Gamecocks Live

During the most recent timeout, Clemson fans started a loud chant of “Da-bo, Da-bo, Da-bo.”

Well, the people have spoken. No need to take a poll on who they want as the new coach.

And a few players weighed in too: CJ Spiller looked at the crowd during the chant, and waved his arms to encourage the chant more.

The talk among the Clemson beat writers up here is that it’ll be hard for Terry Don Phillips to choose anybody else, especially after this.

Any hope that South Carolina still had, and it was a faint one, ended just now when Chris Smelley’s third-down pass was picked off by Clemson at its own 6.

That gives Smelley four on the day, 15 on the year and 22 in his career.

Well … at least he still has a long way to catch Todd Ellis’ record. I’m not sure that’s much solace to either Smelley or Ellis right now.

This one was over awhile ago, as many of you have pointed out. It’s now just a matter of how bad a loss it’s going to be.

So much for breaks and a close game. Clemson is back up by a big margin, 31-14, and they’re fired up here at Memorial Stadium.

Meanwhile South Carolina has 18 minutes and 38 seconds to get at least 17 points, and it’s started to rain again here in Pickens County.

This was a big score, because the Tigers’ 24-0 lead had decreased to 10, and USC had the momentum. But a three-and-out signified a stalling of the USC offensive engine, Clemson got a short field, and it capitalized. The Tigers drove down, and this time wised up and decided to run it at the goal-line. James Davis scored on a 2-yarder, his third touchdown of the game.

You know, it’s not as pronounced a collapse as last season, but South Carolina’s defense has once again wheezed at the finish line. The 56 points two weeks ago at Florida was sort of thrown out the window because a) it was Florida, and b) the South Carolina offense and special teams played a big part in a lot of those points.

But this week, even with the three interceptions, the defense has struggled. Clemson had 274 total yards in the first half, and has only increased that here in the third quarter.

And the Gamecocks needed them. Clemson seemingly had a first down after a measurement, but a review - which lasted longer than the Salem Witch Trials - pushed the spot back a whole yard, to the point there wasn’t even a measurement.

Clemson chose to punt, and USC takes over at its 14.

The home fans are currently in favor of abolishing instant replay. That’s the third straight one that’s gone against their team, counting the Patrick DiMarco touchdown catch and Jason Barnes’ catch a few plays before that.

The right answer to the Chris Smelley problem was Chris Smelley. I knew it all along.

South Carolina has opened the second half with a quick touchdown drive, and it’s 24-14. Not over yet, folks.

The drive goes eight plays, 69 yards and 3:28, with Smelley hitting tight end Weslye Saunders on a 23-yard touchdown. The score came on third down.

Smelley is now 7-for-8 on the last two drives, for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

Mike Davis had three runs for 16 yards, just to keep the defense honest, but otherwise it was all the pass. And you have to give credit where it’s due, Smelley for hanging in there and Steve Spurrier for hanging with him.

At least we’re saying that now. Let’s see which way the wind is blowing later.

The Gamecocks will open with the ball. At this point I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing.

But since there has to be some offense if they are to rally, let’s say it’s a good one.

Smelley has to get back to managing the game, and there needs to be a long pass at some point. Kenny McKinley came back after that scary hit in the second quarter, so he’s available. But where has Jared Cook been? (Besides in the area of incomplete passes.)

You have to like what you saw of the running game, although it still wasn’t enough to carry some drives. But Mike Davis showed something, and I’d expect them to get back to it.

And, I hate to be a broken record here, but the defense and special teams have to create some chances. Maybe it’s turnovers, maybe it’s just holding firm to give the offense enough room.

Can it happen? Sure. Will it? I’ll let you answer that.

South Carolina dodges a bullet at the end of the half, after seemingly giving away at least another three points.

Clemson’s Mark Buckholz misses a 36-yarder, wasting a 42-yard pass from Cullen Harper to Aaron Kelly. Now I’m sure the USC secondary coaches will wonder why it was completed in the first place, with Carlos Thomas  and Chris Culliver stride-for-stride with Kelly.

I was tempted to write, “Well it’s clearly Clemson’s day when its much-maligned offense is doing things like that against USC’s much-vaunted defense.” And for the most part, it’s still true.

But USC at least has a slight, slight bit of momentum heading into the half. But at 17 points down, you still have to wonder about the Gamecocks’ chances to put that many points on the board.

I’ve watched a lot of football, and I’ve never seen a play quite like that.

Usually the question is whether a player catching a pass got a foot in bounds before going out, not the other way around. But that’s what happened with Patrick DiMarco, who was basically out of bounds for 15 yards before coming back in at the last second to catch Chris Smelley’s pass in the end zone.

But the officials ruled that DiMarco was forced out, for all 15 yards apparently.

So it was a legal catch, and I trust the officials know the rules and got it right. The question is whether it SHOULD be a legal catch.  If there’s an offseason debate, I’m sure Steve Spurrier will vote in favor of keeping it the way it is.

South Carolina definitely needed a break, and it got it. Actually the first break came on the fumble recovery by Travian Robertson.

And then there’s Chris Smelley. He went back in there after his third pick - and that thing, whatever it was, on fourth down just before the Clemson fumble. But Smelley came through, and for all he’s done badly so far, he’s now done something good.

This is getting comical. And out-of-hand.

CJ Spiller runs it in from 20 yards out, as they capitalize on the interception. Spiller’s run was yet another long play, against a defense that is playing worse than it did at Florida, but still not as bad as the offense.

If you’re the Outback Bowl, do you really want South Carolina after this, assuming it holds up?

And I hate to say it, but who thinks a Gamecock offense can muster up enough to score 24 points? Barring something really unforeseen, or some huge plays by the defense and special teams, this one might be over already.

Once again it snuffs out a drive, and once again it gives Clemson good field position.

And Steve Spurrier is almost numb to it. He didn’t throw anything, as far as can be seen. He’s not even talking to Smelley.

I know what you all are saying, and understand. But let’s remember, it’s a 22-year-old kid, so hold the comments to his playing abilities and such.