Spurrier Looking For Mental Toughness

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier called

out his pass defense, saying it has to improve if the Gamecocks

want to win their division.

Spurrier says the unit is not playing its assignments and

appears confused way too often.

The Gamecocks allowed Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline to

throw for a career-high 349 yards in last week’s 31-28 loss.

What makes the problems more confusing is how well the pass

defense was in the upset of then No. 1 Alabama. The Gamecocks had

seven sacks, most of them caused when Crimson Tide quarterback Greg

McElroy couldn’t find an open receiver.

South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward says the

secondary will play tighter and challenge receivers more this week

at Vanderbilt.