Spurrier says offense is 'a little bit better in what we're trying to do'

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina's offense has improved since that rain-soaked debacle in Death Valley a year ago. That's its engineer's feelings about it.

"I think so," said Steve Spurrier, finishing out his fifth season coaching the Gamecocks. "I think we're a little bit better in what we're trying to do."

That's probably true, but it really depends on how you measure progress. And, well, it couldn't be much worse than it was last season at Clemson.

Chris Smelley played the entirety of the game, to USC fans' chagrin. He threw four of his 15 interceptions during the course of the damp, cold afternoon. Some throws were off. Others were awful.

It was South Carolina's eighth out of 12 games with fewer than 100 rushing yards (handicapped by sack yardage).

Spurrier insinuated after the game that tight end Jared Cook already had the NFL on his mind. He didn't play in the second half.

The Gamecocks somehow managed 304 total yards, but a lot of them came as they tried to throw their way back into the game.

In short, things weren't good in the 31-14 Tigers win that felt nearly as convincing as the 63-17 result in 2003.

"I don't believe we should ever be blown out here," USC receiver Moe Brown said this week. "You want to lose with effort and feel like the other team beat you rather than you beat yourself."

Statistically (and realistically), the Gamecocks aren't a whole lot better off than they were a year ago.

Through 11 games, they're still last in the SEC in rushing offense at 116.1 yards a game, still a bit better than '08, when they averaged 94.1 yards on the ground.

They're 11th in scoring offense (20.6 points a game), ahead of only Vanderbilt.

They're ninth in total offense (356.6 yards a game), ahead of Kentucky, LSU and Vanderbilt.

Inconsistency in the running game and the offensive line continues to be a central culprit around here.

"We still, you know, we're still playing two or three running backs. We're still not exactly dead-set on our offensive line," Spurrier said. "When you really, really have a good offense, usually you got five, six guys that play most all the way, or seven guys anyway. You have your top tailback, you know he's your guy and you know, just keep giving it to him every chance you get, just about."

But enough of the bleak.

Beyond the stat sheet, Spurrier is alluding to the offense being on the right track.

With the Ball Coach back in control as the principal play-caller, there was a little pep to the Gamecocks' step against No. 1 Florida two weeks ago.

The line rotation has gotten a bit more solidified in recent weeks. Junior Brian Maddox will start at running back again this week after playing well against the Gators.

And the gradual emergence of redshirt sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia is undeniable. Saturday will be his first involvement in the Clemson rivalry. He has only watched in previous years.

Minutes after the close loss to Florida, Garcia was already talking about the Tigers. He brought them up on his own.

"This is a huge game for us," Garcia said Nov. 14. "In my opinion, and I think the rest of the team, I think it's a must-win for us."

Despite being requested for the 13th consecutive Wednesday by The Post and Courier, Spurrier didn't allow Garcia to talk with reporters. He's said he's trying to keep attention away from Garcia.

Quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus wasn't even made available by Spurrier on Wednesday.

"Stephen has improved tremendously, and with much room still for improvement," Spurrier said. "That's the way we always look at Stephen. He needs to really play well for us in the close, tough games to give us a chance here Saturday. He's done well. There's a lot of areas he can hopefully can get better in and go from there."

Garcia is second in the SEC to Arkansas' Ryan Mallett with 2,607 passing yards. He's fourth in touchdowns with 14.

Most importantly, Garcia is taking care of the ball. He threw eight interceptions in 122 throws last season. He has eight in 373 this year.

"He's gotten a lot better," Brown said. "People downtalk him a lot, but he's our leader. He's always out there fighting. He's played well for us. Stephen's got a bright future ahead of him."

And perhaps that's what Spurrier is getting at, too, about the offense. A year ago, it was difficult to tell what its direction was. Now, it seems a bit more evident.

"We're not where we hope to be someday real soon," Spurrier said.

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