Oct. 8, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina defensive end Eric Norwood and quarterback Chris Smelley each earned honors from the SEC following their performances last Thursday in the Gamecocks’ 38-23 win against Kentucky. Norwood received SEC Defensive Player of the Week accolades with Smelley named Freshman of the Week for a second consecutive week.

A sophomore from Acworth, Ga., Norwood became just the fourth player in NCAA Division I history to return two fumbles for touchdowns in a single game. He also registered five solo tackles, notched one tackle for a loss, had two pass deflections and a quarterback pressure. The Gamecock defense forced four turnovers in the win over the eighth ranked Wildcats.

In his second straight start at quarterback and his third of his career, Smelley completed 17-of-30 passes for 256 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The freshman from Tuscaloosa, Ala. directed two fourth quarter scoring drives that both ended on TD passes. For the season, Smelley has completed 58-of-107 passes for 810 yards with six TDs and three interceptions.

South Carolina returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 13 at North Carolina with kickoff set for 3:30 pm ET on ABC.