Spurrier, Gamecocks have changes to make

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Posted 7:53PM on Thursday, September 14, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Steve Spurrier wanted changes to South Carolina's offense, but probably not like this. With the arrest and suspension of starting quarterback Blake Mitchell on Wednesday, Spurrier's Gamecocks are left wondering what direction the already struggling attack will take when they face Wofford on Saturday. ``We're sort of stinking on offense,'' Spurrier said. ``It's not all Blake's fault. It's not all his fault at all.'' The Gamecocks (1-1) are 99th nationally in total offense this year. They've got one touchdown and that came on a trick play when receiver Syvelle Newton threw to tailback Cory Boyd. After Thursday's practice, Spurrier held off naming a starting quarterback until his call-in radio show later that night. ``We're trying to get our ratings up,'' Spurrier said. Mitchell was unlikely to play much anyway this week, Spurrier said, partly because his injured his hand in an 18-0 loss to Georgia last week and partly due to performance. Mitchell has completed nearly 65 percent of his throws this year. But he had the Gamecocks on Georgia's 1 with a chance to get back in the game and couldn't score. ``I think he's played so-so,'' Spurrier said this week. ``Not great, not terrible.'' Mitchell's arrest takes all the guess work away for Spurrier. The coach could look to Newton, a former quarterback, or rising freshman Chris Smelley. Newton, a senior, was a triple-threat offensive weapon last season, lining up at quarterback, receiver and running back in the same game. He accounted for three touchdowns in a victory over Vanderbilt last fall before missing the season's final five games with an Achilles' tendon injury. Smelley has played in both South Carolina games this season. Statistically, he was the most effective of all the Gamecock passers during preseason scrimmages. But will the roar of starting in front of 80,000 be too much for a first-timer? Smelley can't say because Spurrier made him and all the offensive players and assistant coaches off limits to the media. Spurrier says none of them have done anything to warrant attention. Mitchell gained the spotlight anyway with his out-of-character arrest. A police report said he punched a man outside a local bar early Wednesday morning. He turned himself in to police and was eventually released on his own recognizance. ``It was very unlike him personality wise getting in the scuffle,'' Spurrier said Thursday. ``We'll wait and see where the facts come out before we make any permanent decisions on him.'' Mitchell has a court appearance scheduled Friday to enter a plea, his attorney Neal Lourie said. Lourie said it was too early to know if Mitchell would be offered or accept pre-trial intervention, a popular legal avenue for athletes in trouble that lets first time offenders wipe their records clean if they complete community service and other requirements. Mitchell could enter a plea, plead no contest or ask for a jury trial at the hearing, said Sgt. Florence McCants with the Columbia Police Department. ``He's doing fine and is in good spirits,'' Lourie said. ``He's got a good head on his shoulders.'' Spurrier wants to know all the facts before deciding on any longer-term penalties for Mitchell, a decision South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman supports. ``Obviously, when something like this happens that's rather traumatic, you want to do your due diligence to make sure you understand what transpired,'' Hyman said. Hyman said Mitchell must also go through the student judicial system and face any judgment they may make. Spurrier says Mitchell is part of the team, but won't practice or play. Mitchell is expected to be on the sidelines Saturday to watch up to what Spurrier says could be seven new offensive starters. ``We've got a lot of other changes, too,'' Spurrier said. ``It's not just the quarterback.'' (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)