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SPURRIER DISMISSES ALLEGATIONS

Steve Spurrier dismissed as "internet crap" a report on a Clemson web site Monday that USC committed major violations in the successful recruitment of defensive end Travian Robertson of Laurinburg, N.C.

Spurrier blamed the story on envious college football programs fearful that USC is about to become a highly successful – and winning - program. He said he dealt with the same innuendo when he was head coach at Florida.

"It doesn't bother me. Some people think we've got something going here," Spurrier said. "We may be building a football program that's going to irritate some people. We've got some commitments from kids that some people don't like. Whatever they can find negative to say, they're going to do it. Our fans need to understand that. That's the way life is. They don't want to see us have something good going. That's part of the game."

Spurrier says he spoke with Tyrone Nix, who was accused in the article of making illegal phone calls to Robertson and his family. Nix, USC's defensive coordinator, assured him nothing improper occurred. Spurrier contended Kevin Milligan, a central figure in the article, was a "long-time friend of the family up there."

Under NCAA rules, Milligan had a "pre-existing relationship" with the family and thus, contrary to the core allegations in the article on the Clemson web site, Milligan was not a booster.

Spurrier compared the truthfulness and accuracy of the article to the one that appeared on CSTV.com early Sunday claiming that Spurrier would "likely" become the next head coach at Miami.

"That report had a lot of similarities to report that had me going to Miami," Spurrier said. "I don't like to comment on internet crap. Anybody can put anything on there. Why people believe it is beyond me. If we made any impermissible phone calls we would certainly turn ourselves in."

MITCHELL HONORED BY SEC: USC quarterback Blake Mitchell, whose incredible resurgence continued against Middle Tennessee two days ago, was honored as the SEC Player-of-the-Week after connecting on 21-of-28 passes for a career-high 388 yards and four touchdowns in USC's convincing 52-7 win over the Blue Raiders.

Mitchell tossed two touchdown strikes to Sidney Rice for 37 and 27 yards and one each to Andy Boyd (15 yards) and Cory Boyd (19 yards). He was 13-of-18 for 250 yards in the first half.

In the 10 quarters since replacing Syvelle Newton as quarterback, Mitchell has completed 60-of-82 passes for876 yards with 6 touchdowns and one interception.

Mitchell becomes the fourth USC player to be honored with Player-of-the-Week honors by the SEC, joining Ryan Succop, Sidney Rice and Casper Brinkley.

NOTES:

-- Spurrier accepted sarcastic congratulations from the media for being named the new head coach at Alabama Monday. "It's always flattering when someone throws the South Carolina coach's name out there," he said. 'I'm very happy here. We're going to try to win us an SEC."

-- Spurrier said he agreed with Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden that the pre-game handshake is not needed this year. "We're going over there to play football," Spurrier said. "They don't have to worry about that fighting crap anymore. Not on our side, that's for sure and I don't think on their side (either). Let's go play football. If they want to do cartwheels coming down the hill, that's fine with me."

-- Spurrier discounted a newspaper reporter's question that he's de-emphasized the rivalry with Clemson. Spurrier acknowledged he's also concerned with conference games but described Clemson as USC's biggest rival. "This is the biggest game of the year," Spurrier said. "This could make it a good year for us if we find a way to beat those guys."