COLUMBIA – After defeating nationally fourth-ranked University of Mississippi, the University of South Carolina football team appears to have suffered no hangover as it prepares to take on in-state opponent South Carolina State University with the same fervor.

There is a reason the Gamecocks are not basking in the glory of their most recent win, according to several players and coach Steve Spurrier.

While the term “New Carolina” is frequently cited to explain the team’s attitude this season, a small group of seniors and selected other players are making sure the squad is approaching this season differently than in recent seasons.

“It is not like we all got together or anything, or made huge plans,” said senior defensive tackle Nathan Pepper, a former Greenville High star. “Coach Spurrier just kind of gave us the ownership of the team. He let it be known that these are the guys he wants to take over. He let the guys make decisions – things like picking what we wear at the games, things like that.

“When issues come up, guys have to handle it. That kind of gives us ownership over the team.”

Those taking ownership are captains Eric Norwood and Cliff Matthews on defense and Moe Brown and Patrick DiMarco on offense. The remainder of the team’s small group of nine seniors is also involved.

One thing the captains have in common, according to Spurrier, is their performance on the field, which makes it easier to lead.

“Cliff Matthews and Eric Norwood are our two defensive captains, and when we read off the list of players who really had outstanding games, those are the two on defense every week,” Spurrier said. “And Patrick DiMarco and Moe Brown are usually on the list of the few offensive guys who really have good offensive games.

“So when your captains and your older guys play well, then certainly they have a great chance to be leaders for you.”

The attitude did not start in the fall, however. It has been a long time in the making.

“We had the mindset during the summer, during the offseason, in the spring,” said Brown, who has 12 catches for 183 yards and has rushed twice for 53 yards, “that we were going to approach it differently, hold each other more accountable, whereas maybe that wasn’t the case before.”

That accountability has the team guarding against a letdown. Two years ago, the Gamecocks won six of their first seven games, rising to No. 6 in the national polls. They finished by dropping their last five games and sitting home during bowl season. A year ago, the team lost its final three games by wide margins and finished 7-6.

“Why we weren’t as consistent before – not finishing games, the lack of leadership, team chemistry — I think are bigger factors than just the X’s and O’s of the games,” Brown said. “When you’ve got that team chemistry where you know that man beside you, you don’t want to let him down.”

Pepper believes “New Carolina” is more than a cliché.

“I have been here since 2005, and it has definitely changed,” Pepper said. “As far as our workouts, we have guys taking ownership. … There is no coach punishing guys, trying to make them do stuff, talking to them. It is just like if you miss something, come in here and get your work done. That is pretty much how it has been.

“That is the difference this year.”

n Willie T. Smith III can be reached at 298-4313.

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