2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team explained

Year:	2009
Team:	South Carolina Gamecocks
Sport:	football
Conference:	Southeastern Conference
Division:	Eastern Division
Short Conf:	SEC
Record:	7–6
Conf Record:	3–5
Hc Year:	5th
Off Scheme:	Multiple
Dc Year:	2nd
Uniform:	File:SEC-Uniform-USC-2009.png

The 2009 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Steve Spurrier, who was in his fifth season at USC. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. Carolina finished the season 7–6, winning the Palmetto Bowl over in-state rival Clemson 34–17 in their final regular season game,^[1] before losing in the PapaJohns.com Bowl 20–7 against Connecticut.^[2]

This season saw the introduction of "Sandstorm". The 1999 Finnish trance song was played before two decisive plays during a home game against No. 4 Ole Miss. With these plays, South Carolina sealed a historic upset, their first win against a top 5 team since 1981. After this, the song became a Gamecock anthem. By 2021, new head coach Shane Beamer had said that "you hear that song and immediately – I do, and I'm sure most people do – think of South Carolina football."^[3]

The 2009 upset victory over Clemson has also been described by Spurrier and then-athletic director Eric Hyman as a “catalyst" to the program's most successful era: an SEC East Championship in 2010 and 11-win seasons in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Each of those years also saw victories over Clemson – South Carolina's longest win streak in the rivalry.^{[4] [5]}

Preseason

On April 11, 2009, the Garnet squad defeated the Black squad, 30–14, in the annual Garnet & Black Spring Game, in front of a crowd of 25,157. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia finished the game 13–20 with 144 yards and two touchdowns, while true freshman Jarvis Giles led the ground game with 114 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

Schedule

^[6]

Schedule notes

• Carolina's 2009 schedule was rated the toughest in the nation by college football guru Phil Steele.^[7]
• Radio coverage for all games was on the Gamecock Sports Radio Network.^[8]
• The week four game against Ole Miss was played on Thursday, September 24, as part of the ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime package.^[9]
• The week eleven game against Florida on November 14, 2009 featured the Gamecocks wearing special black and desert camouflage uniforms designed by Under Armour in support of the Wounded Warrior Project.^[10]

Game summaries

NC State

See also: 2009 NC State Wolfpack football team.

Georgia

See also: 2009 Georgia Bulldogs football team.

Florida Atlantic

See also: 2009 Florida Atlantic Owls football team.

Ole Miss

See also: 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team.

SC State

Kentucky

See also: 2009 Kentucky Wildcats football team.

Alabama

See also: 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team.

Vanderbilt

See also: 2009 Vanderbilt Commodores football team.

Tennessee

See also: 2009 Tennessee Volunteers football team.

Arkansas

See also: 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football team.

Florida

See also: 2009 Florida Gators football team.

Clemson

See also: 2009 Clemson Tigers football team.

Connecticut

See also: 2009 Connecticut Huskies football team.

Players

Depth chart

Projected starters and primary backups versus Clemson on November 28, 2009.

Awards

• Devin Taylor - SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, 9/7/09;^[11] College Football News Third-Team Freshman All-American;^[12] SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[13] Rivals.com SEC All-Freshman Team^[14]
• Jarvis Giles – SEC Freshman of the Week, 9/21/09^[15]
• Eric Norwood – SEC Defensive Player of the Week, 9/28/09;^[16] Butkus Award Finalist;^[17] First-Team Coaches All-SEC;^[18] First-Team AP All-SEC;^[19] First-Team ESPN All-SEC;^[20] Walter Camp First-Team All-American;^[21] First-Team AP All-American^[22]
• Alshon Jeffery – SEC Freshman of the Week, 10/12/09;^[23] College Football News First-Team Freshman All-American;^[24] SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[25] Rivals.com SEC All-Freshman Team;^[26] Scout.com Freshman All-American Team;^[27] FWAA Freshman All-American Team^[28]
• Ladi Ajiboye - SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week, 11/30/09^[29]
• Cliff Matthews – Second-Team Coaches All-SEC;^[30] Honorable Mention AP All-SEC^[31]
• Chris Culliver – Second-Team AP All-SEC^[32]
• Stephon Gilmore – College Football News First-Team Freshman All-American;^[33] SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[34] Rivals.com SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year;^[35] Scout.com Freshman All-American Team^[36]
• T.J. Johnson – SEC Coaches All-Freshmen Team;^[37] Rivals.com SEC All-Freshman Team^[38]

2009 recruiting class

Rankings

See also: 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings.

Statistics

Scores by quarter

Team

USC Opp Scoring 261 245   Points per Game 21.8 20.4 First Downs 227 188   Rushing 86 97   Passing 125 79   Penalty 16 12 Total Offense 4311 3656   Avg per Play 5.3 4.8   Avg per Game 359.2 304.7 Fumbles-Lost 23-10 16-10 Penalties-Yards 76-654 71-586   Avg per Game 54.5 48.8

USC Opp Punts-Yards 62-2594 63-2460   Avg per Punt 41.8 39.0 Time of Possession/Game 30:54 29:06 3rd Down Conversions 67/173 63/172 4th Down Conversions 10/19 6/19 Touchdowns Scored 30 29 Field Goals-Attempts 17-20 14-21 PAT-Attempts 28-30 27-28 Attendance 527,580 407,469   Games/Avg per Game 7/75,369 5/81,494

Offense

Rushing

Name	GP-GS	Att	Gain	Loss	Net	Avg	TD	Long	Avg/G
Kenny Miles	12-6	111	616	14	602	5.4	1	26	50.2
Brian Maddox	12-5	100	324	19	305	3.0	5	14	25.4
Jarvis Giles	9-0	52	298	21	277	5.3	1	38	30.8
Stephen Garcia	12-12	105	372	242	130	1.2	4	21	10.8
Moe Brown	11-11	5	105	0	105	21.0	0	50	9.5
Bryce Sherman	11-1	7	58	4	54	7.7	0	23	4.9
Patrick DiMarco	12-8	10	31	0	31	3.1	0	7	2.6
Stephon Gilmore	12-12	5	20	0	20	4.0	0	8	1.7
Total		409	1860	360	1500	3.7	11	50	125.0
Opponents		431	1956	312	1644	3.8	15	61	137.0

Passing

Name	GP-GS	Effic	Cmp-Att-Int	Pct	Yds	TD	Lng	Avg/G
Stephen Garcia	12-12	124.5	223-394-9	56.6	2733	17	80	227.8
Reid McCollum	2-0	176.3	4-6-0	66.7	39	1	20	19.5
Total		125.8	228-402-9	56.7	2811	18	80	234.2
Opponents		114.1	183-327-6	56.0	2012	10	69	167.7

Receiving

Name	GP-GS	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long	Avg/G
Alshon Jeffery	12-6	43	735	17.1	6	80	61.2
Moe Brown	11-11	32	479	15.0	3	69	43.5
Weslye Saunders	11-9	30	360	12.0	3	30	32.7
Tori Gurley	12-5	28	426	15.2	2	44	35.5
Jason Barnes	12-6	24	266	11.1	0	22	22.2
Brian Maddox	12-5	17	135	7.9	2	24	11.2
Kenny Miles	12-6	17	114	6.7	0	20	9.5
Patrick DiMarco	12-8	14	78	5.6	1	15	6.5
D.L. Moore	12-0	6	61	10.2	1	35	5.1
Jarvis Giles	9-0	5	26	5.2	0	12	2.9
Dion Lecorn	6-0	4	27	6.8	0	13	4.5
Total		228	2811	12.3	18	80	234.2
Opponents		183	2012	11.0	10	69	167.7

Defense

Name	GP	Tackles				Sacks	Pass Defense		Interceptions				Fumbles		Blkd Kick
		Solo	Ast	Total	TFL-Yds	No-Yds	BrUp	QBH	No.-Yds	Avg	TD	Long	Rcv-Yds	FF
GP	Solo Tackles	Ast	Total Tackes	TFL-Yds	Sacks:No.-Yds	Pass BrUp	QBH	No. Int-Yds	Int Avg	Int for TD	Long Int	Fumbles:Rcv-Yds	FF	Blkd Kick -->
Total		505	264	769	77-269	27-172	44	29	6-113	18.8	1	54	10-23	13	4

Special teams

Name	Punting								Kickoffs
	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TB	FC	I20	Blkd	No.	Yds	Avg	TB	OB
Spencer Lanning	62	2594	41.8	56	8	18	15	0	9	437	48.6	0	1
Adam Yates									48	2963	61.7	1	2
Total	62	2594	41.8	56	8	18	15	0	57	3400	59.6	1	3

Name	Punt Returns					Kick Returns
	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long	No.	Yds	Avg	TD	Long
Chris Culliver						26	585	22.5	0	61
Bryce Sherman						19	409	21.5	0	35
Stephon Gilmore	13	148	11.4	0	35
Akeem Auguste	6	17	2.8	0	13	1	15	15.0	0	15
Total	21	177	8.4	0	35	49	1056	21.6	0	61

Coaching staff

• Steve Spurrier – Head Coach^[39]
• Ellis Johnson – Assistant Head Coach & Defense Assistant Coach^[40]
• Lorenzo Ward – Defensive Coordinator & Safeties^[41]
• Shane Beamer – Cornerbacks/Special Teams & Recruiting Coordinator^[42]
• Jay Graham – Running Backs^[43]
• Johnson Hunter – Tight Ends^[44]
• Brad Lawing – Defensive Line^[45]
• G. A. Mangus – Quarterbacks^[46]
• Steve Spurrier, Jr. – Wide Receivers^[47]
• Eric Wolford – Offensive Line^[48]
• Craig Fitzgerald – Strength^[49]

Notes and References

1. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/112809aaa.html South Carolina Dominates Clemson, 34-17
2. http://www.thestate.com/gogamecocks/story/1093086.html?pageNum=7&&&&&&mi_pluck_action=page_nav#Comments_Container Dixon runs UConn past Gamecocks
3. Web site: 2021-08-28 . How a Finnish DJ created a 'Sandstorm' in the SEC and across the sports world . 2022-12-24 . ESPN.com . en.
4. Web site: How 2009 USC win over Clemson served as a springboard to program’s glory years .
5. Web site: Winsipedia - South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Clemson Tigers football series history . 2023-12-17 . Winsipedia . en.
6. Web site: 2009-2010 Football Schedule. University of South Carolina Athletic Media Relations. February 12, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090206233439/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/sched/scar-m-footbl-sched.html. February 6, 2009. live.
7. Web site: Phil Steele’s 2009 College Football Strength of Schedule Rankings . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715074859/http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/June09/DBJune9.html . July 15, 2011 . live . September 28, 2009 .
8. Web site: Gamecock Sports Radio Network . 2008-12-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071217032745/http://www.learfield.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=0D23B21E-3317-45C9-AAD20C387E684C1E . 2007-12-17 . dead .
9. Web site: Carolina – Ole Miss Game Moved to Thursday Night. University of South Carolina Athletic Media Relations. February 12, 2009. February 12, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090219234041/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021209aaa.html. February 19, 2009. live.
10. Web site: Under Armour & WWP to Unveil Customized Camo Football Uniforms & Sideline Gear . 2009-11-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100707042005/https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/content/view/1014/921/ . 2010-07-07 . dead .
11. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/090709aaa.html Taylor Named Defensive Lineman of the Week
12. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120909aaa.html Jeffery, Gilmore Named Freshmen All-Americans
13. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121009aaa.html Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
14. Web site: Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team . 2009-12-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120225134327/http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1029496 . 2012-02-25 . dead .
15. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/092109aab.html Giles Named SEC Freshman of the Week
16. Web site: SEC Football Players of the Week . https://web.archive.org/web/20091001162313/http://www.secsports.com/news/football-players-of-the-week-928.aspx . 2009-10-01 . live . 2009-09-28 .
17. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112009aaa.html Norwood Named Butkus Finalist
18. http://www.secsports.com/news/all-sec-football-team-announced.aspx All-SEC Football Team Announced
19. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120709aab.html Norwood Earns First-Team AP All-SEC Honors
20. https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/15484/espn-coms-all-sec-team ESPN.com's All-SEC team
21. https://archive.today/20120709131901/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121009aab.html Norwood Named First-Team All-American
22. https://archive.today/20120710022254/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121509aab.html Norwood Named A.P. First-Team All-American
23. Web site: SEC Football Players of the Week . 2009-10-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091015104053/http://www.secsports.com/news/default.aspx?ArticleId=14107 . 2009-10-15 . dead .
24. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120909aaa.html Jeffery, Gilmore Named Freshmen All-Americans
25. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121009aaa.html Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
26. Web site: Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team . 2009-12-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120225134327/http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1029496 . 2012-02-25 . dead .
27. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121509aac.html Jeffery, Gilmore Named to Scout.com Freshman All-America Squad
28. Web site: Jeffery Named FWAA Freshman All-American . 2010-01-16 . 2010-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100304080526/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010710aaa.html . dead .
29. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/113009aaa.html Ajiboye Honored by SEC
30. http://www.secsports.com/news/all-sec-football-team-announced.aspx All-SEC Football Team Announced
31. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120709aab.html Norwood Earns First-Team AP All-SEC Honors
32. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120709aab.html Norwood Earns First-Team AP All-SEC Honors
33. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/120909aaa.html Jeffery, Gilmore Named Freshmen All-Americans
34. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121009aaa.html Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
35. Web site: Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team . 2009-12-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120225134327/http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1029496 . 2012-02-25 . dead .
36. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121509aac.html Jeffery, Gilmore Named to Scout.com Freshman All-America Squad
37. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121009aaa.html Four Gamecocks Named to SEC All-Freshman Team
38. Web site: Rivals.com 2009 All-SEC freshman team . 2009-12-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120225134327/http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1029496 . 2012-02-25 . dead .
39. Web site: Bio: Steve Spurrier . 2008-12-10 . 2008-12-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081223125835/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrier_steve00.html . dead .
40. Web site: Bio: Ellis Johnson . 2008-12-10 . 2008-12-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081223160728/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/johnson_ellis00.html . dead .
41. Web site: Bio: Lorenzo Ward . 2009-10-04 . 2009-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091008025820/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ward_lorenzo00.html . dead .
42. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/beamer_shane00.html Bio: Shane Beamer
43. Web site: Bio: Jay Graham . 2009-10-04 . 2009-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091008025732/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/graham_jay00.html . dead .
44. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hunter_johnsonjeep00.html Bio: Johnson Hunter
45. Web site: Bio: Brad Lawing . 2008-12-10 . 2008-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081225112623/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/lawing_brad00.html . dead .
46. Web site: Bio: G.A. Mangus . 2009-10-04 . 2009-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091008025800/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mangus_ga00.html . dead .
47. Web site: Bio: Steve Spurrier, Jr. . 2008-12-10 . 2011-10-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111001224045/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/spurrierjr_steve00.html . dead .
48. http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/wolford_eric00.html Bio: Eric Wolford
49. Web site: Bio: Craig Fitzgerald . 2009-10-04 . 2009-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091008025722/http://gamecocksonline.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/fitzgerald_craig00.html . dead .