An Ugly Win Beats A Pretty Loss Every Time

South Carolina's sluggish 7-3 win over N.C. State in Raleigh last Thursday night was not Picasso material by football standards.

Far from it.

It looked more like some yard sale Walmart material. But when you're broke, and need something -- anything -- to go on the wall, you'll take the yard sale piece for fifty cents, and later actually admire the piece when you place it on the wall.

USC's yard sale win on Thursday night looks pretty nice on the wall in Columbia right now. First game of the season, suspensions and injuries to deal with, a quarterback and offensive line (and thus a running game) that are still unproven, memories of the three game nightmare ending of the 2008 season...okay, you get the picture. To keep going would end with, "Happy New Year!" There were that many problems, potential problems, and questions awaiting the unveiling of the 2009 season on the road against the Wolfpack.

But the 7-3 win at least raised the curtain enough to see quite a few positives.

The defense was nothing short of magnificent. A fumble caused and recovered, the strong play of freshmen Stephon Gilmore and Devin Taylor, and the excellent job Shaq Wilson did in filling in for the injured Rodney Paulk, were highlights. Limiting the veteran-studded Wolfpack and their reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year QB Russell Wilson to 133 yards of total offense and no touchdowns were delicious for those who love strong defensive play. The speed of the defense appears at first blush, to be better than in 2008. And that speed will pay huge dividends down the gauntlet called the SEC schedule. It was something to behold watching Cliff Matthews and Devin Taylor running down the versatile Wilson, from behind on most occasions.

The offensive line, while not perfect, was much-improved in many ways over the version we saw last year in most games. It was no mirage -- the offensive line actually pushed the veteran Wolpack D-line back time after time. Former Aynor High star T.J. Johnson played in 64 snaps, and graded out at 100% -- no missed assignments. When did that happen last for an OL in a USC uniform? I agree with you...I have no idea.

The running game, while not sterling, proved absolutely adequate. I realize adequate is not necessarily something to brag about, but then again, only those inside the USC prorgram, or great fans of the team, can even begin to appreciate how good the word adequate connected with the words "running game" looks. And it's only going to get better. Maddox was strong, and made some decent runs between the tackles. True freshman Jarvis Giles found himself in the coaches' mini-doghouse after motoring backwards instead of forwards on an early run, then later made a nifty 22-yard run that gave a small glimpse of the promise he has for the next four years at USC.

Tori Gurley. He already looks like the best of the corps to me, and that includes taking Moe Brown into the equation. He might not have more yards that the senior in the next month, but I fully expect him to lead in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns in 2009. Moe will be a solid option, but Gurley is the big package of fireworks waiting to be lit up on New Year's Eve (Sure, I can reference the holiday twice in September in a football column about South Carolina football; I own the blog!).

Lest I lead you to believe I am Bowl Blogging (marijuana, not BCS), everything wasn't wonderful about Gamecock football on Thursday night. Most of us who were watching could have become bi-polar just from that battle alone. It was a love-harte relationship. I'll guarantee that Gamecock fans gathered at bars to watch the struggle consumed 1.5 times the normal amount of beer. The good news is, for once, after consuming more alcohol, most of them actuallly felt better when the game was over.

There were ugly spots. Garcia never looked completely comfortable in the game, for whatever reason. the run-first restraints placed upon him by the coaching staff might have caused him to think too much, ending up living in run-pass purgatory. The interception wasn't the ugliest that even he has tossed, but it wasn't pretty, either. He did connect on some nice passes, but the most significan of the entire night was the 33-yard strike to Moe Brown that essentially ended the game. Not exactly the kind of pass that a QB wants to have define his night. But I believe Garcia will find his place of comfort, and finally become good. Not great, but good.

The season-ending injury to linebacker Rodney Paulk turned out to be the worst event of the night for the Gamecocks. He had already racked up six tackles when he was injured, and now he's gone for the year. Hopefully, USC can get him a sixth-year eligibility hardship. He would have been a strong -- and needed -- leadership influence on the field. Shaq Wilson, who did a great job in relief, will now be looked upon to step up in a big-time way.

USC's lack of offfensive punch allowed the Pack to stay in the game right up to the final minutes, despite the Gamecocks practically doubling the yardage of N.C. State. That won't work against teams in the mighty SEC. Just in case you somehow didn't know, that SEC schedule begins next Saturday between the Hedges against the Georgia Bulldogs.

But a win is a win is a win. It wasn't what the offensive artist in Coach Steve Spurrier wanted to see on the canvas, but it is hanging on his wall today.

Guaranteed.