Catch up on the day's buzz about the Gamecocks! In today's edition: football schedule for 2013 finalized; Ridenour honored with SEC Diver of the Week; men's golf wins first tournament title in three years; men's basketball wins exhibition game; basketball season ticket sales surpass last year; highlights from Saturday's football game; vote for Cocky in the Capital One Mascot Challenge; Happy Halloween and more!



GAMECOCKSONLINE.COM NEWS

Football. Carolina Finalizes 2013 Football Schedule

Football. Clowney Named Semifinalist for Rotary Lombardi Award

Football. Video - Marcus Lattimore Pep Rally on the Horseshoe

Football. Gamecocks Practice Tuesday

Baseball. Baseball Announces 2013 Schedule

Men's Basketball. Gamecocks Defeat Kentucky Wesleyan 68-67

Men's Basketball. Men's Basketball Injury Report

Men's Golf. Gamecocks Run Away With Kiawah Classic Title; Sturgeon Medals

Swimming & Diving. Ridenour Named SEC Diver Of The Week

Track & Field. Ready. Set. Rewind: Lisa Barber

General News. Neworking Seminar Feature Video

VOTE FOR COCKY

Cocky is 8-0 and the only undefeated mascot! He maintained his perfect record with a win over the popular Oregon Duck last week and is taking on new SEC opponent Truman the Tiger from Missouri this week. Vote for Cocky daily in the Capital One Mascot Challenge! Go to http://www.capitalonebowl.com/vote or use the #CapitalOneCocky hashtag on Twitter to cast your vote.




GAMECOCKS AROUND THE WEB

Football: Marcus Lattimore's injury makes you look past the great player and see a great person (CBSSports.com)

Football: Lattimore hyperextended right knee (ESPN.com)

Football: Tweets of Respect for Marcus Lattimore (SEC Sports)

Football: Clowney's big-play ability ices Gamecocks win over Vols (LindysSports.com)

Men's Basketball: College Basketball Preview - Southeastern Conference (Chicago Tribune)




FROM THE OTHER SIDE

Women's Soccer: Texas A&M To Face South Carolina In SEC Soccer Quarterfinals (KBTX.com)



GAMECOCKS IN THE PROS

Football: Falcons look like NFL's scariest team (ESPN Playbook)
*John Abraham and Dunta Robinson

Football: Fundamentals: Vikings trying to clean up their act (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
*Jasper Brinkley quoted

Football: Jeffery could return Nov. 11 (Chicago Tribune)
*Alshon Jeffery

Keep up with updates on Gamecocks in the NFL here.




COCK-A-DOODLE TWEET

Congrats to Frank Martin and the Men's Basketball team on their win last night! Looking forward to seeing what the team has in store for the rest of the season!

The Gamecocks win!!!!! Way to start off the Frank Martin era! #gamecocks

-- Neel Dhere (@Neel_Dhere) October 31, 2012

SPURS UP BLOG HIGHLIGHTS

Basketball Season Tickets Surpass Last Year's Totals

Coaches and Players Take Advantage of Bye Week

This Week's Home Events: #HoopsTakeover Time

"Inside The Chart" with Andy Demetra - October 27, 2012

Pre-Game & Fan Photos - South Carolina vs. Tennessee

Rice Athletics Center Sparkles in Athletics Village (Photos)

Video, Photos, Recap: Coaches Attend SEC Basketball Media Day





VIDEO OF THE DAY

Check out the highlights from South Carolina's win over Tennessee 38-35 on Oct. 27, 2012. Full recap from the game can be found here!







ROOSTER CROWS

Men's Basketball defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 68-67 in exhibition play on Tuesday at the Colonial Life Arena. Junior guard Brenton Williams scored the go-ahead basket with just under three seconds on the clock to give the Gamecocks the win. Williams led the Gamecocks in scoring, with 22 points, while senior forward Lakeem Jackson registered a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Freshman forward Michael Carrera added 12 points and seven rebounds, going to the line 13 times, converting 10. As a team, South Carolina shot 38 free throws, making 27 of them.

South Carolina senior Rylan Ridenour was named the SEC Male Diver of the Week on Tuesday. Ridenour won the honor after sweeping the boards in last Friday's loss to top-ranked Florida. In his first meet of 2012, Ridenour cruised to a win on the 1-meter board with a score of 359.35, finishing 60.05 points ahead of the nearest Florida diver. Ridenour then won the 3-meter competition with a score of 396.60, besting the closest Gator by 48.37 points.



FAN PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's fan photo was sent to us by Matt Torres, just in time for Halloween! Here's the pumpkin his wife Laura carved in honor of the Gamecocks and Marcus Lattimore! Send in your Halloween-themed photos to be added to our album on Facebook.

Send in your own fan photo submissions to GamecockAthletics@gmail.com. Include your name and any backstory. Some of the best submissions include Gamecock gear and showing your spurs!

Check out this week's Facebook Fan of the Week winner! Ariel Weed of Lexington submitted this photo of her son Connor, saying:

"Our son, Connor, is well on his way to becoming a Gamecock! He gets excited and jumps around when 'Sandstorm' starts. His first words will probably be 'GO COCKS!' "

Want to be the next Facebook Fan of the Week? Sign up on the Fan of the Week tab on our Facebook page, upload your photo and story, then share and get your friends to vote! Winners are selected each Friday and featured here on our Spurs Up Blog!

*Written by student assistant Kim Barrett

After practice Tuesday Coach Ward, Coach Lawing and D.J. Swearinger talked to the media about their victory over a tough Tennessee offense and the upcoming bye weekend.

The Gamecocks overcame Tennessee, 38-35, but the players are not shy about recognizing their mistakes. D.J. Swearinger praised Tennessee's quarterback, great receivers, and their ability to find the Gamecocks' holes and weaknesses.

Because of missed assignments during the Tennessee game, the Gamecocks know what they have to work on during the next two weeks. Swearinger stated, "Some plays we folded and didn't get the job done. We got to clean it up so we can get it right."

Coaches and players are taking advantage of the bye week to work on weaknesses that have hindered the team in previous games. When asked what things the team is working on, Coach Ward shared, "We got to do better man coverage, better zone coverage, and do a better job of disguising what we do."

Several key players, including Kelcy Quarles, Akeem Auguste, Byron Jerideau, and Jadeveon Clowney, are not practicing this week because of injuries. Coach Ward said they are expected to return next week as the Gamecocks prepare for Arkansas.

Due to injuries younger players have had to step up and perform like they have been playing college football for years. Coach Lawing praised the younger players and stated that they keep getting better.

Football is unlike any sport in the toll it takes on its players. Coach Lawing shared, "Football is the only sport in the world where the object is to get the man with the ball, not just get the ball. Because of that it's a hard sport and not everyone can play."

After playing nine games, seven of which were SEC opponents, coaches and players agree the team needs a break. When asked how big this bye week is, Swearinger shared, "It's huge. We got to take this week and take advantage of it."

Video of coaches' and players' interviews are available here at GamecocksOnline.com. Check back tonight for interviews following today's practice.

As basketball season approaches (two exhibition games this week and our #HoopsTakeover event!), season ticket sales have progressed steadily during the offseason. After an impressive run to the Sweet Sixteen by Dawn Staley's women's squad and the hiring of Frank Martin to lead the men's team, fans are looking forward to seeing what's in store at Colonial Life Arena this season. Both coaches are excited about getting the season started and seeing the returning players mesh with newcomers. (Check out a recap of their comments at last week's SEC Media Day here.)

With well over 5,900 season tickets sold so far, the men's team has already surpassed last year's total of 5,864 tickets. The women's team has also surpassed last year's number with almost 2,000 season tickets sold for 2012-13. Fans who have already purchased their season tickets should be receiving them next week.

Men's Basketball won their opening exhibition game Tuesday night vs. Kentucky Wesleyan and Women's Basketball will take on Anderson in an exhibition game this Sunday, November 4th, at 3 PM. Admission is free for exhibition games and seating is general admission.

Both teams will participate in our one-of-a-kind #HoopsTakeover event this Friday, November 2nd, featuring live interviews throughout the day streamed on GamecocksOnline.com, broadcast on 107.5 The Game in Columbia, and distributed via all South Carolina social media channels. The event will conclude with My Carolina's Basketball Preview Party for alumni association and Gamecock Club members exclusively.

To purchase season tickets online, go to the GamecocksOnline.com Tickets homepage.

Lorenzo Ward and Jadeveon Clowney crisscrossed each other in the hallway following South Carolina's 38-35 win over Tennessee.  The Gamecock defensive coordinator greeted his sophomore with a smile and a hearty slap across the chest.

Ward leaned in.  "Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time ballgames," he said.

It didn't matter that South Carolina had found little luck against Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray.  Never mind that UT's offensive line, second in the nation in sacks allowed, had kept Clowney out of the backfield all day.  None of that mattered on a 1st-and-10 from the Gamecock 19 with 1:18 remaining.  When the defense needed a big stop, its all-everything defensive end delivered the most clutch save by a Gamecock this side of Matt Price. 

Clowney's strip-sack of Bray -- and Shaq Wilson's fumble recovery -- helped seal South Carolina's third straight win over the Volunteers.  The day will be remembered more for the play that resulted in Marcus Lattimore's severe leg injury.  But when it came to clinching their ninth straight home win, the Gamecocks showed they still have plenty of big-time players left.

 "Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes" as South Carolina heads into its bye week:

Not This Time:  Don't discount the clutch fumble recovery by Wilson, either.  Entering the game, South Carolina had the worst fumble recovery percentage in the nation among teams that have forced 10 or more (3 of 14, 21.4%).

Justice For All:  Justice Cunningham walked out of Williams-Brice Stadium with his game ball, his iPad, and his usual stoic face.  Even a career day for the senior tight end (6 catches, 108 yards) couldn't alter his expression.

Actually, Cunningham left a little annoyed.

"I was mad I fell.  I wanted that touchdown," Cunningham said of his 45-yard gallop in the fourth quarter.  Cunningham stumbled out of bounds at the 5 yard-line, moments after delivering a vicious stiffarm to freshman safety LaDarrell McNeil. 

Tight end Justice Cunningham set career highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (108)

Cunningham said me he was happy to make opportunistic catches against the Tennessee secondary.

"Linebackers and DB's, they're worried about the wide receivers.  They don't think we're really going to catch the ball," he said.

As a result, Cunningham finished with the most receiving yards by a Gamecock tight end in years.

Flipping The Field:  After forcing a three-and-out with 0:40 remaining, Tennessee still had a chance to string together a game-tying drive.  But with the wind at his back, Tyler Hull wound up and hammered a sailing, 51-yard punt.  By the time returner Cordarrelle Patterson found his bearings, Kenny Miles wrapped him up for an eight-yard loss.  Maligned for its misadventures against Florida, the 59-yard net punt was South Carolina's longest of the season.  It couldn't have come at a more opportune time.

2 Chains:  Connor Shaw and Tyler Bray were especially deadly when faced with long yardage.  On 3rd downs of 7+ yards, the duo combined to go 7-for-9 for 157 yards (22.4 yards/completion). 

3rd and 7+ Yards                Comp./Att.           Yds.       Yds./Completion              First Downs

Tyler Bray                              4-5                         97           24.2                                    4

Connor Shaw                       3-4                         60           20.0                                    2

Shaw finished with a career-high 356 passing yards, shattering his previous best of 311 against Kentucky in 2011.

And Finally... Keep #21 in your thoughts. 

"Inside The Chart" will be gone fishing during the bye week.  We'll start back up a week from Wednesday as we dive into our prep for the final SEC contest against Arkansas.  Thanks for diving "Inside The Chart" with us.  -AD--

Coaches preach it all the time:  "Don't let one loss become two."  Never let a loss, however gut-wrenching, affect your preparation and resolve for the next game.

South Carolina (6-2, 4-2 SEC) will try to heed that wisdom when it returns to Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday to face Tennessee (3-4, 0-4 SEC).  The Gamecocks are looking to shake off a pair of anemic offensive performances against LSU and Florida.  The Vols face an even more arduous task:  shaking off Alabama.

Can Bruce Ellington and the Gamecocks take advantage of an "Alabama hangover"?

For 20 of their 21 years together in the SEC, the South Carolina-Tennessee game has followed UT's "Third Saturday in October" showdown against #1 Alabama.  Even though the Vols gained a season-high 282 yards against the Tide defense, Alabama still cruised to a 44-13 victory.   

It made me wonder how badly Alabama, in its ascent under Nick Saban, gives fellow SEC teams a crimson-colored hangover.  Check out how these SEC teams fared a week after facing the Tide:

Arkansas                               OPEN DATE           

Florida                                    L-LSU

South Carolina                     L-Kentucky

Ole Miss                                L-Arkansas

Tennessee                           L-South Carolina

LSU                                        W-Louisiana-Monroe

Mississippi State                 L-Arkansas

Auburn                                  W-South Carolina (SEC Championship)

Arkansas                               W-Texas A&M*

Florida                                    L-LSU

Vanderbilt                              L-Georgia

Ole Miss                                L-Arkansas

Tennessee                           L-South Carolina

LSU                                        W-Western Kentucky

Mississippi State                 L-Arkansas

Arkansas                               L-Rutgers

Ole Miss                                L-Texas A&M

Missouri                                BYE - vs. Kentucky 10/27

Tennessee                           vs. South Carolina 10/27

Note:  I didn't include Alabama's 2011 game against Auburn, since the Tigers didn't play again until New Year's Eve.

Since 2010, SEC teams that played a conference game the week after facing Alabama have a combined 1-11 record.  The only SEC team to break that stupor?  Eventual BCS national champion Auburn, which rallied past the Tide in the 2010 Iron Bowl, then steamrolled South Carolina in the SEC Championship game.  

The Gamecocks not only represent Tennessee's "Afta-Bama" opponent, but its fourth ranked opponent in as many weeks.  As South Carolina learned in the Swamp, an exhausting schedule tests a player's mental reserves as much as its physical reserves.  Key for the Gamecocks:  take advantage of Alabama's assist, and wear down Tennessee's resilience early.

Other "Pre-Snap Reads" before Carolina and Tennessee meet at high noon (or thereabouts - 12:01 p.m. EST, Gamecock IMG Sports Network).

This May Help:  South Carolina has only allowed two touchdowns in its last 12 first quarters at Williams-Brice Stadium.  Oddly, the teams that nicked them were Navy and The Citadel.

Shades of Bray: Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray hails from Kingsburg, Calif., a town of 11,000 known as "Little Sweden" for its predominantly Swedish roots.  Its water tower is even in the shape of a Swedish coffee pot.

Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray.

Since becoming UT's starter at halftime of the Carolina game in 2010, Bray has shown a high-velocity, "See you Sunday"-type arm.  His 273 passing yards per game ranks 3rd in the SEC, and his 51 career touchdowns leads all active SEC signal-callers.  He has a pair of rangy targets in Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson, a running back in Raijon Neal (83.3 rush ypg) who can keep the play-calling balanced, and an offensive line that has only allowed three sacks.  At a water tower-sized 6'6," Bray can also see over Carolina's telescopic arms on the defensive line. 

But with 8 interceptions and a 51% completion percentage in four SEC games, Bray can be his own worst enemy.  Head coach Derek Dooley put some heat on his quarterback this week, telling the media "If he is loose with the ball, he's coming out of the game and we're going to play [backup] Justin Worley."  Can the Gamecocks keep the pressure on Bray, and prevent him from getting his confidence going? 

Better Days Ahead?  The Gamecock offense stumbled against two of the elite defenses in the nation in LSU and Florida.  Could they be due for a change against Tennessee?

Yards Per Play Allowed

3.             LSU                         3.69

4.             Florida                    4.17

98.          Tennessee            6.10

Among Carolina's opponents, only UAB (104th NCAA) has a more gaping yards-per-play average.  Could a more vulnerable defense - and an undefeated record at home - help Connor Shaw return to form?

Nuthin' But A "Glee" Thang:  You may not find many football players who will readily volunteer themselves as fans of the Fox show Glee.  But count Tennessee tight end Mychal Rivera among them, and with good reason - his sister, Naya, plays cheerleader Santana on the show.

Position Change:  In its 14-3 win over the Vols last year, South Carolina won despite a sizable gap in starting field position.

Avg. Starting Field Position -2011                    Tennessee                                         Carolina

                                                                                Own 45                                                Own 27

In addition to improving their own ball security on kickoffs, the Gamecocks need to prevent returner Cordarelle Patterson from opening his stride.  The (Rock Hill) Northwestern HS product ranks 2nd in the nation, averaging 34.5 yards per kick return.

And Finally...  Recruiting is a game of hits and misses - or in Derek Dooley's case, a miss that turns into a hit again.  As head coach of Louisiana Tech, Dooley recruited safety Prentiss Waggner from nearby Clinton, La.  At his in-home visit, Dooley told Waggner he "didn't think he was good enough to go to Tennessee." 

Waggner ignored the advice and signed with the Volunteers.  He'll be making his 33rd consecutive start Saturday.

Now that we're prepared, we hope you are as well.  Our pre-game coverage begins at 9 a.m. EST on the Gamecock IMG Sports Network.  See you at Williams-Brice.  -AD--

Times approximate

Lattimore ranks fourth highest in yards per game in a career among current NCAA players averaging 93.3 yards per game. While most of his on field success comes from studying the opponent and working hard in the weight room, Lattimore also attributes some of his success to what he has learned from other players he admires. One such player is Frank Gore, the starting running back for the San Francisco 49ers.

"He is not a really fast guy, but he makes up for it with his patience and vision, and his ability to catch the ball."

Lattimore also looks to Gore as an example because he, like Lattimore, underwent ACL surgery and returned. Additionally, Lattimore mentions with a smile that Gore also wears number 21 and he likes that about him, but jersey number aside Gore has a presence on the field that Lattimore admires.

"I definitely try to mimic his patience on the field," Lattimore commented. "He is a great guy to look over, and I try to take some of his moves from his game. I think it helps me out."

ESPN

In truth, Byron Jerideau should have left town with the South Carolina State Fair.  With tree trunk thighs and Popeye arms, the 6'1," 316-pound defensive tackle from Green Pond has performed feats of strength worthy of a sideshow tent.  Last Spring, the redshirt senior set a program record with a 485-pound bench press, proving he can not only replace Travian Robertson on the depth chart, but in the record books as well.

But strength alone doesn't cut it on the football field.  Bench presses and dead lifts don't always translate into sacks and tackles for loss.  Without technique, strength is sa parlor trick.  But in his final season in Garnet and Black, Jerideau is becoming known as much for his impact plays as his Strongman reputation.  Despite being hobbled by a sprained ankle, Jerideau has strung together two of his best games as a Gamecock.  Against #9 LSU, he tallied a career-high 6 tackles.  In Saturday's loss to #2 Florida, he added four tackles and his first blocked extra point.

- Fans are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes for a chance to win a prize!  There will be a winner for the elementary aged participants, middle school participants, and college participants.  Come dressed in your costume while cheering for your Gamecocks! Winners will be chosen at halftime.

- One of the designated games for which participants in our Active Gamecocks program may use their free tickets! Active Gamecocks is a statewide initiative to fight childhood obesity.  Children in Kindergarten to 5th grade participate in the program by logging their physical activity for two weeks with a goal of 30 minutes per day with the ability to earn free athletic event tickets.

The SEC may leave little room for error, but it leaves even less room for self-pity.

Celebrating after a win, seething after a loss - whatever the outcome, feelings can't linger long in the SEC.  Coaches warn players about looking ahead; in reality, looking behind can be just as reckless.  The clock is already ticking on the next opponent.  

So after a humbling, 44-11 defeat to #2 Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, South Carolina (6-2, 4-2 SEC) heads back to work Sunday, trying to regroup for its next SEC matchup against Tennessee.  The regular season may not end with a trip to Atlanta, but it can still end memorably - so long as the Gamecocks direct their energies wisely.

"Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes" on a night where "The Swamp" claimed another victim:

Laying It On The "Line":  The numbers, combined with the injuries, offered a gloomy outlook.  LSU had just dashed and gashed the Gamecocks for 258 rushing yards.  The next opponent, Florida, ranked 2nd in the SEC in rushing, and carved up Vanderbilt for 326 yards in a 31-17 win.   The Gamecocks' interior line was also hurting, with defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles (injury/suspension) not making the trip to Florida and Byron Jerideau nursing a heavily-taped sprained ankle.  All signs pointed to a long, difficult day in the trenches.  

Yet the Gamecocks' defensive line came through with a gutsy effort against the Gators.  Carolina bottled up most of Florida's between-the-tackles runs, and prevented Mike Gillislee, the SEC's second-leading rusher (102.5 ypg), from opening his stride.  On Friday, we noted that one of Gillislee's strengths was his ability to take hits, and grind out yards after contact.  In 120 carries on the season, Gillislee had only amassed 9 loss yards.  In 19 carries against Carolina, Gillislee had 10 loss yards.

Mike Gilislee                         Carries                   Loss Yards

Games 1-6                            120                          9

vs. South Carolina                 19                           10

Devin Taylor and Jadeveon Clowney also used their length and speed to neutralize Florida's zone-read option.  One week after breaking Tim Tebow's school record for rushing yards by a quarterback (177), Florida QB Jeff Driskel managed only -5 rushing yards.  However, an average starting field position of the 50-yard line can put a strain on even the most valiant defenses.

Been There, Done That:  Florida knows exactly how South Carolina feels.  The Gamecocks allowed 183 yards of total offense, yet fell to the Gators 44-11.  Last year, Florida held rival Florida State to 95 yards on 59 plays, yet still dropped a 21-7 decision to FSU.  That gave Florida the "Backhanded Compliment" award for fewest yards allowed by a losing team in the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2011.

Yes, Shaq Wilson confirms, he was named after the basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.  But in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla., everyone knows him by a different nickname.  After five years on the Carolina campus, Wilson can finally spill the secret.

"My middle name is Demesio," Wilson told me after our pre-game radio interview.  "It's my Dad's name.  He's Puerto Rican.  Everybody back home calls me 'Diesel' because of it.  My family, my teammates - everybody."

By any name, Wilson has started to become a household one. 

Head coach Steve Spurrier praised Wilson this week for "having an all-conference linebacker kind of year, maybe even an All-American type year."    The senior leads the Gamecocks with 44 tackles, including a career-high 14 against LSU.   He also recorded a sack and a forced fumble of the Tigers' Spencer Ware, the tailback's first in 242 career carries. 

But Wilson takes grim satisfaction in that personal record.

"As a linebacker I feel like either a lot of people aren't making tackles or you're not getting off the field," he said.  "The numbers I look at mostly are wins and losses and [stops on] third downs.  Those are what matter to me most."

The number Wilson covets most Saturday is the Gamecocks' 7th win.  The senior gets one final crack against his home-state school when South Carolina (6-1, 4-1 SEC) faces #2 Florida (6-0, 5-0 SEC) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.  A win would slingshot the Gamecocks back up the rankings, and give them inside position for an SEC Eastern Division title.  It would also add to Carolina's growing collection of firsts - in this case, its first three-game win streak over the Gators. 

Pre-snap reads before Gamecocks and Gators engage in Swamp warfare (3:30 p.m. EST, Gamecock IMG Sports Network):

Curb Your Enthusiasm:  Florida has adopted the motto "start fast and physical" in 2012.  The Gamecocks might counter with the slogan "start faster and more physical."  Did you know:  Carolina is one of five (5) teams nationally that has yet to allow a first-quarter touchdown.

No First-Quarter Touchdowns Allowed                            

1.        South Carolina                     0                             

 Alabama                                                                

 Penn State                                                            

 Notre Dame                                                         

 Kent State                                                             

Like any difficult road setting, the Gamecocks can't let the Swamp get engaged early.  The numbers suggest they'll have that ability.

Blue In The Red:  Like LSU, Florida has suffered from red-zone issues this year.  

Florida Red Zone Offense                  Percentage                           NCAA Rank

Scoring Percentage                             19 of 20, 95.0%                       7th

Touchdown Percentage                        11 of 20, 40.0%                       85th

While the Gators boast an All-American placekicker in Caleb Sturgis, they've showcased him far too often on chip-shot field goals.  Despite getting outplayed in Baton Rouge, the Gamecocks stayed close by stalling LSU drives, and forcing the Tigers to settle for field goals.  Will that same strength be a virtue in Gainesville?  Florida and South Carolina rank #5 and #6 in the nation, allowing an identical 12.3 points per game.  In a clash between two stingy defenses, the difference between a touchdown and field goal could make the difference between a win and loss. 

Bet You Didn't Know, Pt. I:  Florida senior defensive tackle Omar Hunter won a state championship for Buford (Ga.) HS in 2007, routing Lovett HS 50-0 in the title game.  Lovett was coached by Mike Muschamp... brother of Gators head coach Will Muschamp.

Kenny Miles (right) will start ahead of Marcus Lattimore.

Bounce-Back Ahead?  With LSU's linemen clogging running lanes, Carolina only managed 34 rushing yards on 25 carries in their 23-21 loss to the Tigers.  Their ability to rebound may be further tested, with Wednesday's news that Marcus Lattimore may take fewer carries because of a bruised hip.  Florida rolled up a season-high 9.0 tackles for loss against Vanderbilt, with defensive linemen Dominique Easley and Sharrif Floyd leading a brute, physical point of attack.

Yet over the last two seasons, Carolina has shown a surprising ability to be shut down the previous week, only to break out against the Gators.  Look at their rushing totals from the week before, followed by their rushing numbers against Florida:

CBS

Ace Sanders locks in on his target.  As the ball spirals towards him, he calculates.  A check of the gunners.  A check of the ball's trajectory.  A survey of his position.  A measure of his speed.  A peek at the field ahead of him.

Dozens of calculations fill up the few seconds from when the ball strikes the punter's foot to when it lands in his hands, informing him what to do.  Signal fair catch or take off?  Cut left or right?  Swing wide or accelerate straight ahead?

Yet once the punt finishes its descent, landing with a "thwack" inside Sanders' hands, all that data gives way to instinct.  In a split-second, Sanders has to convert his information into action.

Ace Sanders (Middle) after a punt return against Missouri. 

Seven weeks into the season, few punt returners have done it to more devastating effect than the junior from Bradenton, Fla.  After a 50-yard punt return against LSU Saturday, Sanders has raised his season average to 17.4 yards per runback.

That average doesn't even lead the SEC.  But can you make the argument that Sanders is the best punt returner in college football? 

Let's do some calculations of our own.

Compare Sanders' numbers against the other widely-acknowledged best punt returners in the country, Missouri's Marcus Murphy and Texas A&M's Dustin Harris:  

Teams don't win at LSU's "Death Valley" so much as they survive.  South Carolina battled over four punishing quarters Saturday, but couldn't make a fourth-quarter lead stand up in a 23-21 loss to #9 LSU.  The win extended LSU's nation's-best home win streak to 22 games, while ending the Gamecocks' nation's-best 10-game win streak.    

But a loss in Death Valley doesn't mean a death sentence.  The Gamecock coaches were quick to point out that a win over Florida puts Carolina back on track for an SEC Eastern Division title, and a return trip to the Georgia Dome.  When they left the Baton Rouge tarmac at 2:20 a.m. EST, the Gamecocks were down.  When they returned to Columbia, they knew they were far from out.

"Notes, Quotes, and Anecdotes" from a night where four quarters felt more like 15 rounds:   

Tote The Rock:  LSU could've tried to hide its offensive line.  The Tigers had to play a sixth different starting lineup in seven games, after right guard Josh Williford (concussion) and right tackle Alex Hurst (personal issues) were ruled out.

Yet instead of running from its problem, LSU ran behind it - literally.  Using a rotating cast of tailbacks, the Tigers pounded out 258 rushing yards over 53 carries, more than tripling Carolina's season average.  Even the stingiest defenses get fatigued.

Despite Byron Jerideau's best efforts, the Gamecocks allowed 258 rushing yards.

Carolina encountered its biggest problem on first down.  LSU averaged 6.46 yards per rushing play on first downs (take away Jeremy Hill's 50-yard touchdown, and it still comes out to a healthy 4.72 yards).

How shocking was that?  South Carolina came in allowing 2.27 yards per carry on first down... the 4th-lowest average in the nation.

On First Down...

LSU First-Down Rushing Avg.                             6.46

USC First-Down Rush Defense                           2.27  (4th NCAA)

Play of the Game:  Reginald Bowens averaged 17 tackles per game as a senior at Garner HS outside Durham, N.C.  The linebacker showed his nose for the football in the first quarter, stoning tailback Spencer Ware on what appeared to be an inevitable touchdown on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line.  On a night when Carolina struggled against the run, Bowens' "Ware-housing" stood out.

First Time For Everything:  LSU may have extended its home winning streak to 22 games, but another streak came to an end.  Tigers tailback Spencer Ware had 0 fumbles in 242 career rushing attempts before Shaq Wilson stripped him on LSU's opening drive.  Ware rescued the ball before it squirted away. 

Shaq Wilson (#54) wrestles down LSU RB Jeremy Hill.  Wilson recorded a career-high 14 tackles.

That was only the start of a remarkable night for Wilson.  Two weeks after finishing without a tackle at Kentucky, the Jacksonville, Fla., senior posted a career-high 14 tackles and a sack.

Amazing Stat:  Until the Gamecocks' final touchdown drive, LSU had run 45 plays inside Carolina territory.  The Gamecocks had run 42 plays total. 

Coming Up Aces:  Junior Ace Sanders put together the most complete game of his career, scoring a touchdown for a fifth straight game while adding another scintillating punt return.  Even after T.J. Gurley's penalty, Sanders gained 50 yards on his third-quarter punt return.  LSU had allowed 2 punt return yards all season, 5th-best in the nation.

Punt and Run

LSU Punt Return Yards Allowed (2012):                          2

Ace Sanders Punt Return                                              50

And Finally... The Gamecocks have been down this road before.  In 2010, South Carolina suffered a dispiriting, 41-20 loss to Arkansas at Williams-Brice Stadium.  The next week, Carolina marched into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, an SEC East title at stake, and pummeled Florida 36-14.  The lesson: losses only define teams if they let them.  At his taping of "Carolina Calls," Steve Spurrier wondered if Saturday's loss may help the Gamecocks as they prepare for a Florida team that's built similarly to LSU.  The Gators also rely on smashmouth running - they're averaging their highest rushing total since Emmitt Smith's final year - and fearless, physical line play.  Oh, and expect another ear-splitting atmosphere to greet Carolina at the "Swamp." 

Saturday's loss may have stung, but the Gamecocks won't have to wait long for an atonement.

Join us next week for our chart prep against Florida.  Thanks for diving "Inside The Chart" with us.  -AD--

Facing LSU at Tiger Stadium is daunting enough.  Part cathedral, part Roman Coliseum, the Tigers boast a nation's-best 21-game home winning streak.

Facing LSU at Tiger Stadium at night is even more dangerous.  The Tigers have gone 35-1 under Les Miles in Saturday night games at "Death Valley."

Facing an angry LSU team, on Saturday night, at Tiger Stadium?  That could pass for a death wish.

The "unholy darkness" of LSU's Tiger Stadium at night.

Yet if any team has the confidence to counteract that, it's the Gamecocks, who throttled Georgia 35-7 en route to a #3 national ranking.  Aside from Alabama's thrashing of Michigan in Week One, it makes a compelling case as the most impressive game by a Top-25 team against a fellow ranked opponent this year.  LSU returns to Baton Rouge with its undefeated record smudged -- but its confidence intact -- after a flat, 14-6 road loss to Florida.  A loss in consecutive weeks, which hasn't happened in Baton Rouge since 2009, could spoil a season that began with the Tigers ranked #1.  

It sets the stage for a smashmouth showdown where the intangibles (crowd, urgency, handling expectations) could play as big a role as the tangibles.

"Pre-Snap Reads" before the Gamecocks venture into the unholy darkness of Tiger Stadium (8:00 p.m. EST, Gamecock IMG Sports Network):

"Metten" Me In The Backfield?  Carolina could make it a long couple of weeks for the Mettenberger family.  On Saturday, the Gamecocks will try to stymie Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger.  His mother, Tammy, is a longtime administrative assistant in the University of Georgia football office.

(Imagine the call volume they've had this week.)

LSU QB Zach Mettenberger

Mettenberger will try to revive an enigmatic LSU offense that has lacked a true, emergent playmaker this season, and has only scored 1 touchdown in 2 SEC games.  The Watkinsville, Ga., native has an SEC-caliber arm (61.5% completion percentage), but lacks the mobility of a Connor Shaw.  He told reporters last week, "My game is definitely not running around laterally in the pocket."  Unlike most of the offenses Carolina has faced, Mettenberger takes the majority of his snaps from under center, rather than shotgun.  Could that leave him more vulnerable to Carolina's swarming pass rush (25.0 sacks, 2nd NCAA)?

Mettenberger may also play with an offensive line that's less than full-strength.  Right guard Josh Williford is recovering from a concussion.  Starting left tackle Chris Faulk was felled by a season-ending knee injury against Washington.  His replacement, Alex Hurst, will likely miss the game due to personal issues.  That could cause the Tigers to lean on a power running game (198.3 yards/game, 5th SEC) featuring junior Spencer Ware and sophomore Kenny Hilliard.

Then again, Les Miles has perfected the unpredictable at LSU.  Stay tuned.

Making "Ends" Meet:  Why will the defensive ends play Saturday?

Because they can't play on Sunday. 

The bookends will have a distinctly NFL feel when the Gamecocks and Tigers line up at Tiger Stadium.  While Jadeveon Clowney and Devin Taylor bear down for Carolina, LSU will unleash ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, juniors who rate as Mel Kiper's #3 and #4 overall picks in his ESPN NFL mock draft.  Mingo leads the Tigers in quarterback hurries (7), and will test Shaw's ability to improvise if the pocket collapses.  That pressure has allowed LSU to shut down passing offenses, despite a secondary that lost cornerbacks Morris Claiborne (NFL) and Heisman finalist Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu (dismissed).

South Carolina ranks 2nd in the nation in pass efficiency (180.92).  LSU ranks 3rd in the nation in pass efficiency defense (90.15).  Can the Gamecocks execute in the face of a pressure that may remind them of - well, their own defense?

Pass Efficiency                                       NCAA Rank

South Carolina Offense   180.9                                                      2nd

LSU Defense                  90.2                                                       3rd

Namely Speaking:  Mingo has an award you may not see on his LSU bio page: winner of the coveted 2009 Name of the Year competition.  We'll see if Mike Matulis can provide stiffer competition than Taco Vandervelde or Nutritious Love.

Giveth, Taketh Away:  A turnover can easily swing momentum.  That is, unless your defense swings back.

The South Carolina defense has not allowed a single point to be scored after a turnover, despite 8 giveaways on the season (2 INT, 6 fumbles lost).  Conversely, of the 77 points the LSU defense has allowed, 34 of them - nearly 45% - have come following a turnover.

Team           Turnovers Committed     Opponent Points off Turnovers        SEC Rank

USC             8                                      0                                                       1st

LSU             11                                     34                                                     14th

In a big game, a team needs to do two things:  minimize your own mistakes, and maximize your opponent's.  The Gamecocks need to capitalize on their turnovers - and continue preventing LSU from doing the same.

Did You Know:  Eric Reid, Sr., the father of LSU safety Eric Reid, Jr., won an NCAA track title for the Tigers in the 110-meter high hurdles.  He currently works across from Tiger Stadium as a director in LSU's Office of Parking, Traffic, and Transportation.

In case you're wondering:  yes, Eric, Jr., has received two parking tickets at LSU.

Ace Sanders vs. LSU punter Brad Wing.  Consider yourself warned.

Special Attention:  Coaches evangelize about the "hidden yards" that are won or lost from special teams.  Saturday's game offers a fascinating fight for them.  South Carolina ranks 4th in the nation in punt return yards (275).  LSU ranks 5th in the nation in punt return defense (6 punt returns, 2 yards allowed).

Team                                      Punt Return Yards                               NCAA Rank

South Carolina                          275                                                      4th*

LSU                                         2 (allowed)                                            5th

*-Two years ago, South Carolina ranked 115th in the nation in punt return yards

Ace Sanders will engage in a heated duel with LSU's cannon-legged punter Brad Wing (45.3 yds./punt).  Wing tweeted this week that he has studied Sanders' runback against Georgia relentlessly on his cell phone.  In a game between two airtight defenses, where field position will be a battle unto itself, "hidden yards" could play a not-so-hidden role.

And Finally:  Steve Spurrier's career-long win streak is 12 games at Florida in 1995.  A win Saturday could set him up to tie his record... at Florida next week.

Now that we're prepared, we hope you are as well.  Our pre-game coverage starts at 5:00 p.m. EST on the Gamecock IMG Sports Network.  We'll see you in Baton Rouge.  -AD--