Spurrier said he feels sorry for Arkansas
South Carolina’s successful running game helped limit Arkansas to just 37 plays in the Gamecocks’ 52-7 victory Saturday. On 54 attempts, the Gamecocks put up 277 rushing yards, averaging around five yards a carry. Once again, sophomore running back Mike Davis led the rushing attack, finishing the day with 128 yards on 19 carries to go along with a touchdown. Davis now leads the SEC in rushing with 742 yards and is tied for the conference lead with nine rushing touchdowns.
“All we got to do is put a hat on a hat,” redshirt junior guard A.J. Cann said. “He’ll find the hole and go. It’s like a video game with some of the cuts he makes.”
Davis gave all of the credit to his offensive line, saying his success is because of the work his teammates do up front.
Cooper keeps it rolling
True freshman Pharoh Cooper saw some more time in the “Wildcat” quarterback position as expected. The results stayed pretty consistent. Cooper had four carries for 45 yards, highlighted by a 33-yard run in the fourth quarter. He also completed a short pass later in the drive to redshirt freshman receiver Kwinton Smith. Cooper also lined up as the punt returner. He made a splash on his last return, picking up 36 yards and giving USC good starting field position past midfield.
Cooper is a receiver, but with all the depth there for the Gamecocks, the coaches are figuring out other ways to get the ball into the freshman’s hands.
Shamier Jeffery watch
Redshirt sophomore receiver Shamier Jeffery caught his first pass of his collegiate career against the Razorbacks. The younger brother of former USC receiver Alshon Jeffery finished the day with five catches for 32 yards in the rout of Arkansas. Spurrier was pleased Jeffery got a chance to contribute on offense after making a special teams impact against Kentucky with a key onside kick recovery to seal the game.
Critiquing other teams
Spurrier mentioned after the game that he felt bad for Arkansas, saying it is no fun getting beat like that at home, especially because it was the Razorbacks’ homecoming. Spurrier said Arkansas is not as strong as it was a few years ago when it was beating USC year after year. The head ball coach added that the Razorbacks’ coach, Bret Bielema, will have to get through the tough times with recruiting and that it will likely take a long time.
The fact that Georgia lost to Missouri on Saturday is a big development in South Carolina’s season.
USC SEC“If they keep losing, it’ll be good for us, but we just got to keep to doing what we got to do,” junior receiver Bruce Ellington said.
Shaw said the team will not keep talking about what the Georgia loss means for South Carolina’s chances this season.
“We’ll let everyone else do that for us,” he said. “We’re just going to continue and prepare for next week against Tennessee.”