Gamecocks 16 Bulldogs 12

By Paul Newberry - The Associated Press

ATHENS, Ga. -- Steve Spurrier did it to Georgia again.

The ol' ball coach, who beat the Bulldogs regularly while at Florida, guided South Carolina to a 16-12 upset of No. 11 Georgia on Saturday night, signaling the Gamecocks as a possible title contender in the Southeastern Conference. Just like it was for Spurrier in his days with the Gators. Ryan Succop kicked three field goals, Cory Boyd ran for the game's only touchdown and South Carolina's defense kept the Bulldogs out of the end zone.

That was hardly the formula Spurrier used to beat Georgia 11 out of 12 years, during his dominating run at Florida, which captured six SEC championships and one national title with the coach's Fun 'n' Gun offense.

Spurrier knows he doesn't have that kind of high-scoring talent at South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC), forcing him to rely on a stout defense and Succop's accurate right leg to hold off the Bulldogs (1-1, 0-1).

Georgia, coming off an impressive 35-14 victory over Oklahoma State, was held without a touchdown for the first time since a 14-9 loss to South Carolina in 2001, when Lou Holtz was the coach and Spurrier was in his final season with the Gators. Succop connected from 41, 35 and 34 yards, the last of those giving the Gamecocks at 16-6 lead with 9:25 remaining. The Bulldogs drove into South Carolina territory on their next two possessions, but settled for Brandon Coutu's third and fourth field goals. The kicker accounted for all of Georgia's points.