Razorback's Petrino on Bequette returning Sat.... ‘It looks like it’

After missing the past three games, including Arkansas’ lone loss of the season, Jake Bequette could be on the verge of a much-needed return to the Razorbacks.

Bequette tweaked his hamstring in the first quarter of a Sept. 10 win over New Mexico and has been sidelined ever since. Head coach Bobby Petrino, though, sounded decidedly optimistic Wednesday about the defensive end seeing the field when UA takes on Auburn Saturday.

“It looks like it,” Petrino said when asked if Bequette will play. “He practiced last night and did a good job.”

Bequette was named first-team All-SEC by the coaches during the preseason, and his presence would certainly help against the 4-1 Auburn Tigers.

Florida's Weis noncommittal on QB starter

Charlie Weis is keeping his quarterback cards close to the vest, if for nothing more than to keep LSU “guessing” as to the true identity of the starter.

The UF offensive coordinator said Tuesday, apparently with the accompanying straight face and everything, that a decision on a starter for the LSU game will not be made until later in the week. In addition to Driskel, true freshman Jacoby Brissett and redshirt freshman Tyler Murphy are also involved in what’s being described as an open competition to replace Brantley.

“I could tell you, but I’d have to shoot you,” Weis said according to the Gainesville Sun. “We don’t know yet. We’re practicing. As the head coach has already previously told you, (starter John) Brantley is out and we’re practicing the other three guys.

“By the end of the week, we’ll decide who the starter is.”

That said, we’re guessing that LSU, along with most anyone else with a lick of sense, would be beyond shocked if it was anybody other than Driskel taking the first step in Death Valley Saturday night.

Regardless of whether it’s Driskel or one of the others, UF will go into the game knowing that they will be very raw and inexperienced at the position. And that they will need to run the ball effectively to take some of the pressure off the young players.

“That’s the first thing,” he said. “Any time you have a fairly inexperienced quarterback, you need to take the pressure off him by being able to run.

“Last week, it was a combination of things. They won the line of scrimmage. When you lose the line of scrimmage, which we did last week, you usually aren’t going to be very effective in the run game whether inside or out. It doesn’t make much difference if you don’t win the line of scrimmage.”

Winning the line of scrimmage will be easier said than done for the Gators. After being held to just 15 yards rushing — 31 of which came on a run by Driskel – against the top-ranked Tide run defense, UF will now face an LSU run defense that’s ranked No. 3 nationally.

Jordan Jefferson looking to regain his starting job

Jordan Jefferson says his goal remains to be LSU's starting quarterback and that he has learned a lot from his recent arrest and four-game suspension that stemmed from an August bar fight.

"My personal goal is to be the starter," said Jefferson, who was permitted by LSU to speak to reporters Monday night for the first time since the Aug. 19 fight. "I am going to do whatever it takes to get there."

Jefferson was reinstated last Wednesday after a grand jury reduced his felony second-degree battery charge to a misdemeanor. He then played in last Saturday's home game against Kentucky, scoring a touchdown on a 1-yard, fourth-down sneak.

"I was positive I was going to play at LSU again," Jefferson said. "This was a tough experience for me. Sitting there watching the guys play all these tough games was the hardest thing I've done in my life. They did a great job.

"This was a learning experience for me. I can't imagine anybody in the country going through more than I did. But, I'm now wiser and more aware. God puts people in certain situations. I don't regret anything. Everything happened for a reason. I've learned a lot from this."

With Jefferson unavailable for LSU's first four games, fifth-year senior Jarrett Lee took over as starter and has helped lead the Tigers to a 5-0 start and No. 1 ranking.

Jefferson said he felt that his celebrity status was a factor in his arrest.

"You never know how popular you are until situations like this," he said. "I was just trying to go out and be a college student that night. I was enjoying myself with my teammates. A certain situation turned up. The position you play for the football team can cost you a lot and put you in trouble."

Jefferson said taking a redshirt this year, so he could have a full year of eligibility in 2012, crossed his mind. However, he decided against sitting out the season.

"I would have redshirted if I thought I'd miss seven or eight games. But, I only missed four games," he said. "There is a lot of time left in the season."

Jefferson said he is confident he can be productive for the Tigers, who host No. 17 Florida on Saturday afternoon.

"I don't feel like I'm behind," Jefferson said. "I've been working out a lot. I've been in the toughest battles there are. I have a 20-7 record which is very high for a quarterback at LSU. I've been leading LSU for three years. When coach (Les) Miles puts me in, I can help this team win."

South Carolina's Ingram injured, could miss Kentucky game

Southeastern Conference sacks leader Melvin Ingram may miss No. 18 South Carolina’s game with Kentucky on Saturday because of a foot injury. Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier says Ingram was unlikely to practice this week and could sit out this weekend’s game with the Wildcats at Williams-Brice Stadium. Ingram was on crutches and had his left foot in a protective walking boot Tuesday. Ingram was named the SEC’s defensive player of the week for his performance in a 16-13 loss to Auburn last Saturday. Ingram had 3-1/2 sacks and an interception. It was the second straight time Ingram’s earned the SEC defensive honor.

Ingram has scored three touchdowns this season, including a 68-yard TD off a fake punt in South Carolina’s 45-42 win at Georgia.

Alabama Featured On SI Cover...check it out

After their win over Florida last week, the Alabama Crimson Tide is featured on the cover of this week's Sports Illustrated. You can view the cover below. (Courtesy of Sports Illustrated)

Gators Quarterback Jeff Driskel

True freshman quarterback Jeff Driskel has played in four of five games this season, but it wasn’t until the second half of the Alabama game that Gator fans got their first in-depth look at Driskel.

He replaced an injured John Brantley against an Alabama defense considered one of the best in the nation. As you might expect, Driskel struggled to find his footing on such short notice, finishing just 2 of 6 for 14 yards.

In his first season at UF, Driskel is a modest 7 of 16 for 73 yards and two interceptions. The biggest play of Driskel’s young career came on a third-and-14 in the third quarter against Alabama when he flashed some of the mobility he is known for and raced 31 yards for a first down.

The Gators will need more of those kinds of plays from Driskel if he starts at No. 1-ranked LSU on Saturday as expected. If so, he’ll become only the fifth true freshman quarterback to start for the Gators, joining Wayne Peace (1980), Donald Douglas (1989), Jesse Palmer (1997) and Chris Leak (2003).

Prior to the Alabama game, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis said Driskel was firmly set as Brantley’s backup following a spotty performance at Kentucky when Driskel replaced an injured Brantley briefly late in the first half. Driskel was 0-for-3 with an interception and lost fumble, but Weis remained confident in Driskel’s ability despite some growing pains.

“He runs our team well,” Weis said. “The team is not afraid when he is in there. He can make every throw. Gaining experience, that's what he's doing. Every time he's out there it's a good thing regardless what happens because he's just gaining experience.”

by S.Carter

Auburn likely to be without leading receiver

Meeting with the media Tuesday afternoon, head coach Gene Chizik sounded decidedly pessimistic that Emory Blake will be available for Arkansas this weekend. Blake injured his ankle during the second half of the win over South Carolina.

“We won’t know until later on in the week, but I’m not hopeful right now on Emory. I’m not going to rule him out, but we are planning to play without him,” head coach Gene Chizik said in quotes distributed by the team. “Again, we’ll keep working on it until the end of the week, but I’m not hopeful right now.”

Freshman Trovon Reed missed the win over USC with a shoulder injury, and has already been ruled out of this weekend’s game with the Razorbacks. Reed’s third on the Tigers with 13 receptions.

Blake’s loss would be an even bigger blow to AU’s passing game. The junior leads the team in receptions (19), receiving yards (333) and receiving touchdowns (four). Chizik said the twin receiving losses means it’s time for others at the position to step up and fill the voids.

“That’s going to be our two top receivers that we’re not going to play with him and Trovon Reed, but again, I think that gives great opportunity to some other guys,” Chizik said. “It’s where Quindarius Carr and Travante Stallworth and Quan Bray and DeAngelo Benton, speaking about a guy who stepped up to the plate last week, it’s going to be a great opportunity for those guys to step up if he does not play.”

Gamecocks' Garcia benched as Spurrier tabs Shaw as starting QB

Spurrier announced he has pulled the trigger on another quarterback change, with Connor Shaw replacing Garcia against Kentucky this weekend. Spurrier’s intention, at least for now, is to allow the sophomore to go the distance against the Wildcats.

“This is his game, it’s his opportunity to go play and we think he’s ready,” Spurrier said in quotes distributed by the team. “We’re going to find out Saturday. Connor had a good practice tonight and, as most everyone knows, our quarterback play has not been as good as we hoped. We’ve got to do something. Maybe some other positions we’re looking at also.

“We’re looking forward to the game against Kentucky. I just ask all the Gamecock fans to give Connor your support the same way you have all the others players here. I think he’s ready to play well. It wasn’t that hard a call. At some point we have to do something to shake up this offense and this is the first step. We’ll see how it goes. It’s Connor’s game. Unless he gets hurt, this is his game.”

Shaw started the opener this season, but was replaced by Garcia after the Gamecocks fell behind East Carolina. Garcia, who had been the starter for the past two-plus season, started each of the next four games, but struggled mightily, throwing just four touchdowns versus nine interceptions. He’s 109th in the country in passing efficiency. As ineffective and mistake-prone as Garcia has been, Spurrier had no choice but to go back to his Game 1 starter.

“It’s an opportunity I’m willing to take advantage of,” said Shaw. “I think I’m ready to play. I’m excited and we’ll see how it goes this Saturday. I feel confident and I feel like I’m ready to play.”

Georgia LB busted for DUI

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported yesterday that linebacker Cornelius Washington was arrested just before 2 a.m. in the morning by Commerce police for driving under the influence of alcohol. Washington was pulled over for going 92 miles per hour in a 55-MPH zone.

“I asked Mr. Washington if he had been drinking and he stated yes but it had been several hours prior,” the arresting officer stated in the report. Washington added that he had a “couple of shots.”

Washington failed a field sobriety test and blew a .12 in an alco-sensor test. He was booked in a Jackson Co. jail and later released on $3,500 bond.

In a Sunday conference call, head coach Mark Richt said he met with Washington today. “He’s sick. He feels awful,” Richt said. “He knows that he let the team down, let his coaches down.”

Washington has been suspended for at least the next two games against Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

Mississippi State safety gives unsanitary new meaning to ‘between the hedges’

When you gotta go, you gotta go, and Mississippi State defensive back Nickoe Whitley did just that Saturday in the Bulldogs' 24-10 loss at Georgia — relieving himself on the famed hedges lining the sidelines of Sanford Stadium.

Give Whitley credit: At least he's trying to be respectful about it. He used a trashcan for a little bit of privacy and is cautious looking around for peeping eyes (must have missed that camera lens, though).

Seems like there's something about Sanford Stadium that seems to incite bathroom breaks. In 2009, Auburn brought its own makeshift commode to the sidelines.

After all, what's a player to do? Not a lot of guys have time to go back into the locker room during a game, so sometimes, you have to make due with what available. We ain't mad at 'cha, Nickoe ... well, maybe Georgia fans are.

by G.Watson

Gator’s Brantley out against LSU

In his Monday press conference, UF coach Will Muschamp said Brantley has a lower leg injury that won’t require surgery, but will require him to miss at least a week. The news confirmed what had been swirling around the rumor mill for the past 12 hours or so. Brantley suffered the injury, which appears to affect his ankle, near the end of the first half of a 38-10 loss to Alabama.

That means freshman Jeff Driskel is expected to get the start at LSU this weekend. Welcome to the SEC, son.

Muschamp also said, though, that Jacoby Brissett and Tyler Murphy will get reps in practice this week in preparation for the No. 1 Tigers.

Driskel went 2-for-6 for 14 yards in the loss to the Tide.

Alabama rolls over Florida with 38-10 win

Alabama has shown it can win on the road against an opponent whether it be in front of more than 100,000 at a Big Ten venue or in one of the most chaotic stadiums in the SEC.

The latest was a convincing display for No. 3 Alabama with a 38-10 win Saturday night at No. 12 Florida.

Alabama scored 35 unanswered points, and got a career-high 29 carries and 181 yards, including two touchdowns, from junior Trent Richardson - his fourth straight 100-yard plus rushing performance.

It was the Crimson Tide's first win at The Swamp since a 40-39 overtime victory in 1999.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium hosted 90,888 fans - the second largest crowd in stadium history.

Alabama (5-0, 2-0) has won three in a row against Florida (4-10, 2-1).

The Tide will host Vanderbilt next Saturday for homecoming at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Ole Miss defeats Fresno State 38-28

Running back Jeff Scott rushed for 138 yards and scored two touchdowns, and senior running back Brandon Bolden added two touchdowns to lead the Ole Miss Rebels (2-3) to a 38-28 win against Fresno State here Saturday night at Jim Sweeney Field.

No. 1 LSU beats Kentucky, 35-7

Jordan Jefferson’s LSU teammates heard the boos when the embattled quarterback stepped out on the field for the first time since his suspension was lifted this past week. That only sweetened their celebration when Jefferson stretched across the goal line to give the No. 1 Tigers a lead they would not relinquish in a 35-7 victory over Kentucky on Saturday. “When Jordan Jefferson scored that touchdown, and (starting quarterback) Jarrett Lee celebrated, that’s when I knew right then, that the word ‘team’ means so much more,” LSU defensive end Sam Montgomery said. “Jordan’s been through a whole lot, so now he can tell the story of how, ‘I went through this, bounced back, came back on the team, and now we’re all a big family again.”’

Jefferson was reinstated this week after a grand jury reduced charges the quarterback faces in connection with an Aug. 19 bar fight to a misdemeanor. Lee remained the starter and played most of the game, struggling at times but hitting Odell Beckham Jr. for a spectacular 51-yard score, their second touchdown connection of 50-plus yards in two games. Cornerback Tyrann Mathieu also continued to cause mayhem for opposing offenses, setting an LSU record for career forced fumbles with two strips, one of which led to his 23-yard scoop and score in the third quarter to make it 28-0. Kentucky (2-3, 0-2 SEC) did not threaten to score until LSU (5-0, 2-0) led 35-0. While Lee, Mathieu and Beckham had all played roles in four previous victories that lifted LSU (5-0, 2-0 SEC) to the top of the rankings, Jefferson’s return added a new wrinkle. LSU coach Les Miles had predicted Jefferson’s reinstatement would not be a distraction and, if anything, would give LSU even more ways to win. “We will use Jefferson in a variety of ways,” said Miles, who did not allow Jefferson to speak with reporters after the game. “At different times in the season, we will need every skill and every collective attribute of our team.” Miles said he didn’t talk to Jefferson about the boos, figuring he was tough enough to “handle 2,500 fans that are a little disposed to bemoan someone who is busting his tail to do everything he can do to help LSU.” After the touchdown, when only cheers could be heard, Jefferson celebrated with Lee and gave high fives to the entire offensive line. “We know he can come in and make plays, he’s won big ball games for us before, so it’s not an issue at all,” Lee said. “We’re happy to have him back. He’s got a great attitude. He’s a great person. … If he needs to come in and make a play for us, the team is OK with that.”

Wildcats starter Morgan Newton missed on his first nine throws and completed only 2 of 11 passes in the first half, when he was sacked three times. Kentucky coach Joker Phillips gave freshman quarterback Maxwell Smith a chance in the second half, but Smith fared even worse, completing only one of five attempts and turning the ball over when he was flattened by a swarm of Tigers.

“We just thought we needed a spark and wanted to give Morgan a chance to sit back and watch the game from a distance,” Phillips said.

Although LSU dominated, the Tigers’ offense sputtered intermittently. Lee completed 8 of 21 passes for 169 yards and one TD.

Beckham, who scored on a 52-yard reception against West Virginia last week, was Lee’s top target against the Wildcats, catching three passes for 72 yards.

LSU gained 179 yards on the ground, led by sophomore Alfred Blue’s 72 yards. Blue scored once on a 1-yard run that made it 21-0 in the third quarter, capping a drive sustained by Russell Shepard’s acrobatic third-down catch along the sideline.

Kentucky did not score until Newton hit Matt Roark with a 4-yard pass with 6:09 left to play.
by B.Martel

Bray throws 4 TDs as Tennessee beats Buffalo 41-10

Bray threw four touchdowns, Da’Rick Rogers caught two of them and DeAnthony Arnett caught two more as Tennessee beat Buffalo 41-10 on Saturday. Derek Dooley was looking for improvement on both sides of the ball after a loss at Florida and a bye week. The Vols (3-1) also got their first test without top wide receiver Justin Hunter, who tore the ACL in his left knee against the Gators and will miss the rest of the season. Tennessee’s passing game didn’t look much different without Hunter. Bray, who was 21 for 30 piled up 342 yards mostly by throwing long to Rogers, who finished with 180 yards on seven catches. Rogers surpassed his previous career high of 100 yards receiving with 10 minutes to go in the second quarter after a 58-yard pass from Bray that would eventually set up his second score. Bray’s four touchdowns marked the 10th consecutive game he’s thrown for multiple scores, ranking second in the NCAA behind Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore’s 16-game streak. He now has 14 touchdowns and 1,328 yards through four games.

Arnett only had 27 yards on three catches, but his touchdowns were tough ones. He stretched across the corner of the end zone on a 13-yard scoring strike that put Tennessee up 31-7 just before halftime and trapped the ball at the edge of the end zone, a play that was upheld on review, for his second score which gave the Vols a 38-7 lead with 3:49 in the third quarter. Tennessee scored easily after Buffalo (1-4) went three-and-out on the opening drive. Bray had a pair of 14-yard passes and handed off to Rajion Neal on a reverse, and Neal ran 20 yards for a touchdown to give the Vols a 7-0 lead 3 minutes into the game. The drive was set up by Devrin Young’s 43-yard punt return, Tennessee’s longest in four seasons. Young was seeing his first playing time after recovering from a fractured collarbone, and the freshman finished with … all-purpose yards but also lost a fumble on a kickoff return in the fourth quarter.

The Vols finally saw some improvement from their ground game too. After finishing with minus-9 yards total against Florida, Tennessee accumulated … yards rushing, led by Tauren Poole’s 101 yards on 17 carries. But Tennessee also showed enough mistakes that caused Dooley to have some concern. The defense lost track of Buffalo quarterback Chazz Anderson on second-and-6 at the Bulls 32, and Anderson easily shot into open field to run 68 yards in a straight line for a touchdown with 3:21 in the first quarter to cut Tennessee’s lead to 14-7.

Cameron Clear touched the ball but couldn’t fall on it on a squibbed kickoff on the next play. Brandon Murie recovered the fumble for Buffalo at the Tennessee 21, but the Bulls couldn’t capitalize and Peter Fardon was short on a 44-yard field goal attempt.

The game marked the first meeting between the two teams and Buffalo’s second time facing a Southeastern Conference foe. The Bulls, who have beaten a BCS team only once before, previously logged a 38-7 loss at Auburn in 2006. Though Buffalo took advantage of some of Tennessee’s mistakes, the Bulls couldn’t do much against Tennessee’s speed. They gained just 264 yards compared to the Vols’ 531, held the ball 10 fewer minutes, converted just three of 13 third-down attempts and zero of three fourth-down attempts.

Anderson finished 8 of 19 for 99 yards and had 79 yards rushing.

Razorbacks rally from 18 down to beat Aggies 42-38

Tyler Wilson threw for a school-record 510 yards, Jarius Wright caught 13 passes for a school-record 281 yards and the No. 18 Arkansas Razorbacks turned an 18-point halftime deficit into a 42-38 victory on Saturday, giving the No. 14 Aggies a rude preview of life in their new conference.

“We played in the second half with a tremendous amount of heart, competitive spirit, toughness,” Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino said. “It was a really good win.”

Texas A&M scored five touchdowns in the first half, all on the ground against a defense that had allowed only a single rushing touchdown over four previous games. The Razorbacks snapped back to form in the second half, yielding only a field goal, albeit one that gave the Aggies a 38-35 lead with 4:22 left.

Then Broderick Green ran 3 yards for a touchdown with 1:41 left to put Arkansas (4-1) ahead for the first time. One defensive stand later, the celebrations broke out among the Hogs’ half of the 69,838 fans, further punctuated with chants of, “S-E-C! S-E-C!”

Meanwhile, the Aggies (2-2) and their fans were forced to accept a second straight agonizing defeat.

Just a week before, they gave up a 17-point halftime lead at home to a member of the Big 12, the conference they’re leaving behind. Now, they’ve blown an even bigger lead to a team from the conference they just announced they’re joining. It’s a 1-2 punch that has taken them from No. 8 and the cusp of the national title chase to likely the back end of the top 25 and sinking in the conference race.

“We’ll have some heart-to-hearts this week, particularly on Monday, about which direction we’re going to go and make sure that what happened today doesn’t happen again,” Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman said.

The Aggies have dropped seven straight games to SEC teams, dating to 1995, or back when they were in the Southwest Conference. That makes them 0-for-the-Big-12-era against teams from their new league.

“I don’t put a whole lot of stock into all that stuff,” Sherman said. “We’re in the Big 12 right now and we need to win in the Big 12. We’re focusing more on this season. We’ll worry about next season, next season, when we are in that conference.”

Wilson shattered the school passing record of 409 set by Ryan Mallett against Vanderbilt last season. He was 30 of 51 with three touchdowns, including a pinpoint 68-yarder to Wright. He also ran for a 2-point conversion that tied the game 35-35, and led the nine-play, 80-yard drive for the winning touchdown.

Most of all, Wilson guided Arkansas to points on four of six second-half drives before the kneel-down at the end.

Georgia starts fast, tops Mississippi State, 24-10

Murray threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter, Isaiah Crowell ran for 104 yards and Georgia took advantage of a strong start to beat Mississippi State 24-10 on Saturday.

Georgia (3-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) led 21-3 at halftime before surviving a listless second half for its third straight win.

Chris Relf passed for 157 yards and ran for 31 yards but couldn’t lead a touchdown drive, leaving Mississippi State (2-3, 0-3) still looking for its first SEC win.

Georgia took a 14-3 lead in the first quarter and led 21-3 at halftime. Murray had an uneven performance. He completed 13 of 25 passes for 160 yards with two touchdowns but had three interceptions to match his total for the first four games Crowell, the freshman tailback, did not score but topped 100 yards for the third time in three SEC games. One week after setting career highs with 30 carries for 147 yards in Georgia’s 27-13 win at Mississippi, Crowell again was the most consistent offensive threat for Georgia. Mississippi State was held to a 42-yard field goal by Derek Depasquale before finally reaching the end zone when Darius Slay returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Relf completed 19 of 31 passes for 157 yards and two interceptions. Vick Ballard was held to 23 yards rushing on eight carries. Brandon Boykin’s 30-yard punt return set up Georgia’s first possession at the Mississippi State 33. Three plays later, Murray found Orson Charles for a 21-yard touchdown pass. A shanked 11-yard punt by Baker Swedenberg gave Georgia the ball at Mississippi State’s 22 later in the opening quarter. Murray’s 6-yard pass to Malcolm Mitchell gave Georgia a 14-3 lead. Murray’s second interception, by linebacker Cameron Lawrence, gave Mississippi State the ball at the Georgia 28 with 3:34 remaining in the half. Georgia’s defense answered when Relf’s pass bounced off receiver Chris Smith’s hands and was intercepted by cornerback Sanders Commings.

Georgia took the ball at its 19 and, with Crowell doing most of the work, moved 81 yards on eight plays. The drive ended with Carlton Thomas’ 7-yard scoring run. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen alternated quarterbacks in the third quarter. Dylan Favre, the nephew of former longtime NFL quarterback Brett Favre, took over for Relf for the first series of the second half before Relf returned the following possession. The two then shared Mississippi’s third possession. Favre threw passes, both incomplete. Arceto Clark dropped a pass from Relf when hit by Brandon Boykin late in the third quarter. Commings recovered the fumble, setting up Blair Walsh’s 18-yard field goal. Tensions rose at the end of pregame warmups when Mississippi State’s players gathered on the big painted “G” which stretches almost 20 yards at midfield.

Georgia players, who apparently felt offended the visitors took their normal gathering spot, crowded around the Mississippi State players. Coaches and officials quickly rushed to separate the players, but not before players on both sides pointed and taunted. An official was knocked down as he tried to escort the Mississippi State players off the field. Georgia coach Mark Richt was seen having an animated discussion with the officials before he joined his players in the locker room.

At the end of the game, Georgia players quickly rushed to midfield, briefly bouncing up and down on the logo before exchanging handshakes with the Mississippi State players.

Trotter rallies Auburn against No. 10 SCarolina

Auburn and its maligned defense bounced back in a big way on Saturday, defeating No. 10 South Carolina 16-13. The Tigers (4-1, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) overcame a spotty offense to wear down the Gamecocks at the end. Barrett Trotter found Phillip Lutzenkirchen for the go-ahead, 9-yard touchdown with 1:38 left.

“This was a game they willed to win,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said.

It’s been a rough go for the BCS champions since beating Oregon for the title last January.

The Gamecocks had plenty of motivation to succeed, losing twice to Auburn a year ago, including a humiliating 56-17 loss in the SEC championship. Instead, it was the Auburn defenders who shut down South Carolina star tailback Marcus Lattimore and gave the offense enough time to pull out its 11th straight win against SEC opponents. “It was a great atmosphere and all those kind of things and to come out with the win the way we did was great,” Trotter said. It also got Auburn off to the right start in an October filled with powerful opponents and critical contests. The Tigers travel to Arkansas next week before playing Florida and LSU their next two games. When “you beat a top-10 team, I feel that is pretty evident what that does for you moving forward,” Chizik said. The Tigers were down 13-9 in the fourth quarter and couldn’t break through on South Carolina’s swarming defense. But Gamecocks assistant coach Ellis Johnson said Auburn’s fast pace wore down his defenders. That was apparent down the stretch when Barrett led Auburn on a 12-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a pass to wide open Lutzenkirchen in front of the goal line. The junior fumbled the ball into the end zone, then recovered it just before sliding out of bounds to put Auburn ahead. South Carolina advanced to Auburn’s 29 on its final possession before time expired, though Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier argued that clock should have stopped with 1 second left after a completed pass for a first down.

Spurrier said he was told that receiver Bruce Ellington’s knee touched the ground when the clock had run out. “That’s what he told me. I said, ‘Wait a minute now, don’t you review that?”’ Spurrier said. They did not, giving the Gamecocks their seventh straight defeat against Auburn.

“It doesn’t matter now,” Spurrier said. “It’s in the history books. So it’s all over. We got beat. Still haven’t beaten them.” The SEC issued a statement saying a review of the end showed game officials followed correct procedure. Auburn used Michael Dyer like Spurrier had used Lattimore this season—a clock-controller who can’t be stopped. Dyer ran for 141 yards on a career-high 41 carries. Dyer, a sophomore like Lattimore, had come into this one with 45 fewer carries than Gamecock standout, who was the SEC’s rushing leader. Lattimore ended with 66 yards on a season-low 17 rushes.

“The defense played good, the offense didn’t,” Lattimore said. “But we left it at that. We’ve got to put it behind us.” It looked like South Carolina’s defense would be enough to bail it out of trouble as quarterback Stephen Garcia again had problems putting up points against an Auburn defense that was ranked last in the SEC. Instead, the Tigers D rose and held the Gamecocks to 54 yards and one first down in the final period. And Trotter and the Tigers found their groove just in time. They converted four third downs in the go-ahead drive, including the touchdown to Lutzenkirchen.

“Holding Lattimore to under 100 yard and getting three or four turnovers were the goals this week and we did it and got the win,” Auburn linebacker Jake Holland said. Still, when Lattimore broke through for a 15-yard TD run midway through the third quarter, it appeared it might hold up the way South Carolina’s defense was playing.

Melvin Ingram had 3 1/2 sacks and one of four South Carolina interceptions.

Trotter was 12 of 23 for 112 yards with two interceptions.

This one looked like a contest of who’d crack first: Auburn’s last-in-the-SEC defense or South Carolina’s can’t-move-the-ball-too-well offensive attack that has struggled to score the past two weeks.

In the first half, it was the Tigers’ D that came up bigger than it had this season. They held Lattimore to 36 yards on nine carries and the Gamecocks managed only four first downs on nine first-half possessions.

Garcia, a lightning rod for Gamecock criticism for his inconsistency, was at it again. He was 9 of 23 for 160 yards and two interceptions. Garcia also had a 50-yard scoring throw to Alshon Jeffery.

Garcia didn’t speak to the media. His grandfather had passed away earlier this week, South Carolina said, and he wanted to be with family.

Usually, it’s Lattimore who bails the Gamecocks out but even he didn’t look like himself. He fumbled on one drive and could not fight his way through Auburn’s charged up defense.