The Steve Spurrier Era: 10 Most Underrated Plays
By Rixon Lane
Steve Spurrier’s tenure at South Carolina has been full of plays that Gamecock fans will never forget.
But what about the plays that don’t get the credit they deserve?
Some of the most important snaps for the Gamecocks over the last nine seasons didn’t take place in the final seconds of games, but still had a huge impact on the outcomes. Here are the ten most underrated plays of the Steve Spurrier Era:
10. ByrdStrong
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. GEORGIA (2012)
The scenario – 14:27 left in the first quarter, South Carolina’s second offensive play.
In a battle of top-ten teams in the SEC East, the Gamecocks needed a way to ignite the sellout crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium. As he often does, Steve Spurrier decided to take a shot downfield early in the game. Damiere Byrd took it from there, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
9. Oh Captain, My Captain
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. KENTUCKY (2007)
The scenario – Score tied 10-10, 7:44 left in the second quarter, Kentucky ball at the Gamecock 9-yard line.
For the first time in a long, long time, the South Carolina-Kentucky game meant something. The 8th-ranked Wildcats had erased a 10-3 Gamecock lead and were driving for the go-ahead touchdown. Wildcat quarterback and Heisman-hopeful Andre Woodson took a shot at the end zone, but Captain Munnerlyn stepped up.
8. Bruce Wins the Debate
SOUTH CAROLINA AT MISSOURI (2013)
The scenario – Gamecocks trail 17-0, 12:22 left in the game, first-and-goal at the Tiger 6.
South Carolina was on the ropes against 5th-ranked Missouri. Trailing 17-0 on the road, the Gamecocks desperately needed to get on the scoreboard. An injury-riddled Connor Shaw had come off the bench and was attempting to lead the comeback. Shaw fired a completion to Ellington in the corner, but Bruce was out of bounds. Or was he?
7. Jeffery to the House
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. TENNESSEE (2010)
The scenario – Tied 24-24, 12:17 to go in the game, second-and-eight at the Gamecock 30.
South Carolina was seemingly in control, up 24-10 on Tennessee early in the third quarter. However, the Volunteers had stormed back to tie the game and South Carolina’s hold on the SEC East was slipping. Needing a win to stay in the driver’s seat in the division, the Gamecocks turned to their big-play receiver.
6. “This Is Not Conservative!”
SOUTH CAROLINA AT KENTUCKY (2006)
The scenario – Gamecocks up 17-10, 4:53 to go in the game, third-and-two at the Kentucky 22-yard line.
The Gamecocks had stormed out to a 17-0 lead in Lexington, only to see the Wildcats fight back to within a touchdown. With time winding down in the fourth quarter, South Carolina faced a crucial third down in Wildcat territory. A field goal would have made it a two-score game. Steve Spurrier had other ideas.
5. Cooper Cruisin’
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. COASTAL CAROLINA (2013)
The scenario – Gamecocks lead 49-7, 7:21 left in the third quarter, first-and-ten from the Gamecock 29-yard line.
South Carolina was having no problem with Coastal Carolina, but with Clemson coming to town the following week, Steve Spurrier decided to give the Tigers something to think about. Pharoh Cooper would wind up making the biggest play of the game against Clemson and it was likely because of what the Tigers saw when they turned on the Coastal film.
4. Three of a Kind
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. VANDERBILT (2011)
The scenario – Vanderbilt up 3-0, 12:13 remaining in the second quarter, third-and-seven for the Commodores at their own 39.
Early in the second quarter, South Carolina’s offense was nowhere to be found. Stephen Garcia had already thrown three interceptions and it was obvious that the Gamecock defense would have to keep the 12th-ranked Gamecocks from collapsing against the Commodores. Jadeveon Clowney, Antonio Allen and Melvin Ingram answered the challenge.
3. Hampton Halts the Hogs
SOUTH CAROLINA AT ARKANSAS (2013)
The scenario – Arkansas leading 7-3, 5:30 to go in the first quarter, second drive of the game for the Razorback offense.
It’s easy to forget that Arkansas actually was winning this football game, but the Razorbacks had embarked on an easy 7-play scoring drive to start the contest and were hoping to take a two-score lead over the Gamecocks. Arkansas put the ball in the air for just the third time and Victor Hampton made the Razorbacks pay.
2. Crossing Up Clemson
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. CLEMSON (2011)
The scenario – Gamecocks winning 17-10, 11:29 left in the third quarter, second-and-four at the South Carolina 40-yard line.
Fans had been treated to a back-and-forth contest between the top-twenty rivals and the Gamecocks were looking to take their biggest lead of the night. South Carolina flooded the left side of the field and the Clemson defense forgot all about Rory Anderson.
1. The Big Two
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NEBRASKA (2012)
The scenario – Nebraska up 6-0, 11:58 to go in the first quarter, Cornhuskers attempting an extra point.
Things had not started off well in South Carolina’s quest for its first 11-win season. With just over three minutes gone in the game, Nebraska had already taken a 6-0 lead over the Gamecocks. After being beaten in their last three bowl games and their biggest deficit in nearly two months, South Carolina desperately needed a spark.