Fullmer's job in Jeopardy after gamecoks trounce vols

The statistical output of the South Carolina Gamecocks wasn’t that impressive and to just look at the box one could surmise that this game was close.  That would be incorrect, however, as the difference was mistakes—the Vols made them and it cost them while the Gamecocks minimized their own miscues.  The result was a 27-6 Gamecock victory over the swooning Vols who, with yet another loss, heightened speculation that head coach Phil Fullmer was on his way out.

The Gamecocks led 21-0 at halftime behind two Steven Garcia TD passes and a 68 yard interception return for a score by Stoney Woodson.  Ryan Succop added a field goal midway through the third quarter to extend the lead to 24-0 before Tennessee finally got on the board via a 1 yard TD run by Arian Foster.  Succop tacked on another FG late in the game to produce the final margin.

Despite the victory, the Gamecocks’ irascible coach Steve Spurrier found little upside in their performance—at least on the offensive side of the ball.  He’s fairly pleased with the defense, being as they’re ranked #1 in the SEC and sacked the Tennessee QB six times.

"Our biggest problem is blocking and running and throwing and catching on offense”

Fullmer’s job was already serious jeopardy and with the loss dropping Tennessee to 3-6 it may already be a fait accompli.  Even were he to run the table that would leave the team at 6-6 and that’s just not good enough for UT.  The Vols have a good opportunity to add a win next weekend as they host an overmatched Wyoming team.  That’ll be followed by a bye week before a 11/22 game at Vanderbilt—who’d no doubt love to kick the Vols when they’re down after being Tennessee’s punching bag for so many years.  A 11/29 home game against Kentucky will conclude the Vols brutal 2008 season.

For South Carolina, meanwhile, the immediate future is certainly brighter despite a relatively tough schedule.  The Gamecocks host the struggling Arkansas Razorbacks and a win would guarantee bowl eligibility.  They’ll then face a daunting challenge as they travel to Florida before a bye week.  They’ll play at Clemson in the traditional Palmetto State rivalry game on 11/29.