The SEC Wrap Up Week 2
By Rafael Garcia Sr. Contributing Writer-Southeast Region-Football Reporters Online
So it’s the second week of the season and some teams had some easy ones to start the year. A week later there were expected wins and of course unexpected losses. So sit back and let’s talk about how this weekend unfolded.
UCLA 19 Tennessee 15
After a laugher against Western Kentucky the Vols found themselves at reality check’s door week 2. The Bruins were a different monster on this day even though they were supposed to lose this game. Remember all the noise that Lane Kiffin made before the season began? Well he is a bit quiet after the debacle on Saturday. He is beginning to realize that it is going to take some time for this rebuilding process. The Vols offense was nothing short of anemic turning the ball over four times. They managed just 208 total yards and one touchdown. Kiffin left quarterback Jonathan Crompton in too long and he admitted it cost his team big. Crompton finished 13-26 for 93 yards and three picks. The problem for Tennessee is that he is all they have. He beat out Nick Stephens for the job so what does that say about their depth at that position? There was some infighting between players after the game, prompting Kiffin to rally his troops, but it will be on the field where they will have to make a difference. Either way the problems that hurt them last year seem to be creeping up again and that won’t fly in Knoxville. Kiffin will have to make decisions to change the team. Will he go with Stephens or stick with Crompton? What changes will he make to generate more offense? Next is Florida and a performance like this one is going to get them blown right out of the swamp. One way or another there will have to be change or this season will be a long one.
Georgia 41 South Carolina 37
Wow was this a crazy game or what? This one had special teams play, defense and a lot of penalties too. With all that happened it all came down to one last play before this one would be decided. There was 22 seconds left and the Gamecocks had the ball at the 7-yard line. South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia tried to win it but was turned back when his pass was swatted away by Rennie Curran. It helped the Dawgs avoid a 0-2 start for the first time since 1996. Garcia had a big day as he went 31-53 for 313 yards two scores and one pick. His counterpart Joe Cox was 17-24 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one interception returned 35 yards for a score too. South Carolina kicker Spencer Lanning tied a team record with five field goals. It was a much-improved offense after scoring just seven points last week. As for Georgia, well they could ill afford to be winless and were able to eek out the win on that big play at the end. Brandon Boynkin had a huge game with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and set up another score with an interception. DeAngelo Tyson had the huge play of the game when he blocked an extra point try. That block did not allow South Carolina to tie the game with a field goal. Instead they had to go for the win and missed out. The defenses obviously had a hard time of it giving up so many points in the first half that ended with Georgia up 31-23 at the half. So there is next week now and much more work to do.
LSU 23 Vanderbilt 9
On a rain soaked afternoon the Tigers found out they still have much work to do although they got the win. Head coach Les Miles said after the game that he was happy to get a win, but acknowledged that his team must play better in the weeks to come. The Dores were trying to win at LSU for the first time in nearly 50 years. They were still in the game until Keiland Williams caught a late touchdown pass. The Vandy defense played well in a loss holding LSU to three filed goals after allowing them inside their 20. Tiger quarterback Jordan Jefferson was 20-29 but had only 138 yards passing to show for it. He had problems finding deep receivers all day and had to check down to the short routes in order to move the ball. Freshman Russell Shepard got in some playing time in the wildcat rushing three times for 27 yards and catching a six-yard pass that he fumbled away. Their defense turned it up in the second half as they shut Vanderbilt down in the second half. The Commodores really hurt themselves bad when penalties allowed the Tigers to keep drives going. Quarterback Larry Smith had the only touchdown for Vandy and went 11-24 for only 88 yards with one interception. All in all head coach Bobby Johnson has reason to be pleased. He saw his team stay almost toe-to-toe with a national power. That will only help his team’s confidence going forward. They will need all they can get a hold of as they try to get to consecutive bowls.
Elsewhere, the Gators turned it up as AT&Tebow racked up four touchdown passes plus another rushing score. It put him third in the SEC for rushing touchdowns and within five of the lead for overall touchdowns. The Gators won the game 56-6 in preparation for Tennessee. Down in Tuscaloosa Alabama had no problem with Florida International as they whipped up on them in a 40-14 rout. Highly regarded freshman Trent Richardson showed out as he rushed for 118 yards on 15 carries with two scores in his first full action. The Auburn Tigers went wild with their new offense and racked up 589 yards with Ben Tate ran for 159 yards and freshman Onterio McCalebb had 1220. It was the first time a freshman has had over 100 yards rushing ever for Auburn Yes folks that would include the likes of Bo Jackson.
