Spurrier not reveling in victory over Rebels

COLUMBIA -- From his tone and list of concerns Sunday, you'd never know Steve Spurrier's team had knocked off a top-5 team a couple of days earlier.

South Carolina's Ball Coach has evidently moved on from Mississippi and is pointed forward.

The victory made history -- USC had never beaten a top-5 team at home -- but Spurrier's ready to table all this "new Carolina" business for now.

"When we get all 11 (players) out there going at a high level then we might say we've arrived as a new

Carolina team," Spurrier said. "We're trying to. We're trying to. We just haven't gotten there."

With the win and several upsets Saturday, some thought the Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1 SEC) might join the national polls this week.

South Carolina is receiving a good number of votes in both the AP and coaches' polls, but it'll have to keep winning to climb.

The Gamecocks figure to be favorites the next two weeks, against the Bulldogs and Kentucky. A trip to No. 3 Alabama looms Oct. 17.

Ole Miss fell from No. 4 to 21.

Spurrier didn't flinch when asked about the polls.

"I hadn't paid any attention to it," he said. "Really it's no big deal."

No, he focused more on what his team -- particularly the offense -- needs to improve.

"We want to see if we can get our guys to be respectable on offense," Spurrier said.

Next up: South Carolina State visits Williams-Brice Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday.

The game two years ago was the first between the schools.

Spurrier seems impressed with the FCS Bulldogs, now 3-0 after a home win against Winston-Salem State.

S.C. State was part of the 2008 FCS playoffs.

"They have the potential to beat us," Spurrier said. "We know that. South Carolina State knows that.

"If we don't play better than (Thursday), there's a good chance we're going to lose the game."

Spurrier again and again credited the defense for the victory, a 16-10 win against the previously lauded Rebels.

Three things are souring Spurrier's view of the offense coming out of the victory.

The offensive line took a step backward, both in pass protection and run blocking.

After running for 287 yards against Florida Atlantic, USC rushed for 65 on Thursday. Stephen Garcia was sacked four times.

Spurrier said after the game, somewhat jokingly and somewhat not, that Eric Wolford was introduced to many of the frustrations he's felt in his four-plus years at USC.

"We've got to get a lot better up front," Spurrier said. "I think we've got the capabilities. That's the frustrating part for all of us. We think we've got some big, strong offensive linemen that can play better."

Left tackle Jarriel King was lifted in the second quarter, replaced by Hutch Eckerson and Kyle Nunn. It was Nunn who played the majority of the second half, in his first game back from a three-game suspension for violating team rules.

You might see more Nunn in the near future.

"Kyle Nunn could stick in there," Spurrier said. "We're not filing Jarriel King, but hopefully Jarriel can eliminate a bunch of mental errors that continue to plague his play."

The offense managed just 104 total yards in the second half, happy to sit on a 16-3 lead it built in part because of an Ole Miss fumble.

After taking that lead with its only touchdown of the game, with 6:57 left in the third quarter, USC went three-and-out on five consecutive possessions. It gained 18 yards in that time.

The first half, which was relatively successful, was marred by red-zone ineptitude.

Spencer Lanning kicked short field goals from 26, 20 and 30 yards.

The Gamecocks got to the Ole Miss 4-yard line on the first field goal drive, the 2 on the second and the 8 on the third, which actually came in the third quarter.

That one was set up by a 69-yard pass from Garcia to Moe Brown. It was the longest offensive play in the Spurrier era, USC announced in the press box.

And it resulted in a field goal.

"It's going to be hard for us to beat teams if we can't run it in from first-and-goal from the 2-yard line," Spurrier said, adding that the coaches need to call better plays, also.

We need to really sharpen up our offensive if we're going to have a real good season this year."

Injury notes

Spurrier said USC will seek a medical redshirt for DT Travian Robertson, who tore an ACL and is out for the season. ... Garcia's bruised ribs will be evaluated Monday, he said. ... Backup QB Reid McCollum (flu) is expected to be back around the team Monday. It's unclear if he'll practice.

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