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Here's what the boys at CFN thought about South Carolina's 7-3 win over N.C. State on Thursday.
Pete Fiutak
When will coaches ever learn? N.C. State is a much, much better team than it showed against South Carolina, and that'll show over the next several weeks. This is a game that the Wolfpack gave away, and while the South Carolina defense had something to do with it, a lot to do with it, N.C. State shot itself in the foot time and again.
The Wolfpack has layups ahead with easy games against Murray State and Gardner-Webb, and these games needed to be played before a battle with a team like South Carolina. Watch and see how much better and how much crisper State is against Pitt on September 26th.
Again, though, credit has to be given to South Carolina. The defense swarmed into the backfield time and again, and while there was some help from dropped passes, especially a big one in the end zone, the Gamecocks made the plays when needed.
Lost in the defensive struggle, to give this game a nice spin, was the play of former USC QB Stephen Garcia, who only threw one interception, didn't make any truly big mistakes, and didn't force anything. He'll have to be more of a playmaker for the Gamecocks to have any shot at Georgia or against Ole Miss in the coming weeks, but just getting out with a win is enough for a season opener. However, eventually, even an Ol' Ball Coach like Steve Spurrier will realize that it's fine to play a cupcake first, even if this will turn into a positive confidence builder with a tough schedule ahead.
Richard Cirminiello
Steve Spurrier got career win No. 171 in Raleigh Thursday night, but it really belonged to defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and his assistants. The Gamecock D was brilliant in a 7-3 slugfest.
