Lou Holtz proved once again last year why he is such a brilliant, Hall of Fame collegiate football coach. Not only did he completely turn things around during the regular season, but he was also at his best during the postseason. Operating without suspended RB Derek Watson, arguably the Gamecocks' best overall performer, South Carolina was able to roll to a 24-7 victory over favored Ohio State in the Outback Bowl.
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Wed., Aug. 22
While Kalimba Edwards is a great defensive player as a combination defensive end/outside linebacker, the Gamecocks are also very excited about the prospects for Kenny Harney.
More on South Carolina |
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While the Buckeyes would have six players drafted, two in the first round, Holtz's Gamecocks were the only team in the SEC not to have a player selected in the 2001 NFL draft. Folks, that tells you all you need to know about Holtz's ability to motivate and lead a team to the point where they consistently maximize or play beyond their capabilities.
DEFENSE
Last season, South Carolina was keyed by a hustling, well-coordinated defense that held the opposition to 19 or fewer points in 10 of 12 games. With eight seniors and three juniors comprising the starting defense this coming season, the Gamecocks hope there will be little or no drop in their performance level.
The major headliner is senior OLB Kalimba Edwards, a physically gifted 6-4½, 260-pounder who ranks with the elite defensive players in the country. He's joined on the second line of defense by fellow seniors Shannon Wadley and Kenny Harney, a pair of veterans who combine with Edwards to give the Gamecocks a quality, veteran linebacking corps. Harney, who missed five games last year due to a broken fibula, reportedly looked good in the spring and has been working out hard in the weight room in preparation for his final campaign in Columbia.
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Gamecocks at a glance
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2001 schedule
Sept. 1 vs. Boise State
Sept. 8 at Georgia
Sept. 15 vs. Bowling Green
Sept. 20 at Mississippi St.
Sept. 29 vs. Alabama
Oct. 6 vs. Kentucky
Oct. 13 at Arkansas
Oct. 20 vs. Vanderbilt
Oct. 27 at Tennessee
Nov. 10 vs. Florida
Nov. 17 vs. Clemson
2000 results
(8-4, 5-3 SEC)
New Mexico St. W 31-0
Georgia W 21-10
Eastern Michigan W 41-6
Mississippi St. W 23-19
at Alabama L 27-17
at Kentucky W 20-17
Arkansas W 27-7
at Vanderbilt W 30-14
Tennessee L 17-14
at Florida L 41-21
at Clemson L 16-14
vs. Ohio State W 24-7
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The secondary also has plenty of talent and experience. CB Sheldon Brown is one of the best at his position in the SEC, while on the other side, fellow senior Andre Goodman shows excellent awareness, anticipation and big-play ability. Junior Rashad Faison operates as an effective rover in the deep patrol.
If there is an area of concern on defense, it's up front. The Gamecocks didn't lose many starters to graduation, but along the defensive line is where they were hit the hardest. Moving on to NFL training camps as undrafted free agents are NT Cleveland Pinkney (Indianapolis) and DT Cecil Caldwell (Cleveland). Last year, Pinkney and Caldwell combined for nine sacks and 14 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Looking to pick up the slack this season will be junior NT Langston Moore and senior DT John Stamper. Freshman DE George Gause could become a factor along the defensive front if he's as good as advertised. The 6-5, 240-pounder was generally viewed as the Gamecocks' top recruit.
OFFENSE
While the offense loses just one key starter to graduation (WR Jermale Kelly), the Gamecocks must do a better job of converting red-zone opportunities into points. Last year, they scored 21 or fewer points in six games.
On paper, you really don't see any major upgrades in terms of big-play potential. Still, you can always count on Holtz to manufacture points, especially if the field-goal kicking situation improves. Last year, this was a major problem that contributed heavily to losses against Tennessee and Clemson.
With senior Phil Petty at the helm, the Gamecocks have a QB who lacks star quality but has developed into a fairly solid QB in the SEC.
Despite the defeat of Ohio State in the Outback Bowl while he was out with a suspension, junior RB Derek Watson remains key on offense. Suspended again in the spring, he did the job in the classroom during that period (3.0 GPA), and if there are no other lingering off-field problems, he'll likely be back with the team in August. Returning at FB will be hard-charging 5-11½, 245-pounder Andrew Pinnock.
The pivotal performer in the Gamecocks' Outback Bowl victory over Ohio State was versatile and spunky 5-9, 210-pound junior Ryan Brewer. Filling in for Watson, he accounted for 214 all-purpose yards, scored three TDs and earned MVP honors. Now, though, Brewer is being penciled in as a starting WR opposite senior Brian Scott. While the Gamecocks should be adequate at this spot, they are currently lacking a big-play type who can produce a game-changing play at any time.
Up front, the Gamecocks should field a solid and cohesive starting line that could be the best they have had since the late '80s when South Carolina finished 8-4 in back-to-back years, going to a bowl game each season under Joe Morrison. The standout performer this season figures to be senior RT Melvin Paige, a talented 6-4, 305-pounder who has been in the starting lineup since his freshman year in '98. Also keep an eye on junior guard Cedric Williams. He could be one of the best at his position in the SEC. With depth not a strength, it's critical that the Gamecocks remain relatively injury-free along the offensive line.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The kicking game was far from a strong suit for the Gamecocks last year. In fact, it was a liability in several contests. They converted only 11-of-19 field goals, with misses inside of 30 yards coming in losses to Alabama, Tennessee and Clemson. The misfires against Tennessee and Clemson contributed heavily to those setbacks. During fall practice, freshman Josh Brown will be given every opportunity to solve the kicking woes. Stay tuned. The punting, meanwhile, is not great by any stretch but is at least adequate. Junior Tyeler Dean returns after averaging 39.5 yards per punt last season.
Overview: Holtz is amazing. Like L.A. Lakers coach Phil Jackson, he can maximize great talent as he did when winning a national championship at Notre Dame. Conversely, as was the case last year with the Gamecocks, at Arkansas or other stops along the way, he can take a team with less ability and transform them into a spirited, overachieving group that far exceeds any preseason expectations. This season, however, the young men at South Carolina will have to deal with success and all the preseason hype that goes along with it. Instead of predictions that have the Gamecocks in the cellar of the SEC East, most observers will probably look for them to challenge for the second or third spot in the division.
While there are plenty of returning starters, a few questions must be answered. And the schedule may be more challenging, even with seven home games at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. Boise State replaces New Mexico State in one nonconference game; in the SEC, there are road games at Georgia, Mississippi State, Arkansas and Tennessee. As for the question marks: Watson has to be part of the equation and off the suspension for fall practice. A big-play WR must also emerge. Then there is the kicking game, which cost the Gamecocks two potential wins last season against Tennessee and Clemson. It appears they'll be relying on a freshman kicker this fall.
The Gamecocks' strength figures to again be the defense, which led the SEC last season, allowing an average of just under 16 points per game. Then, in the Outback Bowl, they held Ohio State to one TD. While Stamper and Moore have to adequately replace Caldwell and Pinkney at DT and NT, respectively, Edwards is a big-time performer at OLB -- and the veteran secondary, led by CB Brown and rover Faison, should be excellent. Harney and Wadley are also quality SEC linebackers.
