Gamecocks defense grits and snares it

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney runs down Arkansas running back Alex Collins during the third quarter of their game Saturday at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney runs down Arkansas running back Alex Collins during the third quarter of their game Saturday at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

— Arkansas opened Saturday’s game against South Carolina with a long scoring drive, but Gamecocks Coach Steve Spurrier made his point as well on the drive.

South Carolina had allowed at least 25 points in each of its previous four games leading up to Saturday’s game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium, prompting Spurrier to bench cornerback Victor Hampton and safeties Kadetrix Marcus and Brison Williams for the opening series against the Razorbacks because of their recent poor play.

Arkansas drove 64 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead with 12:02 left in the first quarter, and South Carolina’s benched starters apparently got the message.

The three were back on the field for South Carolina’s next defensive series, and the Gamecocks’ fortunes were restored almost immediately.Hampton intercepted Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen on the Razorbacks’ fourth offensive play of the second series to set up a touchdown that gave the Gamecocks a 10-7 lead with 5:12 left in the first quarter. Hampton returned the interception to Arkansas’ 6, and Mike Davis scored on the next play.

The Gamecocks held the Razorbacks to 27 plays, 3 first downs, 167 yards and 11:30 time of possession the rest of the way.

Allen, a sophomore, completed just 4 of 12 passes for 30 yards in the game.

“That was a big play,” Spurrier said of Hampton’s interception. “He sat on a guy and went for it. That maybe caused that quarterback to lose a little confidence. He wasn’t very sharp after that.”

Hampton, a junior, said he fed off his film study during the week, and when Arkansas lined up in a familiar formation Saturday, he trusted his training.

“When I read the quarterback’s first two steps, he just looked right over there and threw it,” Hampton said. “I definitely think he thought twice about passing. He wasn’t going to do no-look passes any more. It was a big play, and it turned around the momentum for us.”

South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said the Gamecocks missed several opportunities to make plays that would have stopped the Razorbacks on the first drive, but they got back to basics when the starters returned.

“It looked like they performed really well,” Ward said.

“Hopefully we don’t have to bench them any more and they’ll play their assignment when they’re in there.”

Ward said playing Arkansas was like playing an option team because the Razorbacks are so determined to run the football. Winning first down and forcing Allen into second- and third-andlong situations was the key,even though Hampton’s interception occurred on first down.

“He throws some interceptions during the season, and we talked about that,” Ward said. “That plays in your mind. Ask Eli Manning. It happens.”

Arkansas didn’t help its cause with two fumbles, both of which happened at the end of long runs. Keon Hatcher lost the ball after a 50-yard gain and running back Alex Collins fumbled as he was reaching for the end zone after a 29-yard gain.

“We knew they were going to run the football,” Ward said.

“They don’t try to throw it. We had to stop the run.”

Spurrier was impressed that his defense allowed Arkansas only 37 plays, including 13 in the second half.

“That is the least any opponent has ever had,” Spurrier said. “Thirty-seven, that is the fewest I’ve ever seen - I think I can say that - in college ball.”

Sports, Pages 32 on 10/13/2013

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