Spurrier after win: 'We're not there yet'

COLUMBIA, S.C. - It'll take more than a 38-16 win over Florida Atlantic to make South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier really happy.

"We're not there yet. We're not near there yet," Spurrier said. "Our pass protection was a little shaky early in the game. We're running around too much. We should do a little bit better."

The Gamecocks (2-1) only led 17-16 at half, but scored on three straight possessions in the second half to turn an uncomfortably close game at half into what stands for a blowout these days.

South Carolina ran for 287 yards behind freshman Jarvis Giles, who ran 11 times for 113 yards and a touchdown. Fellow freshman Kenny Miles looked just as impressive, running for 56 yards on five carries in one first-quarter series before sitting out the rest of the game with a shoulder injury.

"The offensive line opened up some gaping holes. They were really working their tails off," said running back Brian Maddox, who scored three touchdowns, two on the ground and one in the air.

But the true test on whether Spurrier has found a running attack that has often eluded him in his five years at South Carolina will be Thursday night, when No. 5 Mississippi comes to Columbia.

"Things are going to get a lot tougher," Maddox said.

Spurrier is 37-0 in his career against teams not currently in the Bowl Championship Series, and the comfortable margin meant he got to do something for his son Scotty. The senior caught a 13-yard pass for his first career reception with about three minutes to go.

Alabama puts it together against North Texas

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Greg McElroy passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another before sitting out most of the second half in No. 4 Alabama's 53-7 victory over North Texas.

Mark Ingram ran for 91 yards and a TD on eight carries, and scored on a 29-yard reception for the Crimson Tide (3-0) in its final pre-SEC tuneup before Arkansas visits. Freshman Trent Richardson ran for 87 yards and a touchdown and Terry Grant scored twice and gained 79 yards.

Star receiver Julio Jones missed the game with a bruised right knee and the subs got plenty of action after 'Bama raced to a 30-0 halftime lead.

Defense leads No. 5 Mississippi, 52-6

OXFORD, Miss. - Jevan Snead threw three touchdowns, Brandon Bolden rushed for 105 yards and No. 5 Mississippi got a big game from true freshman linebacker D.T. Shackleford in a 52-6 win over Southeastern Louisiana.

The Rebels (2-0) won their eighth straight game - their longest winning streak since they won 10 in 1971-72. But the offense and special teams needed plenty of help from Shackelford and the defense to erase several mistakes against an FCS opponent.

Ole Miss steps up in class next week with its SEC opener at South Carolina on Thursday night.

"Defensively you have to prove it every day," free safety Kendrick Lewis said. "What we did tonight doesn't mean anything at South Carolina."

Shackelford recovered two fumbles and finished off the scoring with a 58-yard interception return for touchdown against the Lions (2-1).

"The ball fluttered right to me," he said. "I couldn't miss it. The only thing that surprised me is I got a little winded on the way, but I was still able to stick it in there."

No. 9 LSU has its way with Louisiana-Lafayette

BATON ROUGE, La. - Chad Jones had his best outing since the College World Series.

The two-sport athlete had two interceptions on Saturday night, leading a dominant defensive performance by No. 9 LSU in a 31-3 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. Jones also was a relief pitcher on LSU's 2009 national champion baseball team.

If he is to play for his second national title in football, LSU's offense may need improvement.

The Tigers (3-0) were plagued by sloppiness as Jordan Jefferson again struggled to complete deep passes and instead threw his first interception. Still, his 165 yards and two touchdown passes to Brandon LaFell were enough against the overmatched Ragin' Cajuns (2-1). Trindon Holliday and Charles Scott also scored for LSU.