American college football season
The 2008 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The team's head coach was Steve Spurrier , who served his fourth season at USC. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina . The team compiled a record of 7–6.[ 1]
South Carolina had the top defense in the country by October,[ 2] [ 3] but also three different starting quarterbacks and one of the worst offensive lines in the country throughout the year.[ 4] [ 3] [ 5] [ 6] After Tommy Beecher sustained a poor performance and injury in the season-opener against NC State , the team's offense alternated mainly between quarterbacks Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia .[ 4] [ 3] [ 5] [ 7] The Gamecocks nearly upset No. 2 Georgia and defending national champion No. 13 LSU , but fell short in both games.[ 8] [ 9]
Carolina had their first spring practice on March 21, 2008. It was the first of 15 spring practice sessions for the Gamecocks, who returned 54 lettermen in Steve Spurrier's fourth season. The annual Garnet & Black Spring Game was scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 19.
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance August 28 8:00 pm NC State * ESPN W 34–080,616
September 4 8:30 pm at Vanderbilt No. 24 ESPN L 17–2436,850
September 13 3:30 pm No. 2 Georgia Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC (rivalry ) CBS L 7–1483,704
September 20 7:00 pm Wofford * Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia, SC PPV W 23–1376,599
September 27 7:00 pm UAB * Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC PPV W 26–1378,286
October 4 2:00 pm at Ole Miss PPV W 31–2454,628
October 11 12:30 pm at Kentucky Raycom W 24–1770,822
October 18 8:00 pm No. 13 LSU Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC ESPN L 17–2482,477
November 1 7:00 pm Tennessee Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC (rivalry ) ESPN2 W 27–681,731
November 8 1:00 pm Arkansas Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC PPV W 34–2180,290
November 15 3:30 pm at No. 3 Florida No. 24 CBS L 6–5690,646
November 29 12:00 pm at Clemson * ESPN2 L 14–3181,500
January 1 11:00 am vs. Iowa * ESPN L 10–3155,117
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time
[ 10]
Radio coverage for all games was provided by the Gamecock Sports Radio Network.[ 11]
North Carolina State [ edit ]
1
2
3
4
Total
Wolfpack
0
0
0
0
0
Gamecocks
0
3
10
21
34
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
7
3
0
7
17
Commodores
0
3
14
7
24
1
2
3
4
Total
Bulldogs
0
6
8
0
14
Gamecocks
0
7
0
0
7
1
2
3
4
Total
Terriers
0
7
3
3
13
Gamecocks
0
10
3
10
23
1
2
3
4
Total
Blazers
3
3
0
7
13
Gamecocks
10
10
3
3
26
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
3
14
7
7
31
Rebels
14
7
0
3
24
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
7
7
0
10
24
Wildcats
7
10
0
0
17
1
2
3
4
Total
Tigers
3
7
7
7
24
Gamecocks
0
17
0
0
17
1
2
3
4
Total
Volunteers
0
0
6
0
6
Gamecocks
7
14
3
3
27
1
2
3
4
Total
Razorbacks
0
7
7
7
21
Gamecocks
10
7
3
14
34
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
0
3
3
0
6
Gators
21
7
14
14
56
1
2
3
4
Total
Gamecocks
0
7
7
0
14
Tigers
10
14
7
0
31
These are the projected starters and primary backups for the Outback Bowl on January 1, 2009.
Defense
FS
Chris Culliver
Akeem Auguste
WLB
MLB
SLB
⋅
Jasper Brinkley
⋅
Dustin Lindsey
Rodney Paulk
⋅
SS
Darian Stewart
Dion LeCorn
CB
Captain Munnerlyn
Addison Williams
DE
DT
DT
DE
Jordin Lindsey
Nathan Pepper
Ladi Ajiboye
Cliff Matthews
Clifton Geathers
Travian Robertson
Jonathan Williams
Byron McKnight
CB
Stoney Woodson
Carlos Thomas
Offense
WR
Jason Barnes
Moe Brown
LT
LG
C
RG
RT
Jarriel King
Jamon Meredith
Garrett Anderson
Terrence Campbell
Justin Sorensen
Hutch Eckerson
Kevin Young
Seaver Brown
Quintin Richardson
Hutch Eckerson
TE
Jared Cook
Weslye Saunders
WR
Kenny McKinley
Joe Hills
QB
Stephen Garcia
Chris Smelley
FB
Patrick DiMarco
Bryan Kingrey
Key Committed Freshmen
Antonio Allen – DB
Akeem Auguste – DB
Eric Baker – RB
Reggie Bowens – LB
Jarrett Burns – ATH
Ronald Byrd – DL
Kenny Davis – DL
Aramis Hillary – QB
T.J. Johnson – OL
Jarriel King – DL
Reid McCollum – QB
Kenneth Miles – RB
D.L. Moore – WR
Darrell Simmons - DB
Jay Spearman – DB
Chaz Sutton – DL
Devin Taylor – DL
Mike Triglia – TE
Charles Whitlock – DB/WR
Elliot Williams - OL
LaCharles Lindsey - WR
Wide Receiver
4 Jason Barnes -Freshman
8 Larry Freeman - Sophomore
11 Kenny McKinley - Senior [ 12]
13 Mark Barnes - Freshman
14 La’Charles Lindsey Freshman
17 Chris Culliver - Sophomore [ 13]
18 Dion Lecorn - Sophomore
81 Paul Haile - Junior
82 Freddie Brown, III - Junior
83 Scott Spurrier - Junior
85 Joe Hills - Freshman
89 Leon Gamble - Senior
14 LaCharles Lindsey - “Sophomore”
Offensive Lineman
54 Hardee Sanders - Junior
57 Lemuel Jeanpierre - Junior [ 14]
62 Pierre Andrews - Sophomore
63 Seaver Brown - Sophomore
64 Kevin Young - Sophomore
65 Ryan Broadhead - Freshman
66 Hutch Eckerson - Junior
68 Kyle Nunn - Freshmen
70 Garrett Anderson - Junior
72 Quintin Richardson - Freshman
74 Heath Batchelor - Sophomore
75 Gurminder Thind - Senior
76 Jeremy Burgess - Senior
77 Jamon Meredith - Senior [ 15]
78 Justin Sorensen - Senior
Tight End
19 Nick Prochak - Sophomore
84 Jared Cook - Junior
87 Alex McGrath - Senior
88 Weslye Saunders - Sophomore
90 Foxy Foxworth - Sophomore
Quarterback
5 Stephen Garcia - Freshman
6 Tommy Beecher - Junior
7 Chris Smelley - Sophomore
16 Michael McQueeney - Junior
17 Zac Brindise - Sophomore
Running Back
10 Brian Maddox - Sophomore
22 Bobby Wallace - Junior
20 Taylor Rank - Junior
25 Mike Davis - Senior
Fullback
35 Jim Hutton - Junior
44 Clark Gaston - Sophomore
46 Bryan Kingrey - Senior
47 Patrick DiMarco - Sophomore
Defensive tackle
61 Donte'e Nicholls - Freshman
79 Marque Hall - Senior
81 Terrence Campbell - Sophomore
91 Ladi Ajiboye - Sophomore
95 Nathan Pepper - Junior
97 Kenrick Ellis - Sophomore
Defensive End
40 Eric Norwood - Junior
42 Travian Robertson - Sophomore
83 Cliff Matthews - Sophomore
92 Byron McKnight - Freshman
96 Clifton Geathers - Sophomore [ 16]
99 Jonathan Williams - Senior
Cornerback
1 Captain Munnerlyn - Junior
5 Carlos Thomas - Senior
7 Addison Williams - Sophomore
28 Chris Hail - Junior
36 Stoney Woodson - Senior
4 Cedric Snead - Freshman
Defensive Back
23 Jamire Williams - Freshman
Linebacker
4 Alonzo Winfield - Freshman
6 Melvin Ingram - Sophomore
30 Yvan Banag - Senior
31 Gerrod Sinclair - Junior
44 Dustin Lindsey - Senior
45 Rodney Paulk - Junior
48 Vandaral Shackleford - Junior
49 Damien Wright - Junior
53 Marvin Sapp - Senior
58 John Guerry - Junior
52 Jasper Brinkley - Senior
Free Safety
32 Darian Stewart - Junior
42 Mike Newton - Senior
Strong Safety
Long Snapper
59 Charles Turner - Sophomore
Punter / Place Kicker
14 Ryan Succop - Senior [ 17]
87 Spencer Lanning - Sophomore
97 Nate Spurrier - Junior
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP — 24 — — — — — — — — — 24 — — — Coaches — 24 — — — — — — — — — 23 — — — Harris Not released — — — — — — — 24 — — — Not released BCS Not released — — — 25 — — — Not released
USC
Opp
Scoring
270
274
Points per Game
20.8
21.1
First Downs
241
214
Rushing
91
98
Passing
129
95
Penalty
21
21
Total Offense
4115
3795
Avg per Play
4.7
4.7
Avg per Game
316.5
291.5
Fumbles-Lost
23-11
21-13
Penalties-Yards
75-640
69-586
Avg per Game
49.2
45.1
USC
Opp
Punts-Yards
49-2019
70-2986
Avg per Punt
41.2
42.4
Time of Possession/Game
29:42
30:18
3rd Down Conversions
70/180
66/177
4th Down Conversions
12/18
5/11
Touchdowns Scored
30
34
Field Goals-Attempts
20-30
12-19
PAT-Attempts
30-30
32-32
Attendance
563,703
334,446
Games/Avg per Game
7/80,529
5/66,889
1
2
3
4
Total
South Carolina
44
102
39
85
270
Opponents
72
78
76
48
274
Name
GP-GS
Att
Gain
Loss
Net
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
Mike Davis
12-11
163
615
42
573
3.5
3
50
47.8
Brian Maddox
7-0
32
128
7
121
3.8
1
13
17.3
Eric Baker
9-0
46
191
9
182
4.0
0
20
20.2
Bobby Wallace
8-0
25
110
11
99
4.0
0
21
14.1
Stephen Garcia
8-3
70
289
91
198
2.8
2
25
24.8
Total
403
1489
309
1180
2.9
7
50
98.3
Opponents
429
1872
328
1544
3.6
20
80
128.7
Name
GP-GS
Effic
Cmp-Att-Int
Pct
Yds
TD
Lng
Avg/G
Chris Smelley
12-9
114.78
169-302-15
56.0
1922
14
66
160.2
Stephen Garcia
8-3
113.60
65-122-8
53.3
832
6
41
107.6
Tommy Beecher
2-1
63.8
26-14-4
53.8
126
0
18
63.0
Total
113.9
249-452-27
55.1
2892
20
66
222.5
Opponents
110.0
189-328-14
57.0
1923
9
70
159.2
Name
GP-GS
No.
Yds
Avg
TD
Long
Avg/G
Kenny McKinley
54
642
11.9
4
41
64.2
Jared Cook
37
573
15.5
3
66
44.1
Moe Brown
30
391
13.0
1
34
30.1
Jason Barnes
27
346
12.8
2
38
28.8
Mike Davis
24
213
8.9
1
18
17.8
Weslye Saunders
16
214
13.4
3
27
16.5
Dion LeCorn
14
106
7.6
2
20
17.7
Joe Hills
11
87
7.9
1
24
7.9
Freddie Brown
7
66
9.4
1
16
9.4
Total
249
2842
11.6
20
66
222.5
Opponents
189
2070
11.0
9
70
159.2
Name
GP
Tackles
Sacks
Pass Defense
Interceptions
Fumbles
Blkd Kick
Solo
Ast
Total
TFL-Yds
No-Yds
BrUp
QBH
No.-Yds
Avg
TD
Long
Rcv-Yds
FF
Total
332
156
488
36-140
12-81
19
24
8-126
15.8
46
6-81
7
1
Name
Punting
Kickoffs
No.
Yds
Avg
Long
TB
FC
I20
Blkd
No.
Yds
Avg
TB
OB
Spencer Lanning
22
932
42.4
52
5
2
5
0
Ryan Succop
40
2743
68.6
15
0
Total
22
932
42.4
52
5
2
5
0
40
2743
68.6
15
0
Name
Punt Returns
Kick Returns
No.
Yds
Avg
TD
Long
No.
Yds
Avg
TD
Long
Captain Munnerlyn
15
105
7.0
0
35
3
106
35.3
0
84
Chris Culliver
19
438
23.1
0
50
Larry Freeman
1
24
24.0
0
24
Total
^ "2008 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule and Results" . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . Retrieved September 28, 2024 .
^ "South Carolina Defeats Ole Miss 31-24" . Ole Miss Athletics - Hotty Toddy . Retrieved September 28, 2024 .
^ a b c Talbott, Chris. "Gamecocks find QB in win" . The Augusta Chronicle . Retrieved September 28, 2024 .
^ a b Writer, Staff. "Garcia might get chance to step up" . The Augusta Chronicle . Retrieved September 28, 2024 .
^ a b "Garcia Named Starter for Bowl Game" . University of South Carolina Athletics . November 30, 2008. Retrieved September 28, 2024 .
^ Pollock, Tim. "Stephen Garcia Leads the 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks, But To Where?" . Bleacher Report . Retrieved September 30, 2024 .
^ Breiner, Ben (August 30, 2017). "Why Tommy Beecher won't let one bad game define him" . The State . Retrieved September 30, 2024 .
^ "Gamecocks Fall Short In Loss To No. 2 Georgia 14-7" . University of South Carolina Athletics . September 13, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2024 .
^ "LSU 24-17 South Carolina (Oct 18, 2008) Final Score" . ESPN . Retrieved September 30, 2024 .
^ "University of South Carolina Official Athletic Site - Football" . Archived from the original on December 30, 2007. Retrieved December 30, 2007 .
^ "Gamecock Sports Radio Network" . Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2008 .
^ "Player Bio: Kenny McKinley - SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS" . Archived from the original on October 1, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
^ "Player Bio: Chris Culliver - SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS" . Archived from the original on September 19, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
^ "Player Bio: Lemuel Jeanpierre - SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE" . Archived from the original on July 11, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
^ "University of South Carolina Official Athletic Site - Football" . Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
^ "Player Bio: Clifton Geathers - SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS" . Archived from the original on April 19, 2010. Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
^ "SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE - Football" . Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2008 .
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