UConn uses duo to replace RB Brown

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. -- When Donald Brown left for the NFL after a 2,000-yard junior season at Connecticut, many wondered who would pick up the slack for the Indianapolis Colts rookie.

No one player outrushed Brown's 2,083 yards in 2008. But two players, combined, did. And UConn, preparing for Saturday's Papajohns.com Bowl against South Carolina, will take it.

Senior Andre Dixon and sophomore Jordan Todman paired up to make the perfect back, a balance of power and speed, in UConn's offense. Todman, the speedster at 5-9 and 189 pounds, led the team with 1,152 yards. Dixon wasn't far behind. The 6-1, 202-pounder had 967 yards.

Together, that's 2,119 rushing yards. (Kenny Miles led the Gamecocks with 602 yards.)

"Losing Don, a 2,000-yard rusher, we knew it wasn't going to be easy to replace," said Todman, who's from Massachusetts. "We worked hard in the off-season to be able to replace that. We're there. Together, we rushed for 2,000 yards. That's an accomplishment for our offensive line and our offense."

The UConn running game is something that's caught the attention of USC's defense, which finished the year ranked fifth in the SEC in rushing defense (137 yards a game).

"With those two backs, yeah, we expect them to run it at us," Gamecocks junior safety Chris Culliver said.

It won't be the first postseason rushing test for this defense. Last year, in the Outback Bowl, Doak Walker Award runner Shonn Greene had 121 yards and three TDs in three quarters of Iowa's 31-10 win.

Off day ...

USC had its first practice in Alabama on Wednesday. And, well, it didn't so that well. For one thing, the weather didn't cooperate. It was about 40 degrees and raining during the afternoon session at Birmingham Southern College.

Steve Spurrier seemed to shrug off the weather, saying it was probably doing the same in Columbia. The temperature for Saturday's game is expected to be in the lower 40s, but at least with sunny skies.

"It's going to be 45," he said. "That's about what it is now, isn't it? It's good football weather. Excellent."

... especially the QB

In particular, it wasn't Stephen Garcia's best practice Wednesday. The redshirt sophomore quarterback said he was "high" with his throws.

"I'm a little anxious, I guess," said Garcia, who refused to blame the weather. "I can't really think of a practice I've had that was this bad. But it's practice. You practice to get better. We'll be all right."

Spurrier didn't seem too, too concerned about Garcia, who has thrown for 2,733 yards and 17 TDs this season. But he would probably prefer his QB to be more on point by Saturday.

"He was off," Spurrier said. "If he throws like he did today, we're going to be in trouble. Or else we'll have to run the ball all the time. He'll have to get sharper."

O-line update

Spurrier said earlier this week on his radio call-in show that he's relatively close to finding an offensive line coach.

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South Carolina Gamecocks

Appalachian State's Shawn Elliott visited USC's practice Tuesday, but it isn't clear whether that was some sort of interview or just a visit.

Elliott is from Camden, a half-hour east of Columbia.

In the meantime, Spurrier said Wednesday that he's been helping grad assistant Andy Boyd with the offensive line. He said running backs coach Jay Graham has been pitching in, as well.

Eric Wolford left for Youngstown State just before bowl practice began.

Extra points

Spurrier said he expects Hutch Eckerson, Jarriel King and Kyle Nunn to rotate at the tackle spots. ... Safety Jarrett Burns, who plays some on special teams, has been cleared after breaking a finger. ... The Gamecocks were going to visit a comedy club Wednesday night and go to a bowling outing tonight. It'll feature four USC bowlers against four UConn bowlers. Assistants G.A. Mangus and Lorenzo Ward will be among those representing USC.