Steve Spurrier's got a new problem on his hand: How to fill three positions after the loss of triple-threat star Syvelle Newton.

"You got any suggestions?" he asked media after a 35-28 victory over Vanderbilt - and he was probably only half kidding.

Newton was Spurrier's big-time playmaker, a leader with speed, shiftiness and intelligence who was critical in rallying South Carolina (4-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) to its past two wins.

But Newton tore his left Achilles' tendon after his 10-yard touchdown run. He'll need season-ending surgery and a long, long rehabilitation before he'll see the field again.

Spurrier said doctors knew right away Newton's injury was a bad one. And in an instant, Spurrier's "Eureka" moment to use Newton at quarterback, receiver and tailback is over.

Newton ran for 80 yards - more than the Gamecocks had averaged as a team this year coming in - and better than 5 yards a carry. He completed three of four throws, including an 11-yard TD to Carson Askins and a 34-yard TD to Sidney Rice. Newton even caught an 8-yard pass from starting quarterback Blake Mitchell.

"Syvelle makes guys miss," Spurrier said. "He's a tailback that can throw it and catch it. I hope he can come back from this."

The Gamecocks might have just as hard a time recovering. Newton passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third to help send Vanderbilt (4-4, 2-3) to its fourth straight loss this season and sixth in a row against South Carolina. Newton had a rushing and passing touchdown two weeks ago in a 44-16 win over Kentucky.

Spurrier can only wonder what Newton might have done for his young team's growing confidence over the next critical month of games against Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida and Clemson. The Gamecocks are just 1-11 against that quartet the past three seasons.

Newton has a charisma that boosts everyone, his teammates say. When he twisted over the goal line on his touchdown run, Willliams-Brice Stadium exploded in delight. When Newton didn't get up, the crowd and players were suddenly silent. Newton got up and came off the field with his arms draped over trainers, his left foot never touching the ground. He was disconsolate about the injury on the sidelines, according to reports, dealing with the pain and the loss of his season.

"After I scored, somebody jumped on my foot and something happened to it," Newton said. "I don't know if it was the celebrating or not."

Newton was set to have an MRI exam Sunday. Assistant athletic director for sports medicine Rod Walters said the plan is to calm the tendon down before surgery. Spurrier says Newton should be back full speed by next season. Perhaps the biggest thing facing Newton, Spurrier says, is staying dedicated to his studies without the lure of football. "We've got to make sure Syvelle goes to class and passes everything," the coach says, "so he can be ready for next year."

The Gamecocks must be ready for next week at Tennessee. The Vols also are 3-3 after a 6-3 loss to Alabama and looking to rebound against South Carolina, which has only beaten Tennessee once since joining the SEC in 1992.

"It's not going to be easy to be without him, but there are players out there who can step it up, especially me," Mitchell, the quarterback, said.

Mitchell and Sidney Rice might have shown there is hope minus Newton. Mitchell led a seven-play, 77-yard touchdown drive that ended with a bullet pass to Rice for a 3-yard score with 1:41 remaining.

"We showed that we could still go out there and make plays," Mitchell said. "That's encouraging."

This is cache, read story here

Posted in login to post comments