Giving a game away
11/2/2009 12:34 AM
By TRAVIS HANEY
The (Charleston) Post and Courier
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- In its previous two losses, South Carolina hadn't been down by more than seven points entering the fourth quarter. But Tennessee was up two scores Saturday on its way to a 31-13 victory, and it had the Gamecocks to thank.
Four turnovers - including three first-half fumbles, two of them on the first two series - all led to points for the Volunteers. South Carolina actually outgained Tennessee 365-341.
"It's easier to swallow when a team's just better than you," USC senior receiver Moe Brown said. "It's real difficult when you've got turnovers and you beat yourself. Not saying Tennessee's not a good team, but we gave them 21 points."
That's how many points UT cashed in off those first-half fumbles - one by freshman tight end Justice Cunningham, one by redshirt freshman running back Kenny Miles and one by redshirt sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia.
Garcia added a fourth-quarter interception that ended any hopes of a comeback.
South Carolina (6-3, 3-3 SEC) had nine turnovers in the first eight games but gave the ball up four times Saturday.
"We'd been pretty good at taking care of the ball," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said. "We didn't do it last night. Certainly, it hurt us."
Tennessee (4-4, 2-3) didn't have a turnover. It's the second consecutive game in which USC didn't get a takeaway.
The dud of a night has sent fans into panic mode. They're bracing for another fall fall. With a trip to Arkansas next, followed by Florida and Clemson at home, it's not going to be easy to win another game.
Both Brown and Garcia talked after the game about stepping forward this week as leaders. They said they want to see the Gamecocks practicing at a higher pace.
"Your practice translates to the field. Tonight it showed," Brown said Saturday. "That's something we've got to address. It's not going to be happening no more, either."
Spurrier said last week's practices weren't all that off.
"Well, our practice level has never been at the level where I wish it was," he said. "We don't quite have the scout team guys to help us. But when we go (first-team offense against first-team defense), it's OK."
Overall, Spurrier said the team feels "fortunate" to be 6-3 and that a lot of other teams wish they were already bowl eligible. Two of the teams USC lost to, SEC East rivals Georgia and Tennessee, have four wins each.
"We realize we could be a lot worse than we are right now," Spurrier said. "Probably could be a little bit better, but we won four close games."
11/2/2009 12:34 AM
By TRAVIS HANEY
The (Charleston) Post and Courier
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- In its previous two losses, South Carolina hadn't been down by more than seven points entering the fourth quarter. But Tennessee was up two scores Saturday on its way to a 31-13 victory, and it had the Gamecocks to thank.
Four turnovers - including three first-half fumbles, two of them on the first two series - all led to points for the Volunteers. South Carolina actually outgained Tennessee 365-341.
"It's easier to swallow when a team's just better than you," USC senior receiver Moe Brown said. "It's real difficult when you've got turnovers and you beat yourself. Not saying Tennessee's not a good team, but we gave them 21 points."
That's how many points UT cashed in off those first-half fumbles - one by freshman tight end Justice Cunningham, one by redshirt freshman running back Kenny Miles and one by redshirt sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia.
Garcia added a fourth-quarter interception that ended any hopes of a comeback.
South Carolina (6-3, 3-3 SEC) had nine turnovers in the first eight games but gave the ball up four times Saturday.
"We'd been pretty good at taking care of the ball," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said. "We didn't do it last night. Certainly, it hurt us."
Tennessee (4-4, 2-3) didn't have a turnover. It's the second consecutive game in which USC didn't get a takeaway.
The dud of a night has sent fans into panic mode. They're bracing for another fall fall. With a trip to Arkansas next, followed by Florida and Clemson at home, it's not going to be easy to win another game.
Both Brown and Garcia talked after the game about stepping forward this week as leaders. They said they want to see the Gamecocks practicing at a higher pace.
"Your practice translates to the field. Tonight it showed," Brown said Saturday. "That's something we've got to address. It's not going to be happening no more, either."
Spurrier said last week's practices weren't all that off.
"Well, our practice level has never been at the level where I wish it was," he said. "We don't quite have the scout team guys to help us. But when we go (first-team offense against first-team defense), it's OK."
Overall, Spurrier said the team feels "fortunate" to be 6-3 and that a lot of other teams wish they were already bowl eligible. Two of the teams USC lost to, SEC East rivals Georgia and Tennessee, have four wins each.
"We realize we could be a lot worse than we are right now," Spurrier said. "Probably could be a little bit better, but we won four close games."
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