Monday, November 14, 2011

South Carolina/Florida Review & Preview USC/Citadel Contest

On Saturday, the University of South Carolina football program achieved some historical milestones in the SEC Conference. The Gamecocks defense rebounded after a poor performance at Arkansas while the offense did just enough to stave off the Florida Gators. The Gamecocks accomplished an individual record, as well as some program goals, by polishing off the Gators. Gamecock fans knew going into the SEC East divisional match-up that points would be at a premium and that prediction held true for both teams. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad, & the ugly!

The Good:

Steve Spurrier won his 52nd game as Head Football Coach at the University of South Carolina. SOS is now 52-35 in less than seven full seasons at South Carolina. That is a 60% winning percentage. Spurrier is second all-time on USC’s Career Wins List for USC football coaches, trailing only Rex Enright (64 all-time wins).

South Carolina is now 48-48 in the SEC Conference since 2000.

Since 2005 under the Spurrier regime, South Carolina is 21-14 versus the SEC East.

USC swept the SEC East divisional opponents in football for the first time in school history.

South Carolina has won back-to-back games (2010 & 2011) versus Florida since the 1936 & 1939 seasons. The 1939 game between the two universities was the last time USC held Florida to less than 14 points, per The State.

The Gamecocks have now beaten the SEC East’s traditional Southeastern Conference powers (UGA, UT & UF) in back-to-back years for the first time in school history.

USC attained six SEC Conference wins in a season for the first time in school history.

Carolina finishes its SEC Conference schedule with a greater than .500 record for the fifth time in school history; three of which came under the Steve Spurrier era.

Regular season recipe for success as the Gamecocks have won 11 of their last 13 games, per Spurs & Feathers.

Protect this house has become the mantra for the USC football team inside the cockpit. Carolina is 18-3 over the last 21 games at Williams-Brice.

Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffrey is now USC’s all-time leader in receiving yards (2,784) surpassing the late Kenny McKinley.

Alshon Jeffrey has now caught a pass in 33 straight games. The Calhoun County native is 10 games shy of tying the school leader, Kenny McKinley, at 43.

The USC Rushing attack eclipsed 200 yards rushing for the sixth time this season. Carolina rushed for greater than 200 yards versus ECU, UGA, Navy, UK, UT and UF. The Gamecocks rank 32nd in Rushing Offense of all FBS teams, per NCAA.

Freshman Brandon Wilds eclipsed the century-mark for the second time in three starts, rushing the football for 120 yards on 29 rush attempts.

South Carolina finally kicked a red zone field goal on Saturday. The Gamecocks also became the last team in FBS to attempt a field goal inside 40 yards, per Spurs & Feathers.

Ellis Johnson’s stop troops held Florida to less than 300 total yards of offense for two consecutive years.

South Carolina’s defense surrendered only one offensive touchdown to the Gators for the second consecutive year. USC has allowed an average of 13 points over the last two years to Florida.

Turnovers gained continue to rise as the season grows long. USC recorded two fumble recoveries (12 total) against Florida, which runs USC’s turnovers gained total to 29 (tied-2nd in FBS).

The Bad:

The USC Passing game totaled 84 yards! Shaw only completed 50% of his attempts (6/12) and threw one interception. Bruce Ellington was (1/1) for three yards.

Alshon Jeffery only caught two passes for 17 yards.

The USC offense managed only 12 third-quarter total yards of offense on seven plays. South Carolina’s total time of possession in the third quarter was four minutes and 32 seconds.

2.75 is the average number of offensive touchdowns USC has scored in its past eight games, per The State.

The Gamecocks have now fallen behind in 13 straight football games. The last time USC took an early lead was versus Troy in 2010.

The Ugly:

Auburn’s lackluster performance against Georgia between the hedges in Sanford Stadium providing USC fans almost zero chance of returning to the SEC Championship game this year.

The Citadel is a tune-up game sandwiched between the Florida and Clemson games. To the Citadel fans, Sparky Woods isn’t coaching South Carolina, the Bulldogs gave up the wishbone offense, and Jack Douglas will not be suiting up at quarterback for the Citadel. George H. W. Bush is not president, and 1990 seems like eons ago when the Bulldogs last beat Carolina. I smell a rout in this game a la Troy last year. NEXT!!

Go Gamecocks!

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