S.C. defense shuts down opposition
Derek Oxford
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: Sports
Steve Spurrier is synonymous with offensive success, winning a Heisman Trophy at Florida in 1966, and then leading some of the Southeastern Conference's historically best offenses with the Gators in the 1990s.
This year, however, his South Carolina Gamecock squad has been stifling the competition with its defense.
"[Arkansas'] a team that's beaten us the last two years," Spurrier said. "We're going to see if we can play a bit better on offense. Our defense has played well and so has our special teams."
Coaches refer constantly to being strong in all three phases of the game - offense, defense, and special teams - but South Carolina hasn't combined all three together yet, Spurrier said.
"The progress of the defense has been very good," Spurrier said. "Special teams has been very good, offense is struggling more than we hoped."
It doesn't make things any easier for his Gamecock offense when the Razorbacks' defense has been playing as well as it has all season over the past few games.
"[Arkansas' defense is] very aggressive," Spurrier said. "I think they sacked the Tulsa quarterback the first two plays of the game last week. They are a pretty good defense, not the best in the league, but they've made a lot of plays. They got an interception late in the game. They'll give our offense all they can handle."
South Carolina leads the SEC in total defense, and chimes in third nationally, only allowing 250.7 yards per game.
Marvin Sapp is a big reason why.
The senior linebacker has compiled 43 tackles along with a sack this season, but his leadership has sparked the resurgence in the Gamecock defense.
"Marvin has played much better this year," Spurrier said. "[Defensive coordinator] Ellis Johnson has brought out the best in him. He's having an outstanding year. I wished we had redshirted him his freshman year. He's certainly playing his best his fourth year. He was committed to Georgia Tech, and he changed his mind and wanted to come up here."
This year, however, his South Carolina Gamecock squad has been stifling the competition with its defense.
"[Arkansas'] a team that's beaten us the last two years," Spurrier said. "We're going to see if we can play a bit better on offense. Our defense has played well and so has our special teams."
Coaches refer constantly to being strong in all three phases of the game - offense, defense, and special teams - but South Carolina hasn't combined all three together yet, Spurrier said.
"The progress of the defense has been very good," Spurrier said. "Special teams has been very good, offense is struggling more than we hoped."
It doesn't make things any easier for his Gamecock offense when the Razorbacks' defense has been playing as well as it has all season over the past few games.
"[Arkansas' defense is] very aggressive," Spurrier said. "I think they sacked the Tulsa quarterback the first two plays of the game last week. They are a pretty good defense, not the best in the league, but they've made a lot of plays. They got an interception late in the game. They'll give our offense all they can handle."
South Carolina leads the SEC in total defense, and chimes in third nationally, only allowing 250.7 yards per game.
Marvin Sapp is a big reason why.
The senior linebacker has compiled 43 tackles along with a sack this season, but his leadership has sparked the resurgence in the Gamecock defense.
"Marvin has played much better this year," Spurrier said. "[Defensive coordinator] Ellis Johnson has brought out the best in him. He's having an outstanding year. I wished we had redshirted him his freshman year. He's certainly playing his best his fourth year. He was committed to Georgia Tech, and he changed his mind and wanted to come up here."
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