Team Notes
Below are my grades for the "Keys to the Game" for Ole Miss…
Strong Special Teams
Spencer Lanning punted seven times, averaging nearly 43 yards per punt, and had a touchdown-saving tackle on a punt as well. Oddly enough, that was the only punt that the Rebels did not fair-catch and it went for 36 yards. The Gamecocks only allowed the Rebels an average of 20.25 yards per kick return, and freshman Quin Smith came up with a huge hit. Lanning also nailed three field goals and Eric Norwood partially blocked a punt.
Grade: B
Win the Turnover Battle
USC and Ole Miss both turned the ball over, on lost fumbles by each team's quarterback. The Gamecocks dropped some potential interceptions, and had the chance to hold a serious advantage in the category. However, they took care of the ball and did not allow the Rebels extra possessions because of turnovers, which was key.
Grade: B-
Discipline on Defense
The Rebels came into Columbia sporting a high-powered offense and left wondering what happened. Star QB Jevan Snead was harassed by the Gamecock pass rush all night, and the Gamecocks put themselves in position to make plays all night. The only exceptions were several late-game runs by Dexter McCluster and a secondary mix-up that led to Ole Miss' only touchdown of the night. Ellis Johnson, the defensive staff and players deserve a ton of credit. While Ole Miss might not have been deserving of their lofty ranking, they still are a very dangerous offensive team and one that USC contained.
Grade: B+
Tighten Up
The Gamecocks knew they would be facing a tough task if the Rebels were able to get inside of their 20 yard line. So they just held them out. In another highlight of a stellar defensive performance, USC did not allow the Rebels to advance beyond the Gamecock 22 yard line.
Grade: A
Take Some Shots
Carolina did not throw the deep ball an awful lot against Ole Miss; the longest reception of the night (69 yards) came on a connection to Moe Brown in which the majority of the yardage came after the catch. Stephen Garcia hit Tori Gurley on a nice 24-yard pitch and catch as well. Still the Gamecocks attempted 34 throws. While Garcia's completion percentage was not very high; he was able to take care of the ball.
Grade: C
Another quick team note here: Several of you have asked about Jarriel King moving to the defensive line in light of him not playing a portion of the game Thursday, Spurrier's comments about moving some, etc.
I have no idea whether or not that move is going to be happen, though I would still be a little bit surprised if it did. I can tell you it is one that the defensive staff would welcome. We will just have to see how it plays out; as you have to remember that King has been USC's starting left tackle to this point regardless of where things stand after that contest. We'll just have to see how things play out on this one.
Football Recruiting
In case you missed it, I had some recruiting notes on the high-profile prospects that were on campus for the Ole Miss game the following day. Click below to check them out:
Prospect Notes
South Carolina's win against Ole Miss was big in more ways than one; obviously it was a huge win for the team against a highly-ranked opponent, but it also paid dividends on the recruiting trail from all indications.
Byrnes' Marcus Lattimore was the most highly-rated prospect in attendance and I can tell you that he loved his experience in Columbia. As I said in the notes after the game, he thought a lot of the atmosphere and how the Gamecocks played. They only helped their position with him.
Likewise, teammate Nick Jones had a great time. Here's some quotes from Jones on his experience.
"It was great. I talked to coaches and the players after the game. They were just real excited."
On the atmosphere and if it was the loudest he had heard Williams-Brice: "Yeah, I couldn't even hear myself talk."
USC still has to be considered the team to beat for Jones, and like Lattimore, they did nothing to hurt their position with him.
I hear that Manning DB John Fulton has the flu and has been sick since Friday; we will be catching up with him as soon as possible.
Another high profile recruit, albeit a junior that watched the game was Rock Hill (SC) South Pointe's Jadeveon Clowney. He did not see the game in person but watched it on TV and liked the way USC's defense played a lot. I'll have a full article up on him soon, but USC is still in good position with him.
USC commitment Eric Mack did not take a visit to Clemson this weekend per a reliable source I talked to Sunday night. I've maintained all along that I would be very surprised if Mack ended up anywhere else but Columbia, and I've heard nothing to change my mind on that stance.
I spoke with a reliable source on Shelby (NC) Crest punter Patrick Fish and have confirmed that he is someone that USC is interested in and has talked about offering. I'm not completely sure as to whether or not an official written offer has been sent in his case, but he's one they are interested in for sure at the least.
Darlington (SC) CB Victor Hampton was cleared to play for Darlington and had a good game the other night; recording a punt return for a touchdown and rushing for another. I hear he also had several tackles and did a good job in coverage. He was actually in town for the Ole Miss game and said it was good. He visited Clemson for the TCU game and said that visit was OK as well. He is also going to visit Tennessee again and is interested in North Carolina. He is still someone that USC is interested in, but we'll just have to see how this one plays out.
Valdosta (GA) Lowndes OT Tramell Williams.
Below are my grades for the "Keys to the Game" for Ole Miss…
Strong Special Teams
Spencer Lanning punted seven times, averaging nearly 43 yards per punt, and had a touchdown-saving tackle on a punt as well. Oddly enough, that was the only punt that the Rebels did not fair-catch and it went for 36 yards. The Gamecocks only allowed the Rebels an average of 20.25 yards per kick return, and freshman Quin Smith came up with a huge hit. Lanning also nailed three field goals and Eric Norwood partially blocked a punt.
Grade: B
Win the Turnover Battle
USC and Ole Miss both turned the ball over, on lost fumbles by each team's quarterback. The Gamecocks dropped some potential interceptions, and had the chance to hold a serious advantage in the category. However, they took care of the ball and did not allow the Rebels extra possessions because of turnovers, which was key.
Grade: B-
Discipline on Defense
The Rebels came into Columbia sporting a high-powered offense and left wondering what happened. Star QB Jevan Snead was harassed by the Gamecock pass rush all night, and the Gamecocks put themselves in position to make plays all night. The only exceptions were several late-game runs by Dexter McCluster and a secondary mix-up that led to Ole Miss' only touchdown of the night. Ellis Johnson, the defensive staff and players deserve a ton of credit. While Ole Miss might not have been deserving of their lofty ranking, they still are a very dangerous offensive team and one that USC contained.
Grade: B+
Tighten Up
The Gamecocks knew they would be facing a tough task if the Rebels were able to get inside of their 20 yard line. So they just held them out. In another highlight of a stellar defensive performance, USC did not allow the Rebels to advance beyond the Gamecock 22 yard line.
Grade: A
Take Some Shots
Carolina did not throw the deep ball an awful lot against Ole Miss; the longest reception of the night (69 yards) came on a connection to Moe Brown in which the majority of the yardage came after the catch. Stephen Garcia hit Tori Gurley on a nice 24-yard pitch and catch as well. Still the Gamecocks attempted 34 throws. While Garcia's completion percentage was not very high; he was able to take care of the ball.
Grade: C
Another quick team note here: Several of you have asked about Jarriel King moving to the defensive line in light of him not playing a portion of the game Thursday, Spurrier's comments about moving some, etc.
I have no idea whether or not that move is going to be happen, though I would still be a little bit surprised if it did. I can tell you it is one that the defensive staff would welcome. We will just have to see how it plays out; as you have to remember that King has been USC's starting left tackle to this point regardless of where things stand after that contest. We'll just have to see how things play out on this one.
Football Recruiting
In case you missed it, I had some recruiting notes on the high-profile prospects that were on campus for the Ole Miss game the following day. Click below to check them out:
Prospect Notes
South Carolina's win against Ole Miss was big in more ways than one; obviously it was a huge win for the team against a highly-ranked opponent, but it also paid dividends on the recruiting trail from all indications.
Byrnes' Marcus Lattimore was the most highly-rated prospect in attendance and I can tell you that he loved his experience in Columbia. As I said in the notes after the game, he thought a lot of the atmosphere and how the Gamecocks played. They only helped their position with him.
Likewise, teammate Nick Jones had a great time. Here's some quotes from Jones on his experience.
"It was great. I talked to coaches and the players after the game. They were just real excited."
On the atmosphere and if it was the loudest he had heard Williams-Brice: "Yeah, I couldn't even hear myself talk."
USC still has to be considered the team to beat for Jones, and like Lattimore, they did nothing to hurt their position with him.
I hear that Manning DB John Fulton has the flu and has been sick since Friday; we will be catching up with him as soon as possible.
Another high profile recruit, albeit a junior that watched the game was Rock Hill (SC) South Pointe's Jadeveon Clowney. He did not see the game in person but watched it on TV and liked the way USC's defense played a lot. I'll have a full article up on him soon, but USC is still in good position with him.
USC commitment Eric Mack did not take a visit to Clemson this weekend per a reliable source I talked to Sunday night. I've maintained all along that I would be very surprised if Mack ended up anywhere else but Columbia, and I've heard nothing to change my mind on that stance.
I spoke with a reliable source on Shelby (NC) Crest punter Patrick Fish and have confirmed that he is someone that USC is interested in and has talked about offering. I'm not completely sure as to whether or not an official written offer has been sent in his case, but he's one they are interested in for sure at the least.
Darlington (SC) CB Victor Hampton was cleared to play for Darlington and had a good game the other night; recording a punt return for a touchdown and rushing for another. I hear he also had several tackles and did a good job in coverage. He was actually in town for the Ole Miss game and said it was good. He visited Clemson for the TCU game and said that visit was OK as well. He is also going to visit Tennessee again and is interested in North Carolina. He is still someone that USC is interested in, but we'll just have to see how this one plays out.
Valdosta (GA) Lowndes OT Tramell Williams.
