Spurrier can't get handle on Vols

"You wonder how in the world did that bunch lose six games last season," Spurrier said on Sunday's teleconference.

UT's 5-6 record included a 16-15 loss to South Carolina at Neyland Stadium. Spurrier had an explanation for that.

"It was a game of miracles," Spurrier said. "We didn't play very well. Anytime you drop a punt and drop a kickoff. We just had a lot of miracle plays. They fumbled into the end zone and all that kind of stuff.

"But we made some plays, and Josh Brown kicked a 49-yarder."

South Carolina heads into Saturday's game against UT with a 5-2 record, just like last year. But the Vols are 6-1 and ranked eighth nationally.

"They're an awfully good team," Spurrier said. "To have a chance against Tennessee, we've got to play much better."

He was asked if he thought the Gamecocks were capable of such improvement.

"Yeah, I do," Spurrier said. "I think we can hold onto the ball better and block downfield without holding. We can play a lot better."

Spurrier said the Gamecocks were flagged four times for holding in Saturday's 31-13 victory over Vanderbilt.

"They were good calls," he said. "Sometimes on the sideline, you wonder, 'How in the world did they call that?' I've already talked to our receiving coach, and he assured me we don't teach holding."

South Carolina overcame eight penalties and four lost fumbles to beat Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks have yet to beat a Division I-A team with a winning record.

Their most impressive performance was in a 24-17 loss to seventh-ranked Auburn.

"Tennessee is a very good team, but Auburn was a very good team coming in here, and we played with those guys down to the wire," Spurrier said. "We've got to hope we play more efficiently than we did. If we can capitalize on our scoring chances and avoid those cheap penalties, I've got to believe we have a chance against anybody."

Thompson No. 4: Former Maryville High School quarterback Cade Thompson has dropped all the way to fourth on South Carolina's depth chart, according to Spurrier. That doesn't include injured quarterback Chris Smelley, who was listed ahead of Thompson before he was injured.

Starter Syvelle Newton is backed up by last year's starter, Blake Mitchell. Redshirt freshman Tommy Beecher moved ahead of Thompson, who is also a redshirt freshman, following an open-date scrimmage.

"Beecher outperformed him in the scrimmage, so we moved (Beecher up to third string)," Spurrier said. "Smelley is hurt and won't play the rest of the year."

Changing Line: South Carolina has shuffled its offensive line almost every week in an effort to improve its blocking.

"We're just trying to find guys who can play a little bit," Spurrier said. "Sometimes you've got to keep trying different stuff. We started a couple of freshmen three or four games in a row, didn't start them this week."

Hot Kicker: Sophomore Ryan Succop has excelled in a dual role this season.

Succop ranks third in the SEC in punting with a 44.4-yard average. He also has made nine of 10 field-goal attempts.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284.