Marcus Lattimore did not look like a freshman playing his first collegiate game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles last night. His efforts aided his team to a 41-13 victory to start 2010 off on the right foot.
For Lattimore, he proved why there was so much hype surrounding him coming out of high school. He certainly did not disappoint in his debut. He helped to carry the load and got positive yards when it was needed. Don’t judge his effort by looking solely at his total of 54 rushing yards as he had two key rushing touchdowns early in the game. He did his damage on 14 rushing attempts - double the number of the player with the second most carries - and two pass receptions. Lattimore had 16 touches in his first college game and showcased the power, speed and pass-catching ability that made him a superstar at Byrnes High School.
For Gamecock fans, it was pleasant to see not only the success Marcus had in his debut but a commitment from Spurrier on running the ball. It was no coincidence that the Gamecocks put up their highest score and most rushing yards (196) for a single game in four years. The running game has been the missing ingredient for USC for a number of years. Spurrier’s offensive philosophy depends on a good ground attack.
Having Lattimore adds a wrinkle to the Spurrier game plan. Not only is he speedy, elusive and strong, but he has excellent vision, anticipates the play developing, and brings a leadership style the USC offense needs.
To go along with that hard-nosed downfield running style, is a great set of eyes that allows him to see the hole or see the play develop. With the vision, is a knack for knowing how to make a guy miss. The cuts he made to find the end zone were by no means an accident. He can “feel a play” very well which helps get those extra yards or in this case 6 points.
Leadership through action rather than words is a breath of fresh air in Carolina.  Lattimore is somewhat soft spoken but gets it done on the field.  He is quick to deflect praise on himself to his teammates.  In today’s world of sports, this team first attitude is nice to see.
All these traits and his abilities that Lattimore possesses are great for Spurrier’s program as it aims for success on the gridiron.
For USC to have the accomplishments that many believe they are capable of in 2010, it begins with a flourishing run game.  Lattimore will have plenty of opportunities to build upon the first game triumphs.  Next up is his SEC debut, Georgia better be ready as he will only improve with each carry given. 
Could USC have found the ingredient it needs to make a run at uncharted SEC territory?
 
For more "garnet tainted" opinions and insight, please check out www.leftoverhotdog.com as your Gamecocks blog of choice.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina trounced Southern Miss, 41-13, on Thursday night at Williams-Brice Stadium in the 2010 season...

In this feature, GamecockCentral football insider and recruiting analyst Chris Clark provides his observations...

South Carolina opened up the 2010 season with a 41-13 drubbing of Southern Mississippi.
Breaking it Down...1st Quarter...The Gamecocks looked like they were going to pick up right where they left off against UConn when the offense went three and out and Southern Miss drove inside the USC 25.  DeVonte Holloman put an end to that and swung the momentum in the Gamecocks' favor by picking off Golden Eagle Quarterback Austin Davis at the USC 15.  Steven Garcia then led the offense on a 10 play, 85 yard drive capped by his 22 yard touchdown run.  Southern Miss would respond with a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3.  The field goal was set up by a long completion down the middle against what appeared to be blown coverage.
2nd Quarter...Spencer Lanning capped a 55 yard drive with a 36 yard field goal to begin the second quarter scoring.  After the Golden Eagles went three and out, the Gamecocks scored quickly on a three play, 62 yard drive highlighted by Ace Sanders' 52 yard reverse and capped with Marcus Lattimore's 3 yard touchdown run.  USC then led 17-3 and forced another Southern Miss 3 and out.  Stephon Gilmore came in for two plays to run the WildCock and gained 14 yards.  Garcia came back in and led the offense on another touchdown drive.  The 7 play, 48 yard drive was finished by a Marcus Lattimore run from 7 yards out.  Southern Miss would get another field goal to make the score 24-6 at the half.
3rd Quarter...South Carolina put the game away for good in the third quarter.  Southern Miss went 3 and out on their first and second drives.  USC got a field goal on their first drive and a touchdown on thier second to make the score 34-6 an effectively end any further Golden Eagle threat.
4th Quarter... Tony Straughter returned a Golden Eagle fumble 54 yards to set up another USC touchdown.  This one was a touchdown pass from Connor Shaw to D.L. Moore.  At 41-6 the Gamecocks put the game on cruise control and allowed a late touchdown for a 41-13 final.

1
2
3
4
Total

Southern Miss
3
3
0
7
13

South Carolina
7
17
10
7
41

Stars of the Game...Steven Garcia was 16 out of 23 for 193 yards; 5 rushes for 38 yards and 2 touchdowns....Alshon Jeffrey 7 receptions for 106 yards...Ace Sanders 2 receptions for 47 yards; 1 rush 53 yards...Marcus Lattimore 14 rushes for 54 yards, 2 TDs; 2 receptions for 21 yards...The Entire Offensive Line created holes for 35 rushes for 224 yards (6.4 average)...Stephon Gilmore 1 rush for 14 yards and shut down Southern Miss star receiver DeAndre Brown.
What to Take from the Weekend...This was a good opening win that is more impressive than its impressive score because of the uncertainties about the NCAA and eligibility.  The offensive looked effective, and the defense looked stout.  Don't be fooled by the passing numbers the defense gave up.  Many of those yards were in the 4th quarter after the game had been decided.  It's too early to tell if South Carolina is pretty good or Southern Miss isn't too good.  Either way, the Gamecocks are clearly the better team of the two.
This and that...After punting on their first series, USC scored on its next 8 possessions...South Carolina forced four 3 and out possessions by Southern Miss...The eligibility of several players that wasn't decided until right before the game is still up in the air for next week...South Carolina has now won 11 straight openers, which is the second longest streak in the conference to Florida's 20.
Up next...South Carolina plays host to Georgia in both teams' conference opener at noon at Williams-Brice.

Something nagged me as I walked out of the press room to the elevator on Thursday night, and it wasn't just...

Thanks NCAA for almost making me pee in my pants due to waiting until almost kickoff to shed some light on the NCAA investigations that the University of South Carolina is undergoing and its’ impact on the 2010 season.
My heart and pulse raced.  The pre-game beer began to taste bitter and the walk to the stadium was longer this time.  All because of the NCAA and the hoop-la before kickoff.  Not to much it dominated the discussions leading up the game.
This soap opera has so much drama....(read more after the jump)

For eight months, college football pundits questioned everything about Stephen Garcia. His work ethic, his...

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their commanding performance put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are out to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs be able to answer the call?
The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA.
The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past.
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina a chance to flip their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC on its head.
The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG).
Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home.
Here are six things the Bulldogs need to look out for when they enter the Cockpit.
Double QB threat.
Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. By the time he stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter, he had racked up 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. Within minutes of entering the game for Garcia just prior to halftime, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground.
All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve.
A wealth of wide receivers.
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.
Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter. 
Battering-ram at running back.
Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year and he looked up to the task. He is a four-star recruit and probably Steve Spurrier's biggest recruit in his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore took control on the ground racking up 54 yards and two touchdowns.
First-rate secondary.
South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. 
Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown.
Rooster Revenge.
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette.
The Spurrier Factor.
Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team.
Think the Dawgs can pull out a win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their commanding performance put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are out to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs be able to answer the call?
The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA.
The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past.
Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina a chance to flip their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC on its head.
The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG).
Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home.

Here are six things the Bulldogs need to look out for when they enter the Cockpit.
Double QB threat.
Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession. By the time he stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter, he had racked up 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. Within minutes of entering the game for Garcia just prior to halftime, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground.
All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve.
A wealth of wide receivers.
The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.

Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter. 
Battering-ram at running back.
Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year and he looked up to the task. He is a four-star recruit and probably Steve Spurrier's biggest recruit in his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore took control on the ground racking up 54 yards and two touchdowns.
First-rate secondary.
South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. 
Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown.
Rooster Revenge.
The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the game vs. UL-L).
The Spurrier Factor.
Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team.
Think the Dawgs can pull out a win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are out to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs answer the call? The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA. The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past. Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC. The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG). Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home. Here are six things the Bulldogs need to look out for when they enter the Cockpit. Double QB threat. Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession.Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground. All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve. A wealth of wide receivers. The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter.Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter.  Battering-ram at running back. Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards. First-rate secondary. South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown. Rooster Revenge. The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the game vs. UL-L). The Spurrier Factor. Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team. Think the Dawgs can pull out a win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

South Carolina opened the 2010 season on September 2nd with a 41-13 smack-down over Southern Mississippi. Their performance may have put upcoming opponent Georgia—and the rest of the conference—on notice that they are playing to win the SEC East. Will the Dawgs answer the call? The Gamecocks did everything well vs. the Golden Eagles. They rushed, passed, defended, and kicked with gusto and precision. Southern Miss may not be a marquee conference or team, but they are coming off their 16th consecutive winning season and are expected to be a contender in Conference USA. The offense was the most improved part of South Carolina’s game. They appeared to have corrected some weaknesses that have dogged them in seasons past. Despite preseason controversy, quarterback Stephen Garcia displayed a new confidence and the ability to make plays happen when he couldn’t find open receivers. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore came out strong. His performance gives South Carolina hope they can improve on their 2009 record as worst rushing team in the SEC. The Gamecocks took advantage of third down opportunities, improving on last year’s 37 percent conversion ratio. They were also productive in the red zone scoring on every attempt (Four TDs, One FG). Georgia has to bring their A-game to Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11th. The Gamecocks are looking to avenge their bitter four-point loss to Georgia last year and pick up a crucial SEC East win at home. Here are six things the Bulldogs should look out for when they enter the Cockpit. Double QB threat. Stephen Garcia came out strong vs. Southern Miss and never let up. He hit five of his first six attempts and rushed 22 yards for a touchdown on the Gamecocks’ second possession.Garcia traded off playing time during the second and third quarters. He stepped out of the game for good at the 12:25 mark in the fourth quarter with 193 yards and two rushing touchdowns. True freshmen quarterback Conner Shaw took over from Garcia without missing a beat. He entered the game for the first time about two minutes prior to halftime. He rushed for a dozen or so yards and connected on a 10 yard pass to Lattimore before time expired. In the fourth quarter, he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass. Shaw finished the day with 32 yards in the air and 31 on the ground. All four South Carolina quarterbacks saw action during the game. Connor and Garcia give South Carolina a double-threat compared to Georgia who starts a redshirt freshman and has a true freshman in reserve. A wealth of wide receivers. The Gamecocks have 13 wide receivers on the roster, including five that are six feet three inches or bigger. Sophomore Alshon Jeffrey was a favorite target for Garcia against Southern Miss. He caught seven passes for 106 yards and was able to churn out first downs on every reception during the first quarter. Freshman wide receiver Ace Sanders, one of the smallest guys on the team at five feet seven inches, ran for 53 yards on a reverse.Sophomore DL Moore caught a 29-yard pass from freshman QB Connor Shaw in the third quarter.  Battering-ram at running back. Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore is essential to the Gamecocks rushing strategy this year. He is a four-star recruit and one of Steve Spurrier's biggest signing wins during his five years at South Carolina. At a solid 220 pounds, Lattimore made the most of his carries scoring two touchdowns on 54 yards. First-rate secondary. South Carolina’s secondary was quick to the ball and solid on pass defense. Stand-out players were free safety Akeem Auguste and cornerback Stephon Gilmore who combined to shut down Southern Miss’s top receiver, 6-foot-6-inch Deandre Brown. Gilmore had two tackles for a loss and stopped Southern Miss at the one yard line at the top of the fourth quarter. Auguste disrupted a third-down pass in the first quarter that led to South Carolina’s first touchdown. Rooster revenge.The Gamecocks are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home suffering their only loss at the hands of Georgia in 2008. The crowd of more than 80,000, which rocked with deafening noise against Southern Miss, will bring equal or greater intensity to the stadium on September 11th. Along with crowd support, the Gamecocks will have two extra days of rest versus Georgia who plays their first game on September 4th against Lousiana-Lafayette. (Check back for updates on how the Dawgs performed following the UL-L game). The Spurrier Factor. Steve Spurrier has been a burr in the sides of Bulldog players and fans for two decades. During the 1990s, Spurrier and the Gators tallied a ridiculous 11-1 record against Georgia - who suffered under two underwhelming head coaches.  After a brief trip to the NFL in 2001, Spurrier returned  to the SEC in 2005 to coach the Gamecocks. In 2007, South Carolina upset Georgia in Sanford Stadium winning 16-12 against a highly-rated Bulldog team. Think the Dawgs can win in Columbia? Sound off in the comments below.Read more South Carolina Football news on BleacherReport.com

GamecockCentral.com's David Cloninger judges the best, worst and nastiest moments from South Carolina's...