... N.C. State, the defense looked like another one of Carolina's stingy defensive units. With standout players at every level of the defense, it appeared as though Carolina's unit could even make the Gamecocks contenders in the SEC East all by itself.

Considering the puny offensive output of a single touchdown in the season opener by the offense, it looked like another nail-biting year of leaning on Ellis Johnson and company.

Then the injury bug hit the Carolina defense, and it hit hard.

The Gamecocks endured season-ending knee injuries to both their starting middle linebacker Rodney Paulk and starting defensive tackle Travian Robertson—two injuries that hit Carolina right in what might as well have been their strained groin.<...

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