Spurrier is not pumped

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South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier reacts after a play at Neyland Stadium Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009.

The Tennessee fans chanted at the South Carolina players as they exited the field through their tunnel: "Pump more gas, pump more gas!''

It was a reference to comments allegedly made by UT coach Lane Kiffin to Gamecocks receiver Alshon Jeffery during his recruitment.

South Carolina's players ignored the fans, but they no doubt heard their head ball coach loud and clear in the aftermath of the Gamecocks' 31-13 loss to the Vols (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday night.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was clearly upset with the 21st-ranked Gamecocks before a crowd of 96,263 at Neyland Stadium.

The Ol' Ball Coach was in and out of his postgame interview session about as quick as his offense was on and off the field after its first two possessions ended with fumbles.

"Like I just told the guys, if we want to win some of these games against good teams, we've got to play well,'' Spurrier said. "Had four turnovers, didn't get any, had a punt return called back, had some opportunities here and there, couldn't execute, dropped passes, a few penalties here and there, get your butt beat.

"Tennessee was good, give them credit, too. They were a lot better than us tonight.''

The Gamecocks (6-3, 3-3) outgained the Vols 365 yards to 341, but UT coach Lane Kiffin's offense converted fumble recoveries on South Carolina's first two possessions into touchdowns for a 14-0 lead four minutes into the game.

"We had two first downs on our first two possessions and fumbled right after that,'' Spurrier said. "That wasn't real smart.''

Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia, who was 25-of-50 passing for 300 yards with a touchdown and an interception, echoed his coach.

"We had two fumbles in five plays,'' Garcia said. "It's hard to beat a team when you spot them points.''

Spurrier said repeatedly that he felt like South Carolina's coaches had a good game plan and was clearly hung up on his team's inability to execute.

"We had a lot of bad plays and mental errors,'' Spurrier said. "(Punt returner) Stephon Gilmore made a heckuva play. Unfortunately one of our freshmen shoved a guy in the back.

"We talked about that all day today, just screening them off, but No. 36 (D.J. Swearinger) didn't do that.''

Gilmore's would-be 73-yard punt return for a touchdown with the Gamecocks down 21-0 late in the first half was canceled out by the illegal block in the back penalty.

Instead, South Carolina took over at its 15-yard line and drove to the Vols' 30 where it settled for a 47-yard field goal off the leg of Spencer Lanning to end the half.

"Four turnovers and a punt called back and a lot of careless play,'' Spurrier said, leaving the podium mere minutes after walking into the room. "We're 6-3, got a pretty good record for the way we've played.''

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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