Williams-Brice Stadium, SC (WLTX) -- After only three losses on the road to SEC opponents, the Head Ball Coach is defending his Gamecock football team, saying the young squad should be proud of their 6-3 (3-3, SEC) record.
"We haven't lost to Eastern Illinois or someone like that," Head USC Football Coach Steve Spurrier said, "We've lost to some good teams on the road. So, we don't feel bad, and you guys can't make us feel bad." Including last week's 31-13 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville, the Gamecocks have lost 20-6 to Alabama in Tuscaloosa and a heartbreaking 41-37 loss Between the Hedges in Georgia. The next game for Spurrier's team is on the road against the Razorbacks of Arkansas in Fayetteville at 12:21 p.m. on Saturday. Spurrier said junior free safety Chris Culliver would sit out during the game due to a shoulder injury. "We're looking forward to a change," Spurrier said, "Looking forward to playing our second day game of the year." Spurrier said his defense will have to tighten up, as they'll face a Razorback team that leads the Southeastern Conference in pass offense, and is second in total offense. "Hopefully we can play a lot better, fewer mistakes," Spurrier said, "And give ourselves a chance to win." "our first two fumbles were by freshman, a lot stuff caught up with us the last game, "the ifs and buts don't mean anything" Spurrier said his team's loss to Tennessee could have been much closer if not for a few mistakes from some of the team's youngest players. "We could have been in on that game, but we weren't," Spurrier said, "We're playing a bunch of freshmen, and we know that. Our first two fumbles were by freshman. A lot stuff caught up with us the last game. The 'ifs and buts' don't mean anything." "They outrushed us and outgained us, this, that and the other," Spurrier said. But Spurrier said his team was not playing for an SEC Championship or a big bowl game this year, and he's proud of what they have accomplished. "We're 6-3 and for this team, that's pretty good," Spurrier said, "Hopefully, we can rebound when we play Arkansas." Spurrier says though the Razorback defense is last in the SEC, they should not be underestimated. "Their offense scores so quickly, that they're on the field more than some other defenses," Spurrier said, "Just because you're on the bottom of the SEC in defensive categories doesn't mean you're a bad defense." Spurrier is very aware of the skills Arkansas has under center in redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Mallet. "We haven't hit him enough to see if he'll bounce back," Spurrier said, "But he could be the best passer we've played." Spurrier said he just wants his young players to learn how to deal with problems now, so they succeed in the future. "We haven't responded well to adversity," Spurrier said, "We couldn't overcome the quick 21 that was there last week." Spurrier referred to Tennessee's three touchdowns that happened early in the first half, all of which were the result of Gamecock fumbles. "We don't feel bad," Spurrier said, "We're 6-3 and it could be worse. We're not putting any pressure on these guys. There's no pressure on our guys." The Head Ball Coach said, "We're not going to have a losing season, that's for sure. And there's a lot of teams out there that can still do that."
11/3/2009 2:09:04 PM
