2008 Woodie Awards
Sweet Smelley of victory
Quarterback play, young receivers, defense pace USC in thrilling victory
Sam Davis
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Sports
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The Ole Miss Rebels marched down the field and into the end zone on the first possession of the game, making the nation's No. 1 defense look like a pee-wee team. The Gamecocks were able to respond with a field goal, but on the ensuing drive watched the Rebel offense once again stroll into the end zone with ease. After its first two drives, Ole Miss had 148 total yards on 19 plays. Only once had they not gained positive yards on a play.
From then on, it was USC coach Steve Spurrier's favorite style of play: a shootout. At the end of the first half, both teams combined for 38 points, 600 total yards of offense and 30 first downs.
"It was a great team effort," said Spurrier after the win. "A lot of guys contributed and we gave out a lot of game balls."
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Smelley, among others, brought the Gamecock offense out of the doldrums by throwing for 327 yards and three touchdown passes. For the first time since the loss to Vanderbilt in week two, only one quarterback took the field for USC. Spurrier approves of Smelley's play, but still expects more.
"Chris threw some good ones. He missed a few, but I really like the way he played in the fourth quarter," said Spurrier. "He had a good game, but I really believe he can play better."
Another key contributor to the USC offensive attack was redshirt freshman wide receiver Jason Barnes. Barnes entered the game with four catches and 58 yards on the season.
Against Ole Miss, he caught seven balls for 76 yards and two touchdowns, including his first career TD catch which was nothing less than spectacular. On third and goal from the 20-yard line, Smelley found Barnes in the back of the end zone to bring the Gamecocks within four points, but it certainly didn't come easy. In mid-air, an Ole Miss defender laid a hit on Barnes that evoked an incredulous gasp from the crowd.
"He said he didn't have any feeling in his jaw for a while ... but he held on to the ball and it was just a super play," said Spurrier. "He's practicing a lot better. He's catching everything. He's running good routes. He's learning how to use his feet."
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