Gilmore OK with more man coverage

South Carolina's secondary has played more man-to-man defense with the return of safety Brison Williams and cornerback Victor Hampton.

And that's just fine with All-SEC cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Gilmore said the Gamecocks used more man-to-man coverage against Vanderbilt and Auburn.

"I think it's better that we're playing more man-to-man," he said. "We get to be tighter on the receivers and I think it's helping us out a lot."

Ingram honored again

USC defensive lineman Melvin Ingram was selected as the SEC defensive player of the week for the second straight time.

Ingram, a 6-2, 276-pound senior from Hamlet, N.C., had 11 total tackles, including eight solo stops. He had 4 1/2 tackles for loss, including a career-best 3 1/2 sacks, and had an interception.

Ingram is now the SEC's leader in both sacks (5 1/2) and tackles for loss (7 1/2). It's the third time that Ingram has been honored by the SEC this season, including once as the special teams player of the week.

Mississippi State kickoff set

USC will face Mississippi State at 12:21 p.m., on Oct. 15, the SEC announced. The game will be televised on the SEC Network. USC is 7-6 against the Bulldogs, including 3-3 in Starkville. USC has won the team's last five meetings, but they have not met since 2007.

For more USC coverage, go to postandcourier.com/gamecocks.