COLUMBIA Steve Spurrier has always seen the beauty of football from the offensive side, admiring big plays and ingenious schemes.

But given what he has seen from his team's defense this season and particularly Saturday night in Williams-Brice Stadium, the South Carolina coach has come to see beauty from the other side.

Not, perhaps, by choice but out of necessity.

“I'm gaining a deep appreciation of our defense and special teams. They were almost perfect tonight,” Spurrier said after the Gamecocks methodically dispatched sinking Tennessee 27-6 Saturday night.

On a night when the Gamecocks (6-3, 3-3) became bowl eligible for the fourth time in four seasons under Spurrier, there was precious little offense for the ball coach to admire.

The Gamecocks managed only 255 yards of total offense, barely more than the 205 yards of return yards that included long fumble and interception returns.

But on the strength of one crackling offensive possession in the first quarter and a smothering defense, the Gamecocks piled on to the problems that have beset the Volunteers (3-6, 1-5) and their coach Phillip Fulmer.

Taking advantage of Stoney Woodson's 68-yard interception return for a touchdown and using a 38-yard fumble return by Captain Munnerlyn to set up another score, the Gamecocks led 21-0 at halftime.

Any potential drama drained away quickly in the second half as neither team was able to generate any offensive consistency. It was not an evening that will be remembered for its football fireworks.

It was fitting that South Carolina's punter, Spencer Lanning, was awarded the game ball after averaging 45 yards on eight punts.

“I don't think I've ever won a game where we punted eight times,” Spurrier said.

This wasn't a typical Tennessee team. The Volunteers gained just 207 yards, changed quarterbacks at one point, and seemed overmatched at times.

With rumors swirling about his future, Fulmer told his team after the game to “hang in there,” adding this is not why they came to play football at Tennessee.

While Fulmer has more pressing concerns, Spurrier and the Gamecocks have issues to resolve before closing the season against Arkansas, Florida and Clemson.

Quarterback Stephen Garcia completed 9 of 19 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown in his second start, but still didn't show the grasp of the offense Spurrier wants to see.

Garcia suffered a minor knee injury in the third quarter after throwing an interception. He did not return, but Spurrier said the injury is not serious and Garcia could have played had the Gamecocks needed him.

By that point, it was a matter of managing the clock and avoiding mistakes. As Spurrier said, the best thing the South Carolina offense did against Tennessee was make just one turnover.

Looking at the stat sheet and seeing his team ran 44 times for 101 yards, Spurrier smiled.

“I said we were going to run the ball,” he said. “I didn't say we were going to run real far.”