After an opening play 80 yard vertical touchdown to Alshon Jeffery from Stephen Garcia,[video] USC botched the extra point and took a short lived 16-10 led and brief, very brief momentum. On the ensuing possession, Arkansas regained control of the game and the Gamecock's vision, steering and direction, guiding them further off course with a stronger effort, precision passing, hard running, firm blocking and patient play calling taking only what was offered and cashing in on ever opening. First to regain the lead, 17-16, immediately driving down the field on the accuracy and decision making of Ryan Mallett, who had a career day passing, with only 4 incompletions and 329 yards, 11-12 in the second half. The Gamecocks then swerved and sputtered with having each successful play countered by interceptions, bad snaps, dropped passes, over throws, missed tackles, bad angles and penalties. Did I forget to mention that Mallett was able to count on good blocking and a near mistake free second half from his teammates. The two different executions allowed the Razorbacks to score the final 23 points to derail the Gamecocks.
Damage assessment, "severe", as the cost of this major collision may result in a "total loss" season. The damaging pileup was so severe that under the shattered frame was an official unveiling of Bryce Sherman, the 5'6" wingback who was able to cut, scoot and run his way into a viable roll on this team's game plan every week. His efforts were often one, blocker one cut away from carrying the distance on a few very impressive gainers for the struggling Cocks. Garrett Chisolm will not be noticed due to the amount of damage that will be seem to both the offense and the defense, but the first time starter at left guard played with often precise jab to his opponent defensive linemen and was seen getting clearly beat only once during the entire game. These potential shining stars will be overlooked by the bigger story, a Gamecock Unit in the ditch. There will be no celebration for Garcia passing Mike Hold, Garry Harper and Ron Bass to become the 11th all-time passer in USC history with 327 yards with little points productivity to accompany the gains.
The Defense and Offense will take on critics, but they entered this trip without Cliff Matthews, Chris Culliver, Jarriel King and Jarrett Burns, as starting regulars who could have possibly helped to steady the unit. Nonetheless, the game plan was good, defensive calls were good, the player executions were horrible, it is as simple as that. You don't have to talk about the play calling, just talk about execution. And please spare me from the coaching criticisms, nobody was out coached, just out played. Right now, the Gamecocks have a workable road map, but when the players hit the field you can identify their self imposed damage of miscuses, mistakes, lack of effort and energy, to several players driving recklessly. Well, it's back to driver's ed...ok, the practice field and finding a way to get back on the road to success against a real tropical storm coming out of the gulf in the Florida Gators. The storm category of the Florida Gators may just be too strong for USC to steady it's unit and get it back on track. As we discussed two weeks ago, this journey is extremely hazardous for the Gamecocks.
