Davis shines in fourth

COLUMBIA — For three quarters, running backs Mike Davis could do little right in the Gamecocks running game.

Through three quarters, Davis had just 11 yards on seven attempts.

The fourth quarter was a different story.

With quarterback Chris Smelley inserted into the lineup, replacing an injured Tommy Beecher, Davis, ran at will on the North Carolina State defense in the Gamecocks' 34-0 win over Wolfpack.

Davis ran for 90 yards in the fourth quarter and finished with 101 yards on 14 attempts. Davis' 50-yard run, the longest of his career, set up the Gamecocks' third touchdown of the game.

However, Davis had to wait his turn to get into the game.

As promised Taylor Rank, who had not started a game in two years, was in on the first offensive series against the Wolfpack.

USC coach Steve Spurrier announced Monday that the 6-0, 215-pound Rank would start in place of Davis, who had been the heir apparent to Cory Boyd at running back.

Rank's last start came in 2006, when he rushed for 101 yards in USC's 45-6 win over Florida Atlantic. Since that Florida Atlantic game, Rank had gained just three yards on seven attempts.

Davis came into the season with 1,658 career yards and 16 TDs.

Spurrier said he started Rank over Davis because the Vancouver, Wash., native had had a better preseason.

However, according to published reports, Davis was being disciplined after breaking into a sports drink refrigerator after practice Sunday.

Brinkley, Pepper return

When Arkansas running Darren McFadden and Florida quarterback Tim Tebow were shredding the Gamecocks' defense late last season, All-SEC linebacker Jasper Brinkley and defensive tackle Nathan Pepper were on the sideline for USC with injuries.

Pepper and Brinkley were back in action Thursday night after missing the majority of the 2007 season.

Brinkley, a preseason All-America candidate in 2007, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game of the season against LSU, while Pepper tore an ACL after returning an interception 19 yards in the third game against South Carolina State.

Brinkley and Pepper both started against the Wolfpack. Brinkley had two tackles and Pepper had a tackle for loss in the victory.

Wilson knocked out

N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson was knocked out of the game late in the second quarter after getting sandwiched between USC defensive ends Jordin Lindsey and Cliff Matthews.

Wilson, who was taken off the field on a stretcher, suffered a Grade 3 concussion and was taken to a local Columbia hospital, according to the N.C. State medical staff.

Wilson, a redshirt freshman, was running to his right when Lindsey tackled him. Wilson fell backwards and his head hit Mathews' knee, twisting his neck.

Wilson appeared to lose consciousness on impact.

As Wilson was being lifted onto the back of a cart, he gave a thumbs-up sign to the Wolfpack sideline.

Stewart starts

Defensive spur Darian Stewart's left foot was healthy enough for him to make the start Thursday night.

Stewart was a game-time decision, coaches said after Tuesday's practice.

If Stewart couldn't go, converted receiver Larry Freeman was set to step in for him. Freshman Antonio Allen was listed as third at the position.

If more experience is needed, first-year defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson also said junior strong safety Emanuel Cook might slide up to the position and junior Chris Hail would play in Cook's spot.

The spur position, a linebacker-safety hybrid, is new in Johnson's defense.

Collision course

N.C. State defensive end Willie Young found out how physical the game was going to be even before the kickoff.

As the Gamecocks players were running onto the field, the male cheerleader carrying the letter "L" in the C-A-R-O-L-I-N-A banner ran into Young as he was making his way to the Wolfpack sidelines.

Young, a 6-4, 245-pound junior, was hit at about the 15-yard line with a clean hit and knocked to the Williams-Brice Stadium turf.

Young got up slowly and appeared to limp to the Wolfpack sideline. He was OK, though. He made two tackles on the Gamecocks' first offensive possession and sacked Beecher on the fourth play from scrimmage.

Dress list

Here are the true freshmen who dressed out for Thursday's game: CB Akeem Auguste, WR C.C. Whitlock, LB Shaq Wilson, SPUR Allen, RB Eric Baker, P Ryan Doerr, LS Walker Inabinet and DE Devin Taylor.

Here are the freshmen who did not dress and are likely candidates for a redshirt season: WR D.L. Moore, QB Aramis Hillary, QB Reid McCollum (from Summerville), RB Kenny Miles, OL T.J. Johnson, DE Melvin Ingram.

As expected, LT Jamon Meredith (eligibility issue) and DE Donte'e Nicholls (ankle) did not dress.

No more double duty

In hopes of giving kicker Ryan Succop a little rest, sophomore Spencer Lanning got his first action at punter.

For the past two seasons, Succop had handled all the punting and place-kicking duties for the Gamecocks.

While Lanning's first effort was a low line drive, it had plenty of distance, traveling 49 yards into the end zone for a touchback.