Gamecocks Special Teams Step up, and other notes

September 22, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier directs his team against the Missouri Tigers in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-US PRESSWIRE

South Carolina’s special teams were firing on all cylinders against Missouri, which led to a dominating performance from the Gamecocks.

Tyler Hull averaged 41.3 yards per punt, nailed one of three inside the 20 and blasted a long of 55 yards.

Adam Yates hit all four of his extra points and a 38 yard field goal, and Missouri returned just two kickoffs the entire game.

The returners did work too.

Missouri punted seven times for an average of 46.7 yards, and Ace Sanders returned six of them for 106 total yards, including a 49 yard return that ended on the one yard line.

Bruce Ellington finally returned a kick, and made the most of the rare opportunity, taking it 50 yards down the field.

For the first time this week, Steve Spurrier fielded questions from the media, and gave all the credit to special teams coach Joe Robinson.

“He’s the mastermind behind the special teams here,” Spurrier said.

He also talked a little about the crazy finish in Seattle last night, saying the refs aren’t all that bad.

“I image Seattle said, ‘Man these guys are pretty good’,” Spurrier said.

Classic HBC right there.

As far as the only controversial call in the SC, Mizzou game, you could tell Spurrier wasn’t happy with the clipping call that negated an 80 yard touchdown run by Connor Shaw.

“Like a lot of deals in life, you can’t talk about it,” Spurrier said.