2008 Woodie Awards
Thursday night SEC football
Around the SEC
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The high-scoring No. 9 Kentucky offense will set sights on No. 11 South Carolina (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) and try to break a seven game losing streak against the Gamecocks at 6:30 p.m. during a game televised by ESPN.
Kentucky quarterback André Woodson will be difficult to contain as he leads the Wildcat offense that ranks fifth in the nation and leads the SEC in scoring offense, averaging 46.6 points per game.
"He's a beautiful passer," said South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier. "I told someone the other day he looks like Carson Palmer, the way he stands good and tall with knees slightly flexed and so forth. He throws a nice overhand ball. He's a pretty passer, there's no question about it. He's got a bunch of good receivers and his line has done a good job of protecting. We have to mix our coverages."
With Kentucky scoring 40 or more points in the past five games setting a school record, Spurrier will turn to his SEC leading pass defense as they have allowed only 106 passing yards per game to slow down the potent offense.
Although Spurrier will look to contain Kentucky's explosive passing game, he knows that stopping the run will be just as difficult as the team averages 223 rushing yards per game, which is second in the SEC behind Arkansas.
"Kentucky without a doubt is the best pass team and maybe the best offense (we'll play) thus far," Spurrier said. "They're in the top of the conference in scoring offense. Passing and running, they're second or first."
South Carolina will continue to start redshirt freshman Chris Smelley over senior Blake Mitchell at quarterback. Smelley led the team to a 38-21 victory over Mississippi State last weekend, which was his second start of the season, but the first in which he finished. Smelley finished the game 19-of-37 passes for 279 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
"Smelley is a talented guy and scary because we don't have a big book on him, so we haven't seen him play a lot," said Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks. "I always get concerned against rush lanes in getting to the quarterback. One, I want to first get to the quarterback, but if you give this guy a hole in that rush, he can take the ball and run right up the field on you."
Kentucky quarterback André Woodson will be difficult to contain as he leads the Wildcat offense that ranks fifth in the nation and leads the SEC in scoring offense, averaging 46.6 points per game.
"He's a beautiful passer," said South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier. "I told someone the other day he looks like Carson Palmer, the way he stands good and tall with knees slightly flexed and so forth. He throws a nice overhand ball. He's a pretty passer, there's no question about it. He's got a bunch of good receivers and his line has done a good job of protecting. We have to mix our coverages."
With Kentucky scoring 40 or more points in the past five games setting a school record, Spurrier will turn to his SEC leading pass defense as they have allowed only 106 passing yards per game to slow down the potent offense.
Although Spurrier will look to contain Kentucky's explosive passing game, he knows that stopping the run will be just as difficult as the team averages 223 rushing yards per game, which is second in the SEC behind Arkansas.
"Kentucky without a doubt is the best pass team and maybe the best offense (we'll play) thus far," Spurrier said. "They're in the top of the conference in scoring offense. Passing and running, they're second or first."
South Carolina will continue to start redshirt freshman Chris Smelley over senior Blake Mitchell at quarterback. Smelley led the team to a 38-21 victory over Mississippi State last weekend, which was his second start of the season, but the first in which he finished. Smelley finished the game 19-of-37 passes for 279 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
"Smelley is a talented guy and scary because we don't have a big book on him, so we haven't seen him play a lot," said Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks. "I always get concerned against rush lanes in getting to the quarterback. One, I want to first get to the quarterback, but if you give this guy a hole in that rush, he can take the ball and run right up the field on you."
Be the first to comment on this story