Garnet beats Black 30-14

30-14 was the final with the Garnet team claiming victory over the Black team in the University of South Carolina's annual Garnet & Black Spring Game in front of 25,157 fans Saturday at Willy B.

USC QB Stephen Garcia was 13-of-20 for 144 yards and 2 tds. Jarvis Giles of the Garnet team led the running game with 114 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns, while his teammate Joe Hills was the game's top receiver with five catches for 75 yards and a TD.

What should have been the play of the day....McCollum's 70-yard bomb to Stephen Flint that was called back because Flint had run onto the field from the sideline instead of the line of scrimmage....tricky....very tricky....

Overall it was a good game...had a slow start moving the ball, numerous missed opportunites, some suspect FG kicking but still a great preview of the team. Did not end on a good note with the injury .

Offensive line still needs work. Garcia looked comfortable commanding the offense today after he got the bugs out in the 1st half. Saunders and some of the other WR looked sharp on their route running. RB corp will be a battle for PT as Baker, Miles stepped up to push Maddox and Giles. The Red Zone offense did real good which is both good and bad...defense needs to bunker down.

Again a great game for both sides of the ball and all that played. Still things to work on but you should never be satisfied.....

I am going on the record to say that I already miss Succop!!!!

I am sure that more thoughts will be provided in the coming weeks about the Spring Football game and practices but this was the first stab....

Final Stats of the 2009 Spring Game

USC Lecorn breaks leg in Spring Game?

Seems the worst fear from a spring game happened today....USC receiver Dion LeCorn seems to have seriously injured his leg at the Spring game today which is not good news for a already so-so recieving corp. Joe Persorn from The State paper wrote this -

LeCorn was blocking near the goal line when tailback Jarvis Giles and a
defender rolled on the back of his leg. LeCorn had tears in his eyes as the
training staff immobilized his leg and carted him from the field.
Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said LeCorn might have cracked a bone in the lower part of his leg.

USC Gamecocks Spring Football Awards

Spurrier gave out the Spring Awards today at the half of the Spring Game:

• Steve Sisk Outstanding Blocker Award: Patrick DiMarco
• Ernest A. Brooks Memorial Award: Patrick DiMarco
• Weight Room Effort Award: Moe Brown (Offense), Cliff Matthews (Defense)
• Everyday Effort Award: Brian Maddox (Offense), Rodney Paulk (Defense)
• Most Improved Offensive Lineman: T.J. Johnson
• Most Improved Defensive Back: Stephon Gilmore
• Most Improved Defensive Lineman: Travian Robertson
• Most Improved Wide Receiver: Tori Gurley
• Special Teams Award: Spencer Lanning
• Outstanding Walk-On: Cedrick Snead (Offense), Dalton Wilson (Defense)
• The Harold White GPA Award: Kenny Miles (Offense), Addison Williams (Defense), Scott Spurrier (Special Teams)
• The Harris Pastides Scholar Athlete Award for Football: Eric Norwood
• Joe Morris Award: Moe Brown (Offense), Cliff Matthews (Defense)

USC nabs a QB for 2010

Great day with The Masters and the Spring Game....also USC got a nice signee in Flowery Branch (Ga.) class of 2010 dual-threat quarterback Connor Shaw who has committed to USC.

In '08 he threw for 22 TDs and 2200+ yards and also ran for 900+ yds with 11 TDs. I like that the Gamecocks got this kid.

USC Spring Game Thoughts

With the Gamecocks Spring game upon us today, I will join THE STATE paper and Garnet & Black and lay down some thoughts concerning this game or what I am looking for today in the team. I too feel it is a important day for the gamecock faithful so we can see how the players are responding to new coaches and some new philosophy. I love what I am hearing with stressing effort and hardwork. I feel, and always have, that USC is lacking the "fire" the last few years. That every time out the gate no matter if it is a game or practice it means time to go to work. Time to man-up and represent all gamecocks and put it on the line. I feel that some on the team don't understand that so it is good to see the new coaching staff embrace it and work on it. If you are going to put on the garnet & black then pride and effort are demanded!

Anyway, here are some of my pondering thoughts today....

1. Of course all eyes on the USC QB situation...is Garcia ready to be the man? How will he respond today? What impact is G.A. Mangus having? Besides Garcia, who will shine - McCulloum, Hillary or Brindise?

2. I do not want to see INTs or TOs....we had enough of those last year so I want to see ball protection today from the offense.

3. USC Secondary...who will step up? Not just 1st string but who are the back ups? How will Auguste and Addison Williams do at the field corner spot? At boundary corner we get to see Gilmore and his back-up right now is Jay Spearman. Not to mention on well Cedric Sneed does today as he could take over a back up spot if playing well.
In the safety area, we gots A Allen at free safety and Darian Stewart at boundary safety. In the mix past that is DeVonte Holloman, Blaxley, Jarrett Burns, Brandon Davis, and Culliver. CC Whitlock is out. So it will be interesting to see how this group does today under the leadership of Lorenzo Ward. This is the only questionable area for the defense.

4. Who will be the Spur?....is Alonzo Winfield ready to step up? or will Darian Stewart have to move in to the spot and re-schuffle the secondary? Or will Holloman out shine and over take the position from Winfield?

5. The O-line...I don't think I have to say much here as we know there are question marks here and most fans want to see improvement in this area. I love the attitude of Coach Wolford and his new outlook with the group. I like the no-nonsense belief and the hardwork he demands from the team. The gamecocks gave up 39 sack in 08 so it is time for a new formula. Coach Wolford's system uses zone blocking and gap blocking and uses wider spilts b/w lineman. So fancy feet is a must.....should be fun to watch today!

6. No loafs....it will be nice to see 110% today.

7. Running game....USC has a stacked back field and it will be interesting to see how each kid does today. Will Maddox repeat his rushing attack? Will the O line create lanes? What will Giles do? I really want to see how coach spurrier handles a new approach to running the ball.

8. Coaching Chemistry....got lots of new faces so it will be interesting to see what plays are called and how each unit manages the game.

9. WR corp....hoping that Moe and Barnes get it done today.

10. No INJ....please no one get hurt today.

USC Baseball wins vs Ole Miss

South Carolina (22-11, 6-7) beat Ole Miss 12-10 in the first of a three-game SEC series at Swayze Field. The second game is scheduled for 5 p.m. today.

Whit Merrifield had a career day at the plate, going 5-for-6 and Justin Dalles went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs so there are lots to build upon. SC jumped on Ole Miss early when Justin Dalles launched a three-run homer into right center off a 1-2 pitch from Pomeranz that gave SC a 5-0 lead. The home run was his sixth of the season and his first since the first game of the doubleheader at Kentucky two weeks ago. That early bang was enough to coast to a win but hopefully it showed that USC needs to tighten up in the later innings and not let teams come from behind as it was getting too close at the end. But a W is a W.....

Gamecocks in the pro's

Found this website the other day about USC baseball players and where they are in baseball world.  

Gamecock Clippings

Here is some Friday news for ya -

USC Basketball could get new uniforms in 2010

USC Football
South Carolina outside linebacker Eric Norwood on the 2009 Lott Trophy Watch List
Robertson tackles new challenge
Paulk tackles a comeback
USC spring game facts
Recruiting: Rivals battle for defensive back recruit

USC Baseball
Ebert swings past setbacks
South Carolina Heads Back On The Road For Weekend Series At Ole Miss
Gamecock Baseball Adds To Signing Class....Carolina now has five of the six top senior prospects out of the state of South Carolina signed.

USC's Horn denies talking to the X men

Horn denies the rumors that he is talking to Xavier which is welcomed news this morning. I don't think he would leave for the Xavier job as he has a good thing going at USC after just one year. If this was year 3 or 4 then I would be worried but I can not help myself to think this is like the Tommy Bowden thing a few years back where the coach works this angle of to get a bigger paycheck since he is the bottom cellar of coaching salaries in the SEC?

Here is his quote in the articles below -

"I don't get involved in rumor mills that are out there," Horns said in a statement released by USC. "However, contrary to published reports, I have not spoken to any other school, nor am I looking to. I am proud of what we accomplished this season and am excited about the future of South Carolina basketball. I can't wait to get to workouts with our players tomorrow and continue recruiting this spring."

Is Horn leaving USC?
USC's Horn denies speaking with Xavier about opening

Just say NO Horn

Horn there is no reason to go North so stick around Columbia and make gamecock fans proud! Leaving after one year would not look good on the resume. Do good work here in Carolina and it could lead to bright things in the future or a statue in the horseshoe.

Horn talks with Xavier

Report: Xavier talks with Horn

Gamecock Clippings

Here is your shot of gamecock news ---

• Gilmore likely to play early
• Freshman RB, WR impressive
• McCollum prepared for anything
• Updated: Practice schedule
• Mack, Gamecocks rally past Clemson
• Hillary gains ground in quarterback competition
• USC spring game facts
• Recruiting: Rivals battle for defensive back recruit
• Motivated Maddox raising the bar for renewed ground game
• Brown starting to catch on for Gamecocks
• Scrimmage report: Maddox shines, offense solid
• Tigers, Gamecocks going back-to-back
• Baseball: Powell ready to make fortune pay off
• Downey will test NBA
• Board approves $50 miillion in Roost projects
• Spin cycle adding new coaches to SEC
• What if ... Mike Grosso had stayed at USC?

Why didn't Horn go after Jordan?

I read yesterday where the son of Michael Jordan decided to go and play college basketball at Univ of Central Florida and my first thought is why not us? Couldn't Horn make a stronger argument than UCF on why we could use him and how?

USC is a much better program than UCF. USC was co-champ of the SEC East. UCF has a long way to go before they compete in the Conf USA. Is it that Marcus is not that good or we did not really have a chance?

This is his list of potential schools - here - that he was talking too. It would have been great for Horn to at least inquire about Marcus. It would have been great to see Michael Jordan hanging out in Columbia and in the seats at the Colonial Life Center.

Gamecocks beat Tigers in baseball

Make that 6 in a row that the Univ of South Carolina baseball team has beat the tigers. Seems we play our best against the enemy from the Upstate.

DeAngelo Mack's two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted South Carolina to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over No. 20 Clemson. The win marks ninth victory in the last 10 games vs. Clemson.

Carolina is now 21-10 and will play tonight at Clemson with first pitch at Doug Kingsmore Stadium scheduled for 7 p.m.

Mack, Gamecocks rally past Clemson

South Carolina guard Devan Downey to test NBA water

South Carolina guard Devan Downey has decided to put his name in the NBA draft but not hire an agent, the team announced on Tuesday....more HERE.

Not a real surprise as LOHD thought he would explore this opportunity. Heck, if I was in his shoes I would do the same thing. He would be dumb not to after a great season but also feel he needs one more collegiate season under his belt to prove the skeptics wrong.

I feel strongly than he will entertain this but come back to play the 09-10 season...thoughts?

LOHD Tourney Winner

Congrats to LOHD's own Big Angry for winning the 3rd annual LOHD NCAA March Madness Tourney conducted through Yahoo! Sports. Here is the run down of the top 3 finishers....

• 1st place goes to - pda+seriously=TICK - with 42 of 63 picks selected correctly for 128 points.
• 2nd place goes to - Odom T-Baggins - with 46 of 63 picks selected correctly for 125 pts.
• 3rd place goes to - JR's Buttf**kin Assassins - with 41 of 63 picks selected correctly for 116 pts. This team is managed by LOHD writer JR .
  

Garnet Army featured during Final Four

The South Carolina men's basketball student section known as the "Garnet Army" was showcased during the final four....pretty cool! I hope you saw it during the commercial break last night but if not below is the links....

Links:

Story: Garnet Army Student Section Featured In Final Four Coke Zero Commercial

Video: Final Four Coke Zero Commercial