GTmorris1970
04-15-2007, 07:44 AM
Spring omens
Mitchell’s effort sets the stage for summer doubts
By JOSEPH PERSON - jperson@thestate.com
Perhaps the only good thing about Blake Mitchell’s performance in Saturday’s spring game: It did not come against Georgia.
For the second consecutive season, the South Carolina senior quarterback fell back instead of springing forward into the offseason. Mitchell completed 13 of 39 passes for 150 yards and was intercepted twice as his Garnet squad fell to the Black 14-7 in front of 35,153 at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Mitchell struggled in the rain in last year’s spring game and was outplayed by Cade Thompson, who has since transferred to Tennessee-Martin. Mitchell could not blame the conditions Saturday: It was mostly sunny for the Hootie & the Blowfish pregame concert and the game that was televised nationally by ESPNU.
“I just didn’t have a great day. That’s why we play,” Mitchell said. “Hopefully, I can continue to work hard and get better.”
Mitchell, named one of the most outstanding players of the spring, did not cap the four-week practice session the way he wanted. He overthrew receivers, threw behind others and directed one scoring drive.
“He played about like this last year in the spring game, so I don’t know the answer,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “And I hate going into the offseason with your quarterback hitting 13 out of 39 when the other team only played two coverages.”
Mitchell was 10-of-27 for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception last April, a lackluster showing that foreshadowed a difficult fall. After failing to move the offense against Mississippi State and Georgia, Mitchell was benched for seven weeks in favor of Syvelle Newton.
“I guess that was one reason I was pretty quick to pull him out after the Georgia game and play Syvelle was because he hadn’t done much up to that point,” Spurrier said. “And then he came back and really played well the last five games of the season.”
When he returned, Mitchell completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,467 yards and 10 touchdowns during the final 18 quarters.
Chris Smelley, who was 10-of-22 for 83 yards with one interception for the Black squad, said he and the other backup quarterbacks are battling for the No. 2 position.
“Blake’s been in the heat of the battle for a few years now. He’ll be the man next year,” Smelley said. “But if I get a shot, I’ll be ready.”
As was the case most of the spring, the defenses ruled the day.
Free safety Brandon Isaac broke up two passes, safeties Darian Stewart, Emanuel Cook and Doug Peterson had interceptions, and the defensive lines pressured the quarterbacks despite rushing only four linemen.
Spurrier said the Black team’s defensive backs — Stewart, Cook and cornerbacks Chris Hail and Captain Munnerlyn — played blanket coverage on Mitchell’s receivers.
“I felt they had the quicker receivers,” Cook said. “So that made everyone want to compete more.”
Mitchell rolled out and made a nice throw to Kenny McKinley for a 1-yard touchdown on a play in which McKinley appeared to be the second option. But trying to tie the game late, Mitchell overthrew Jared Cook after Cook got behind a walk-on corner on an out-and-up route.
“I can understand the protection was not very good at all,” Spurrier said. “But when he did have some time and he had a few guys here and there, he didn’t make real good throws.”
Mitchell, who enters his final season seventh on USC’s career list with 4,245 passing yards, does not plan to dwell on the spring game.
“I’ll definitely play better during the season,” he said. “I’ve just got to put this behind me and keep going.”
Only two of the Gamecocks’ four scholarship quarterbacks played Saturday. Sophomore Tommy Beecher was limited to holding for kicks due to a sprained shoulder. Freshman Stephen Garcia remained suspended from team activities following his two arrests in a two-week span.
Though tailback Cory Boyd pointed out that with Spurrier, “you never know who could be the quarterback,” the Ball Coach said Mitchell remains his guy.
“Blake’s still our starter. I really believe he can return to form,” Spurrier said. “But today was not encouraging.”
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
Mitchell’s effort sets the stage for summer doubts
By JOSEPH PERSON - jperson@thestate.com
Perhaps the only good thing about Blake Mitchell’s performance in Saturday’s spring game: It did not come against Georgia.
For the second consecutive season, the South Carolina senior quarterback fell back instead of springing forward into the offseason. Mitchell completed 13 of 39 passes for 150 yards and was intercepted twice as his Garnet squad fell to the Black 14-7 in front of 35,153 at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Mitchell struggled in the rain in last year’s spring game and was outplayed by Cade Thompson, who has since transferred to Tennessee-Martin. Mitchell could not blame the conditions Saturday: It was mostly sunny for the Hootie & the Blowfish pregame concert and the game that was televised nationally by ESPNU.
“I just didn’t have a great day. That’s why we play,” Mitchell said. “Hopefully, I can continue to work hard and get better.”
Mitchell, named one of the most outstanding players of the spring, did not cap the four-week practice session the way he wanted. He overthrew receivers, threw behind others and directed one scoring drive.
“He played about like this last year in the spring game, so I don’t know the answer,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “And I hate going into the offseason with your quarterback hitting 13 out of 39 when the other team only played two coverages.”
Mitchell was 10-of-27 for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception last April, a lackluster showing that foreshadowed a difficult fall. After failing to move the offense against Mississippi State and Georgia, Mitchell was benched for seven weeks in favor of Syvelle Newton.
“I guess that was one reason I was pretty quick to pull him out after the Georgia game and play Syvelle was because he hadn’t done much up to that point,” Spurrier said. “And then he came back and really played well the last five games of the season.”
When he returned, Mitchell completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,467 yards and 10 touchdowns during the final 18 quarters.
Chris Smelley, who was 10-of-22 for 83 yards with one interception for the Black squad, said he and the other backup quarterbacks are battling for the No. 2 position.
“Blake’s been in the heat of the battle for a few years now. He’ll be the man next year,” Smelley said. “But if I get a shot, I’ll be ready.”
As was the case most of the spring, the defenses ruled the day.
Free safety Brandon Isaac broke up two passes, safeties Darian Stewart, Emanuel Cook and Doug Peterson had interceptions, and the defensive lines pressured the quarterbacks despite rushing only four linemen.
Spurrier said the Black team’s defensive backs — Stewart, Cook and cornerbacks Chris Hail and Captain Munnerlyn — played blanket coverage on Mitchell’s receivers.
“I felt they had the quicker receivers,” Cook said. “So that made everyone want to compete more.”
Mitchell rolled out and made a nice throw to Kenny McKinley for a 1-yard touchdown on a play in which McKinley appeared to be the second option. But trying to tie the game late, Mitchell overthrew Jared Cook after Cook got behind a walk-on corner on an out-and-up route.
“I can understand the protection was not very good at all,” Spurrier said. “But when he did have some time and he had a few guys here and there, he didn’t make real good throws.”
Mitchell, who enters his final season seventh on USC’s career list with 4,245 passing yards, does not plan to dwell on the spring game.
“I’ll definitely play better during the season,” he said. “I’ve just got to put this behind me and keep going.”
Only two of the Gamecocks’ four scholarship quarterbacks played Saturday. Sophomore Tommy Beecher was limited to holding for kicks due to a sprained shoulder. Freshman Stephen Garcia remained suspended from team activities following his two arrests in a two-week span.
Though tailback Cory Boyd pointed out that with Spurrier, “you never know who could be the quarterback,” the Ball Coach said Mitchell remains his guy.
“Blake’s still our starter. I really believe he can return to form,” Spurrier said. “But today was not encouraging.”
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.