South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has a simple explanation for his team's nosedive on defense.

"If we played 10 times, they'd probably beat us 10 times," Spurrier told reporters after a 51-31 loss to Florida. "We got shoved around like we did last week (against Arkansas).

"We're just getting shoved around at the line of scrimmage. It makes it hard to win against good teams."

South Carolina has given up 99 points and 1,188 yards in the last two games. It gave up 101 points in the first six games.

South Carolina's defense also has surpassed Tennessee's as a factor in the Heisman Trophy race.

A week after Arkansas' Darren McFadden rushed for 321 yards against South Carolina, he gained only 117 on the Vols.

The Gamecocks worked wonders for Tim Tebow's Heisman campaign Saturday night. The Florida quarterback ran for five touchdowns and threw for two more.

"Don't get me bragging on the other team's quarterback," Spurrier told The State newspaper. "I hope some day we'll have someone who can run (when pressured), make a first down."

Sly's The Guy: Mississippi State fourth-year coach Sylvester Croom enhanced his status with Saturday's 17-12 upset of Alabama. After winning only three games apiece in Croom's first three seasons, Mississippi State is 6-4 with games remaining against Arkansas and Ole Miss.

"No question, he's our guy," Mississippi State's outgoing athletic director Larry Templeton told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. "He's the brush we're painting this picture with.

"My intention is to have a conversation with the (university) president to make sure we take care of Sly with his contract."

Croom was paid $975,000, including endorsements and bonuses, for the last fiscal year, according to the Clarion-Ledger.

Turning Back The Tide: The key play in Mississippi State's victory was Anthony Johnson's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.

"I first thought Anthony would make it about midfield," Mississippi State defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson told the Clarion-Ledger. "But once he got about 10 or 15 yards out of the end zone, I knew they wouldn't catch him unless he pulled a hamstring."

Bowl Motivation: Although Kentucky already had the required six victories to be bowl-eligible, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks told his team before Saturday's game that "bowl-eligible" might not be good enough.

Kentucky responded with a 27-20 victory over Vanderbilt that gave it seven victories and virtually assured it of a bowl berth in a conference where 10 of the 12 teams are bowl-eligible.

Official Breaks Leg: Line judge Paul Petrisko was taken off the field on a stretcher after suffering a compound shin fracture in the LSU-Louisiana Tech game, according to the Baton Rouge Morning Advocate.

Petrisko was injured on the LSU sideline in the second quarter when he was hit by LSU running back Trindon Holliday.

Fresh Legs: Freshman wide receiver Terrance Toliver is becoming more of a factor in LSU's offense. He had three catches for 119 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown reception, against Louisiana Tech.

Extra Points: Mississippi State has returned five of its 14 interceptions for touchdowns. … Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson has led successful fourth-quarter comebacks in seven of Kentucky's last 16 games. … Florida's highly touted freshman tight end Aaron Hernandez showed his potential by breaking a couple of tackles on a 51-yard catch and run on the first play of the second half. … Florida, which blocked its third punt of the season, has allowed opponents to return only four punts (for 22 yards). … LSU opponents were 23-for-23 (16 touchdowns and seven field goals) inside the red zone before cornerback Jonathan Zenon intercepted a Louisiana Tech pass in the end zone in the first half.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.