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UNC, South Carolina face off for first time in 16 years

Oct 13, 2007 - 10:47 AM No. 7 South Carolina (5-1) at North Carolina (2-4) 3:30 pm EDT

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Steve Spurrier gets a chance to prove that his brand of Carolina football is superior than Butch Davis'.

Spurrier's seventh-ranked South Carolina team visits Davis' North Carolina squad on Saturday in the programs' first meeting in 16 years.

North Carolina leads the all-time series with South Carolina, 34-1-4. But the teams have not met since 1991, when the Tar Heels posted a 21-17 win here.

The Gamecocks are coming off an impressive home win, a 38-23 Southeastern Conference triumph over previously undefeated Kentucky last Thursday.

Making his second start, Chris Smelley completed 17-of-30 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns without an interception for the Gamecocks, who forced four turnovers and committed just one.

Playing its first season under Davis, North Carolina improved to 2-4 on the campaign with a 33-27 home win over Miami - Davis' old team - in Atlantic Coast Conference action.

Brandon Tate scored on a 54-yard reverse to give North Carolina a 27-0 lead five minutes into the second quarter, but the Tar Heels had to sweat out the victory.