SCSU Pough excited for return to Williams-Brice

By Lou Bezjak , SCnow.com

Buddy Pough knows this isn’t a normal game week.
With the extra media at his weekly press conference and practice, the S.C. State coach can sense the buildup for the Bulldogs’ first game in school history against No. 17 South Carolina on Saturday.

“It has been an unbelievable atmosphere,” Pough said Tuesday during the MEAC teleconference. “It’s neat that the kids can compete in a venue that is as exciting as Williams-Brice.”

S.C. State’s fans are sharing in the excitement. The school went through its allotted 3,000 tickets, given to them by South Carolina, very quickly. When the school received 1,500 more in August, they were scooped up in less than a week.
“It’s almost going to be like a home game for us with our fans coming there to see us,” Pough said.

Pough is no stranger to Williams-Brice Stadium. He was an assistant with the Gamecocks under Lou Holtz from 1999-2001. He was in charge of the running backs and coached Troy Hambrick and Derek Watson during his time there.

“It was an enjoyable time for me and my family to coach there,” Pough said. “I look forward to going back there this weekend.”

While Pough was at USC, the Gamecocks made back-to-back trips to the Outback Bowl and were close to competing for SEC titles both years.

Current coach Steve Spurrier, who is in his third year at USC, has said he believes he has a team that could contend for the school’s first SEC championship.
“I think so,” Pough said. “Spurrier has the best credibility and has been honest since he got there, and I think right now he believes he can do it.

“We were close, winning those two Outback Bowls. We had a shot. And when you get that close and you have been successful, it’s not a big stretch to think you can compete.”

Pough said he hopes his team can match up with the Bulldogs this weekend. S.C. State’s spread shotgun offense might give USC trouble like the team had in its opener against Louisiana-Lafayette.

The Ragin’ Cajuns racked up 315 yards of offense, including 252 on the ground. Quarterback Michael Desormeaux did most of the damage, rushing for 116 yards.
Bulldogs quarterback Cleveland McCoy is of the same mold, presenting a dual threat to the South Carolina defense. McCoy rushed for more than 400 yards and threw for more than 1,200 each of the past two seasons.

“We feel like we can go in and compete,” Pough said. “We might try and do some things that (Louisiana-Lafayette coach) Ricky Bustle did and were successful with.
“But we want to set up a scheme that will give us the best chance for success Saturday.”

Notes
Pough said safety Marshall McFadden is out for Saturday’s game. McFadden, a former Lamar standout, will miss two to three weeks after he hyperextended his knee Saturday against Bethune-Cookman. McFadden is tied for third on the team with 12 tackles. ... Pough said running back Will Ford is questionable for Saturday’s game. ... The Bulldogs will receive $230,000 from USC for playing the game. The teams will meet again in 2011.