Gamecocks' Succop hopes to kick trouble

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Ryan Succop has been kicking as though his leg is connected to his stomach.

Since tearing an abdominal muscle three weeks ago, Succop has missed six of his last nine field-goal attempts.

Coach Steve Spurrier said the injury is no longer a problem, and Succop doesn’t use it as an excuse. But given Succop’s track record, you can’t help but think the injury affected him.

He made seven consecutive field goals before the injury. In 2006-07, he was 29-for-37 on field-goal tries. He hit a game-tying 48-yard field goal to send last year’s UT-South Carolina game into overtime but missed on a 40-yarder in OT.

A second-team All-SEC pick in preseason, Succop has gotten back to basics in the last two weeks.

“He has done more research, working on his follow-through and steps, to see why he has missed,” Spurrier said. “He kicked well in practice. You’ve got to believe it will carry over (into the game).”

Just For Kicks: Spurrier was asked if he ever experienced a slump as a kicker.

“I missed a couple of extra points against Oak Ridge,” said Spurrier, who was a high school kicker and star quarterback at Science Hill. “They beat us 20-19.”

Then, he laughed and added, “I must have had a bad holder.”

Safeties First: Saturday’s game will feature two outstanding safeties.

While UT’s Eric Berry is having an All-American-caliber season, South Carolina junior Emanuel Cook is also having a career year.

Cook leads the Gamecocks and ranks sixth in the SEC in tackles. He is on pace to surpass last year’s team-leading 92 tackles.

Bad Memory: South Carolina defensive tackle Nathan Pepper usually loves watching SEC games on television. Last year’s UT-South Carolina, which the Vols won in overtime, was an exception.

Pepper didn’t make the trip to Knoxville because of a knee injury. But his knee didn’t get much rest.

“I was on my feet the whole second half,” Pepper said.

Finishing Strong: South Carolina Jasper Brinkley, who also missed last year’s UT game with a knee injury, got off to a slow start in his comeback season. But in the last few games, the 270-pound All-SEC linebacker has been more productive.

He had a season-high eight tackles against both Ole Miss and Kentucky

Defensive Switch: You won’t convince South Carolina sophomore defensive tackle Travian Robertson that Spurrier doesn’t get involved with the defense.

“He said a little joke last spring that I would make a good defensive tackle,” said Robertson, who then played defensive end.

It wasn’t much of a joke. Robertson was moved to defensive tackle this fall and is happy with the switch.

“I think I’ll stay there because of my weight,” said Robertson, who weighs 275 but eventually expects to play at 290.

Spurrier & Spurrier: Scott Spurrier, the youngest son of Steve Spurrier, is a junior walk-on wide receiver at South Carolina.

Nate Spurrier is also a junior walk-on with the Gamecocks, but he’s not related to the coach.

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