|
QB
Stephen Garcia |
2009
SCHEDULE
|
9-3-09 |
at
North Carolina State (Thur.) |
9-12-09 |
at
Georgia |
9-19-09 |
FLORIDA
ATLANTIC |
9-24-09 |
MISSISSIPPI
(Thur.) |
10-3-09 |
SOUTH
CAROLINA STATE |
10-10-09 |
KENTUCKY |
10-17-09 |
at
Alabama |
10-24-09 |
VANDERBILT |
10-31-09 |
at
Tennessee |
11-7-09 |
at
Arkansas |
11-14-09 |
FLORIDA |
11-28-09 |
CLEMSON |
|
Coach:
Steve Spurrier
28-22,
4 years |
2008
Statistics |
2008
RESULTS: 7-6 |
NC
STATE |
WON
34-0 |
at
Vanderbilt |
LOST
17-24 |
GEORGIA |
LOST
7-14 |
WOFFORD |
WON
23-13 |
UAB |
WON
26-13 |
at
Mississippi |
WON
31-24 |
at
Kentucky |
WON
24-17 |
LOUISIANA
STATE |
LOST
17-24 |
TENNESSEE |
WON
27-6 |
ARKANSAS |
WON
34-21 |
at
Florida |
LOST
6-56 |
at
Clemson |
LOST
14-31 |
OUTBACK
BOWL |
Iowa |
LOST
10-31 |
|
|
2008 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR
|
2009
Outlook |
While
there is no way the Ole
Ball Coach should be considered
on the hot seat, Steve
Spurrier has failed to
meet any of his own lofty
expectations after four
years in Columbia. The
Gamecocks have never won
an SEC title since they
entered the league 17
years ago and do not appear
any closer to this goal.
Spurrier is 28-22 in those
four years and his team
wound up losing their
last three games of 2008
by very definitive margins.
The two main aspects that
have hindered Spurrier's
efforts have been his
offensive line and, amazingly,
the quarterback position.
Stephen
Garcia actually looks
like the best man to cure
the longtime sufferings
behind center after spending
his first two seasons
in the coaching doghouse.
Suspensions have kept
him out of every spring
competition, until now.
Originally, Garcia was
a handpicked recruit expected
to turn the tide. However,
he tossed more interceptions
than touchdowns in his
first year of limited
reps a year ago and has
not quite learned how
to make the proper reads
in this system. A visually
evident sore point for
Spurrier with the many
passers before him, this
aspect has the tendency
to drive Spurrier nuts.
It does not help matters
when the offensive line
is giving up 39 sacks
(leads the SEC) and the
only handshake offered
is the one helping the
QB off the ground.
Expect
some hefty changes within
the offensive schematics.
Major overhauls have also
occurred in the coaching
ranks. After the disappointing
Outback Bowl performance,
retooling the O included
a new RB, TE, QB and OL
coach, and a new defensive
coordinator should help
stem opponent’s
points. Look for more
one-back spread sets and
even an occasional look
with the "Cocky"
formation (as Spurrier
likes to call it), another
form of the dual-threat
"Wildcat" formation
that has recently become
in vogue. None of these
alterations will do much
good unless new offensive
line coach Eric Wolford
can make some sense out
of his ailing blockers.
Injuries continue to wreak
havoc and have transformed
a capable OL into one
of the league's worst.
There is still much work
to be done up front but
expect some improvement,
which can only be good
news for the people handling
the pigskin.
The
4-2-5 defense installed
last fall held ground.
A series of injuries,
suspensions and other
circumstances have recently
forced many of the positions
on this side of the ball
to become dangerously
thin. Defense is not the
problem however. The Gamecocks
will continue to field
11 guys capable of lining
up with any team on the
schedule. Preseason All-American
Eric Norwood decided to
stick around for his final
season and his linebacking
partners are stockpiled
with talent. Some concerns
exist in the secondary
where first-year players
will be called upon to
man the ever-important
corner positions.
The
biggest question for South
Carolina football...can
the Gamecocks win the
SEC? The answer in 2009
is no, especially with
Florida imposing their
dominance. A more reasonable
expectation would be to
get over the seven-win
hump, a feat that has
only been accomplished
once since 2001. That’s
when Spurrier was finishing
his last year as the Gator
coach.
September
games will test this newly
aligned coaching staff
right off the bat. Included
in the first-month stretch
will be extremely challenging
games against two of the
SEC's preseason favorites,
Georgia and Ole Miss.
This is a crucial transition
season with all of USC’s
fresh coaching faces.
They’ll try to incorporate
young athletes with little
or no experience into
brand new schemes. Sitting
at home for the holidays
watching others play in
bowl games could be a
realistic outcome. No
matter the end result,
this football team’s
talent falls short to
few.
Projected
2009 record: 6-6
|
|
|
LB
Eric Norwood |
SOUTH
CAROLINA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 3.5 |
DL
- 3.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4 |
WR
- 3.5 |
DB
- 3.5 |
OL
- 2.5 |
.. |
|
SOUTH
CAROLINA
2008 Statistical Rankings |
OFFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
112 |
12 |
Passing: |
50 |
3 |
Total
Off: |
97 |
7 |
Sacks
Allow: |
111 |
10 |
|
DEFENSE |
|
National |
Conf. |
Rushing: |
43 |
7 |
Passing: |
2 |
1 |
Total
Def: |
13 |
4 |
Sacks: |
35 |
4 |
|
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Stephen Garcia, 65-122-8,
832 yds., 6 TD
Rushing: Stephen
Garcia, 70 att., 198 yds.,
2 TD
Receiving: Moe
Brown, 30 rec., 391 yds.,
1 TD
Scoring: Weslye
Saunders, 3 TD, 18 pts.
Punting: Spencer
Lanning, 48 punts, 42.1
avg.
Kicking: None
Tackles: Eric Norwood,
75 tot., 49 solo
Sacks: Eric Norwood,
9 sacks
Interceptions:
Chris Culliver, 3 for
43 yds.
Kickoff Returns:
Chris Culliver, 34 ret.,
24.1 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Chris
Culliver, 2 ret., 9.0
avg., 0 TD
|
SOUTH
CAROLINA
TOP NEWCOMERS |
CB
Stephon Gilmore
– Mr.
Football in
the Palmetto
State enrolled
early and will
see time at
both CB and
WR in certain
offensive sets. |
RB
Jarvis Giles
– One
of the quickest
backs to come
out of Florida.
He too has enrolled
early and is
pushing for
a role in an
overloaded backfield.
|
WR
Tori Gurley
– A 6’5
redshirt frosh
who was also
an accomplished
basketball player.
One of the best
jump ball/fade
route receivers
working in the
receiver mix.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SOUTH
CAROLINA
2009
College Football Preview
|
|
|
OFFENSE
- 7 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 6 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Mike Davis-TB, Kenny McKinley-WR,
Larry Freeman-TE, Jamon
Meredith-OG, Justin Sorensen-OT,
Ryan Succop-K, Jared Cook-TE
(NFL), Chris Smelley-QB
(transferred) |
DEFENSE:
Jordin
Lindsey-DE, Marvin Sapp-WLB,
Jasper Brinkley-MLB, Stoney
Woodson-CB, Carlos Thomas-CB,
Emanuel Cook-SS (NFL), Captain
Munnerlyn-CB (NFL) |
|
|
2009
OFFENSE |
QUARTERBACK
Stephen Garcia is in a position
to take over the job he was
handpicked for two years ago
when coach Steve Spurrier recruited
the highly acclaimed Tampa native.
Both of the players he had been
competing with have now transferred.
Last year's eight game starter
Chris Smelley is now a catcher
for the Alabama baseball team
and Tommy Beecher opted to attend
Liberty University in Virginia.
Garcia did get three starts
last fall and played in five
others. He has to improve dramatically
in terms of reading the field,
an area of his game that was
hurt by how he spent the previous
two springs on suspension. His
eight interception total of
2008 culminated in a forgettable
Outback Bowl performance where
he tossed three of them. The
spread running package coaches
have installed will give Garcia
a chance to show what he can
also do with his feet. He is
the Gamecock's leading returning
rusher, a facet that can be
attributed to a lagging running
game, but he is mobile enough
to run this scheme. Reid McCollum
is competing with fellow redshirt
frosh Aramis Hillary and walk-on
Zac Brindise for the backup
role. The No. 2 quarterback
has always found playing time
under impatient Spurrier's rotating
scheme, and the job behind Garcia
is open for the takings. If
the season were to start today,
McCollum would be the likely
answer. None appears ready to
play/impact in the SEC.
RUNNING
BACK
Since Mike Davis’ departure,
the RB spot is wide-open, and
that would be an understatement.
A new RB coach takes over in
Jay Graham, and yes, he has
stated that upwards of four
ball carriers could easily share
time while he decides on a first
teamer. This spring, the reps
have been divided equally. The
veteran of the bunch, junior
Brian Maddox is beginning to
emerge as a front-runner. His
400-pound bench press is an
example of his strength/power.
Coaches have conceded that Maddox
should have gotten more opportunities
last year. He is the only tailback
that tips the scales at over
200 pounds. Eric Baker displayed
brief flashes as a frosh last
season while recording the most
rushing yards of all the returning
backs. The excitement on campus
concerns two newly recruited
prep stars; both Jarvis Giles
and Stephon Gilmore graduated
early so as to enroll this spring.
Giles was a top 25 Florida prospect
and one of the quickest backs
in the state. Gilmore is a former
prep cornerback who also knows
the QB spot since he rushed
for 1,300 yards from that position,
which earned him the coveted
Mr. Football award here in the
Palmetto State. Spurrier has
already stated he wants to install
a run package for Gilmore...heady
stuff for a guy that has been
on campus for less than a full
semester. Gilmore could revamp
how South Carolina’s backfield
works. If and when coaches choose
to use a fullback, Patrick DiMarco
is an extremely capable blocker
that has logged significant
playing time. Look for DiMarco
in the flat once they’re
in the red zone. After finishing
dead last in the SEC in rushing
the past two seasons, coaches
have been working on implementing
run packages out of a one-back
set and shot gun formations.
Also, ala Gilmore, get ready
for the "Cocky" formation,
a scheme synonymous with the
"Wildcat" formation
(that became popular in the
NFL last season) where a running
back or receiver will line up
under center.
RECEIVER
/ TIGHT END
Gone is one of the SEC's best
receivers and school record
holder (in most categories)
Kenny McKinley. Two of the remaining
incumbents are Moe Brown and
Jason Barnes. Dominating this
spring, Brown has elevated his
play and is catching everything
in sight, according to coaches.
The first three seasons of Brown's
career have some critics labeling
his career as a bust, and apparently
Brown has heard the rumblings.
Barnes is also making a case
to become the No.1 option via
his strong spring. Not to be
ignored, Joe Hills looks to
fit the big man role with his
6'4 height advantage and is
going to see plenty of reps.
The possession receiver of the
group could be Dion LeCorn.
After short stints on defense
the second half of last season,
he is back and is starting to
display some of the star potential
shown as a true frosh in 2007.
But when looking for one-on-one
skills, look no further than
newcomer Tori Gurley, the 6'5
accomplished prep basketball
player. After a two-year stint
at two different prep schools,
Gurly has shown a knack for
catching the fade and jump balls.
While he lacks top speed, he
could be a huge asset in the
end zone. With Jared Cook leaving
early for the NFL Draft, keep
an eye on tight end Weslye Saunders
full package of size, speed
and blocking ability. With TE
depth so thin, two defensive
ends, Byron McKnight and Cliff
Matthews, are going to get a
look here. Matthews played TE
in high school and is/was one
of the most athletic players
on the Gamecocks defensive front
wall. Spurrier said he might
already be the team's best blocking
TE.
OFFENSIVE
LINE
A constant problem during Steve
Spurrier's tenure has been his
offensive line, and last season
just continued the deficient
trend. The pass protection has
been awful, which yielded 39
sacks (ranked 111th nationally)
and a nation-leading 27 interceptions.
Too often, ball carriers were
buried immediately. To fix the
situation, new line coach Eric
Wolford came in from Illinois.
The talent is there for shaping,
although depth may be a serious
problem that only gets compounded
by the fact this group just
cannot stay healthy. Monster-sized
Jarriel King started 11 games
at tackle last fall and has
the potential to be one of the
leagues best after transferring
from Georgia Military. But King
has not yet been cleared to
play due to an irregular heartbeat.
Quinn Richardson has been working
primarily on the right side
and has a solid chance to be
the starter here. Richardson’s
experience is short after working
with the first-team last summer
before his lacking play meant
being replaced by Hutch Eckerson,
who also is competing for time
with King sitting. Coaches will
have to wait until fall before
naming a starting five since
two more Georgia Military transfers
have yet to arrive - Rokevious
Watkins and Steven Singleton.
Another health concern rests
with guard Lemuel Jeanpierre
as he remains “snake bitten”.
The fifth-year senior is out
with another knee injury that
will require surgery. Hopes
are that Heath Batchelor, who
has spent time at guard the
past two seasons, can return
to the team after leaving a
year ago for personal reasons.
The cement of the group is center
Garrett Anderson with 21 starts
to his name. He is the Gamecock's
best and should be the lone
Gamecock blocker to see some
post-season accolades. Coaches
are pushing him hard in an effort
to build some much-needed leadership.
Work-in-progress is our best
description for this un-gelled,
fledging group.
|
|
C
Garrett Anderson
|
|
|
SOUTH
CAROLINA 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Stephen
Garcia-So (6-2, 219) |
Reid
McCollum-RFr (6-3, 218)
Aramis Hillary-RFr (6-0,
197) |
FB |
Patrick
DiMarco-Jr (6-0, 243) |
Dustyn
McElroy-Sr (6-0, 239) |
TB |
Brian
Maddox-Jr (5-11, 224) |
Eric
Baker-So (5-11, 194)
Jarvis Giles-Fr (5-11, 183) |
WR |
Moe
Brown-Sr (6-0, 183) |
Joe
Hills-Jr (6-4, 199) |
WR |
Jason
Barnes-So (6-4, 199) |
Tori
Gurley-RFr (6-5, 227) |
WR |
Dion
LeCorn-Jr (5-11, 220) |
Matt
Clements-So (6-0, 185) |
TE |
Weslye
Saunders-Jr (6-5, 280) |
Byron
McKnight-So (6-4, 229) |
OT |
Jarriel
King-Jr (6-5, 312) |
Hutch
Eckerson-Jr (6-6, 290) |
OG |
Lemuel
Jeanpierre-Sr (6-4, 294) |
Pierre
Andrews-Jr (6-2, 285) |
C |
Garrett
Anderson-Sr (6-4, 307) |
Ryan
Broadhead-So (6-5, 261) |
OG |
Terrence
Campbell-Jr (6-3, 290) |
T.J.
Johnson-RFr (6-4, 297) |
OT |
Quintin
Richardson-So (6-3, 283) |
Kyle
Nunn-So (6-6, 293) |
K |
Spencer
Lanning-Jr (5-11, 188) |
Adam
Yates-RFr (6-1, 200) |
|
|
2009
DEFENSE |
DEFENSIVE
LINE
The line took a major hit when
narcotics investigators arrested
tackle Ladi Ajiboye for marijuana
possession. He is currently
suspended from the team, but
Spurrier has not ruled out a
return. Ajiboye started 22 games
his first two years for USC
and is truly one of the top
six or seven tackles in the
conference. But his absence
has to be accepted to where
this DL can operate without
him…a tough task, no doubt,
but a necessary one for the
group to mentally move on and,
therefore, to do its best. Then
if Ajiboye returns, it’s
all gravy, so to speak. The
two best available inside options
for now appear to be Nathan
Pepper and Travian Robertson
since they are the only players
with experience. Former DE Robertson
has put together a mediocre
career, but came on strong to
finish out 2008. His continued
improvement will be important,
regardless. Pepper has been
with the program since 2005
and is going to be receiving
all of the double teams under
the current conditions. On the
outside, the 6'8, 281 pound
Clifton Geathers has yet to
make an impact. The younger
brother of Cincinnati Bengals
DE Robert Geathers, Clifton
is starting to make some noise.
The Gamecock faithful has been
waiting for him to break out,
and 2009 could turn wishes into
reality. Needless to say, he
too has extremely high expectations
on his shoulders. The other
projected starter is Cliff Matthews.
Coaches feel he will have a
chance to play in the NFL down
the road. Matthews has also
been displaying his athletic
skills while working in with
the tight ends on the offensive
side this spring. Young Chaz
Sutton has begun his first year
in Columbia. The former Gator
commitment is making an early
case for extended playing time.
Another huge option is the 6'7
redshirt frosh Devin Taylor
who was a Class 4A state triple
jump champion in high school.
LINEBACKER
The most positive defensive
outlook rests with this unit.
Big Eric Norwood considered
taking his chances in the NFL
Draft, but this “sure
bet” changed his mind
and decided to finish his Gamecock
career. He is a NationalChamps.net
2009 Preseason All-American
honoree and should be on the
preliminary watch list for most
every major college award honoring
his position. He is the SEC's
active leader in both sacks
and tackles-for-loss. The 252-pound
linebacker is qualified to man
any spot within the defensive
front seven. Rodney Paulk has
started 22 games in his career
and is the appointed successor
to Jasper Brinkley in the middle
after taking a medical redshirt
last fall due to a knee injury.
The former Freshman All-American
is not as big as Norwood and
won't garner as much attention,
which bodes well for the productivity
of this forgotten gem. Paulk
has a nose for the ball and
is the strongest player on the
squad according strength-training
results. Both have been given
light demand from coaches this
spring in order to give JUCO
transfers Tony Straughter and
Josh Dickerson most of the reps.
In this 4-2-5 defensive alignment,
the SPUR position is a hybrid
linebacker/safety. Darian Stewart
started every game there last
fall but has been moved to strong
safety due to the <sigh>
large array of injuries and
question marks in the secondary.
That move could be permanent
depending on the performance
of redshirt freshman Alonzo
Winfield, whose 4.38-clocked
40-yard dash make him a good
bet to hold the spot.
DEFENSIVE
BACK
The heaviest team losses at
any one position are at cornerback.
The nation's third rated pass
defense of ’08 will have
to reload. The entire backfield
was hit hard by both graduation
and the early-to-the-NFL declarations
(Cook and Munnerlyn). The depth
on the corner is so thin that
walk-ons have been counted on,
at least until August arrives.
And much like many other units
on this team, injuries and suspensions
have been no stranger here.
The troubles of C.C. Whitlock
continue to hamper his plight.
He has been suspended indefinitely
and is apparently running out
of chances. While his absence
hurts the unit’s depth,
prior to his suspension he was
losing ground to both Akeem
Auguste and Stephon Gilmore
in their competition. Gilmore
has taken Columbia by storm.
As mentioned in the offensive
preview, South Carolina's Mr.
Football of a year ago enrolled
early and will be heavily counted
on to take over one of the corner
spots. At 6'2, Gilmore has the
size advantage over the others
(none is taller than 5'10).
Through the spring he continued
to physically outmatch the receivers
and made a highlight reel with
some of his interceptions until
an ankle injury sidelined him.
The injury allowed smaller Addison
Williams to get some much-needed
reps, which has unveiled his
difficulties when matching up
with bigger receivers. The strong
safety is Darian Stewart, who
started every game at SPUR a
year ago. One way or another,
Stewart is going to play a big
role in this scheme. The hard-hitting
senior is one of the unsung
heroes of the team. The other
returning starter is free safety
Chris Culliver, who has the
potential to be an All-SEC performer.
While the holes may appear glaring
due to key personnel losses,
this year's version is more
than capable of upholding South
Carolina’s stellar reputation
as one of the SEC’s best.
|
|
FS
Chris Culliver
|
|
|
SOUTH
CAROLINA 2009 DEPTH CHART
Returning
Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Clifton
Geathers-Jr (6-8, 281) |
Devin
Taylor-RFr (6-7, 232) |
DT |
Nathan
Pepper-Sr (6-1, 300) |
Melvin
Ingram-So (6-2, 297) |
DT |
Travian
Robertson-Jr (6-4, 283) |
Ladi
Ajiboye-Jr (6-1, 285) |
DE |
Cliff
Matthews-Jr (6-4, 249) |
Chaz
Sutton-Fr (6-3, 243) |
WLB |
Eric
Norwood-Sr (6-1, 252) |
Shaq
Wilson-So (5-11, 210) |
MLB |
Rodney
Paulk-Jr (6-0, 216) |
Josh
Dickerson-Jr (6-1, 221) |
SPUR |
Alonzo
Winfield-So (6-0, 222) |
Reggie
Bowens-RFr (6-2, 233) |
CB |
Addison
Williams-Jr (5-8, 177) |
C.C.
Whitlock-So (5-10, 173) |
CB |
Akeem
Auguste-So (5-10, 180) |
Stephon
Gilmore-Fr (6-1, 188) |
SS |
Darian
Stewart-Sr (5-11, 216) |
DeVonte
Holloman-Fr (6-2, 211) |
FS |
Chris
Culliver-Jr (6-0, 190) |
Antonio
Allen-So (6-1, 202) |
P |
Spencer
Lanning-Jr (5-11, 188) |
Eric
Davis-RFr (6-2, 178) |
|
|
|
2009
SPECIAL TEAMS |
The
second-leading career scorer in USC
Football history is gone. “Mr.
Automatic”, Ryan Succop has
moved on. His glaring loss has forced
coaches to be a little more patient.
The leading candidate being considered
is Spencer Lanning, who averaged 42.1
yards last year in his first season
as the starting punter. He is the
only player on the roster to have
kicked before at the college level.
Lanning has not done anything to lock
down the No. 1 spot just yet. A heated
contest that should extend into the
fall can be expected; walk-on Adam
Yates who has shown a strong enough
leg to at least prove capable of handling
kickoff duties. Several other walk-on/transfers
will be given a chance to enter the
competition, as well. Chris Culliver
has handled the kickoff return duties
in each of the past two seasons and
is just 300 yards away from becoming
the school's all-time leader. The
competition to handle punts will be
wide open after the struggles of ’08.
Expect to see guys like CB Akeem Auguste
and WR Dion LeCorn, among others,
get opportunities until one proves
worthy of commanding the spot.
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