Cocks Crow: Big Game for Men’s Soccer Tonight

The men’s soccer team faces No. 3 Wake Forest tonight in a game that could have a huge impact on a NCAA Tournament bid for the Gamecocks.  A win over the Deacons would look pretty good to the selection committee. The Gamecocks are currently 7-4-2 and Wake Forest comes in with a record of 9-2-2.  Kick-off is set for 7 p.m. at Stone Stadium.

Tonight is Club Soccer Night as all youth soccer clubs and organizations will receive $1 admission to the match. Make sure to get out to The Graveyard tonight to support the Gamecocks!

Cocks Crow: Tuesday Links

Here’s some links to get you in the mindset for Saturday’s game at Alabama. Did you know it’s Homecoming for the Crimson Tide? I sure would love to spoil that party.

• Old-school Saban impressed by USC (The State)
• Opportunity knocks for Gamecocks (The State)
• Crimson Tide looms large for Gamecocks (The Charleston Post and Courier)
• No. 2 Crimson Tide focusing on improvement (Mobile Press-Register)
• Gamecocks a four-point road loss away from being undefeated, highly ranked, Saban notes (The Birmingham News)

Cocks Crow: 10 Straight

Here’s some media recaps of the Gamecocks’ 28-26 win over Kentucky on Saturday – the 10th straight in the series and Coach Spurrier’s 17th straight win against the Wildcats:

• South Carolina holds off Kentucky; Spurrier 17-0 vs. Wildcats (ESPN.com)
• South Carolina holds off UK 28-26 (Lexington Herald-Leader)
• Garcia, Jeffery jump-start USC over UK (The State)

In other news, the Gamecocks move up to No. 22 in the AP poll and will face new No. 2 Alabama at 7:45 p.m. ET on ESPN in Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Cocks Crow: 200th Post

As we celebrate our 200th post here at the Spurs Up blog, let’s take a look back at some of the most popular posts to grace the page:

1) A Special Message from Ric Flair – Definitely one of the most interesting things to happen here at Spurs Up.  Just out of the blue, one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all-time calls up our ticket manager and leaves a voicemail in character. Less than 24 hours later, we’ve got it up on the site and it took off.  As of now, the YouTube clip has nearly 19,000 views.

2) The Scoop on South Carolina vs. UNC – One of the hot topics floating around regarding the changing of the UNC date as well as who our new opponent would be for the 2010 season.

3) More Stadium Ramp Photos – Most people have seen these photos by now, but leading up to the first home game, these photos were the first glimpse anyone had of the new garnet wraps on the ramps at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Cocks Crow: Thursday

• Coach Horn expects to use the newcomers to the men’s basketball team early and often.
• The seniors on this year’s football team plan on keeping the team focused.
• Check out Chris Low’s Week 5 SEC Picks.
• Joe Person writes about South Carolina’s football schedule and in-state teams.
• Combined ACC/SEC power rankings – Gamecocks come in at No. 8.

Cocks Crow: Wednesday Links and a Dinosaur

• Tony Barnhart from CBSSports.com talks about Coach Spurrier and the “New Carolina.”
• The Gamecocks don’t plan on taking S.C. State lightly this Saturday.
• S.C. State is expecting to enter into a “hornet’s nest” on Saturday.
• South Carolina is still looking for the right mix on the offensive line.
• Check out this video clip of a baby T-Rex with the South Carolina Marching Band on Thursday night:

The dinosaur was at Gamecock Village to promote the Walking with Dinosaurs show playing at Colonial Life Arena from October 7 – 11.  Click here for more information.

Cocks Crow: Victory

As you roll into work bleary-eyed (but smiling) this morning, take a look at the recaps from around the media:

• No. 4 on the floor: USC upsets Ole Miss – The State
• Finally a breakthrough win for Gamecocks – ESPN’s Chris Low
• Carolina’s huge night finally comes – The Gamecock
• South Carolina upsets Ole Miss in SEC opener – Memphis Commercial Appeal
• South Carolina defense shuts down Snead, No. 4 Rebels on way to upset – Associated Press

Here’s some game notes and facts for you:

• The win is the first at home against a Top 5 team.  It’s just the second win against a Top 5 team in school history.  The last one came in 1981 against No. 3 North Carolina.
• Stephen Garcia’s 69-yard connection with Moe Brown to start the second half was the longest completion and longest reception of both players’ careers. It was also the longest completion of the Spurrier era.  The last pass play to go for 69 yards or more came in 2004 when Syvelle Newton connected with Troy Williamson for a 74-yard completion vs. South Florida.
• Patrick DiMarco’s touchdown was the third of his career.  Two of those touchdowns have come on Thursday night against a Top 10 team (2007 vs. #8 Kentucky).
• Last night was the first time in 19 games that the Rebels failed to score more than 10 points.
• The loss snaps an 8-game win streak for Ole Miss – a streak which was tied for the second-longest in FBS.

Cocks Crow: Thursday Showdown

• Gamecocks looking for a little Thursday night magic – Chris Low, ESPN
• Check out No. 1 and No. 2 on Chris Low’s things to watch this week in the SEC
• Ole Miss defensive end Greg Hardy is only at about 80 percent for tonight’s game
• Rebels quarterback Jevan Snead hopes to know where Eric Norwood is going to be at all times tonight.

If you’re not going to be in the stands tonight, check out tonight’s live blog from the pressbox.

Forgot to add this to the blog yesterday, but tonight’s Gamecock Walk for the team will be at 5:30 p.m. in the southwest corner of the stadium lot.

Cocks Crow: Monday

Here’s your game recaps from Saturday night’s 38-16 win against Florida Atlantic:

• After a Rusty start, Gamecocks overcome Owls (Charleston Post-Courier)
• Florida Atlantic falls apart in second half at South Carolina (Palm Beach Post)
• South Carolina runs away from Florida Atlantic (Associated Press)

The Gamecocks are back in action this Thursday night for their third national television broadcast of the season as they take on the No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available – visit GamecocksOnline.com or call 800-4SC-FANS to order.

Women’s soccer continued its unbeaten start to the season, defeating South Alabama 6-1 on Sunday to finish the non-conference portion of the season 8-0.  Men’s soccer picked up a 1-0 win against Northern Illinois on Sunday to move to 4-1-1.  Volleyball finished the weekend 1-1 to move to 9-2 overall, 1-1 in the SEC.  Cross country won the Winthrop Invitational over the weekend as well.

Cocks Crow: Stadium Value Menu

Something to look for this season at concession stands in Williams-Brice Stadium is the new value menu:

You can get a hot dog, 24 oz. cup of popcorn or a 12 oz soda for just $2 individually or you can get all three for just $5.  Good deal.

Morning Links:

• No. 12 UCF is ready for Friday night’s match-up with No. 17 South Carolina in women’s soccer at Stone Stadium at 7 p.m. The Knights have two strong goalkeepers who have each earned a defensive player of the week award this season.
• “[Florida Atlantic] Owls linebacker Malik Eugene has studied video of South Carolina and likes what he sees.”
• The Southern Miss reaction to opening the 2010 football season against the Gamecocks.
• Gamecock defensive end Cliff Matthews asked Coach Shane Beamer to put him on special teams after seeing film of last week’s game.