COLUMBIA, S.C. - Steve Spurrier doesn't like to think about last year's blowout loss to Auburn. If he does, though, he doesn't make excuses or hide behind the usual problems of a building program.<br>
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``We got about what we expected or deserved,'' Spurrier says with conviction.<br>
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Not much went right for the Gamecocks, who fell to the Tigers 48-7 in one of Spurrier's most lopsided losses. No one, not even the ball coach, was blameless.<br>
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``I told one of our coaches yesterday, not only were we not into it, but coaching-wise, we all had a bad game ... I know I had a terrible game as a coach,'' Spurrier said.<br>
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Spurrier didn't have a lot going for him that night. The Gamecocks were already without starting quarterback Blake Mitchell and had to rush freshman Antonio Heffner in there to take over.<br>
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``We had about 60 plays on the wristband for Antonio,'' Spurrier remembered. ``I couldn't find them half the time and he couldn't get the signal half the time and we couldn't even line up.''<br>
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``But anyway, that one is history,'' Spurrier said. ``You live and learn and try and regroup from there.''<br>
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South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) gets another crack at the Tigers (4-0, 2-0) at Williams-Brice Stadium on Thursday night, although things might not be any easier than a year ago.<br>
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Auburn is No. 2 in the country and already on the fast track for the Bowl Championship Series. The Gamecocks have only recently shown signs of offensive life, struggling to outlast Division I-AA Wofford 27-20 before last Saturday's rout of Florida Atlantic, 45-6.<br>
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South Carolina's offense has improved the past two games since senior Syvelle Newton was put in for junior Blake Mitchell. The team ranked 99th in overall offense and accounted for only one touchdown its two opening contests that included an 18-0 loss to Georgia on Sept. 9.<br>
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But Newton had led the Gamecocks to nine touchdowns in the past two victories, including a school-record tying five TD passes to Sidney Rice in the Florida Atlantic win. The Gamecocks stand 58th nationally this week and Spurrier assured everyone that Newton would indeed get the call in the ESPN game.<br>
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For his efforts last week, Rice was named the SEC offensive player of the week.<br>
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The Gamecocks know the touchdowns won't come as easily against Auburn, which held LSU to three points and has allowed only 24 points all season.<br>
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The team has talked about last year's defeat, receiver Mike West said. While it won't be about revenge Thursday night, the Gamecocks certainly will be motivated to make things competitive and by ``trying to put 48 points on them.''<br>
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It doesn't make sense to dwell on that loss, West said, because it'll cost you even more games. ``We just kind of put it behind us,'' he said. ``They're just another SEC team.''<br>
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A year ago, South Carolina looked lost against the Tigers. But the Gamecocks regrouped to have the school's most successful SEC stretch ever.<br>
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Spurrier rallied South Carolina to five straight victories, including landmark decisions at Tennessee and against Florida.<br>
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Sometimes, Spurrier says, the blowout losses do you more good than the close defeats. The ball coach figures that if you get smoked badly, the players understand how hard they have to work and are ready not to be embarrassed like that anytime soon. If you lose late or close, ``those hurt and carry on a long time.''<br>
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Spurrier and his players haven't given up hope of surprising the Tigers.<br>
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``Well, if the ball bounced our way, it would be a big night for South Carolina,'' Spurrier said. Then he asked if the Gamecocks had ever defeated anyone ranked as highly as Auburn. When told no, he went on, ``OK, we've got a chance at history this week; got a chance.''<br>
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(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
