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Alleged 'pumping gas' comment by UT's Kiffin perturbs South Carolina
There’s been a “gas crisis” under way in the South Carolina football facility this week.
Heavily recruited by Tennessee, Gamecocks freshman Alshon Jeffery claims that Lane Kiffin told the youngster he’d end up pumping gas if he went to South Carolina.
Kiffin says he never made the comment. Jeffery’s high school coach has backed up the player.
Whether Kiffin actually said it or not, the reported remarks added fuel to the fire among the Gamecocks’ instate players as No. 21 South Carolina prepared to travel to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville for tonight’s clash with Kiffin’s Volunteers.
“I didn’t find much humor in that at all. Actually, I took it kind of personally,” said Gamecocks receiver Moe Brown, a native of Anderson, S.C. “I’m a South Carolina native, as well as a student here at the University of South Carolina. I’m a 3.2 finance/marketing major, and I feel I’m very intelligent. The last thing I’m going to be doing is pumping some gas after I get through at the university here.”
South Carolina (6-2, 3-2) is ranked and has twice as many wins as UT, but the Vols (3-4, 1-3) are favored by six points heading into this matchup.
Tennessee certainly has improved over the course of the month of October. Jonathan Crompton enjoyed a career passing performance in the 45-19 rout of Georgia on Oct. 10. Gerald Jones, Denarius Moore and Luke Stocker have emerged as reliable targets when a big play is needed.
Kiffin noted that his skill guys are so comfortable in the offense that, against both Georgia and Alabama, the Vols went with plays in the second half that they didn’t practice during the week.
“I can go over and install with Jonathan and these receivers now because they’ve been around me long enough to go, ‘Remember when we did this in training camp? … We’re going to go to this,’” the coach said. “We’re a lot more comfortable now than we were earlier in the season.”
And the Vols’ defense is making life uncomfortable for the opposition. Tennessee has not surrendered a touchdown to the opposing offense since the 26-22 loss to Auburn. Alabama never got the ball in the end zone, and Georgia’s two TDs came on a kickoff return and interception return.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said he wasn’t surprised at UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s immediate success upon returning to the college game after years in the pros.
“He can coach at any level, any time,” Spurrier said of the elder Kiffin. “He’s got enough to trick them up and bring four from the side here, four from the side there. There’s enough in there to mix it up, certainly.”
Spurrier counters with a defense that ranks sixth nationally against the pass and an offense led by sophomore QB Stephen Garcia, who has blossomed this season.
Jeffery, incidentally, leads the Gamecocks in receiving.
EXTRA POINTS: The Gamecocks have just nine senior players on their roster, tied with Duke for the second-fewest seniors in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Only Boise State has fewer seniors, with four. … The game kicks off at 7:45 p.m. ESPN is televising the contest. … Stocker, defensive end Chris Walker, linebacker Greg King and offensive guard Vladimir Richard all practiced this week but are considered game-time decisions.
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What a butt-whuppin.
Oh... and Spurrier: You can’t spell Music City Bowl without “U-S-C.”
Well we all know TN prefers the "sex offender" boys! Kiffin needs to worry about his own stupidity in choosing players.
Hey the truth hurts is all I can say