Chris Smelley always thought he could excel at quarterback for South Carolina. He got some extra-special support from the Southeastern Conference as the league’s player of the week on offense for his efforts against Ole Miss last week.

Steve Spurrier is glad he can concentrate on improving the play of one starter at quarterback for South Carolina, instead of auditioning passers at practice. Spurrier affirmed Tuesday that sophomore Chris Smelley would start at Kentucky on Saturday for the Gamecocks, who have won their past three games.

South Carolina fans weren’t the only ones to appreciate the breakout performance of quarterback Chris Smelley. The Gamecock sophomore was picked Monday as the Southeastern Conference’s player of the week on offense.