Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

USC football: Senior tries to gain notice

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina launched a Web site this week to promote senior linebacker Eric Norwood.

Now the All-American hopeful intends to add some new highlight videos and records.

Norwood, a two-time All-SEC selection and USC's all-time sacks leader, has been mired in a midseason drought.

He's gone more than five weeks without a sack, dating to the Gamecocks' victory against Mississippi. He had two sacks that game to give him 28 for his career and move atop the school's career list.

Since the Ole Miss game that was televised nationally, Norwood has faced a number of double teams, chip blocks from running backs and offenses on the lookout for where the Gamecocks' No. 40 lines up.

"It's been tough," Norwood said this week. "But it's opened it up for other guys (with) a lot of guys keying on me. Others guys are able to make a lot of tackles and make plays, and that's cool with me."

Despite the recent drought, Norwood has maintained a share of the SEC sack lead. He and Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap are tied with six.

Dunlap, a Charleston-area native who took an official visit to USC, edged Norwood for the sack title last season with 9.5 sacks; Norwood had nine.

"This is about the time that me and him turned it up last year down the stretch, going at it," Norwood said. "When we played them last year, we were talking during the game, talking junk. I hosted him on his visit when he came here. So we're still cool."

When Norwood reversed course last January and decided to return to USC for his final season, he cited team and personal reasons. The Gamecocks' season-ending, three-game losing streak had left a bitter taste. He also wanted to break the sacks record and make a run at national awards.

After his fast start, Norwood was included on several midseason All-American squads. He is a semifinalist for the Lombardi, Butkus and Bednarik awards.

There are signs Norwood could be priming for a strong finish like last season when he bunched nine sacks in a three-week stretch against Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida, including a career-high three in a victory against the Razorbacks.

Despite the extra blockers he has drawn, Norwood has continued to get in the backfield and create pressure.

He narrowly missed a sack of Tennessee's Jonathan Crompton last week in a 31-13 loss to the Volunteers. Tennessee attempted 24 passes, the fourth time in five games an opponent has thrown 25 passes or fewer against the Gamecocks.

Norwood, the SEC's active leader in sacks and tackles for loss (51.5), today will try to throw off Arkansas quarterback and SEC passing leader Ryan Mallett. Norwood should get plenty of chances to pressure Mallett, who attempts about 30 passes per game.