GAMECOCKBOY
09-17-2006, 10:34 AM
COLUMBIA -- Two games into the season, South Carolina star receiver Sidney Rice had just five catches for 44 yards.
The sophomore from Gaffney eclipsed that mark after just one reception Saturday night against Wofford with a one-handed, 45-yard reception in the first quarter.
The spectacular catch set up the Gamecocks' first touchdown of the night. In fact, Rice had more than 100 yards receiving in the first half alone. It was his seventh time in his career that he went over the century mark. Rice finished the game with seven receptions for 151 yards.
"Unreal," former Gaffney teammate and current Wofford receiver Andy Strickland said about the Rice one-handed reception. "I've seen plenty of that in high school, so it's nothing new to me."
Rice also pulled in receptions of 46 and 33 yards, both setting up Gamecocks' scores. However, for the third consecutive game this season, Rice was held out of the end zone.
"I don't think I had a good game," Rice said. "There's a lot of reasons why."
A change at quarterback was not one of them.
"Syvelle Newton did a tremendous job," Rice said. "He's a great athlete."
South Carolina's offense was held to three points in the second half after scoring on five of six first-half drives. Rice's numbers reflected the offensive let down as he was held to 41 yards for the remainder of the game. Despite the decrease, South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier was pleased with the offense's ability to get Rice more involved.
"Sidney had a good game for us. He made some big catches," Spurrier said.
Although the Gamecocks' offense showed flashes of improvement, Rice feels some work needs to be done before next week's home game against Florida Atlantic.
"We didn't play a full four quarters," he said. "That is something we have to work on. We have to watch film. We have a whole lot of things to work on."
AYERS AILING: Wofford head coach Mike Ayers wore an electronic stimulation device and a brace due to back spasms he experienced after doing yard work at his home Saturday morning.
MITCHELL SIGHTING: Blake Mitchell was on the sideline during pregame warmups in his jersey, a pair of shorts, and a ball cap.
He even signed a few autographs for the USC faithful.
The sophomore from Gaffney eclipsed that mark after just one reception Saturday night against Wofford with a one-handed, 45-yard reception in the first quarter.
The spectacular catch set up the Gamecocks' first touchdown of the night. In fact, Rice had more than 100 yards receiving in the first half alone. It was his seventh time in his career that he went over the century mark. Rice finished the game with seven receptions for 151 yards.
"Unreal," former Gaffney teammate and current Wofford receiver Andy Strickland said about the Rice one-handed reception. "I've seen plenty of that in high school, so it's nothing new to me."
Rice also pulled in receptions of 46 and 33 yards, both setting up Gamecocks' scores. However, for the third consecutive game this season, Rice was held out of the end zone.
"I don't think I had a good game," Rice said. "There's a lot of reasons why."
A change at quarterback was not one of them.
"Syvelle Newton did a tremendous job," Rice said. "He's a great athlete."
South Carolina's offense was held to three points in the second half after scoring on five of six first-half drives. Rice's numbers reflected the offensive let down as he was held to 41 yards for the remainder of the game. Despite the decrease, South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier was pleased with the offense's ability to get Rice more involved.
"Sidney had a good game for us. He made some big catches," Spurrier said.
Although the Gamecocks' offense showed flashes of improvement, Rice feels some work needs to be done before next week's home game against Florida Atlantic.
"We didn't play a full four quarters," he said. "That is something we have to work on. We have to watch film. We have a whole lot of things to work on."
AYERS AILING: Wofford head coach Mike Ayers wore an electronic stimulation device and a brace due to back spasms he experienced after doing yard work at his home Saturday morning.
MITCHELL SIGHTING: Blake Mitchell was on the sideline during pregame warmups in his jersey, a pair of shorts, and a ball cap.
He even signed a few autographs for the USC faithful.