With 57,000 people in attendance at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, South Carolina made a statement about their team and SEC defense. North Carolina was expecting big things from Russell Wilson, their returning sophomore quarterback who threw for 17 touchdowns last year to one interception. However, this night belonged to the Ol’ Ball Coach and his squad.
There was no denying on the opening Thursday night of college football that South Carolina was a different team than the ’08 season. From every snap of the ball, whether it was Stephen Garcia making good plays with the football or running back Brian Maddox, there was a renewed commitment to playing hard-nosed football. Mind you, Garcia is not Tim Tebow or Jevan Snead, but he showed poise in the pocket and made good decisions with the ball down the field. You even saw his wheels as he made good plays on the ground, running the football.
From the opening snaps, the Gamecocks showed a commitment to running the ball. This was smashmouth football that wore down the N.C. State defense. This was Garcia’s second season as the starting quarterback, and he showed confidence and maturity in being a field manager. He had only one bad play where he did not put enough air on the football and it was intercepted by Defensive End Mike Lemon.
Garcia ended the night with 13/22 for 148 yards and one interception; he had 8 carries for 16 yards with an average of 2.0 yards per run. Garcia hooked up with three different receivers, but I was most impressed by the physical play of Tori Gurley (true freshman). He has great size at 6’5 and weighing 227 lbs. He knows how to use his size to his advantage and is physical catching the ball and gaining yards after the catch.
Garcia took some hits from defenders, challenging them instead of sliding down out of harm’s way. Brian Maddox ended the night with 23 carries for 68 yards and a 2.9 average per carry. Though his numbers and Garcia’s are not impressive and won’t elicit any players of the week awards, the true grit they showed to fight for every yard was impressive. Garcia did his best Tebow impression by running into defenders and Maddox hit the hole and kept his legs churching for more yardage.
However, the most impressive aspect of this game was South Carolina’s defense. Steve Spurrier’s defense was stout at the point of attack. They continue to harass Russell Wilson all night. Linebacker Eric Norwood had eight tackles on the night and two sacks on Wilson. The defense only allowed 59 yards on the ground by North Carolina State and the Gamecocks’ secondary only surrendered 78 yards through the air.
N.C. State only had 133 yards on the night. Wilson ended up 12/23 for 74 yards. He finished the night with -17 rushing yards on 11 attempts. The Gamecocks clearly did not let him make any plays with his feet like he is known for. Last year he had an average of 3.3 yards on the ground for a total of 275 yards and 4 touchdowns.
I’m sure the Wolfpack had revenge on their mind as last year’s season opener against South Carolina was an embarrassment as they lost 34-0. But the Gamecocks proved too much, defensive-wise for Russell Wilson and company.
The thing that worries me is that South Carolina was unable to punch sevens on the board with their many chances in North Carolina State territory. They are going to have to find their offense when they play the likes of Florida, Georgia and the other SEC teams on their slate. But for now, South Carolina showed their commitment to defense and playing sound football.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Gamecocks' Defense Holds off North Carolina State
With 57,000 people in attendance at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, South Carolina made a statement about their team and SEC defense. North Carolina was expecting big things from Russell Wilson, their returning sophomore quarterback who threw for 17 touchdowns last year to one interception. However, this night belonged to the Ol’ Ball Coach and his squad.
There was no denying on the opening Thursday night of college football that South Carolina was a different team than the ’08 season. From every snap of the ball, whether it was Stephen Garcia making good plays with the football or running back Brian Maddox, there was a renewed commitment to playing hard-nosed football. Mind you, Garcia is not Tim Tebow or Jevan Snead, but he showed poise in the pocket and made good decisions with the ball down the field. You even saw his wheels as he made good plays on the ground, running the football.
From the opening snaps, the Gamecocks showed a commitment to running the ball. This was smashmouth football that wore down the N.C. State defense. This was Garcia’s second season as the starting quarterback, and he showed confidence and maturity in being a field manager. He had only one bad play where he did not put enough air on the football and it was intercepted by Defensive End Mike Lemon.
Garcia ended the night with 13/22 for 148 yards and one interception; he had 8 carries for 16 yards with an average of 2.0 yards per run. Garcia hooked up with three different receivers, but I was most impressed by the physical play of Tori Gurley (true freshman). He has great size at 6’5 and weighing 227 lbs. He knows how to use his size to his advantage and is physical catching the ball and gaining yards after the catch.
Garcia took some hits from defenders, challenging them instead of sliding down out of harm’s way. Brian Maddox ended the night with 23 carries for 68 yards and a 2.9 average per carry. Though his numbers and Garcia’s are not impressive and won’t elicit any players of the week awards, the true grit they showed to fight for every yard was impressive. Garcia did his best Tebow impression by running into defenders and Maddox hit the hole and kept his legs churching for more yardage.
However, the most impressive aspect of this game was South Carolina’s defense. Steve Spurrier’s defense was stout at the point of attack. They continue to harass Russell Wilson all night. Linebacker Eric Norwood had eight tackles on the night and two sacks on Wilson. The defense only allowed 59 yards on the ground by North Carolina State and the Gamecocks’ secondary only surrendered 78 yards through the air.
N.C. State only had 133 yards on the night. Wilson ended up 12/23 for 74 yards. He finished the night with -17 rushing yards on 11 attempts. The Gamecocks clearly did not let him make any plays with his feet like he is known for. Last year he had an average of 3.3 yards on the ground for a total of 275 yards and 4 touchdowns.
I’m sure the Wolfpack had revenge on their mind as last year’s season opener against South Carolina was an embarrassment as they lost 34-0. But the Gamecocks proved too much, defensive-wise for Russell Wilson and company.
The thing that worries me is that South Carolina was unable to punch sevens on the board with their many chances in North Carolina State territory. They are going to have to find their offense when they play the likes of Florida, Georgia and the other SEC teams on their slate. But for now, South Carolina showed their commitment to defense and playing sound football.
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