Gamecocks slow Spiller, cool off Clemson
November 28, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)—Stephen Garcia threw three touchdown passes and SouthCarolina’s defense slowed down Clemson star C.J. Spiller in a 34-17 victory overthe 15th-ranked Tigers on Saturday.
Spiller opened the game with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, anNCAA record- setting seventh of his career. But the Gamecocks (7-5) bottled upSpiller and Clemson’s high-scoring offense after that to end the Tigers’six-game win streak—and their dominance in the rivalry.
Clemson (8-4) had won two straight, six out of seven and 10 of 12 againstthe Gamecocks, who had only one victory over the Tigers in the last 10 games atWilliams-Brice Stadium.
That changed against a South Carolina defense ranked third in theSoutheastern Conference and fresh from a week off.
Clemson had just 260 yards of offense, well off the more than 415 itaveraged the past six games. Spiller finished with 18 yards rushing and 19receiving.
South Carolina fans chanted “S-E-C” as the outcome became clear.
The ACC’s Atlantic Division champs head into next week’s conference titlegame against Georgia Tech with several questions to answer. No. 1 among them:What happened to the offense?
The orange-clad fans among the 80,574 in the stands had little reason todoubt it’d be another day to celebrate when Spiller cut left and glided to hisfourth kick return score this season less than 20 seconds in.
But the Tigers had only 138 yards through three quarters and looked nothinglike the team that stormed its way to its first division title by scoring morethan 40 points a game since mid-October.
There were interceptions, fumbles and penalties galore that helped SouthCarolina score 17 points in the opening half, more than it had in any of itslast five games.
Jamie Harper’s fumble turned into a 1-yard touchdown run by Brian Maddox totie things.
Kyle Parker’s first interception in three games followed on Clemson’s nextdrive, with freshman Devonte Hollomon returning it 54 yards to the Tigers 11.Garcia connected with tight end Weslye Saunders for the go-ahead score from 9yards out.
If you needed proof this was the Gamecocks’ day, it came a series later.
Ricky Sapp had a roughing penalty on a punt to keep another Gamecocks drivegoing. That one ended with Spencer Lanning clanging a 47-yard field goal off theright upright.
Garcia clinched things in the third quarter with a 14-yard touchdown throwto a wide-open Tori Gurley.
Spiller fumbled on the Tigers’ first possession of the second half, andClemson got just one first down its next three series.
The victory ended what looked like another late-season swoon in SteveSpurrier’s fifth year as Gamecocks coach.
In 2007, South Carolina opened 6-1 and lost its last five. A year ago, a 7-3start was ruined by three straight defeats down the stretch.
The Gamecocks were 6-2 a month ago after beating Vanderbilt 14-10. Losses toTennessee, Arkansas and top-ranked Florida had Spurrier fielding uncomfortablequestions about playcalling and his future.
Spurrier, testily at times, preached patience and reminded critics histeam’s best days were down the road. That showed against the Tigers.
Hollomon’s game-changing interception was the first of his career. Defensiveback Stephon Gilmore, Hollomon’s teammate at South Pointe High last fall, wasused successfully in a wildcat look that set up Maddox’s tying touchdown.
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