Injury bug almost bites Boyd

South Carolina Notes

COLUMBIA — South Carolina certainly got an early scare Saturday.

And it wasn't from Mississippi State, even though the Bulldogs hung around for three quarters in a 38-21 USC victory.

Senior running back Cory Boyd went down, clutching his right knee, after the Gamecocks' first offensive play.

Losing star linebacker Jasper Brinkley the week before at LSU had many fearing the worst.

"I said, 'Man, not again,' " receiver Kenny McKinley said. "Seems like all the big players are going down every week."

Even Boyd was terrified of a season-ending blow.

"All kinds of things were flashing across my mind," he said.

But doctors examined Boyd and delivered the relieving news that all of his ligaments were intact.

"It was definitely a good moment," Boyd said. "I could breathe freely and not have to worry about anything. That was definitely a time when I exhaled."

Then, he wanted back in the game.

After pedaling on an exercise bike and doing some running drills, Boyd checked back in at the end of the first quarter.

Boyd wound up breaking runs of 20 and 21 yards to finish with 58 yards on 11 carries.

He paired for a solid day with Mike Davis, who rushed 18 times for 59 yards. Davis, a junior, tied a school record with three touchdowns.

Boyd, who has a mildly sprained right knee, is listed as probable for Thursday's game against Kentucky.

"I tried to fight through (the pain)," Boyd said. "I tried to stay strong for my teammates and let them know I was going to be there."

Beamer ball

Eric Norwood's mojo-building blocked punt in the third quarter was the second straight week USC had gotten a hand on a punt. Freshman Cliff Matthews partially blocked one last week at LSU.

Interestingly, before the pair, the Gamecocks hadn't previously blocked a punt since Nov. 11, 2000.

That put a smile on co-special teams coach Shane Beamer's face after Saturday's win.

"Hopefully we can build a tradition here of being good on special teams," said Beamer, hired this year. "It changed that momentum quickly. We felt like we needed to get it changed."

Helping hand

Beamer said insider knowledge might've helped Norwood get the block. Beamer was a Mississippi State assistant for three years before coming to USC.

"From being over there the last three years, we kind of had a general idea of what they were going to do," he said.

Beamer greeted and talked with many Bulldogs players and coaches after the game.

"They're all like brothers to me," said Beamer, son of Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. "I miss them, obviously, but I'm so happy I'm here in Columbia and with these guys."

Beware of the 'phantom'

Spurrier might expect a call from the league office this week. After saying he isn't allowed to criticize the officiating, he then criticized the officiating.

He was displeased about a third-down defensive hold call that continued Mississippi State's second touchdown drive.

The Bulldogs were stopped behind the line on an attempted halfback-pass trick play, but the official ruled corner Carlos Thomas held Anthony Dixon as he went back to field the lateral.

"You can't criticize the officials, but there were the phantom types (of calls)," Spurrier said. "The last one was really a phantom call."

Injury report

In addition to Boyd, Davis (right quad contusion) is probable for the Kentucky game. Thomas and McKinley suffered mild concussions, but they're probable for the Kentucky game also.

This and that

The east side of Williams-Brice upper deck was half-full for the second half, with many fans leaving at intermission. ... The injured Brinkley was at home in Thomson, Ga., resting. ... The "Nature Boy" Ric Flair was on hand Saturday. The retired wrestler taped a future "Game is On" marketing ad for the school, a USC official said.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com.