Neo
10-03-2004, 12:30 AM
South Carolina 20 ... Alabama 3 (CFN.com)
South Carolina flexed its defensive muscle against the anemic Alabama offense forcing four turnovers and holding the Tide to 225 yards and eight first downs. Syvelle Newton ran for two touchdown runs in the third quarter and Josh Brown nailed two 28-yard field goals. Alabama managed a 29-yard Brian Bostick field goal.
Player of the game: South Carolina CB Fred Bennett, as a representative of the defense, gets the nod for picking off two passes.
USC Stats
Passing: Pinkins 3/7 41 yds, Newton 1/4 5 yds 1 INT
Rushing: Summers 16/70, Newton 12/50 2 TDS, Boyd 10/43
Receiving: Boyd 1/18, Thomas 1/17
Defense: Bennett 2 INTS 10 yds, Tyler 1 INT 40 yds, Simpson 1 INT 37 yds.
What to take away from this game: The game plan against Alabama was obvious; don't make mistakes and let the defense take care of the win against a Bama offense that doesn't have anything working. It worked, but there were three turnovers including two from Dondrial Pinkins. It doesn't matter; the defense is so good that Alabama didn't have a chance. With Demetris Summers back, the running game should be among the best in the nation. Ole Miss and Kentucky ahead will mean USC will be 6-1 and bowl eligible before facing Tennessee.
On a personal note, this win will help USC in the coming weeks. This wasn't the prettiest win in the world, but it was a solid win and a real confidence booster considering Bama's record in Tuscaloosa. The score would have reflected the stats a little better if USC would NOT have fumbled twice on Alabama's 15 yard line. I will admit that Mr. Holtz has some true class when he decided not to score that last TD or FG in the last minute. You have to admire a coach that chooses not to run up the score on someone if he doesn't have to. On a final note, anyone that isn't taking USC seriously is making a BIG mistake. They are here to stay and they are here to play. It would NOT surprise me to see USC in both Top-25 polls on Monday. They have played some great football and there are still a few games to go. Their next game against Ole Miss will be in Columbia and I will write a prediction on that game after I have done some research.
South Carolina flexed its defensive muscle against the anemic Alabama offense forcing four turnovers and holding the Tide to 225 yards and eight first downs. Syvelle Newton ran for two touchdown runs in the third quarter and Josh Brown nailed two 28-yard field goals. Alabama managed a 29-yard Brian Bostick field goal.
Player of the game: South Carolina CB Fred Bennett, as a representative of the defense, gets the nod for picking off two passes.
USC Stats
Passing: Pinkins 3/7 41 yds, Newton 1/4 5 yds 1 INT
Rushing: Summers 16/70, Newton 12/50 2 TDS, Boyd 10/43
Receiving: Boyd 1/18, Thomas 1/17
Defense: Bennett 2 INTS 10 yds, Tyler 1 INT 40 yds, Simpson 1 INT 37 yds.
What to take away from this game: The game plan against Alabama was obvious; don't make mistakes and let the defense take care of the win against a Bama offense that doesn't have anything working. It worked, but there were three turnovers including two from Dondrial Pinkins. It doesn't matter; the defense is so good that Alabama didn't have a chance. With Demetris Summers back, the running game should be among the best in the nation. Ole Miss and Kentucky ahead will mean USC will be 6-1 and bowl eligible before facing Tennessee.
On a personal note, this win will help USC in the coming weeks. This wasn't the prettiest win in the world, but it was a solid win and a real confidence booster considering Bama's record in Tuscaloosa. The score would have reflected the stats a little better if USC would NOT have fumbled twice on Alabama's 15 yard line. I will admit that Mr. Holtz has some true class when he decided not to score that last TD or FG in the last minute. You have to admire a coach that chooses not to run up the score on someone if he doesn't have to. On a final note, anyone that isn't taking USC seriously is making a BIG mistake. They are here to stay and they are here to play. It would NOT surprise me to see USC in both Top-25 polls on Monday. They have played some great football and there are still a few games to go. Their next game against Ole Miss will be in Columbia and I will write a prediction on that game after I have done some research.