Spurrier to be more involved in USC offense

It sounds as if South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is going to take a more hands-on approach to his offense as the Gamecocks prepare to face Georgia next week.

Spurrier was delighted by his team’s defense in its 7-3 victory over N.C. State but he didn’t like much about the Gamecocks’ offense, which scored its only touchdown on a 14-yard drive after a Wolfpack turnover.

“I’m going to get more involved,” Spurrier said Thursday night.

Spurrier doesn’t have an offensive coordinator. His son, Steve Jr., is the designated passing coordinator while Eric Wolford is the running game coordinator.

Neither element of the offense distinguished itself against N.C. State. The Gamecocks ran for 108 yards (Brian Maddox had a team-high 66 yards) while they passed for 148 yards.

Quarterback Stephen Garcia completed 13 of 22 passes with one interception. He was sacked three times and earned what sounded like an incomplete grade from Spurrier.

“I hope Stephen can hit some more guys,” Spurrier said. “I hope he can stay in the pocket, not run out of the pocket so quickly. We have to coach him up better.

“Stephen can scramble and get open but we have to get him throwing it better. But he’s capable.”

Spurrier said he was bothered by the Gamecocks’ reliance on the shotgun formation because it prevented Garcia from calling audibles. Spurrier said there were times his team ran plays he knew wouldn’t work but couldn’t adjust.

“We need to mix it up a little better,” Spurrier said.

-- Ron Green Jr.