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South Carolina looks to bounce back with new QB vs. Miss St

Sep 29, 2007 - 10:46 AM Mississippi St (3-1) at No. 16 South Carolina (3-1) 12:30 pm EDT

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Ticker) -- It now is Chris Smelley's turn to impress Steve Spurrier.

Smelley will start at quarterback for Spurrier on Saturday when No. 16 south Carolina returns home following a tough loss to take on surging Mississippi State in Southeastern Conference action.

Fifth-year senior Blake Mitchell struggled in last week's 28-16 loss at No. 2 Louisiana State, and Spurrier announced that Smelley would get the nod for South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC East) against the Bulldogs.

Mitchell completed 7-of-16 passes for 70 yards and an interception against the Tigers. Smelley relieved him and went 12-of-26 for 174 yards, a touchdown and a pick.

Mississippi State (3-1, 1-1 West) opened its season with a 45-0 home loss to LSU but has won its three games since, including a 19-14 stunner at Auburn two weeks ago.

Last week, the Bulldogs downed Football Championship Subdivision squad Gardner-Webb at home, 31-15.

Anthony Dixon rushed for 86 yards and two TDs for the Bulldogs, who gained 213 yards on 40 carries.

Josh Riddell and Wesley Carroll combined to complete 12-of-19 passes for 166 yards, a touchdown and an interception filling in for injured starter Michael Henig (broken hand).

The Bulldogs have won three straight games for the first time since 2000.

South Carolina posted a 15-0 road win over Mississippi State last year. The Gamecocks have won four straight in the series since a 17-0 setback in Starkville under Lou Holtz in 1999.

The Gamecocks will be without standout linebacker Jasper Brinkley, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ligament in his right knee suffered in last week's loss to LSU.