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South Carolina looks to snap skid at Arkansas

Nov 3, 2007 - 10:42 AM No. 23 South Carolina (6-3) at Arkansas (5-3) 8:00 pm EDT

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas (Ticker) -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier does not want to experience a three-game losing streak for a second straight year.

Spurrier's No. 23 Gamecocks hope to return to the win column Saturday when they visit Arkansas in a Southeastern Conference matchup.

Last year, South Carolina lost to No. 8 Tennessee, No. 12 Arkansas and at No. 6 Florida between late-October and mid-November.

This year, the Gamecocks have lost back-to-back games to unranked teams Vanderbilt - at home, no less - and the Volunteers.

In last weekend's 27-24 overtime setback at Tennessee, South Carolina (6-3, 3-3 SEC East) erased a three-touchdown deficit to take a 24-21 lead.

But the Gamecocks allowed the Vols to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation, then were unable to score in the extra session after the hosts took the lead.

Blake Mitchell came off the bench to replace the ineffective Chris Smelley to throw for 290 yards, a TD and an interception in the defeat.

Arkansas (5-3, 1-3 West) has won consecutive games by a combined 102-18, including last week's 58-10 rout of Florida International, which has lost 20 straight games.

Star tailback Darren McFadden ran for just 61 yards, but he did score four times on his 19 carries for the Razorbacks, who lost starting quarterback Casey Dick to a concussion in the second quarter.

The road team has won the past two meetings, with Arkansas posting a 26-20 win last year.