Published: Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 / Updated: Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 07:21 AM

USC getting just enough out of its ‘O'

COLUMBIA -- Once again, No. 21 South Carolina found just enough offense to keep its stellar season moving downfield.

Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier has searched all season for reliable playmakers and a dependable point-scoring attack to take the team toward the top of the Southeastern Conference. Looks like USC's coach will have to settle for a timely, mistake-free offense that might not rout opponents his old Florida “Fun 'n Gun,” but gets off the field with the win.

The latest example came Saturday night when the Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2 SEC) put together a 99-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown drive — and little else — to outlast Vanderbilt 14-10.

“Somebody told me today we never got inside the 20(-yard line),” Spurrier said Sunday.

They didn't need to in this one, continuing the seasonlong script where South Carolina's defense keeps it close and makes the efforts of a so-so offense stand up.

Against Ole Miss and Kentucky, the Gamecocks' two other league wins, the defense stuffed fourth-quarter chances to save USC.

Vanderbilt had its opportunity, too. Down 14-10, it drove to the Gamecocks 23 with two minutes left before USC's pressure forced quarterback Larry Smith into an intentional grounding penalty as he was about to get sacked, effectively ending the game.

Spurrier said his offense didn't play smart against a Vanderbilt defense eager to break what's become a six-game SEC losing streak.

Perhaps the best thing that happened on offense was getting the ball to USC's young receivers.

Freshman D.L. Moore earned a game ball for his juggling, sideline-stradling, 35-yard grab in the end zone for the Gamecocks' first touchdown. The catch, Moore's first career TD, survived an official review and put USC ahead 7-0.

But it was even bigger catches by freshmen Tori Gurley and Alshon Jeffery that rescued the offense.

After getting pinned at the 1 on Brett Upson's punt, USC quarterback Stephen Garcia threw a perfect ball that Gurley, a former Rock Hill star, brought in for a 43-yard gain. Garcia followed that with 23-yard pass to Jeffery into Vanderbilt territory. A holding penalty and a sack pushed the Gamecocks into third-and-20 when Jeffery struck for perhaps his biggest play of the season, catching the ball in stride and taking it in for the 43-yard go-ahead touchdown.

Garcia called Jeffery one of the best receivers in the country. That assertion might not be far off.

Jeffery has caught five touchdown passes in USC's past four games and emerged as the team's best threat since record-setting wideout Sidney Rice, now catching passes from Brett Favre in the NFL, left after the 2006 season.

Spurrier acknowledged he didn't hold out much hope of landing Jeffery after the receiver originally committed to Southern Cal. The coach is glad his assistants Shane Beamer and Steve Spurrier Jr. kept chasing.

The Gamecocks have dramatically cut down on mistakes, with just four interceptions and five lost fumbles this season. They didn't have a turnover against Vanderbilt, which Spurrier says was a big factor in the outcome.

“It was all of us, at times, who were not very good” on offense, Spurrier said, including himself and his coaches. “Fortunately, we hit two big plays that were good enough to beat Vanderbilt.”

This season, that's more than enough for the Gamecocks.

SC—Moore 35 pass from Garcia (Lanning kick), 7:52. Van—Norman 99 kickoff return (Fowler kick), 7:38.

THIRD QUARTER

Van—FG Fowler 21, 8:55.

FOURTH QUARTER

SC—A.Jeffery 43 pass from Garcia (Lanning kick), 12:51.

Att.—75,624 (at South Carolina).

RUSHING—Vanderbilt, Norman 15-83, Smith 15-45, Hawkins 6-15, Team 1-(minus 2). South Carolina, Miles 18-102, Garcia 11-15, Giles 3-11, Maddox 3-(minus 4), Team 2-(minus 5).

PASSING—Vanderbilt, Smith 17-34-0-132. South Carolina, Garcia 22-33-0-312.

RECEIVING—Vanderbilt, Norman 5-4, Cole 4-37, Hawkins 3-13, Barden 2-52, Ashley 1-10, Washington 1-9, Graham 1-7. South Carolina, A.Jeffery 8-161, Miles 5-27, Gurley 3-62, Moore 2-44, Flint 2-10, Barnes 2-8.