2008 Woodie Awards
Vandy upends South Carolina, Tide rolls over Vols
Brandon Harris
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Sports
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Who would have thought that No. 6 South Carolina, with games against Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida still to go, would lose their second game of the season to the likes of Vanderbilt? Who would have thought that the Gamecocks, under the coaching of offensive mastermind Steve Spurrier, wouldn't even muster a touchdown against a team whose only prior SEC win was against lowly Ole Miss?
On Saturday afternoon, in front of 79,212 shocked and speechless Gamecock fans, it happened.
Vanderbilt, reeling from a 20-17 home defeat by Georgia a week ago, held the South Carolina offense in check, forced four turnovers and limited the Gamecocks to 1-for-12 on third-down conversions in a 17-6 victory. The loss snapped Spurrier's 14-game unbeaten streak over Vanderbilt and made South Carolina the highest-ranked opponent the Commodores defeated in more than 70 years.
"It was one of those days," Spurrier said. "This should not be a shock to our team. This should not be a shock. Hopefully it will straighten them out. They sure did lose to a great team."
Tide Rolls
Alabama didn't just beat Tennessee, it made things look easy. Almost too easy.
Literally, from the opening kickoff to the end of the game, the Crimson Tide was in control, setting the tone for a 41-17 victory in one of the SEC's most heated and storied rivalries.
Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson was 32-of-46 for 363 yards and three touchdowns, and the Crimson Tide dominated the offensive side of the ball early and often. They began the game by kicking and recovering an onside kick.
"I'm really pleased and happy for our players," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "I don't think I've ever seen them any happier than they were today. When you really put everything into something like our players did this game and you go out there and play a complete game, it feels great for them. This is the first time we've played a complete game."
The Crimson Tide won the game despite the suspension Friday of five players, including two starting offensive linemen, for violation of institutional policy involving impermissible receipt of textbooks.
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