Five Things We Learned From The USC-UK Game
posted by Scott Hood on Friday, October 05, 2007
1. Turnover Margin Is The Most Important Statistic In Football: If you require proof – for about the zillionth time – that turnover margin often determines who wins and loses football games, last night’s USC-Kentucky game will do just fine. The Wildcats outgained USC by 42 yards (384-342), had 71 more rushing yards, and enjoyed a slight advantage in time of possession. Yet, Kentucky lost by two touchdowns. Why? Turnovers.
Kentucky came into Thursday’s game with a plus-seven rating in turnover margin. USC was last with a minus-four rating. By the time the game ended, the Wildcats had committed four turnovers, USC only one. Coaches always say whoever makes the fewest errors will win. Kentucky QB Andre Woodson did his club no favors by forcing a throw into coverage that was picked off by Captain Munnerlyn at the goal line and trying to lateral a pass when he should have settled for a sack.
2. Playing Defense Isn’t About One Person: Some Gamecock fans predicted doom and gloom when middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley suffered a season-ending injury in the loss at LSU. But, all it did was allow other players like Eric Norwood and Emanuel Cook to escape Brinkley’s shadows and make a name for themselves.
Since Brinkley’s injury, Norwood has been a beast with a blocked punt that turned around the Miss. Sate game and, of course, the two fumble returns for touchdowns Thursday night. He’s made a bunch of other plays, as well. Cook has made 27 tackles in the last three games, including a team-high nine Thursday night. His fourth-quarter tackle on UK RB Tony Dixon reminded me of Shannon Wadley’s bone-rattling hit on that unlucky Arkansas running back years ago.
3. Georgia Wishes They Had Recruited Eric Norwood Harder: Norwood was an all-county and all-state player at North Cobb High School in Acworth, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta (Question: Isn’t the entire State of Georgia just a suburb of Atlanta?). Rivals.com rated him the No. 26 overall prospect in the State of Georgia and a three-star recruit. He was a six-time selection as the Cobb County Defensive Player of the Week. In short, he dominated.
Being one of the best players in the peach State, he naturally attracted interest from Georgia’s coaching staff. They attended a couple of his games and verbalized their interest. But Norwood’s academic situation caused them to drift away and look at other players. Bad decision. USC’s recruiters stuck with Norwood and when he ended up qualifying, he rewarded their loyalty by signing with the Gamecocks. By the time his senior year arrives in 2009, Norwood could be widely regarded as the best defensive end in the SEC. Pretty good for someone who stands just 6-foot-0.
4. USC Is a Great Second-Half Team: USC showed again Thursday night that they’re a great second half team. It was the second straight game and the third time this season the Gamecocks have scored 21 points following intermission. USC has been outscored in the second half just one time this season, at Georgia on Sept. 8. Overall, USC has scored 85 points in the second half compared to 36 for the opponents, an average of six points per contest.
Much of the credit for USC’s second-half success goes to strength and conditioning coach Mark Smith and his staff. That’s not me talking, that’s Steve Spurrier. He described Smith as one of the best in the business during his post-game press conference Thursday night. Smith’s summer program is difficult, arduous and exhausting, and some don’t make it through (see Matt Williams). But for those who do make it, the reward comes in the fourth quarter of games.
5. Cody Wells Is Underrated: Cody Wells sometimes gets lost with all the attention afforded other players on USC’s emerging defense. He’s been with the Gamecock program since 2003 and is taken for granted. He’s never been a full-time starter but has made numerous plays either as an outside linebacker or a special teams performer. Thursday night, he made two plays that raised eyebrows. First, he made a diving tackle on a kickoff without his helmet, a play that made ESPN’s Top 10 Plays of the Day and promoted the host to call Wells “One Tough Hombre.”
His second big play came in the final seconds of the third quarter when he fought off a blocker and made an outstanding open-field tackle on second-and-goal on Kentucky’s Rafael Little, who appeared headed for a touchdown around the left end. The play was huge because after Little fumbled the handoff on third down, the Wildcats had to settle for a field goal and a 24-16 deficit. Wells saved his team four points.
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The 38-23 victory over Kentucky propelled South Carolina into sole possession for first place in the SEC East. Over the course of the 60 minutes Thursday night, we learned some things about the Gamecocks. Most, of course, were positive. Here are the five most important things we learned:
1. Turnover Margin Is The Most Important Statistic In Football: If you require proof – for about the zillionth time – that turnover margin often determines who wins and loses football games, last night’s USC-Kentucky game will do just fine. The Wildcats outgained USC by 42 yards (384-342), had 71 more rushing yards, and enjoyed a slight advantage in time of possession. Yet, Kentucky lost by two touchdowns. Why? Turnovers.
Kentucky came into Thursday’s game with a plus-seven rating in turnover margin. USC was last with a minus-four rating. By the time the game ended, the Wildcats had committed four turnovers, USC only one. Coaches always say whoever makes the fewest errors will win. Kentucky QB Andre Woodson did his club no favors by forcing a throw into coverage that was picked off by Captain Munnerlyn at the goal line and trying to lateral a pass when he should have settled for a sack.
2. Playing Defense Isn’t About One Person: Some Gamecock fans predicted doom and gloom when middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley suffered a season-ending injury in the loss at LSU. But, all it did was allow other players like Eric Norwood and Emanuel Cook to escape Brinkley’s shadows and make a name for themselves.
Since Brinkley’s injury, Norwood has been a beast with a blocked punt that turned around the Miss. Sate game and, of course, the two fumble returns for touchdowns Thursday night. He’s made a bunch of other plays, as well. Cook has made 27 tackles in the last three games, including a team-high nine Thursday night. His fourth-quarter tackle on UK RB Tony Dixon reminded me of Shannon Wadley’s bone-rattling hit on that unlucky Arkansas running back years ago.
3. Georgia Wishes They Had Recruited Eric Norwood Harder: Norwood was an all-county and all-state player at North Cobb High School in Acworth, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta (Question: Isn’t the entire State of Georgia just a suburb of Atlanta?). Rivals.com rated him the No. 26 overall prospect in the State of Georgia and a three-star recruit. He was a six-time selection as the Cobb County Defensive Player of the Week. In short, he dominated.
Being one of the best players in the peach State, he naturally attracted interest from Georgia’s coaching staff. They attended a couple of his games and verbalized their interest. But Norwood’s academic situation caused them to drift away and look at other players. Bad decision. USC’s recruiters stuck with Norwood and when he ended up qualifying, he rewarded their loyalty by signing with the Gamecocks. By the time his senior year arrives in 2009, Norwood could be widely regarded as the best defensive end in the SEC. Pretty good for someone who stands just 6-foot-0.
4. USC Is a Great Second-Half Team: USC showed again Thursday night that they’re a great second half team. It was the second straight game and the third time this season the Gamecocks have scored 21 points following intermission. USC has been outscored in the second half just one time this season, at Georgia on Sept. 8. Overall, USC has scored 85 points in the second half compared to 36 for the opponents, an average of six points per contest.
Much of the credit for USC’s second-half success goes to strength and conditioning coach Mark Smith and his staff. That’s not me talking, that’s Steve Spurrier. He described Smith as one of the best in the business during his post-game press conference Thursday night. Smith’s summer program is difficult, arduous and exhausting, and some don’t make it through (see Matt Williams). But for those who do make it, the reward comes in the fourth quarter of games.
5. Cody Wells Is Underrated: Cody Wells sometimes gets lost with all the attention afforded other players on USC’s emerging defense. He’s been with the Gamecock program since 2003 and is taken for granted. He’s never been a full-time starter but has made numerous plays either as an outside linebacker or a special teams performer. Thursday night, he made two plays that raised eyebrows. First, he made a diving tackle on a kickoff without his helmet, a play that made ESPN’s Top 10 Plays of the Day and promoted the host to call Wells “One Tough Hombre.”
His second big play came in the final seconds of the third quarter when he fought off a blocker and made an outstanding open-field tackle on second-and-goal on Kentucky’s Rafael Little, who appeared headed for a touchdown around the left end. The play was huge because after Little fumbled the handoff on third down, the Wildcats had to settle for a field goal and a 24-16 deficit. Wells saved his team four points.
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Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.