Gamecocks get off to slow start

KNOXVILLE, TENN. — Steve Spurrier was upset last week against Vanderbilt when South Carolina’s opening drive began with a holding penalty on the kickoff return and another pair of holding calls shut down the Gamecocks’ first possession.

On Saturday, it got worse for the Head Ball Coach.

USC won the coin toss and elected to receive, a staple under Spurrier, but tight end Justice Cunningham fumbled after snagging a 14-yard pass on the game’s third play from scrimmage. The ball was popped out by UT safety Janzen Jackson on a hit and recovered by Dan Williams.

The Vols took advantage of the turnover and scored two plays later on a 38-yard pass from quarterback Jonathan Crompton to Austin Johnson down the middle of the field to go up 7-0.

The Gamecocks fumbled twice more — one on their next drive and another in the second quarter – to set up another 14 points for the Vols.

ORANGE AND BLACKOUT

The Tennessee players came out for warm-ups wearing their traditional orange jerseys, but when they lined up in the tunnel to run through the traditional “T”, the Vols were wearing black jerseys with orange numbers for the first time this season. There was some debate about the team wearing the black during the summer, but athletic director Mike Hamilton reportedly said it wouldn’t happen in 2009.

KICKING WOES

Tennessee suffered two blocked field goals by No. 2 Alabama’s Terrence Cody in a 12-10 loss to No. 2 Alabama last week. Junior kicker Daniel Lincoln’s first attempt Saturday in the second quarter was also blocked — this time by USC’s Devin Taylor — to make it three consecutive blocks.

A STRANGER TO LOSING SEASONS

The Vols came into Saturday at 3-4 on the season and are trying to avoid a losing year, something they aren’t accustomed to in Knoxville. Tennessee has 10 losing seasons in 76 years in the SEC and has never posted consecutive sub-.500 records. The Vols have also made the postseason four times following a losing season.

SCOUTING FOR POSTSEASON

Scouts from four bowls were in attendance to look at USC and Tennessee. The Capital One Bowl in Orlando, the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla., the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta and the Orange Bowl in Miami were represented.

INJURY UPDATE

USC defensive end Cliff Matthews injured his left shoulder in the first half and didn’t return to the game. The extent of the injury was not known.