FAKED OUT: Gamecocks Fooled By Tigers

I'm sure Steve Spurrier wouldn't say that there is, but if there is such thing as a good loss, his team had one on Saturday against LSU.

LSU stomped Mississippi State 45-0 despite Sylvester Croom's pre-game preaching. That next week they down-right embarrassed ninth ranked Virginia Tech 48-7. Then they demolished Middle Tennessee 44-0.

And that's when Spurrier came to town.

Anyone who knows Steve Spuririer knows what kind of coach he is. Known for his trickery and offensive creativity, we all knew he would come into this game ready. But it was Les Miles and LSU who had tricks up their sleeves.

The Gamecocks got on the scoreboard first, earning only the second touchdown against that LSU defense. It also marked the first time the Tigers had been down to any opponent this season, But LSU quickly responded with their own touchdown. They took over from that point on, leading by as much as 21 points. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that South Carolina was able to pull within two scores.

Now what South Carolina did may not sound impressive, but considering the fact LSU averaged 45.6 points per game coming into the game and allowed an average of 2.3, the Gamecocks played very respectably.

LSU’s Matt Flynn passed for an unimpressive 70 yards, while South Carolina’s Blake Mitchell and Chris Smelley passed for a combined 244 yards. But LSU ruled the ground game rushing for 273 more yards than the Gamecocks.

That Tiger ground game and that second quarter fake field goal saved the Tigers who now seem a little vulnerable against SEC contenders.

—R. Cooper