Georgia brings out best in safety

ATHENS, Ga. - Ko Simpson was a one-man show in the Bulldogs' 17-15 win over South Carolina.

The Gamecocks' sophomore safety broke up three passes and shut down Georgia's air attack. Simpson was responsible for one of two South Carolina interceptions, and he helped limit D.J. Shockley to 112 passing yards.

"That dude, he can write his ticket anywhere," Georgia split end Bryan McClendon said. "My hat's off to the guy."

Simpson was the only Gamecock listed as a preseason all-SEC selection.

The 2004 SEC Freshman of the Year is a first team All-American pick by The Sporting News, and he's also on the Bronko Nagurski Award watch list. The award is given to the top defensive player in college football.

The 6-foot-1, 201-pound Simpson earned the hype after his 2004 season. He recorded a team-best six interceptions and tied for the SEC lead.

Simpson had a rather quiet game against Central Florida in the season opener. He logged seven tackles with no passes defended or interceptions.

But he elevated his game against rival Georgia, like he did last season.

In 2004, he picked off a David Greene pass and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown.

Simpson came up huge once again for the Gamecocks.

Early in the second quarter, Shockley looked left and threw a pass intended for Sean Bailey. Simpson closed in and batted the ball, and cornerback Johnathan Jackson hauled in the interception.

Jackson rumbled 42 yards down the right sideline for South Carolina's first touchdown of the game. The Gamecocks trailed 7-6.

"Usually the safety goes off the hatch deep," Georgia flanker Sean Bailey said about the play. "(Simpson) read the play and he jumped it. He made a good play and tipped it."

Earlier, Simpson snuffed out Shockley's fourth-down bomb to Bailey at the goal line. He then nearly picked off Shockley, stepping in front of tight end Leonard Pope and knocking the ball away.

Georgia opened the second half on offense.

On the Bulldogs' first play, Shockley tossed a pass over the middle. Simpson had his hands on the ball but couldn't hold on.

"He's a good player," Shockley said. "He's got good range. He sees the ball well."

- South Carolina senior fulback Daccus Turman returned Saturday from a one-game suspension for his first action of the season. The former Washington-Wilkes standout was punished for participating in a brawl in South Carolina's 2004 season-ending contest with Clemson.

Turman finished Saturday's game as the Gamecocks' leading receiver, catching seven passes for 30 yards.

He also gained 22 yards rushing on five attempts and returned two kickoffs for 25 yards.

"It's hard to lose a close game like this tonight, especially when you're fighting the whole game and the contest comes down to one or two plays," he said. "It's a tough loss. I'm disappointed we didn't pull it out.

"Right now it hurts, but when Monday hits we have to start preparation for the next game."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.