Sept. 4, 2008
Buy Tickets to South Carolina Game | Visit Gameday Central
Learn more about Vanderbilt’s opponent this week: the South Carolina Gamecocks. Thursday’s matchup is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT at Vanderiblt Stadium and will be televised by ESPN. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling (615) 322-GOLD.
 Head Coach Steve SpurrierA former Heisman Trophy Winner at Florida, Spurrier is in his fourth season as the head coach of Gamecocks where he has a record of 22-16. Coach Spurrier has compiled a 164-56-2 (.743) won-loss record over 19 collegiate seasons. Spurrier’s Gamecocks are coming off a 6-6 season in which they won six of its first seven games. Before coming to South Carolina, Spurrier served as the head coach of the NFL’s Washington Redskins (2002-03). While at Florida, Spurrier coached Florida to consecutive National Championship appearances (1995 and 1996), claiming the 1996 title. |
 WR #11 Kenny McKinley (6’0″ 182 lbs. Sr.)The preseason All-American wideout enters Thursday’s game as the SEC active leader in both career receptions and receiving yards. McKinely is coming off a very solid 2007 campaign, where he set South Carolina’s single season receptions record with 77 catches, earning first-team All-SEC honors. Before the season, McKinley was named to Maxwell Award Watch List. McKinely has caught a pass in 34 consecutive games, making it one of the longest active streaks in the country. McKinley needs only 11 receptions to pass former NFL great Sterling Sharpe to become the all-time career receptions leader in Gamecock history. |
 DB #21 Emanuel Cook (5’10” 214 lbs. Jr.)Named to the Jim Thorpe and Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch list prior to the 2008 season. Labeled by Vanderbilt head football coach Bobby Johnson as one of the best tacklers in college football. Led the Gamecock defense last season with 92 tackles, including 77 solo, despite missing a game-and-a-half. Has played in 21 games over the past two seasons, making 14 starts with 139 tackles and three interceptions. Cook is coming off a solid performance against NC State in USC opener, recording nine solo tackles and forcing a fumble. |
 LB #40 Eric Norwood (6’1″ 270 lbs. Jr.)When thinking of the USC defense, Eric Norwood’s name is usually mentioned towards the front. The junior linebacker has moved to the “Will” spot this season after calling defensive end his home his first two years. After just 26 games, Norwood ranks sixth on the school’s all-time list in career tackles for loss with 28.5. Heading into 2008, Norwood was named to five watch lists; Butkus, Hendricks, Lombardi, Lott, and Nagurski. Last season, Norwood was second on the team in tackles with 69, including a school record 19.5 for loss. The 2007 first-team All-SEC performer tied an NCAA record against Kentucky last year by returning two fumbles for touchdowns. |
Quick Hits on the Gamecocks:
USC returns 18 starters from the 2007 squad (six on offense, 10 on defense and two specialists).
The Gamecocks begin their 17th season competing in the Southeastern Conference
South Carolina is 7-9 in its previous 16 conference openers.
In its past five seasons in the league, USC has posted a trio of 5-3 campaigns and a pair of 4-4 seasons.
The Gamecocks defeated three teams in 2007 that went on to win its bowl games.
This is the fourth-straight year in which the Gamecocks have played on a Thursday for ESPN. They are 4-1 in that span in Thursday night specials.
Redshirt junior quarterback Tommy Beecher made his first career start under center in last week’s win against NC State. Beecher came out of the game after injuring his left shoulder in the third quarter. Redshirt sophomore Chris Smelley, who relived Beecher, will get the nod against the Commodores. Smelley was 5-for-5 with two touchdowns against the Wolfpack. He has previously six previous starts and has a 4-2 record in those contests.
Senior wide receiver Kenny McKinley needs only 11 catches to break Sterling Sharpe’s career receptions school record.
Senior Mike Davis is the Gamecocks’ top returning tailback. The 5-9, 214-pounder from Columbia was the team’s top rusher as a freshman in 2005, then has been second on the squad in rushing yards behind Cory Boyd in each of the past two seasons. He was hampered some in the preseason by an injured left shoulder, but is back close to 100 percent. He certainly looked healthy in the season-opener against NC State. Despite not starting the contest, Davis rushed 14 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Junior Captain Munnerlyn is one of the SEC’s top cornerbacks. The 5-9, 185-pounder from Mobile, Ala. has made 16 starts over the past three seasons, recording fi ve interceptions.
The Gamecocks feel they have two of the best underclassmen in the SEC on the defensive line in defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye and defensive end Cliff Matthews, a pair of sophomores. Ajiboye, a 6-1, 298-pounder from Riverdale, Ga., started 10 games as a true freshman, earning second team Freshman All-America honors by the Sporting News. He totaled 39 tackles including 3.0 sacks. Matthews, a 6-4, 259-pounder from Cheraw, S.C. made nine starts as a true freshman. Like Ajiboye, Matthews was an All-SEC Freshman selection last season.
The South Carolina defense kept NC State out of the red zone in the game. In fact, the Wolfpack got no closer than the Gamecocks’ 32-yard line. Holding the Wolfpack to just 49 passing yards, the defense turned in the best pass defense in Coach Spurrier’s tenure.
Senior placekicker Ryan Succop is one of the top returningplacekickers in college football. He is 31-for-41 in fi eld goal attempts in his career (75.6 percent) and is 17-for-18 (94.4 percent) inside 40 yards… He has converted 24 of his last 28 attempts (85.7 percent) from inside 47.