Oh, so close AH: Gamecocks can't pull off upset of No. 2 Auburn

Gamecocks' oft-maligned offensive line takes big step

Published on 09/29/06

COLUMBIA — ESPN broadcast the college football version of "Fear Factor," a Thursday night extravaganza in which South Carolina fans dared show up at Williams-Brice Stadium thinking the Gamecocks and their young offensive line could hang with No. 2 Auburn.

It was compelling drama as the Tigers hung on for a 24-17 Southeastern

Conference victory, even if the show opened looking a lot like a rerun.

If you have followed South Carolina football very long, you've heard the same lines about the Gamecocks' lines before. The complaints are about a lack of talent, size or experience. Often all three.

Again this season, South Carolina has the skill position players. The defense has proven it is

good enough to

win if the offense comes around.

Again this year, a flawed offensive line will determine whether the Gamecocks play in a bowl game or not.

But the patched-together group

offered two long drives worth of hope in the fourth quarter and took a huge step toward credibility. The Gamecocks scored a touchdown on a 93-yard drive and fell one last-gasp pass attempt to

USC's much-maligned O-line takes big step

Sidney Rice short on a 74-yard drive, their only possessions of the second half.

'I love those guys'

With the improved play of the offensive line, Gamecocks fans have to feel a little better about South Carolina's chances in the upcoming Kentucky/Vanderbilt/Tennessee/Arkansas stretch that will make or break a winning season.

"They played pretty well," head coach Steve Spurrier said. "I think the only time (Auburn) got to us was the blitzing. They had blitzing guys and we didn't pick them up a couple of times."

Finally, the Gamecocks found some stability.

Relatively speaking, that is: A true freshman (Hutch Eckerson) at left tackle, another true freshman (Garrett Anderson) at right guard. A year ago, these guys were looking forward to high school homecoming dances.

But Thursday night was the first time in four games that South Carolina started the same offensive line as the game before. The other starters are senior left guard Thomas Coleman, senior center Chris White and sophomore right tackle Jamon Meredith.

The play, and limitations, of South Carolina's offensive line has dictated so much this season.

Play-calling.

Personnel packages.

Who plays quarterback.

Syvelle Newton, who made his third start of the season at quarterback Thursday night, knows more than anyone else how much his friends up front have improved.

"I love those guys, man,"

Newton said. "I told them after the Wofford game, when I had a lot of pressure in my face, 'You all stick together. You're all young.' I mean, you can't expect a freshman to go out and compete in the SEC. But they showed that they can do it."

Looking ahead

Spurrier, the former quarterback, thinks like a quarterback.

A Steve Spurrier offense can't be a Steve Spurrier offense without an offensive line capable of offering more protection than a wall of salad, which is what Gamecocks quarterbacks were working with in earlier games.

But it's amazing what a decent quarterback can do with a little time.

The line began building confidence on the second series. After wideout Kenny McKinley caught a 14-yard pass to move the ball to the Auburn 35, Anderson hurried up the field clapping his hands and signaling first down.

The long drives in the second half might stand as turning points for the line and for the team.

If not, at least there is the reasonable theory that Newton will have time against the likes of Kentucky and Vanderbilt to work with Rice, McKinley and South Carolina's other skill position players capable of scoring touchdowns. All thanks to the better blocking on display Thursday night against one of the nation's best defenses.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at

gsapakoff@postandcourier.com.

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