Spurrier hopes USC can outscore Razorbacks

The Associated Press Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett prepares to pass during the Razorbacks' 63-27 victory on Saturday. Arkansas plays host to South Carolina on Saturday.

By NOAH TRISTER
Associated Press Writer

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Steve Spurrier has faced his share of good quarterbacks over the years. When he was at Florida, even Peyton Manning couldn’t keep up with his Gators.

So as Spurrier’s South Carolina team prepares to play Ryan Mallett and Arkansas, the veteran coach has a good idea of the challenge ahead.

“They’re moving the ball around,” Spurrier said. “If we’re going to beat them we have to play a little bit better offensively then we’ve played recently.”

True to form, Spurrier is eager for a big offensive performance this weekend when the Gamecocks play at Arkansas. South Carolina is No. 3 in the nation in pass defense, but slowing down Mallett is no easy task. He’s thrown for 18 touchdowns and three interceptions this season despite a schedule that included trips to Florida and Alabama.

The pressure will be on the Gamecocks to match the Razorbacks touchdown for touchdown. South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia is second in the Southeastern Conference in passing, trailing only Mallett, but South Carolina is averaging only 22 points per game.

“Physically, we’re a little tired,” South Carolina receiver Tori Gurley said. “We’re trying to get through this season. We’ll just have to dig deep and be ready for these next games and hopefully go out and win.”

The Gamecocks have lost two of their last three games and scored only 33 points in the process. Arkansas is averaging 36 points a game on the year – although the Razorbacks have some issues of their own. Running back Michael Smith is coming back from a hamstring injury, and tight end D.J. Williams has only 16 catches after finishing last season with a team-high 61.

“We love D.J. as a receiver. We called a lot of plays for him. He had a couple passes that just barely hit off the end of his fingers on Saturday,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “He’s also playing better than he was at any point last year. He’s blocking extremely well and the aggressiveness he’s playing with is better this year than last year. He’s a big part of our football team.”

Although Williams has faded into the background as a receiver, Greg Childs, Jarius Wright and Joe Adams are threats to score on any play. They’ve combined for 74 catches for over 1,400 yards.

Mallett grew up as an Arkansas fan, so he was understandably wary of Spurrier, who beat up on the Razorbacks when he was at Florida and is 2-2 against them with South Carolina.

“They played the Hogs,” Mallett recalled. “So I didn’t really like him too much.”

South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood has six sacks on the season, and Mallett has struggled with his accuracy when teams have been able to pressure him.

The Gamecocks will have every opportunity to outscore the Hogs if Arkansas’ defense can’t correct its woes. The defense has looked good at times – like during a 23-20 loss to Florida – but the Razorbacks have given up too many big plays.

Last weekend, Arkansas held Eastern Michigan without a first down until the third quarter, then allowed the Eagles to move the ball at will for a brief period. The Razorbacks ended up winning 63-27.

Arkansas is allowing an SEC-worst 411 yards per game.

“At times they look pretty good, but they have given up some yards,” Spurrier said. “Just because you’re near the bottom of the SEC in some defensive categories doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a bad defense. It just means somebody has to be down there near the bottom, I guess.”