Originally published Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 10:02 PM

South Carolina stymies 4th-ranked Mississippi 16-10

Mississippi wasn't ready for the Top 5 — or South Carolina's defense. Star passer Jevan Snead was hounded all game and the fourth-ranked...

By Seattle Times news services

PREV of NEXT

STREETER LECKA / GETTY IMAGES

Defensive end Cliff Matthews of South Carolina sacks Mississippi quarterback Jevan Snead.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Mississippi wasn't ready for the Top 5 — or South Carolina's defense.

Star passer Jevan Snead was hounded all game and the fourth-ranked Rebels never got in gear, losing to South Carolina 16-10 Thursday night.

"I'm glad it's gone," left tackle Bradley Sowell said of the high-intensity spotlight, "so we can just get back to basics and win ballgames."

South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) had been 1-31 all-time against Top 5 foes, but left Williams-Brice Stadium with the biggest win of coach Steve Spurrier's five seasons.

Spencer Lanning kicked three field goals and fullback Patrick DiMarco had a 2-yard TD catch for the Gamecocks.

"It was good to get a win when everybody watches," Spurrier said. "It was good for all Gamecocks."

Ole Miss (2-1, 0-1) had one last chance at a go-ahead TD that would have extended its eight-game winning streak. But Snead was sacked by Cliff Matthews, then had a fourth-down pass knocked away by Darian Stewart.

The Rebels began the day with their highest ranking in nearly four decades. But they lost their SEC opener for the sixth straight season — and will likely drop down the polls once the new rankings come out.

"I never did sense that we were feeling a lot of pressure," Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. "Now it is what it is. You've lost your first conference game. You've got to work hard and win the next conference game."

Notes

• USC coach Pete Carroll said All-America safety Taylor Mays from O'Dea High School in Seattle will return from a knee injury Saturday against Washington State. Mays is a bit less certain, putting his chances of playing at about "50-50," he said.

• Penn State coach Joe Paterno said senior linebacker Sean Lee was "very doubtful" for Saturday night's game against Iowa because of a sprained left knee.

• Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen, slowed by a turf toe on his right foot after being sacked last weekend, is expected to play Saturday against Purdue.

More College Sports headlines...

E-mail article Print Share

Comments

No comments have been posted to this article.

Read all comments / Share your thoughts