COLUMBIA, S.C. -- He says his team is as talented as any South Carolina team he has coached in four years, but Steve Spurrier just can't figure out how to get the offense going.
The Gamecocks (1-2) get a welcome break from the Southeastern Conference for the next two weeks. First up is Wofford from the Football Championship Subdivision (2-0).
Spurrier spent much of his weekly news conference complaining about his offense, which is ranked 10th in the SEC in total offense at 328 yards a game.
Asked how sharing playcalling duties with his son, receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr., has gone, the Head Ball Coach said he is still calling about 75 percent of the plays. ``That hasn't been our problem. Blocking and throwing and catching has been our biggest problem,'' Spurrier said.
Asked to pinpoint the biggest problem he's having with his offense, Spurrier said: ``Well we haven't had a consistent running attack or a consistent passing attack. How's that?''
Spurrier said this year's team is the most talented he's ever coached at South Carolina. Yet, they've lost six SEC games in a row going back to 2007. Spurrier went six seasons at Florida from 1993 to 1998 losing just five SEC games total. He has 15 league losses in three years and two games with South Carolina.
Spurrier lost just 14 times in the SEC in 12 years with the Gators.
``We can compete with anyone. We still haven't proven we can win,'' Spurrier said.
Everything in the offense can get better, starting with the quarterback, Spurrier said sophomore Chris Smelley is expected to start again, but the coach didn't sound too enthused about it.
``We think Chris is definitely our best player. Still hoping that he can take charge at some point. I'm hoping he can go up there and make an audible without me yelling at him,'' Spurrier said.
Smelley and freshman Stephen Garcia have been spending about the same amount of time under center at practice, Spurrier said.
Garcia got in for three unremarkable plays during last week's 14-7 loss to No. 3 Georgia. Spurrier wouldn't say whether Garcia would see more playing time this week. Tommy Beecher, who started the first game of the season before hurting his shoulder and getting sick, may also play depending on how he practices.
The offense will likely be without its best player again against Wofford. Receiver Kenny McKinley isn't on the depth chart as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered two weeks ago.
``We need another wide receiver to step forward. Can't throw to the tight end every play,'' Spurrier said.
Players said Spurrier reminded them on Monday not to take the Terriers lightly. In 2006, Wofford lost just 27-20 and had the ball on South Carolina's 10 with a fourth-and-5 with 30 seconds to go before losing a fumble.
Nathan Pepper remembers it well.
``This is a team we probably should have blown out last time we played them people expected a blowout,'' the junior defensive tackle said. ``For them to come in here on the road and come and play us the way they did, that's definitely something we can use as fuel to help our team get better.''
Wofford brings a special challenge to the Gamecocks. The Terriers run one of the best options in college football, and South Carolina doesn't play against that kind of offense regularly.
But that has the defense excited, especially the linemen and linebackers, Pepper said.
``We like to have the game placed on our backs. With me being up there in the middle, teammates beside me, I think we can really handle the run,'' Pepper said.
Spurrier started Monday by pointing out Wofford is averaging 400 yards rushing a game. But then he quickly moved on to list his offensive woes.
``We've got a good defense, got a very good defense,'' Spurrier said. ``Obviously the best defense since I've been here.''
Friday
October 25th, 2024
6:29PM
