Spurrier, Gamecocks ready to bring aerial attack to Fayetteville

By: Robert Beckmann

Posted: 10/31/07

Steve Spurrier is known for superior passing offenses. His famed "fun 'n gun" style spurred his 1996 Florida Gators to a national championship, and it later landed Spurrier a head coaching job in the NFL with the Washington Redskins.

After a turbulent stint in the pros, Spurrier took his offense on the road again, settling in Columbia with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Over the past three seasons, Spurrier has revved up what was once a stalled Gamecock offense, amassing a 21-14 record and earning him a Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year award in 2005.

This season, however, Spurrier has not been satisfied with only having a good passing team offensively. Now his dominance through the air has extended over to the defense.

The Gamecocks lead the SEC in passing defense, allowing an average of 153.7 yards per game. In nine games, the South Carolina defense has given up eight touchdowns and has gotten 12 interceptions.

"They have the No. 1 secondary in the conference," Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt said. "They don't give up any explosive plays."

South Carolina sophomores defensive end Eric Norwood and safety Emanuel Cook have both caught Nutt's eye this season. The duo leads the team in tackles - Cook has 67 and Norwood has 51.

They also have combined for eight sacks, three fumbles, two interceptions and a blocked kick.

"They both really stand out," Nutt said. "They fly around the ball and you see why they're not giving up many points."

On average, the Gamecock defense has given up 17.8 points per game, fourth best in the SEC.

Offensively, a quarterback controversy has hindered what would normally be a prolific Spurrier passing game. Even so, the Gamecocks are fifth best in the conference with 237.1 passing yards per contest.

Entering this season, senior Blake Mitchell was the favorite to take the snaps as starting quarterback. However, missing summer-school classes earned him a one-game suspension for the season opener against UL-Lafayette. Mitchell had been suspended the previous season for participating in a bar fight.

The absence of Mitchell opened the door for redshirt freshman Chris Smelley and sophomore Tommy Beecher. When Mitchell returned, he and Smelley fought for the starting spot, while Beecher fell to the wayside.

Since then, Smelley has gotten the starting nod five times and Mitchell three times. However, Spurrier, always looking for the player with the hot-hand, recently returned the reins of the offense back to Mitchell.

"Mitchell is a very accurate passer," Nutt said. "He has done a good job and we know firsthand how he can throw the football."

Last week against Tennessee, Smelley started the game but was benched after getting sacked twice and throwing an interception. Mitchell played the remainder, going 31-of-45 passing for 290 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are familiar with Mitchell, who nearly led the Gamecocks to a comeback victory against the Hogs in 2006. Playing only in the second half, Mitchell carved up the Razorback defense, going 15-of-21 for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

"Two of his drives were two of the best drives of catch and throw, catch and throw that I've ever seen," UA defense coordinator Reggie Herring said.

The South Carolina kicking game will also be riding a hot-streak entering Saturday's game. Junior Ryan Succop successfully kicked 35- and 37-yard field goals against the Hogs last season.

Last week, Succop nailed a 49-yarder against Tennessee, tying the season long for the year in the SEC.

The Gamecocks will play the Razorbacks Saturday in the Hogs' final Fayetteville game of the season.