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Spurrier, Fulmer resume rivalry in Knoxville

Oct 27, 2007 - 11:32 AM No. 15 South Carolina (6-2) at Tennessee (4-3) 7:45 pm EDT

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier certainly does not want to lose to Phil Fulmer a second straight year.

The bitter rivals renew acquaintances on Saturday when Spurrier's 15th-ranked Gamecocks visit Fulmer's Tennessee team for a Southeastern Conference showdown.

Spurrier, who got the better of Fulmer while coaching at Florida, guided South Carolina to its first win in Knoxville two years ago, 16-15.

Last year, however, Fulmer got revenge in Columbia, where the Volunteers posted a 31-24 victory.

South Carolina (6-2, 3-2 SEC East) is in a three-way tie atop the division with Florida and Georgia, which meet Saturday.

But the Gamecocks are coming off a surprising 17-6 home loss to Vanderbilt, which is last in the six-team East but just one game out of first.

Chris Smelley was intercepted twice, so Spurrier brought back in former starter Blake Mitchell, who completed just 9-of-18 passes and was intercepted once. The Gamecocks also mustered just 26 yards on 22 carries.

Tennessee (4-3, 2-2 East) was blown out last week at Alabama, 41-17.

Erik Ainge threw for 243 yards and a TD with an interception for the Volunteers, who held a 14-10 lead early in the second quarter before the Crimson Tide stormed past them.