Spurrier: It's embarrassing

COLUMBIA — Steve Spurrier wasn't aware that he was already hooked up to his teleconference Friday when he started mumbling not-so-sweet nothings about South Carolina's offensive line.

"We had five false starts didn't we?" Spurrier asked himself. "How about that? Pitiful."

But he didn't hold back, either, once the teleconference got going. He said the line, especially early, contributed to Tommy Beecher's dud of a debut.

Beecher threw four interceptions in three quarters, including three on USC's first five possessions.

Spurrier said Friday he'd decide in the coming days about a starter for Thursday's game at Vanderbilt (8:30 p.m., ESPN).

South Carolina beat North Carolina State 34-0 anyway, thanks to backup quarterback Smelley's spark off the bench, conditioning that seemed to work against the tired, depleted Wolfpack and — certainly not least — a staunch defensive effort that earned first-year coordinator Ellis Johnson a gameball in his USC debut.

Senior Jasper Brinkley said the group, riddled by injuries a year ago, had something to prove in the opener.

"We went out and made a statement that we're capable of doing this," said Brinkley, out most of last year with a knee injury. "We've all talked about making our comeback, trying to make it great. We wanted to come off the field with a goose egg."

The O-line was supposed to be improved, thanks to more depth and experience, but that wasn't evident most of Thursday night.

Spurrier said Beecher was to blame on several occasions, but the line certainly didn't help him. Beecher was sacked five times and had to scramble several other times.

He never really set his feet and, as a result, completed very, very few downfield passes. Most were quick-hit routes and dumpoffs. The lauded tight ends, Jared Cook and Weslye Saunders, weren't a factor while Beecher was in.

"He was under pressure a lot," Spurrier said. "A couple of throws he could've thrown better. But we open the gates on him about three times. It was pitiful. I'm embarrassed to say I tried to coach what happened out there. We'll make some changes if we have to. It's embarrassing. It really is.

"Didn't even touch a guy. That's tough on a quarterback. I played quarterback. ... I don't know. I don't have the answer for it right now."

One answer might be North Charleston's Jarriel King. Just a month after finally arriving on USC's campus, King could get his first career start at Vanderbilt. Spurrier hinted that would be the case.

South Carolina gained 161 yards and had 13 points in the first three quarters. With Smelley guiding things, the Gamecocks had 203 fourth-quarter yards that led to three touchdown drives.

Smelley, who went 4-2 last year as a starter, finished 5-for-5 for 92 yards and two scores. Beecher ended the night 12-for-22 for 106 yards and the four picks.

"Oh, you guys can do the odds," Spurrier told reporters when asked who the quarterback favorite is heading toward the first conference game. "That'll give you something to do for two or three days and then we'll announce it later on."

Injury report

Beecher, who was woozy after taking a hit, was the only USC player listed on the injury report. Spurrier jabbed at the Wolfpack, saying he noticed how many of the N.C. State players had to come off the field during the game.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.