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Steve Spurrier is taking a positive outlook on South Carolina's season, even if he's not that crazy about how the 14th-ranked Gamecocks have played this year.
Spurrier's been frustrated for most of the season with South Carolina's offense, twice benching expected - and now dismissed - starting quarterback Stephen Garcia for Connor Shaw. The receivers have not gotten as involved as Spurrier wants and South Carolina's best offensive option, star tailback Marcus Lattimore, was lost for the season with a serious knee injury in last week's game with Mississippi State.
Still, Spurrier said he's very encouraged that his players have hung together, continued to work and forged bonds with each other that have led to a 6-1 start, the Gamecocks' best opening in four years. ''At least our guys believe we're never out of the game,'' Spurrier said Tuesday.
There've been plenty of reasons this season for the Gamecocks (4-1 Southeastern Conference) to throw in the towel, particularly in the last week.
- The school kicked Garcia off the team for failing an alcohol test after he agreed to zero-tolerance policy as part of his return from a fifth suspension, according to Garcia's father, Gary.
- Spurrier gained unwanted headlines with his rant against a local sports columnist that's drawn more than 300,000 views on YouTube.com.
- Last Sunday, the team learned that Lattimore had torn a ligament in his left knee when a Mississippi State defender rolled on him as he was blocking downfield for Bruce Ellington.
''It's the perfect time for a bye week,'' starting quarterback Connor Shaw said.
The Gamecocks next play at Tennessee on Oct. 29.
Spurrier told his players they should count their blessings after leaving Mississippi State with a 14-12 victory to stay undefeated on the road this season. That's a far different message than Spurrier delivered the last time his Gamecocks opened this strongly in 2007.
Spurrier joked to reporters then that despite qualifying for a bowl with its sixth victory, there were few celebrations near campus because South Carolina was poised for bigger things.
The Gamecocks followed with five straight losses to finish at 6-6 and miss a bowl.
Spurrier said he's approaching this bye week differently than others when he turns most of his young, untested players loose and gives key performers a chance to regain some stamina. This time, there are too many young, untested players in the starting lineup.
''We got to coach the older guys this week,'' Spurrier said. ''We got to coach guys playing the game. See if we can line up, snap it, hand it off and look like we know what we're doing.''
Freshman Bandon Wilds, way down the depth chart when the season began, will take over for Lattimore against the Vols. Wilds has just 13 carries for 78 yards in spot duty this season.
Shaw thinks Wilds will be ready. ''Being a freshman, he's very humble. He's got a very good work ethic. He's dedicated,'' Shaw said. ''I think he'll be just fine in his role.''
The Gamecocks may have some other options, too. Spurrier said that reserve runners Kenny Miles, South Carolina's 2009 rushing leader, and Eric Baker could both be ready for the Tennessee game. Miles has had a wrist injury while Baker has dealt with an ankle injury.
Spurrier said he'll keep using receiver Bruce Ellington in a wildcat package.
The coach had some additional bad news on two players whose return had been awaited for a while. Spurrier said cornerback Akeem Auguste, a projected starter this year, would have surgery to fix a foot problem that's kept him out all season. Offensive lineman Kyle Nunn, who hadn't played since Sept. 24, would also miss the rest of the season with back problems.
''We'll regroup and play with what we've got,'' Spurrier said.
South Carolina's surging defense is a big reason why Spurrier and the Gamecocks have hope of repeating as SEC Eastern Division champions. The Gamecocks held Mississippi State to just a field goal in the second half - Spurrier chose to take a safety on the final play as time ran out, accounting for the final score - and gave Shaw and the offense just enough time to mount a late, game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. Shaw was 4-of-4 passing on the series, ending on a 4-yard TD catch by Alshon Jeffery.
D.J. Swearinger had a clinching interception to end Mississippi State's final series.
Defensive tackle Travian Robertson expects the Gamecocks to rebound from adversity and put on a strong second-half run. ''We're going to challenge a lot of players to step up and see who wants to get better as a player and as a leader,'' the fifth-year senior said.
