Travian Robertson

Gamecocks deal with another bowl game disapointment

January 1, 2011 By Phil Kornblut

USC QB Stephen Garcia deals with the pain of another bowl defeat

Don’t tell USC quarterback Stephen Garcia bowl games are a reward for a fine season. His three starts for USC in bowl games have been nothing short of hell on earth.

In the 2009 Outback Bowl loss to Iowa, Garcia was 9-18 for 79 yards, 3 interceptions and a lost fumble in just the first half before being benched.

In the 2010 Papajohns.com Bowl loss to Connecticut, Garcia was 16-38 for 129 yards with 1 interception and 1 lost fumble in a performance that left him in tears afterwards.

And in Friday night’s Chick-Fil-A-Bowl loss to Florida State, Garcia was 19-34 for 243 yards and 3 interceptions.

If you’re keeping score at home, that’s nine turnovers for Garcia in three bowl losses with zero touchdown passes.

AUDIO: Stephen Garcia post game interview

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Filed Under: college football, USC Gamecocks Tagged With: Ellis Johnson, Kenny Miles, Stephen Garcia, Travian Robertson

USC players ready for Florida, chance at SEC East

November 9, 2010 By Kevin McCrarey

USC will need another big game from Marcus Lattimore Saturday night

USC running back Marcus Lattimore was one of the players to take to the podium Tuesday to talk about Saturday night’s battle with Florida. The Gamecocks will need a strong game out of the freshman out of Byrnes High School if they want to grab their first ever win in the Swamp.

AUDIO: Marcus Lattimore pre Florida

The Gamecock defensive unit has been a sore spot the past few weeks. The secondary has been the biggest issue although the defensive line had one of its worst games last week against Arkansas. Defensive tackle Travian Robertson says the defense is ready for the challenge against the Gators Saturday night.

AUDIO: Travian Robertson pre Florida

The Gators offense has scored 89 points in the past two games and has looked much better since wide receiver Chris Rainey returned from an early season suspension. The Gamecock linebackers , including Rodney Paulk, will have to tackle well and do a good job covering the underneath passes.

AUDIO: Rodney Paulk pre Florida

The Gators have a trio of quarterbacks. John Brantley is their man guy. He’s a prototypical pocket passer. Trey Burton and Jordan Reed also take snaps at quarterback and both of them are dual threat players. The Gamecock defense will have to prepare for all three.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 7:15 on ESPN. Florida is a 6 1/2 point favorite.

Filed Under: USC Gamecocks Tagged With: Marcus Lattimore, Rodney Paulk, Travian Robertson

Spurrier says he and team moving on from UK loss

October 19, 2010 By Phil Kornblut

Gamecock defense is under fire after second half meltdown at Kentucky

USC football coach Steve Spurrier held his regular weekly news conference Tuesday at Williams-Brice Stadium, and his theme, if there was one, was taken from the country music superstar band Rascal Flats. “I’m movin on” is a hit song for the group and Spurrier said, after hearing that song on the radio on his ride in to work, that’s how he and his players are approaching things this week…moving on from the loss to Kentucky and looking forward to Vanderbilt this weekend in Nashville.

AUDIO: Steve Spurrier news conference

Key pre-game notes:

USC is 15-4 all time against Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has won two of the last three meetings
Stephen Garcia is the 6th QB in USC history to pass 5000 passing yards
Marcus Lattimore has 12 TDs, 4 shy of the single season school record
Vanderbilt is 2-4 overall, 1-2 in the SEC with a win at Ole Miss
Vandy head coach Robby Caldwell is a Furman grad and Pageland native
Three Vandy assistants and four players are from the Palmetto State
USC is outscoring opponents in the 1st half this season 128-48
USC is being outscored 77-58 in the second half this season

Kickoff Saturday night will be 7:00 and the game will be televised on FSN.

AUDIO: WR Tori Gurley

AUDIO: Travian Robertson

Filed Under: college football, USC Gamecocks Tagged With: Steve Spurrier, Tori Gurley, Travian Robertson

Gamecocks, Tigers begin work on next opponents

October 12, 2010 By Phil Kornblut

It was back to practice Monday night for the USC and Clemson football teams. The Gamecocks are coming off an upset of formerly top ranked Alabama and will play at Kentucky this Saturday night.

Following are post practice interviews from Monday night:

Defensive line coach Brad Lawing

Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward

Defensive tackle Travian Robertson

Linebacker Tony Straughter

Clemson is on a three game losing streak and will face Maryland at Death Valley Saturday. Monday afternoon, David Hood talked with a couple of the Tigers.

David Hood interview with DeAndre Hopkins

David Hood interview with Landon Walker

Filed Under: Clemson Tigers, college football, USC Gamecocks Tagged With: Brad Lawing, DeAndre Hopkins, Landon Walker, Lorenzo Ward, Tony Straughter, Travian Robertson