Spurrier grounding Gamecocks

Laborious film study is overrated, and he would not be able to use the passing offense on which he had built his reputation.

Months of preparation and game planning throughout the summer went for naught as Spurrier watched Mississippi State overpower the Gamecocks' inexperienced offensive line for four sacks and numerous quarterback knockdowns.

"We had all summer to get ready for Mississippi State. And I watched, I think, every game they played last year," Spurrier said. "We had this play and that play and this formation and, man, we were going to go up and down the field. We're going to show this new passing game.

"And lo and behold, we couldn't even get a ball off. ... I said, 'This is ridiculous. We can't run that offense right now.' "

Spurrier tried to remedy the line's problems the following week against Georgia by incorporating more three-step drops and shorter pass routes. But when the Gamecocks managed only 15 first downs and 255 yards in the 18-0 loss, Spurrier decided to change his quarterback and his offense.

The mobile Syvelle Newton replaced drop-back passer Blake Mitchell, and Spurrier's Cock 'n' Fire offense was shelved in favor of a scheme that utilizes the running abilities of Newton and tailback Cory Boyd.

The transformation has been striking.

After rushing 39 times against both Kentucky and Vanderbilt, the Gamecocks are on pace to finish with a larger run-pass ratio than any of Spurrier's Florida teams. Credited with bringing a sophisticated passing attack to the SEC in 1990, Spurrier finished with more runs than passes in three of 12 seasons directing the Fun 'n' Gun offense in Gainesville.

Though Spurrier's first USC team finished with more runs (365) than passes (355), Newton has tipped the balance toward the run this season. Through seven games, the Gamecocks have 232 rushes and 190 pass attempts.

"Steve's like any of us," said Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, whose Vols play at South Carolina 7:45 p.m. Saturday (TV: ESPN). "He's going to use his talents to the fullest that he has, and certainly he's done a good job of that."

Topping that talent list is Newton, who added a dimension to the Spurrier offense since moving from receiver before the Wofford game. USC is 4-1 since Newton became a starter and has jumped from 11th in the SEC in third-down conversions (29.2 percent) to fifth (44.8 percent).

"It's not hard to see why we're moving the ball. It's because Syvelle Newton's at quarterback and he can dodge guys and run out of the pocket," Spurrier said. "It just makes a difference when your quarterback can make something happen. And he's throwing the ball well, also."

Newton, a senior, has completed 63 percent of his passes and is second to LSU's JaMarcus Russell in passing efficiency among SEC quarterbacks.

"I know they'll be capable of throwing the football," Fulmer said.

But the USC running attack the Vols will face Saturday is not unlike what Fulmer faced from the Lou Holtz-coached USC squads, complete with quarterback draws, sweeps and the occasional option. Spurrier plans to stick with the approach "for this season, certainly."

"Shoot, that's what we do best. And we don't need to be throwing 45 times," he said. "Hopefully, if we can throw 20-25 and run 35 or so, that's where we are. ... I think that gives us the best chance to win the game."