In a game dominated by 2 solid defenses coupled with some quite frankly horrible offenses, Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks found just enough from their young QB Stephen Garcia to help them win this game. This game had a crazy amount of action from the get go with several interceptions, fumbles, blocked FGs and missed FGs as well.

Kentucky took an early lead thanks to Trevard Lindley's pick 6 only for SC to return the ensuing kickoff 85 yards and then score on the very next play. The Gamecocks then took the lead early in the second quarter thanks to a blocked field goal which was returned 80 yards for a TD by Captain Munnerlyn. The Wildcats came back and ended a drive with a 2yard TD run before adding a FG just before the half to go in 17-14 ahead.

Sadly, that was it for the Wildcats as SC shut them out in the second half, adding a FG of their own early in the 4th to tie the game up before Stephen Garcia led what turned out to be the game winning drive with 6 minutes to go, finding his 2nd string TE for the touchdown.

The Wildcats offense was so bad out there...they converted only 1 of their 16 3rd down attempts!

College: South Carolina Conference: Southeastern Columnist: Craig Strachan

Game Notes
Jasper Brinkley 52 6' 1.7" 270 4.55 LB 2009
Brinkley is a big MLB who hits hard and he certainly showed that today. Was in on 8 tackles in all. Sideline to sideline player. Still not quite at 100% but he looks as though he's close now. Very solid tackler, wraps up his man well. Grade: Slightly positive.

Captain Munnerlyn 1 5' 9.0" 190 4.35 CB 2010
As well as being the starting CB, Munnerlyn also returns both kicks and punts for the Gamecocks. Was a bit up and down on returns...had a sweet 85 yard KR and an 80 yard blocked FG return for a TD but bobbled one of his PRs and let another one be downed by the Wildcats on his own 7 yard line. Also fumbled on another PR but was able to recover it. As a corner, he reminds me of Brandon Flowers...same sort of size and definitely much more suited to man coverage. Had 2 passes defensed and a couple of tackles too. Grade: Neutral.

Jared Cook 84 6' 5.0" 242 4.55 TE 2010
At this stage, Cook looks like one of those hybrid receiver-tight ends. Has good enough hands and made some solid and important catches in this game, but his blocking leaves a bit to be desired. Needs to hit the weight room and bulk up if he wants to make it as a starter at the next level. Grade: Neutral.

Kenny McKinley 11 6' 0.0" 182 4.50 WR 2009
Set a new Gamecocks record for receptions in this game, taking over from Sterling Sharpe. Had a nice TD catch early in the front corner of the end zone. Struggled at times against Lindley but SC did a good job of moving him around and getting him up against other corners. Made a nice 3rd down catch in the second quarter only to lose a fumble on the very next play which the Wildcats then turned into points. Grade: Neutral.

Ryan Succop 14 6' 3.0" 225 4.80 K 2009
Really wasn't his day out there as he missed 4 of his 5 FG attempts (50, 50, 40 and 39). Only connected on a 42 yard kick, everything else was shanked wide of the uprights. Showed a strong leg on kick offs, consistently putting the ball into the end zone. Possibly had trouble coming to terms with the wind, but it really wasn't all that strong. Grade: Negative.

Jordin Lindsey 41 6' 3.0" 261 4.68 DE 2009
Got good pressure on the Wildcat QB today. Was responsible for the blocked FG which was then taken to the house by Munnerlyn. Picked up a nice sack on a 3rd down play where he came from the UT position and just swept right past the OG. Grade: Slightly positive.

Emanuel Cook 21 5' 10.0" 214 4.50 S 2010
The SEC leader in solo tackles had another nice day out there. The sort of guy who just knows how to play the game. Tipped the ball into the arms of a team mate for an interception. Really buzzes around the field, has good game speed. Tough tackler too, didn't let anyone away from him once he got there. Did a good job of supporting against the run too. Grade: Positive.

Carlos Thomas 5 5' 11.0" 197 4.37 CB 2009
Seems to play as the nickel back and now I can see why. Not an especially solid tackler and not particularly good in coverage either. Seems happy enough to let guys catch the ball and then tackle them rather than trying to make a play. Grade: Negative.

Stoney Woodson 36 5' 11.0" 197 4.39 CB 2009
Wasn't particularly active in this game, finishing up with only 0.5 tackles. Did force an incompletion by covering his man well in man coverage. Dropped the potential game winning INT late in the 4th, but it didn't end up hurting his team. Grade: Incomplete.

Jamon Meredith 77 6' 5.0" 301 5.02 OT 2009
Played inside at LG in this game, so I do have to wonder whether he's been demoted for some reason? Looks good in pass protection, though he didn't always get low enough with his knees. Struggled a bit in run blocking, perhaps because he was worried about being called for holding? I guess as someone used to playing LT this may be an issue for him. Grade: Neutral.

Ladi Ajiboye 91 6' 0.4" 306 5.00 DT 2011
Was in on 2 tackles today and did a good job anchoring the Gamecocks defensive line. Didn't show me too much to write home about just yet, but he does have time on his side. Grade: Neutral.

College: Kentucky Conference: Southeastern Columnist: Craig Strachan

Game Notes
Myron Pryor 98 6' 1.0" 300 5.10 DT 2009
Pryor was very effective today, especially when Chris Smelley was at QB for SC. Created havoc quite a few times and picked up 2 sacks, 3 TFLs and 4 tackles. Very physical player who also uses his hands very well. Used a nice spin move to pick up one of his sacks. Grade: Positive.

Trevard Lindley 32 6' 0.0" 175 0.00 CB 2010
Was paid the ultimate compliment today as Steve Spurrier seemed to plan his entire game around avoiding Lindley. Picked off the first pass thrown in his direction and took it back to the house. Looked very good in coverage and didn't give any receiver any room at all. Added a pass defensed and half a TFL to his INT and 3 tackles. Grade: Slightly positive.

Dicky Lyons 12 5' 11.0" 190 4.45 WR 2009
Had only 2 receptions in the first quarter before he left with what looked like a fairly bad knee injury and did not return. Grade: Incomplete.

Garry Williams 79 6' 3.0" 300 5.20 OT 2009
Showed good use of the knees in getting underneath his man but rarely seemed to bury the DE and remove him from the play. Doesn't look to be physical enough to me to be a force at the next level. Grade: Slightly negative.

Marcus McClinton 2 6' 1.0" 210 4.55 S 2009
Did a good job of supporting his corners and helping them over the top on occasions. Made 2 tackles and recovered a fumble by the Gamecocks. Grade: Neutral.

Braxton Kelley 56 6' 0.0" 225 4.60 LB 2009
Made 4 tackles and defensed a pass but really didn't make much of an impact on me. Grade: Incomplete.

Jeremy Jarmon 99 6' 3.0" 277 0.00 DE 2009
Registered only 1/2 a tackle today and showed only a very limited skill set. Doesn't have a quick step to get him moving...if anything he looks rather slow in getting away. Didn't show anything other than straight ahead rushing and that won't get you anywhere in the NFL. Looked alright against the run though. Grade: Negative.

Johnny Williams 51 6' 3.0" 244 0.00 LB 2009
Apparently he made 1/2 a tackle but really didn't stand out today at all. Not what I expected from a Sam. Grade: Slightly negative.

Micah Johnson 4 6' 2.0" 250 0.00 LB 2010
Another middle linebacker who always seems to find the action. Was in on 12 tackles today including 1.5 TFLs. Not quite sure what it was, but there's something I just don't like about him. Grade: Neutral.

Other Notes:
South Carolina QB Chris Smelley really lived up to his name, he stank out there today. (Yes, I did mention him just to say that!)

S/LB Darian Stewart was around the ball a lot today, making 7 tackles, 1 TFL and a pass defensed. He plays fast and projects to SS in the NFL. Does he have the talent though?

DE/OLB Eric Norwood is a nice pass rush specialist who is a bit big for an OLB but a bit small to play DE. Actually very similar in size to Dwight Freeney. I wonder if anyone will look at him this way?

You probably didn't like Micah because he was playing on one ankle the whole game and still lead both teams in tackles...

Also, Dicky is done for the season.

Na, I knew Micah was still recovering from a high ankle sprain and that he wouldn't quite be at 100% but there was something else, something which stops me from even considering him to up there with the likes of Rey Maualuga, James Laurinaitis, Brandon Spikes etc.

As for Dicky Lyons, I also heard that. That's going to be a real blow for the Wildcats now, he was the heart and soul of your offense really. It will give the rest of the youngsters a chance to step up though.

Ya, the offense has potential...next year...when Ryan Mossakowski and Morgan Newton get there.

Hartline is just fkn terrible.

And obviously Micah wouldn't be a Rey or Laurinaitis, as those are two superstars in the NFL (potentially) while Micah will just be very very solid.