: Nose tackle

Hgt./Wgt.: 6-3, 351

Class: Senior

Hometown: Meriden, Conn.

Key stats: 15 tackles, 1 TFL, 5 QB hurries

Comments: Projected as a possible first-round NFL draft pick because of his size, Jenkins was a preseason All-SEC selection and made some preseason All-America teams. He had a fumble recovery against Tennessee last week and had five tackles against Missouri.

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GAMECOCKS VS. BULLDOGS

WHO: No. 6 USC (5-0, 3-0 SEC) vs. No. 5 Georgia (5-0, 3-0)

WHEN: Saturday 7 p.m.

TV: ESPN

RADIO: WNKT-FM, 107.5

SATELLITE RADIO: Sirius 91/XM 91

LINE: USC by 1

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SPURRIER VS. GEORGIA

Coach Steve Spurrier’s teams have scored 30 or more points in 11 of 19 games against the Bulldogs. His record vs. Georgia:

Overall: 14-5

At Florida: 11-1

At USC: 3-4

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SPURRIER VS. RICHT

Spurrier was 5-8-1 vs. FSU, where Mark Richt was an assistant from 1987-00. Since Richt has been coach at Georgia, here’s how they stand:

Overall: 4-4

At Florida: 1-0

At USC: 3-4

This story was originally published October 4, 2012 at 10:34 PM with the headline "USC-Georgia: Clogging up the middle."