Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. ó The last time Wofford came to South Carolina, it took a last-second turnover for the Gamecocks to escape with victory. Coach Steve Spurrier hopes his team’s improved defense makes sure it won’t come down to that this time.
“They know it’s going to be a battle,” Spurrier said. “They know how good Wofford is.”
For anyone who doesn’t, all they have to do is watch game film from 2006.
South Carolina appeared on the way to the typical small-school blowout, ahead 24-10 on Cory Boyd’s three touchdowns. However, the Terriers of the Championship Subdivision rallied back.
They trailed 27-20 and had driven to South Carolina’s 10 with 29 seconds to go. However, on fourth down, Gamecock linebacker Dakota Walker knocked Wofford’s pitch attempt into the air and teammate Cody Wells caught the ball to prevent an upset.
The Gamecocks (1-2) don’t want things to get that tight with Wofford (2-0) today at Williams-Brice Stadium.
“This is a team we probably should have blown out last time we played them. People expected a blowout,” South Carolina lineman Nathan Pepper said. “For them to come in here on the road and play us the way they did, that’s definitely something we can use as fuel to help our team get better.”
The Gamecocks certainly look improved on defense. They held No. 3 Georgia to 252 yards of offense. South Carolina leads the country in pass defense, the only school allowing less than 100 yards passing a game.