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OUR 2002 SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Saturday, September 7, 2002 - Time: 7:45 PM (ESPN)
Scott Stadium - Charlottesville, Virginia
Capacity (61,500)
South Carolina Gamecocks (Game Three)
2001 Record: 9-3, 2001 Southeastern Conference Record: 5-3 (3rd)
Dubious Distinctions: Opponents 41.8% 3rd down conversion rate placed the Gamecocks next to last in the category in SEC last season. South Carolina beat out only Vanderbilt and Kentucky who tied for last in the league.
Stellar Stats: The Southeastern Conference had a national-best 47 players taken in the 2002 National Football League draft last spring. The South Carolina Gamecocks, with five players chosen, tied for fourth in the SEC for most players selected. South Carolina's NFL draft picks include: DB Sheldon Brown (Philadelphia Eagles, 2nd round); DB Andre Goodman (Detroit Lions, 3rd round); DB Willie Offord (Minnesota Vikings, 3rd round); and DE John Stamper (Tampa Bay Bucs, 6th round).
Like Virginia head football coach Al Groh, South Carolina coach Lou Holtz likely secured the best recruiting class in the school's history; a consensus top 15 class that featured 15 prep All-Americans. But the focus this spring in Columbia may have been more on who was missing as opposed to who was coming in.
The University of South Carolina was well represented at this year's National Football League draft, as five Gamecocks were chosen in the first six rounds of the professional selection. Four other Gamecocks inked free agent contracts including quarterback Phil Petty (Tennessee Titans), linebacker Kenny Harney (Green Bay Packers), offensive tackle Melvin Paige (Washington Redskins), and wide receiver Brian Scott (New York Jets).
In addition, the Gamecocks lost the services of the teams 2nd leading rusher in 2002 and their 3rd leading pass receiver with the dismissal of troubled running back Derek Watson. Unfortunately for Carolina fans, the losses don't end there.
Maybe the most versatile player in the Southeastern Conference is USC's Ryan Brewer (5-10, 215, Sr.) who plays both wideout and tailback for the Gamecocks. Brewer burst upon the national scene with his Outback Bowl MVP performance (219 all-purpose yards, three TDs) back in 2001 against Ohio State. Brewer made headlines again during last seasons' Outback Bowl, also against the Buckeyes with a second strong performance and also for suffering a serious ankle injury. The Ohio native made more headlines this spring when he reaggrevated the injured ankle leaving Brewer questionable for 2002. Following the bowl game, Brewer underwent surgery to correct tendon instability in his left ankle and rehabilitated the ankle through spring practice, before re-injuring it during USC's final scrimmage prior to the spring game. Brewer is expected to have his ankle in a cast for 4-6 weeks, after which time he will be re-evaluated and begin further rehabilitation.
The most high profile battle this spring at South Carolina was the competition to replace quarterback Phil Petty. Coach Lou Holtz stated, "The number one concern may be at quarterback. I think that's where it all starts. We have a number of candidates at quarterback and the ones that are not among the best will have to be on the field somewhere. I'm going to tell you right now, Corey Jenkins (6-2, 220, Sr.) and Rodriques Wilson (6-2, 210, So.) have to be on the field. They are players you can trust and they are excellent athletes." Apparently Wilson will be at a different position as Jenkins emerged from spring camp as the starter. The two-time Junior College All-American had an immediate and positive impact on the South Carolina squad last season. As Petty's backup he rushed for 303 yards and threw for 194. In his final season as a juco quarterback he threw for 932 yards, rushed for 816 and was responsible for 18 touchdowns. No one questions Jenkins' running ability or the danger he poses for defenses when he takes flight, the question mark has always been his ability to pass at the Division 1-A level. If spring ball was any indication, Jenkins, who looked sharp in the annual Garnet and White Game completing 11 of 18 passes for 245 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 91 yards on eight carries may have answered some of his critics. Carolina's offensive coordinator Skip Holtz said, "[he] was pleased with Jenkins' development as a thrower. I think he improved as much as anyone on the team. He is making himself a complete quarterback."
With the dismissal of Derek Watson and the injury to Ryan Brewer, the running game load falls on All-SEC candidate Andrew Pinnock (6-0, 255, Sr.) wide shoulders. A powerful running back (700 squat) that can play both fullback and tailback blends a bruising style with deceptive 4.5 speed. Pinnock led the Gamecocks in 2001 in both rushing (622 yards, 5.4 ypc average) and touchdowns with 12 (3rd in the SEC). The senior running back had a solid spring game effort rushing for 80 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. The running game will be the centerpiece of the Carolina offense in 2002. According to Tom Dienhart of The Sporting News, "While Jenkins isn't a deadly passer, the Columbia, S.C., native is a physical runner who can deliver punishment with his 6-2, 220-pound frame. In fact, the Gamecocks' attack should be very physical with 255-pound senior tailback Andrew Pinnock lined up behind Jenkins and running behind a big, strong line."
With question marks surrounding Jenkins' ability to be a consistently effective passer, look for defenses to stack the line with multiple 7 and 8 man fronts and dare the Gamecocks to throw. But then again, rushing was the name of the game for South Carolina last season and with 3 returning starters and two solid players rising to fill the starting position vacated by Melvin Paige (37 career starts) and Larrell Johnson (12 starts in 2001) the offensive line should be strength of the Gamecock attack. One of the big reason South Carolina finished 2nd in the Southeastern Conference in rushing last season (186.6 ypg) was left tackle Travelle Wharton (6-4, 300, Jr.). Wharton, who started 11 games in 2001, was named to the freshman All American and All-SEC freshman teams in 2000 and is an All-SEC candidate this season. Also on the left side at guard is another 2000 All-SEC performer, Cedric Williams (6-3, 300, Sr.). The right side of the USC line features another former all conference selection (2nd Team All-SEC 2001) and 11 game starter from 2001 Shane Hall (6-6, 300, Sr.). Hall, a Sporting News Pre-season All-SEC pick possesses outstanding versatility and can play guard or tackle. Look for another senior, Watts Sanderson (6-6, 300), to likely man the right tackle spot. Sanderson has ample game experience, appearing in seven games last season as the primary backup at tackle.
Coming out of the spring the two leading contenders for starters at the wideout positions were James Adkisson (6-5, 215, Sr.) and Andrea Gause (5-9, 191, So.). The speedy Adkisson's, who is a sprinter on the USC track team could have a breakout season but will need to improve his hands. Redshirted in 2001 due in large part to a back injury, Adkisson caught 17 passes for 227 yards after starting four games in 2000. As a redshirt freshman last season, Gause appeared in nine games with two starts and accounted for 7 catches for 158 and a touchdown. Gause grabbed four receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard bomb from Jenkins in the USC spring game. Also looking for playing time at the wide receiver spot is Mathew Thomas (6-1, 180, So.) and Chavez Donnings (5-11, 185, Sr.). Thomas displayed promising talent as a true freshman in 2001. He appeared in all 11 regular season games for the Gamecocks where he caught 18 passes for 234 yards. Quoting Skip Holtz, "We do have some question marks at wide receiver. We really didn't come out of the spring with a solid two deep at wide receiver. We had some injuries there during the spring, with Matthew Thomas (ankle) and Michael Ages (shoulder). It was hard to develop consistency with the injuries. Andrea Gause has really emerged. He has big-play potential." Look for Hart Turner (6-5, 240, Jr.) to get the starting nod at tight end for the Gamecocks. Regarding Turner Holtz said, "Turner is starting to develop into a fine receiving tight end. He will have role in this offense. He is starting to earn his way onto the playing field." Turner, who started two games last season and appeared in 11 contests, has displayed some promising talent according to South Carolina insiders. Don't be surprised if incoming freshman Moe Thompson, rated by SuperPrep as the 5th best tight end prospect in the nation is seeing substantial playing time by mid-October.
Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong's Gamecocks utilize a 3-4, I mean a 4-3, no wait, a 3-3-5. Nobody really knows what they utilize. But for what often looks more like mass confusion than structure, the Gamecock defense plays with discipline and reckless passion, a recipe that has produced undeniable results the past three seasons. South Carolina ranked in the top 20 nationally in total defense in 1999 despite a 0-11 record and in 2000 where the Cocks led the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense. Last season South Carolina was 3rd in the conference in total defense (326.5 ypg) and second in scoring defense (18.4 ppg) and pass defense (182.4 ypg).
The 3-3-5 can morph into a 4-3 or even a goal-line defense with little or no substitutions. Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said Strong's schemes "present a lot of problems. Like his multi-faceted personality, the Gamecocks' defense offers different looks. That mixes up the offensive line and keeps it off-balance," Nutt said. Coach Strong does allow that the 3-3-5; three down linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs - creates the best opportunity to maximize his players' strength: speed. South Carolina will mix zone and blitz packages and force quarterbacks to make good decisions. "What we like to do is disrupt offenses," said Strong, who spent four years as an assistant at Notre Dame before joining Holtz at South Carolina. "We want to disrupt, and we want to set the tempo for the game. We feel like if we do that, we always have a chance."
The biggest challenge for Strong this season is that he has to disrupt tempo without a significant number of the players responsible for the Gamecock defensive success over the last three years. Gone are 2001 Lombardi and Butkus Award candidate linebacker Kalimba Edwards (Detroit Lions, 2nd round) as well as Jim Thorpe Award semi-finalist, first team All-SEC, second-team Associated Press and third-team Sporting News All-American cornerback Sheldon Brown (Philadelphia Eagles, 2nd round). His running mate in the secondary, cornerback Andre Goodman, was the 68th player picked in the NFL draft going in the third round to the Lions. Safetyman Willie Offord was likewise a third round selection, the 70th pick overall, going to the Minnesota Vikings. When you include defensive end John Stamper who was a sixth round choice, the 193rd player overall (Tampa Bay) and that adds up to a lot of experience playing on Sunday's instead of Saturday's.
Graduation hit the Gamecocks hardest in the defensive secondary where coach John Gutekunst must replace four starters who accounted for 263 tackles (25% of the team total), 8 interceptions and 23 pass breakups. According to coach Strong, "Our strongest position may be at spur with [Rashad] Faison (5-9, 190, Sr.), I feel pretty comfortable there." He should. Faison is an All-American candidate who led the Cocks in tackles in 2001 (104) and placed second in 2000 with 99. He also led the team in tackles for loss in both 2000 (13) and 2001 (9.5). Pound for pound, the second team All-SEC pick from 2001 may be the best defender in the SEC. Faison is recovering from a knee injury but is expected to be 100% when the season starts.
The rest of the secondary includes some players with experience, but they are still fairly untested, especially on the corners. Leading the pack for the left corner spot is Dunta Robinson (6-0, 180, Jr.) who was moved from the spur safety position he played last season. Robinson appeared in 11 games last fall and was credited with 10 tackles. The right corner position is a contest between Isaac Stackhouse (5-10, 195 Sr.) and Brian Elam (5-10, 175, Sr.). Stackhouse played in 6 games last season and Elam played in all 12 in backup and special teams roles. Also competing for time at the corner positions are Rachiem Monroe (5-9, 185, Jr.), Teddy Crawford (5-10, 175, Jr.) and 2001 junior college first team All-American Jermaine Harris (6-4, 210, Jr.).
Projected as the starter at the free safety position is Deandre' Eiland (6-0, 200, Jr.). Eiland appeared in 11 games, starting four as a true sophomore last season delivering 46 tackles, 2 interceptions and 5 pass breakups. Coming out of spring All-SEC candidate Jonathan Martin (5-11, 215, Sr.) had secured the final position in the Gamecock 5-man secondary. Martin is a solid defender who excelled at the spur position and also on special teams. He saw action in all 12 games in 2001 where he was responsible for 64 tackles and tied for second on the team in tackles for loss with 5. Martin has developed into an excellent all-around player and has overcome two knee injuries during his collegiate career.
All-SEC candidate nose tackle Langston Moore (6-2, 290, Sr.) is a player that could emerge as force along defensive front for the Cocks. The coaching staff has seen steady improvement in the former offensive lineman evident by Moore being recognized as the top defensive player in spring camp back in 2001. Last season, Moore ended the season with 56 tackles. Not a bad number when you consider the primary job of a USC defensive lineman is to keep the other team's "big uglies" off the linebackers. Dennis Quinn (6-4, 265, Sr.) and the rangy George Gause (6-5 255, So.) who will occupy the defensive end positions are a couple of steady performers with game experience (both appeared in 9 games last season). Quinn started eleven games back in 2000 where he accounted for 38 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Even during an injury riddled (cartilage damage to knee) season last fall, Quinn still manage to start 8 of the 9 games in which he played and delivered 29 tackles. Gause (24 tackles in 2001) reminds Gamecock fans of another USC standout, New York Jet John Abraham. The South Carolina native has the talent and athleticism to develop into a big time defender.
Like the defensive front, the linebacking two-deep has players with some talent and some playing time under their belts, but there's still a lot of inexperience here. Inexperience is not an issue for Jermaine Lemon (6-0, 225, Sr.) and Jeremiah Garrison (6-1, 225, Jr.). As a starter last fall, Lemon finished 2nd on the team in tackles with 91 and tied for 2nd on the team in tackles for loss (5). Garrison, who played in 10 games last season delivering 45 stops was listed as the backup to Lemon but we believe both should find a place in the starting trio. Coming out of spring ball, Rod Thomas (6-1, 235, Sr.) and the Cock's quickest linebacker Lance Laury (6-2, 225, Fr) seemed to be co-leaders for the final outside spot. Co-leaders because we fully expect Parade Magazine All-American and true freshman Ricardo Hurley (6-3, 235, Fr), rated by many services as the top linebacker prospect in the county (we Virginia fans respectfully disagree) and the junior college transfer rated the 14th best prospect in the nation by SuperPrep and Rivals, Darel Slay (6-4, 250, Jr.), to not only make the two-deep following fall practice but to challenge for the final spot.
"We worked on our third down defense during the spring," said Coach Strong. "We need to improve rushing the passer and our coverage drops. It's got to be an attitude of getting off the field and I think we've improved there. We think the talent is there. We lost some very good players like (Kalimba) Edwards, (Sheldon) Brown, (Andre) Goodman, (John) Stamper, (Willie) Offord, and (Antione) Nesmith. You knew what those guys were capable of doing. We've got some new faces. But, I feel pretty comfortable with what we have on defense."
After a 2000 season where poor kicking may have cost USC a couple wins, the unit stepped up its play in 2001 and both specialist return in 2002. Tyler Dean (5-10, 195, Sr.) who handled the punting duties the past two seasons returns for a final season. Dean punted 47 times last season averaging 42.4 yards per kick and solid 38.0 net. Incumbent placekicker Daniel Weaver (6-1, 205, Jr.) was a steady performer in 2002 hitting on 13 of 17 field goal attempts and connecting on 33 of 36 PAT's. He tied for the leading scorer honors with 72 points. Ryan Brewer handled the bulk of the kick return chores a year ago and if healthy, will likely continue in 2002. With the dismissal of Derek Watson who averaged 29.5 yards per return in 2002, the Gamecocks lost their other primary kick returning specialist. Returns are always an area where Lou Holtz seems to stray from his traditional conservative leanings so look for a speedster with some flair. That said, Holtz would certainly like to improve on a league worst 5.9 yards per return average on punts. The likely candidate to replace Brewer would be Chaves Donnings but Brewer has consistently shown that he is a force that won't give up so we look for the senior to be there on September 7th.
Like the Hoos, the Gamecocks may have more questions than answers when the two meet on September 7th. South Carolina lost a lot of talent from a team that produced back-to-back Outback Bowl victories and a 17 and 7 record over the last 2 years. Two of their top four leading rushers are gone (40% of the 2001 total), two of their top three leading receivers (44% of the 2001 total), and if Brewer cannot return or is not ready for the Virginia game, those numbers increase to over half the team total gone. 7 of Carolina's top 13 tacklers are gone, along with 31% of the teams tackle for loss leaders, 42% of USC's sack attack and 64% of last year's interception total all have departed. Lou Holtz has proven he can revive any program and his success at South Carolina is nothing short of extraordinary. With the losses and inexperience he has to manage this fall, another 9-3 finish may be even out of the reach of "miracle" Lou's magic wand.
Our Pick: Virginia - 19, USC - 13
Greg Waters is the producer and co-host of the University of Virginia sports radio call-in show CavTalk. The program originates from AM 950 WXGI in Richmond, Virginia. www.cavtalk.com
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