Oct. 6, 2008

University of South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley has been selected as the Southeastern Conference Offense Player of the Week for his performance last Saturday in the Gamecocks’ 31-24 win at Ole Miss, the conference office announced today.

Smelley, a 6-2, 211-pound sophomore from Tuscaloosa, Ala., completed 22-of-32 passes for a career-high 327 yards and three touchdowns, matching his career high, in the Gamecocks’ road win. He threw touchdown passes of 20, 6 and 4 yards. He also connected on a career-best 63-yard completion to tight end Jared Cook.

For the season, Smelley has completed 99-of-157 passes for 1,171 yards. His completion percentage of 63.1 is second among SEC quarterbacks, while his nine touchdown passes ties for the SEC lead.

Smelley will lead the South Carolina Gamecocks (4-2, 1-2 SEC) into Lexington this weekend to face the Kentucky Wildcats (4-1, 0-1 SEC). Game time is set for 12:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised regionally on the Raycom Sports Network.