Notebook: South Carolina fields talented defense, Meyer says

<p>Before the season, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier had realistic expectations for his team.</p><p>There was no unbeaten season or national championship talk. Getting to Atlanta was barely discussed.</p><p>"We knew going into this year that we weren't probably going to compete for the (SEC) championship," Spurrier said during Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference. "Our goal was to get bowl eligible, win more than you lose and hopefully win the bowl game."</p><p>The Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4 SEC) have achieved two of those goals behind the fourth-best defense in the SEC, allowing a little more than 305 yards a game, and the second-best passing offense (246 yards a game).</p><p>South Carolina has also done so despite a bevy of injuries on defense, including losing defensive tackle Travian Robertson and linebacker Rodney Paulk for the season with ACL tears.</p><p>The Gamecocks' talent has been overshadowed by its record, but Spurrier said he and his staff are proud of the way things have gone in 2009.</p><p>"It's a team that had a lot of unproven players at a lot of positions starting the year," he said. "We're 6-4 and could be a little worse, could be a little better. Overall, it's pretty good what this team has achieved this year."</p><p>Spurrier would be even prouder if his squad was to knock off No. 1 Florida (9-0, 7-0 SEC) on Saturday. </p><p>Spurrier is 1-3 against his alma mater and said Wednesday that South Carolina will have to play its "best game of the season" to knock off the Gators.</p><p>The Gamecocks' chances increased with the return of defensive end Cliff Matthews, who suffered a sprained shoulder against Tennessee two weeks ago. </p><p>UF coach Urban Meyer has also become an admirer of South Carolina, especially its defense. Meyer said he would rank the Gamecocks' defense as one of the best in the SEC based on talent alone.</p><p>"They recruited fantastic athletes," Meyer said.</p><p>"The personnel on that defensive team, since we've coached against them, has been top 5 in our league. This (year) is no exception."</p><p>With the positive reinforcement from the Head Ball Coach, the talented lineup and an inconsistent Florida offense, Spurrier said his team could make this game quite competitive.</p><p>"Some other teams have given them close games, so we're hoping that's what's going to happen here Saturday afternoon," he said.</p><p>"We realize we're pretty big underdogs and the Gators are a very good team. They know we're going to try to win. I hope everybody knows that because that's what you do." </p><p>Wounded Warrior Project </p><p>In honor of the American troops, South Carolina will wear specially designed uniforms in conjunction with Under Armour and the Wounded Warrior Project.</p><p>The Gamecocks will dress in black-and-desert camouflage uniforms featuring the Wounded Warrior Project logo. The core value embellishment — Duty, Honor, Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Country, and Service — will replace the players' last names on the back of each jersey.</p><p>A select number of game jerseys will be auctioned off after the game on the university Web site and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.</p><p>"I think Florida and us both realize this is a way of us honoring our service men and women all over the world," Spurrier said.</p><p>Corporal Steven Diaz will serve as an honorary team captain for South Carolina on Saturday.</p><p>Antwine positive</p><p>Despite junior defensive lineman Brandon Antwine's season being in jeopardy because of a shoulder injury, fellow lineman Omar Hunter said he's keeping a positive attitude and is working to come back this year.</p><p>"He's doing all right. He's coming along," Hunter said.</p>