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Gators Swamp Spurrier, Gamecocks

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Against the top-rated defense in the SEC, Florida gained 519 yards, more than double the average of 256 South Carolina was previously allowing.

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2008

Updated: 11/16/2008 12:55 am

GAINESVILLE - There was no upset. No magic visor. Steve Spurrier may be the man who turned Florida Field into "The Swamp," but no longer can he walk there without getting his feet wet. And Saturday evening the Ol' Ball Coach was last seen neck-deep in troubled water.

No. 3 Florida's 56-6 thrashing of the 24th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks was the worst beating in its former coach's long and lustrous career. It was such a complete, fun-was-had-by-all performance that it just might have been enough to make proud the old coach who never saw a touchdown that came too late.

The Gators offense was dynamic, their defense ferocious, and special teams scary.

Against the top-rated defense in the SEC, Florida gained 519 yards, more than double the average of 256 South Carolina was previously allowing. The Gators rushed for 346 yards - Percy Havin getting 176 and two touchdowns on eight carries. No team this season had scored more than 24 points against South Carolina; the Gators had that before halftime.

Florida's defense did not give up a touchdown. It intercepted two passes, one returned by linebacker Brandon Spikes 12 yards for a touchdown, the other by Ahmad Black that set up a score. South Carolina was 1-for-15 on third-down conversions.

"That was the best defense I have ever played against," Gamecocks quarterback Chris Smelley said.

On special teams, James Smith recovered a loose ball at the South Carolina 1 on a kickoff, while Brandon James had a 39-yard punt return.

"We got clobbered," Spurrier said. "I don't know what we could have done differently except to try to keep things close."

About the upset that had become a popular - yes, Lou Holtz picked it - pregame suggestion?

Chicken feathers.

"Did he really?" Florida coach Urban Meyer said when told of his old boss' prediction. "I had that same sick feeling in my stomach to be honest with you. I watched them on film. I saw the talent level. All you have to do is give Coach Spurrier a couple of good weapons and you have a problem. And he has some good weapons."

Instead, the Gators improved to 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the Southeastern Conference.

The Gamecocks (7-4, 4-4), putting any upset hopes on their defense finding a way to keep the score close, could not have imagined a worst-case scenario to start.

Three first-quarter turnovers resulting in three Florida touchdowns in two minutes, 15 seconds never is a good thing for a visiting team's game plan.

First, South Carolina's Smelley, about to be leveled in the back of his end zone by linebacker Brandon Hicks, unloaded a floater that Spikes intercepted at the 12 and returned for a touchdown.

Four minutes, 37 seconds remained in the first quarter.

Three plays later, Smelley tried again, only this time seeing the on-coming Hicks deflect his pass into the hands of Florida's Black, who returned the pick 7 yards to the South Carolina 26.

One play later, quarterback Tim Tebow handed the ball to Harvin, who blasted up the middle for the score.

Three minutes, 52 seconds were left in the opening quarter.

And then the doozy of mistakes, and, of all things, made by Spurrier.

In what looked every bit a decision made in panic, the Gamecocks' Dion LeCorn took Florida's kickoff at the goal line, took a few steps forward and then threw an across-the-field lateral intended for Chris Hall.

Florida's James Smith recovered at the 1.

Tebow carried for the touchdown.

Two minutes, 22 seconds were still on the clock.

"Our offense gave up two scores and then we tried the ill-advised throw-back pass," Spurrier said. "I felt maybe we had a shot at it. We did have one-on-one coverage over there. Unfortunately, our guy couldn't catch it. He couldn't even fall on it. It was a dumb call on my part."

It was also already over.

"Our defense played phenomenal," Meyer said. "The way the game started gave us a fast start. Momentum is worth about 14 points. Sometimes it's worth more. The way they started, hats off."

After that it was all Gators.

Tebow dropped a 46-yard bomb to Deonte Thompson in the second quarter to stretch UF's lead to 28-0.

Florida received the second-half kickoff, took possession at the 20 and on the first play handed it to Harvin, who went 80 yards up the middle for his second TD - both on the same play call.

"It was a counter," he said. "Their linebackers were kind of aggressive so we knew if we could get them going one way we could gap them. Our line just dominated."

Jeff Demps would follow with a 38-yard scoring run, tight end Aaron Hernandez would grab a 5 -yard TD pass from Tebow and Chris Rainey would score from the 3.

"I'm just proud of our guys," Meyer said. "I thought that was the best South Carolina team going into it. What happens is when a couple of those guys get out of there and make some big runs, the stats get blown apart."

The Gamecocks, too.

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

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