lacene
03-25-2007, 10:37 AM
Defense Rules First Scrimmage
Mitchell leads scoring drive but backups struggle against improved D
By JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier figured a lot of folks would head to Lake Murray to take advantage of Saturday’s nice weather. But an estimated 3,000 fans showed up at Williams-Brice Stadium for the Gamecocks’ first spring scrimmage.
Those hoping to get a look at a sleek, high-powered offensive machine would have been better off going to the lake.
South Carolina’s defense ruled the Roost during a 60-minute scrimmage, allowing a touchdown drive on the opening series before smothering the Gamecocks’ offense the rest of the way.
After quarterback Blake Mitchell led the first-team offense on a 14-play, 70-yard scoring march, the defense pitched a shutout for the final 10 possessions. With backup quarterbacks Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley alternating possessions, USC’s offense crossed midfield only twice after the first series.
“Other than that (opening drive), the defense dominated the scrimmage, which they should,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “Our defense should get the best of our offense through the scrimmages this spring. We’ve got a lot of players on defense ready to play.”
In addition to returning 10 of 11 starters, Tyrone Nix’s defense benefited from an infusion of talent, particularly up front. The Gamecocks signed seven defensive linemen, including four who enrolled in January.
It did not take long for a couple of them to make their presence felt. Defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye and defensive end Travian Robertson each had two sacks, and might have earned promotions in the process.
“Some of those second defensive guys — well, they were second today. They’ll probably be first next week,” Spurrier said. “Ladi Ajiboye, I don’t know if we can block him. And I’m hoping the other teams can’t block him, either.”
Ajiboye, a 6-foot-1, 294-pound freshman, committed with Virginia Tech in 2006. But after failing to qualify, Ajiboye spent a semester at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy before choosing USC over the Hokies.
He was a study in contradictions afterward. Asked the secret to his successful day, Ajiboye said: “I’ve got talent. That’s all I can say. God blessed me.”
But the Atlanta-area native later admitted being nervous at the start of the scrimmage.
“I was expecting to get blown off the ball,” he said. “But I think I did pretty good.”
So did the rest of the defense, giving up zero rushing yards on 28 attempts, and allowing one play longer than 19 yards — a 24-yard completion from Beecher to Mike West on the final series.
“(The coaches) put a little pressure on us. They were kind of upset that we hadn’t been moving the ball,” Beecher said. “We got a good drive going there at the end. The deep routes started opening up for us a little bit.”
Beecher completed 5-of-6 passes for 66 yards, while Mitchell was 6-of-9 for 63 yards and had the game’s lone touchdown on a 1-yard sneak.
But that was it for the offensive highlights.
Defensively, outside linebacker Cody Wells, who is returning from biceps surgery, came up with one of two turnovers by intercepting a poorly thrown pass from Smelley. Several series later, reserve linebacker Vandaral Shackleford recovered a fumble after a mishandled snap.
The Gamecocks plan to hold a couple more scrimmages before the April 14 spring game. While the offensive coaches searches for three new starters along the line and a replacement for receiver Sidney Rice, Nix plans to let some of his young players fight for starting spots.
“Overall, we’re nowhere near where we need to be,” Nix said. “We’re headed in that direction. But we have to continue to improve.”
If Saturday was any indication, the defense is well on its way.
Via thestate.com (http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/16968187.htm)
Mitchell leads scoring drive but backups struggle against improved D
By JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier figured a lot of folks would head to Lake Murray to take advantage of Saturday’s nice weather. But an estimated 3,000 fans showed up at Williams-Brice Stadium for the Gamecocks’ first spring scrimmage.
Those hoping to get a look at a sleek, high-powered offensive machine would have been better off going to the lake.
South Carolina’s defense ruled the Roost during a 60-minute scrimmage, allowing a touchdown drive on the opening series before smothering the Gamecocks’ offense the rest of the way.
After quarterback Blake Mitchell led the first-team offense on a 14-play, 70-yard scoring march, the defense pitched a shutout for the final 10 possessions. With backup quarterbacks Tommy Beecher and Chris Smelley alternating possessions, USC’s offense crossed midfield only twice after the first series.
“Other than that (opening drive), the defense dominated the scrimmage, which they should,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “Our defense should get the best of our offense through the scrimmages this spring. We’ve got a lot of players on defense ready to play.”
In addition to returning 10 of 11 starters, Tyrone Nix’s defense benefited from an infusion of talent, particularly up front. The Gamecocks signed seven defensive linemen, including four who enrolled in January.
It did not take long for a couple of them to make their presence felt. Defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye and defensive end Travian Robertson each had two sacks, and might have earned promotions in the process.
“Some of those second defensive guys — well, they were second today. They’ll probably be first next week,” Spurrier said. “Ladi Ajiboye, I don’t know if we can block him. And I’m hoping the other teams can’t block him, either.”
Ajiboye, a 6-foot-1, 294-pound freshman, committed with Virginia Tech in 2006. But after failing to qualify, Ajiboye spent a semester at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy before choosing USC over the Hokies.
He was a study in contradictions afterward. Asked the secret to his successful day, Ajiboye said: “I’ve got talent. That’s all I can say. God blessed me.”
But the Atlanta-area native later admitted being nervous at the start of the scrimmage.
“I was expecting to get blown off the ball,” he said. “But I think I did pretty good.”
So did the rest of the defense, giving up zero rushing yards on 28 attempts, and allowing one play longer than 19 yards — a 24-yard completion from Beecher to Mike West on the final series.
“(The coaches) put a little pressure on us. They were kind of upset that we hadn’t been moving the ball,” Beecher said. “We got a good drive going there at the end. The deep routes started opening up for us a little bit.”
Beecher completed 5-of-6 passes for 66 yards, while Mitchell was 6-of-9 for 63 yards and had the game’s lone touchdown on a 1-yard sneak.
But that was it for the offensive highlights.
Defensively, outside linebacker Cody Wells, who is returning from biceps surgery, came up with one of two turnovers by intercepting a poorly thrown pass from Smelley. Several series later, reserve linebacker Vandaral Shackleford recovered a fumble after a mishandled snap.
The Gamecocks plan to hold a couple more scrimmages before the April 14 spring game. While the offensive coaches searches for three new starters along the line and a replacement for receiver Sidney Rice, Nix plans to let some of his young players fight for starting spots.
“Overall, we’re nowhere near where we need to be,” Nix said. “We’re headed in that direction. But we have to continue to improve.”
If Saturday was any indication, the defense is well on its way.
Via thestate.com (http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/sports/16968187.htm)