2008 Football Flashback: No. 1

Special teams plays key for Gamecocks in win against Kentucky:

Last season’s game against Kentucky had its share of wild moments.  I couldn’t choose which play was better last season and since they happened in the same game, I figured I’d lump them together.  After Kentucky took an early 7-0 lead, defensive back Captain Munnerlyn took the kickoff back 84 yards to set up a South Carolina touchdown on the next play.   Check out the video here:

The next big play came in the second quarter with Kentucky attempting a 21-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead.  DE Jordin Lindsey burst through the line to block the kick, Munnerlyn scooped it up and went 81 yards untouched into the end zone.

See No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6, No. 5, No. 4,  No. 3 and No. 2 of the countdown.

You’ve seen my countdown now – any moments that I missed?

2008 Football Flashback – No. 2

WR Jason Barnes has a break-out day to help the Gamecocks win at Ole Miss:

This was one of my favorite moments from last season because I’ve always enjoyed seeing young players break out and contribute in a major way to a team.  While senior Kenny McKinley was expected to return to action in the Ole Miss game, no one was sure how much of an impact he could make.  Barnes, a redshirt freshman, made sure that quarterback Chris Smelley had another option against the Rebels. Barnes finished the day with seven catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns.  The biggest catch came in the second quarter when he caught a pass in the end zone on a 20-yard slant route and took a huge hit from a Mississippi defender, but managed to hold on for the six points.

Here’s video of the first touchdown:

And also the second touchdown:

See No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6, No. 5, No. 4 and No. 3 of the countdown.

2008 Football Flashback – No. 3

Stoney Woodson’s 68-yard INT return for a touchdown vs. Tennessee:

Certainly one of the most gratifying moments for Gamecock fans last season was South Carolina beating the Volunteers at Williams-Brice Stadium 27-6 for their first win against Tennessee at home in 16 years.  South Carolina’s defense stifled the struggling Vol offense all night long.

With the Gamecocks leading 7-0 at the beginning of the second quarter, Stoney Woodson picked off an overthrown pass from Tennessee quarterback Nick Stephens and went 68 yards untouched into the end zone.  Check out the video here:Edit Post ‹ — WordPress

See No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6, No. 5,  and No. 4 here.

2008 Football Flashback – No. 4

TE Jared Cook’s 66-yard TD reception vs. Arkansas

Halfway through the second quarter of the Arkansas game, quarterback Chris Smelley found the tight end and Cook made the rest happen as he took it 66 yards for the score and a 17-7 South Carolina lead.  One thing that sticks out in my mind about the play is that it seemed as if he was tiptoeing down the sideline the entire way.  When he finally made it to the end zone, I was wondering if he’d actually made it the whole way without stepping out-of-bounds.

Here’s a shot of Cook crossing the goal line after his romp:

I was able to find a highlight package of Cook though on the GamecocksOnline YouTube Channel.  The second play on the video is the Arkansas touchdown.

Check out the other parts of our countdown here:

No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7, No. 6 and No. 5.

2008 Football Flashback – No. 5

Stephen Garcia enters late to lead the Gamecocks against Kentucky:

Everyone on the field and in the stands looks to a quarterback for leadership and the ability to get the job done under pressure.  One of the most common topics of debate concerning quarterbacks is whether or not they can engineer a game-winning drive.  That’s why one of my significant moments from last season was Garcia entering the game in the second half to push the Gamecocks to their ninth straight win over Kentucky.  Garcia led four consecutive drives into Wildcat territory and converted them into 10 points.

Check out the game recap here and read Ron Morris’ account of the game-winning drive here.

Click here to see No. 10, No. 9, No. 8, No. 7 and No. 6 of the countdown.

2008 Football Flashback – No. 6

DE Jordin Lindsey’s game-changing interception vs. Arkansas:

Early in the third quarter against the visiting Razorbacks, South Carolina opened up a 20-7 lead.  But after a 15-play, 8-minute drive that ended with a 4-yard Casey Dick touchdown pass, Arkansas cut the score to 20-14 and put the momentum on the side of the visitors.

South Carolina was forced to punt on the ensuing possession and two plays later, Arkansas was at the Gamecocks’ 40-yard line.  But on the next play, in one of the most athletic plays I saw all season, Lindsey stepped back from the line and snagged Casey Dick’s pass for an interception.  Not satisfied with just the INT, Lindsey returned the ball 40 yards downfield to the Arkansas 15-yard line.

Two plays later, Stephen Garcia lofted a 15-yard pass to Kenny McKinley for a touchdown to put the game away.   South Carolina would go on to win the game 34-21.

I scoured the web to find any video of the play, but I didn’t have any luck.  If you come across any, send it my way and it’ll get posted.  I was able to find a photo though:

Review No. 10, No. 9, No. 8 and No. 7 of the countdown.

2008 Football Flashback – No. 7

No. 7 – Kenny McKinley makes history

It’ll be odd not seeing No. 11 with “McKinley” on the back catching passes for the Gamecocks this season.  The 2008 season saw Kenny McKinley break the school record for receptions and receiving yards at South Carolina.  He broke the receptions record against Kentucky and grabbed the yardage record in the Gamecocks win over Arkansas.

Here’s a video of Todd Ellis interviewing McKinley with some nice quotes from Sterling Sharpe:

Want some highlights? Check out this piece:

Click to revisit No. 10, No. 9 and No. 8 in the countdown.

2008 Football Flashback – No. 8

No. 8 – Carlos Thomas INT and return vs. LSU:

While the scoreline didn’t end up in our favor, last season’s game against No. 13 LSU had its’ moments of excitement.  The first half was certainly a delight for Gamecock fans as South Carolina took a 17-10 lead into locker room at halftime.

My favorite play from the game came with the score tied at 10 late in the second quarter.  Carlos Thomas snagged a Jarrett Lee pass and ran it back 47 yards, setting up the go-ahead touchdown.  I think the atmosphere in Williams-Brice after the game was the most electric it had been all season.  I still get excited watching this play:

Click to revisit No. 10 and No. 9 of my countdown.

2008 Football Flashback – No. 9

QB Stephen Garcia sees the first significant action of his career:

Leading up to the UAB game, Garcia had thrown one incomplete pass and rushed twice for a net total of 1 yard in his college career.  After giving Chris Smelley the start against the Blazers, Coach Spurrier inserted Garcia into the lineup on the second possession of the game.  Over the next five possessions, he accounted for all but six of the Gamecocks’ yard and either passed or ran the ball on the 26 of the next 32 plays.

Garcia finished the day 13-for-20 for 131 yards and ran for 86 yards to lead South Carolina to a 26-13 win over the Blazers.

Here’s a look back at game recap and reaction to Garcia’s first true on-field action.

Check out moment No. 10 here.

2008 Football Flashback

As the countdown clock for the season opener vs. N.C. State ticks down, I’m going to take one last look at the 2008 football season.  Over the next week, I’ll count down my own personal Top 10 moments from last year.  Once we reach No. 1, I’ll ask for your input as to what moments I missed.   So without further ado, here’s No. 10:

No. 10: DT Nathan Pepper returns a fumble for a TD against Ole Miss