Special Teams Steps Up For USC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Steve Spurrier waited a long time to see special teams at South Carolina get to the level he was accustomed to seeing during his SEC dominating days at Florida. In Saturday’s 31-10 win over Missouri, Joe Robinson gave him what he’s been looking for. Spurrier gave his new special teams coordinator a game ball for the standout efforts of the return teams against Missouri. Ace Sanders’ 2nd quarter 49-yard punt return to the 4 yard line sparked South Carolina’s first win in three tries over Missouri. Sanders ended up with 106 total return yards on the game. Bruce Ellington’s 50-yard kickoff return in the 2nd half led to another Gamecock TD. It was the first kickoff return this season for USC. Ellington said the team rule was not to return a kick that went more than three yards deep into the end zone. #6 South Carolina (4-0, 1-0 SEC) plays at Kentucky (1-3, 0-1 SEC) this weekend. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. EST on ESPN2. The Wildcats beat the Gamecocks in their last meeting in Lexington in 2010. Since then, USC has won its last 10 games against SEC East division opponents.