South Carolina shuts out N.C. State 34-0 in season opener (Spartanburg Herald-Journal)
Published: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:40 p.m. COLUMBIA — South Carolina cornerback Captain Munnerlyn called Thursday’s beginning of the Ellis Johnson regime a return to the school of hard knocks that the Gamecocks defense needed.

South Carolina socks N.C. State despite QB woes for Spurrier (Austin American-Statesman)
South Carolina overcame four interceptions by first-time starter Tommy Beecher to give Steve Spurrier his 16th straight opening game victory, 34-0 over North Carolina State on Thursday night.

South Carolina rolls in a sloppy opener (The Charlotte Observer)
South Carolina's 34-0 season-opening victory against N.C. State on Thursday night in Williams-Brice Stadium answered one significant question about the Gamecocks, but perhaps raised an even bigger one. Coach Steve Spurrier learned the Gamecocks' defense, which made opening night a miserable experience for the Wolfpack, might be as good as advertised, which is doubly encouraging considering the ...

Observations: N.C. State vs. South Carolina (The Charlotte Observer)
Quarterback Tommy Beecher 's first start at South Carolina did not get off to an auspicious beginning

South Carolina 34, North Carolina St. 0. (The Charlotte Observer)
South Carolina overcame four interceptions by first-time starter Tommy Beecher to give Steve Spurrier his 16th-straight opening game victory, 34-0 over North Carolina State on Thursday night. Mike Davis and Taylor Rank had rushing touchdowns, and Dion LeCorn and Jared Cook caught TD passes from backup Chris Smelley to lift the Gamecocks and keep alive Spurrier's first-week streak which began in ...