Spurrier, 21st-ranked Gamecocks looking to regroup

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Steve Spurrier quickly corrected himself after saying No. 21 South Carolina needs to play a little better when it faces East Carolina on Saturday night.

The coach emphasized Tuesday that South Carolina needs to “play a LOT better” after his team’s 52-28 loss to Texas A&M in last week’s opener.

Spurrier hasn’t been accustomed to such beat downs — or the regrouping that typically follows — over the past three 11-2 seasons. But when they have, the Gamecocks (0-1) were up to the challenge.

South Carolina’s largest margin of defeat the last three years was a 44-11 loss at Florida in 2012. Following the loss, the Gamecocks ended the season with a five-game win streak.

Spurrier hopes his team can replicate that this time.