"This is probably the biggest win we've had in a couple ofyears, no doubt about it," Crimson Tide senior quarterback Brodie Croyle said.

Alabama gained 489 yards. It was the best offensive performance of the Shula era and it easily outdid No.7 Georgia's 17-point, 350-yard performance against the same South Carolina defense just one week earlier.

The Crimson Tide gained 338 yards on the ground, behind a young offensive line that opened holes big enough to fit one of the SUVs parked at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds across the street from Williams-Brice Stadium.

"They ran the ball down our throats," South Carolina safety Ko Simpson said. "It was frustrating and embarrassing."

Alabama's defense held the Gamecocks (1-2) to 256 yards. Spurrier's vaunted passing game rarely found a rhythm. Sophomore quarterback Blake Mitchell, who led the SEC with an average of 283 passing yards per game, threw for just 173. Despite entering with a 70-percent completion rate, Mitchell completed only 20-of-38 and found himself replaced by redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner on the opening possession of the second half.

"I know (Mitchell) was kind of confused," Tide safety Roman Harper said. "He looked up and thought that people were open that weren't."

Tide cornerback Simeon Castille intercepted one of Mitchell's passes and dropped another one thrown right to him.

At the end of the day, the Crimson Tide had handed Spurrier the worst home loss of his coaching career, surpassing Spurrier's 35-16 loss to Wake Forest while coaching at Duke on Nov. 5, 1988.