...2010 Fantasy Champion

Told you this was going to be the result. Enough said. Winner!

...cue the violins

For many of us, Week 16 represents our Fantasy League's championship game. Both of my teams from two different leagues…are ‘ready to rumble’ in the big game. The end of the line. Where winners are crowned and losers obsess over their lineup errors for the next six months.

Losers!..Losers…I will win, I am confident of it. Mostly because of my superior intellect (and Michael Vick). C’mon Michael! You proved you can kill dogs…now go do it on the field. (I cannot stand the fact that he did that to dogs, but he has paid his debt to society).

But just because it's your last matchup of the season doesn't mean it's time to rest. Chances are you didn't breeze your way to the finals with your feet up and your finger off the mouse (like I did). In fact, being that this is the last game of the season win or lose several players on your roster doesn’t hold the same appeal as before. And unlike the previous weeks, knowing which players you're going up against before your game is important, and it could impact how you maneuver your lineup.

First things first: Set your lineup in advance. That determines who you'll likely start -- and subsequently determines who on your roster is expendable. Do you have two DSTs when you only need one? Been carrying an injured player hoping to get him back in time for this game? Got a dud wasting space on your bench? Anyone who you know you're not starting, and more importantly, don't think will help your opponent, is not worth owning. For instance, if you own Drew Brees and David Garrard, and your title-game rival this week has Michael Vick, then Garrard is a dead spot in your lineup. You don't need him, so drop him. Remember; don't cut anyone your fellow owner would consider picking up and starting himself.

Or just kiss your ass goodbye now…because I have Vick.

What do you do with this newfound space? If it were any week but this week, you'd claim the hottest players off of waivers. But this week it's not a bad idea to steal players your opponent might consider starting. For instance, let's say your Week 16 nemesis limped into the title game with Adrian Peterson on his or her team. Peterson was a surprise inactive in Week 15 and could easily find himself ruled out again on Sunday night. If your opponent doesn't have Toby Gerhart, he'd be a guy to target as well as any other good rushers on waivers. I'd recommend doing the same thing if you're going up against Arian Foster this week (which I am unfortunately) -- he was dinged last week and the Texans aren't playing for anything. Perhaps Derrick Ward will pick up a start against the Broncos in place of Foster. That’s why I grabbed Ward this morning off waivers.

What if your opponent is loaded and doesn't need to make a roster move? In that case it's all about maximizing your roster with good talent and eliminating the waste. You might even speculate on a second option for a starter who you're not 100 percent sure on. Let's say you've been disappointed with Dwayne Bowe's stats lately and while you'll probably start him in Week 16 vs. Tennessee, maybe you want to have another option. In that case you could pick up a receiver and drop that second DST or kicker. There's always room for improvement.

Something that's been bothering me all season: How come everyone on the bus in Atlanta bops their head to the rhythm of the music except Arthur Blank in that commercial? Blank has certainly seen things from the dark side. Just three years ago, the franchise was in shambles. Star quarterback Michael Vick headed off to prison for running a dogfighting ring (did I mention I don't care right now?)... Coach Bobby Petrino abandoned the team for the University of Arkansas after just 13 games.

The Falcons started over — new quarterback, new coach, new general manager — but those who thought it would take years to bounce back were way off the mark.  The Falcons (11-2) have already gotten a third consecutive winning mark out of the way, setting their sights on much loftier goals. (Oh, did I mention I have Michael Turner as well?). It pays to be brilliant.

Just remember, it's go-for-broke week. You worked hard to get to this point, so don't stop fighting now.

Or…hand me the trophy now before you get whipped….see ya in the winner's circle. Cue the violins!

...I want 'Chucky' for Christmas!

The Denver Broncos wanted Josh McDaniels to bring the New England Patriots' winning ways with him to the Rocky Mountains when they hired Bill Belichick's brash, young disciple 22 months ago.

What they got instead was the ash-gray hoodie and their very own videotaping scandal to go with a pile of losses and personnel blunders that cost him his job not even halfway through his four-year contract.

McDaniels, the successor to Mike Shanahan in Denver, began his Broncos coaching career with a bang, going 6-0. But since then, the team has gone just 5-17. The loss to the Chiefs on Sunday was their seventh defeat in eight games, dropping the Broncos' 2010 record to 3-9.

He was fired Monday in the midst of the franchise's worst skid in four decades. Spread the word on facebook, twitter and to all your friends. Woo Hoo!

'Baby Josh' might be best known for his decisions to trade quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall over the past year as well as his surprising decision to select Tim Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft.

The Broncos traded Cutler and a fifth-round draft pick to Chicago in April of 2009, in exchange for Kyle Orton, first- and third-round picks in 2009 and a 2010 first-rounder. Denver then shipped Marshall to Miami after the 2009 season, following McDaniels' late-season benching of Marshall for disciplinary reasons. And to top it off.... the Broncos unloaded Peyton Hillis just prior to the 2010 draft, sending him and a pair of draft picks to Cleveland for Brady Quinn. What? My Fantasy Team trades better than that!

And...the organization was embarrassed by McDaniels' role in a videotaping scandal that resulted in the firing of a Broncos cameraman and league-imposed fines of $50,000 for both McDaniels and the team. A former team employee was found to have improperly taped a 49ers practice the day before the 49ers beat the Broncos in a game played at London's Wembley Stadium on Oct. 31.

The ex-employee, NFL investigators found, offered to show the tape to McDaniels, who refused to look at it and ordered it destroyed. But McDaniels failed to inform team brass or the league about the matter as required by league rules relating to the integrity of the game, leading to the fines.

Hey! Could there be a second John Elway Era in Denver?

Today, Broncos Chief Operating Officer Joe Ellis publicly stated what has been known for some time — that the franchise’s all-time greatest player has been serving as a consultant for the Broncos. John Elway’s involvement has been predominantly on the business side, but recent developments suggest his role could quickly be expanding within the Broncos organization.

Ellis seems to recognize (and indicates that Bowlen recognizes) that they need to change the model. Ellis graciously admitted that the Broncos may have ensured McDaniels' failure by giving him way too much responsibility. It sounds like they will be changing the model going forward.

First, there was Elway’s address of the players during practice a few weeks ago, a move clearly outside his capacity as “business consultant.” Then, there was a groundswell of media support for Elway’s increased involvement within the franchise, potentially in a pro personnel/front office role.

Denver news reported that Pat Bowlen had dinner with John Elway at the Cherry Creek Elway's restaurant. It seems more and more likely that John Elway will be brought back into the fold.

“One of the things that (Broncos Owner) Pat (Bowlen) asked him to do was come back in the building and get involved with the team,” Ellis said during the team’s press conference Tuesday. “He’s been at practices and in the course of meetings we have on the business side, he’s shared thoughts about the team (and) he’s expressed an interest to some of you in the room.

“I don’t take that lightly and Pat doesn’t take that lightly, that’s for sure,” Ellis continued. “The conversations we’ve had with John clearly indicate one thing. He loves the Broncos, and loves Denver.”

Those conversations, however, are very preliminary. “I don’t know where that’s going to go, if anywhere, I really don’t,” Ellis said. “But, I respect the fact that he’s interested in helping the Broncos. He has a lot of qualities that perhaps could lend themselves to helping the Broncos. But, I don’t know if that’s going to advance at this point or not.”

Will The Duke’s comeback be in a full-time front office role? Is Elway aptly armed for such service? (Yes, I just questioned Elway’s arm). I’m honestly on the fence on this one folks. On-field prowess does not necessarily translate into off-field football acumen, and Elway has no scouting experience. I sense Pat Bowlen is on the fence on this one, too, or Elway would already be signed, sealed and delivered.

We have some time, Mr. Bowlen. Let’s do our due diligence here. Talk to John, and see what he can bring to the table. He’ll bring ticket sales and fan excitement and unquestioned support, for sure — but will he make the Broncos better? And if, Mr. Bowlen, you ultimately decide to bring him in, bring in some checks and balances as well — something I’m sure you wish you had done two years ago with Josh McDaniels.

Then go and get Jon Gruden at any cost! Chucky! John and Jon!

...Minnesota's 'cash for clunkers' program

I have always loved Brett Favre. Today the Vikings quarterback will make his 296th consecutive start against the Washington Redskins, but he’ll do so under the weather...and does anyone care?

Favre told ESPN that he’s been sick most of the week and he might have pneumonia. Favre received a steroid pack, had an injection and missed a portion of team meetings on Saturday because he was resting, according to the report.

Favre has told the media he wants to start the final six games and then retire for good. Thank God!  He is 41 years old, has thrown an NFL-high 17 interceptions, and his 69.8 passer rating is the second-worst in the league.

What a difference a year makes. It was last year at this time when Brad Childress had plenty to be thankful for. Mainly, Brett Favre! Favre completed an amazing 88 percent of his passes in a sold-out Metrodome where the Minnesota Vikings routed Seattle 35-9 and improved their record to 9-1.

The Viking fanatics gave Favre a standing ovation. Seattle head coach Jim Mora gave Favre a chance to quit while he was ahead.

“Would you please retire?” Mora pleaded to Favre.

Of course, Mora’s father is best known more for his infamous 2001 post-game tirade as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts: “Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game.”

Had Brad Childress not been fired as the Vikings coach Monday morning, he could have used the same line at his weekly press conference. Vikings assistant Leslie Frazier should’ve used the line when he was introduced as the Vikings’ eighth head coach Monday afternoon.

Playoffs? Are you kidding me? Frazier just hopes this disheveled group of Vikings can win at least one more game this season.

Last Sunday’s embarrassing 31-3 loss to the Packers put a fork in the 3-7 Vikings. They are as done as that 25-pound turkey Clark Griswold overcooked in National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation.”

“Save the neck for me, Clark.”

Obviously, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has had better seasons. The future Hall of Famer leads the league with 17 interceptions. His 69.8 passer rating is the lowest of his career since his rookie season. I know I said that already...but "come on man!!"

The Vikings, who lost in overtime in the NFC championship game last season, are 3-7. Favre reportedly was at odds with former coach Brad Childress, who was fired and replaced, on an interim basis, by defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

Favre is still capable of big performances. In Week 9, Favre passed for a season-high 446 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions as he led the Vikings to a 27-24 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

He still can sling it…but too much has happened this year Brett…give it up. Do something that no one would expect out of you. Quit. Not at the end of the year…quit now. Go home and mend your relationship with your wife that has been your supporter through thick and thin.

And since you have trouble deciphering the two…this is a “thin” time sir. Mora was right…retire.

...can you generate customer loyalty?

That may be one of the toughest questions your organization has to answer. A consumer might be completely satisfied with a brand, but does that mean she won't jump at a chance to save money, become more efficient, etc?

It can be hard to stay loyal when there are many options available, and simply providing world class customer satisfaction is no longer enough.

Walker Information Inc. recently polled consumers on the topic of loyalty. Their research indicated "there's still a yawning gap between the percentage of people who say they're satisfied with a business and those who consider themselves 'loyal' to that business-intent on maintaining the relationship and continuing it into the future. Many companies have figured out how to deliver satisfaction, but they've not yet figured out how to earn loyalty anywhere near those levels."

With increased competition, and focuses on cost, all companies must continually exceed their client's expectations and focus on building long-term, profitable relationships. Delivering results, at a fair price and with the right level of attention has never been more important or challenging.

Every company spends a huge amount of time and resources on retention. I once worked for a company that each month, we implemented new strategies to 'save' customers from switching to other companies, all while trying to balance profitability and customer satisfaction. The one thing we failed to do was to prepare for our customers' future needs. Most of the time, when we were at the point of trying to retain them, it was already too late.

Anticipating those customers' needs lets them know that you care about their business, and you want them to reach their goal. Instead of focusing on how to simply retain, companies need to think about building rock-solid relationships that have customers wanting to do business with them over their competitors.

Is your company focused on meeting customers' future needs?

..next-5 steps to getting there...

...Cincinnati soon found out

Sparky Anderson was as much a storyteller as he was a baseball manager. Games come and go. Wins and losses are forgotten. But the stories endure.

And that is why Sparky and Casey Stengel are the two managers most prevalent in the memories of fans. They had substance and a pleasantly fractured style that made us want more of them. But we’ve gotten all we’re going to get of Sparky. He died Thursday of complications with dementia shortly after being placed in hospice care at his long-time home in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

He won 2,194 games and three World Series with the Cincinnati Reds (1975, 1976) and Detroit Tigers (1984). And he won over countless people to the game he loved with a passion. There was a reason behind much of what many labeled simply as Sparky being Sparky. Using his gift of gab to take the pressure off his players exemplified that approach.

Anderson was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame five years later, joining many of the players who had been instrumental in racking up all those wins. And he made clear in his induction speech how much his players had meant to him.

"Let me tell you this, and get it straight, and I hope every manager that follows me will listen very carefully: players earn this, by their skills," he said. "Managers come here, as I did, on their backs, for what they did for me. I never believed different, I will never believe different, and I think that's what made my career so lucky."

When Anderson landed in Cincinnati on Oct. 9, 1969 when I was just a kid, for his introductory press conference, he was greeted by a Cincinnati Enquirer headline that shouted the thought on everyone's mind: "Sparky Who?" No one had ever heard of this guy.

Cincinnati soon found out. The Reds went 102-60 in Anderson's first year, making the playoffs for the first time since 1961. They fell to the Baltimore Orioles in five games in the World Series, but the bar had been raised on the banks of the Ohio River (I cried when we lost by the way). After a brief fall back to 79-83 in 1971, the Reds reeled off five consecutive seasons in which they won at least 95 games.

For years as a young boy I watched from Lexington, Kentucky as Sparky built the ‘Big Red Machine.’ I loved watching him and the Reds as they set the bar higher than even the experts predicted they could as the 'team of the decade.'
You will be missed...and don't step on the chalk line as you enter the gate.

p.s. You even turned me into a Detroit fan years later….

...people can be so damn rude!

People can be so damn rude. A prima donna plops herself in front of everyone standing in line at Fry’s. A guy sitting next to his date is ignoring her as he furiously texts someone else. 

A motorist...who either forgot or did not bother to prepare for an upcoming turn.... cuts off three lanes of traffic just to make it work. These are not hypothetical situations, but a few fine Portland examples.

And obviously discourtesy is not limited to the Pacific NW, but instead rears its ugly, rotting head throughout the entire U.S. of A.

SURVEYS:
• A full 69 percent of folks who answered an August Rasmuseen Reports survey of 1,000 adults across the nation said people are generally becoming ruder and less civilized

• Nearly 70% questioned in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll said people are ruder than they were 20 or 30 years ago. The trend is noticed in large and small places alike, although more urban people report bad manners
• A mere 14 percent, perhaps those who don’t get out much, said people were becoming kinder and gentler while 17 percent were “not sure.” (Maybe they were too busy texting during a date to give the question much thought)

• Other poll results had 62 percent saying Americans were ruder to sales personnel than they were 10 years ago and, in turn, 57 percent saying the sales personnel were also ruder to customers than a decade hence.

So why are people becoming cruder, ruder and more barbaric?

We could easily blame TV and call it a day, since TV is already behind most of the world’s woes. Or we could play with a few other theories. Technology could be to blame. Rudeness often comes from loud cell phone conversations, blaring ringing in the middle of meetings and yes, folks furiously texting or yapping on their phones while out on a date or in other social situations.

Cell phones can also indirectly lead to rude driving. Drivers blabbing on cell phones are perhaps not necessarily attempting to be rude but have instead become so oblivious to the road that they have no clue what they’re doing.

Entitlement is another possibility. Some folks today act as if they are entitled to everything, from being at the front of the line to owning last 50-cent sale item in the clearance bin. They will thus push, shove or steamroll others just to fulfill that entitlement.

Lack of manners can also stem from upbringing, with parents and schools feeding kids the idea that they can do no wrong. Children are applauded simply for breathing. They are gifted with new toys and cars just because they exist.  Such children grow up expecting the world and everyone in it, to bow at their feet – or at least not blink an eye when they abruptly cut the Starbucks line.

So what should we do when accosted with such crude actions?

• Only a slight majority of those surveyed – 51 percent – said they have actually confronted someone for the person’s rude behavior in public.

• A full 44 percent let it go without comment while 5 percent said they were “not sure” if they’ve ever said something about another’s uncivilized actions

Yeah right...I am not sure how people are “not sure” but wonder if they took a beating after the confrontation that could have clouded their memories.

Letting rude behavior slide might be the easiest thing to do, but it also threatens to turn us all into a stack of doormats, letting rude people claw their way to the top of the pile and continue to stomp.

Americans' fast-paced, high-tech existence has taken a toll on the civil in society. From road rage in the morning commute to high decibel cell-phone conversations that ruin dinner when eating out, men and women behaving badly has become the hallmark of a hurry-up world.

An increasing informality — flip-flops at the White House, even — combined with self-absorbed communication gadgets and a demand for instant gratification have strained common courtesies to the breaking point.

A slippage in manners is obvious to many Americans. Peggy Newfield, founder and president of Personal Best, said the generation that came of age in the times-a-changin' 1960s and 1970s are now parents who don't stress the importance of manners, such as opening a door for a female.

So it was no surprise to Newfield that those children wouldn't understand how impolite it was to wear flip-flops to a White House meeting with the president — as some members of the Northwestern women's lacrosse team did in the summer.

• A whopping 93% in the AP-Ipsos poll faulted parents for failing to teach their children well

"Parents are very much to blame," said Newfield, whose Atlanta-based company started teaching etiquette to young people and now focuses on corporate employees. "And the media!!"

Sulking athletes and boorish celebrities grab the headlines while television and Hollywood often glorify crude behavior….not to mention the parents that film their kids fighting on youTUBE.

It is NOT getting any better people. Perhaps it is time to take little Johnny out to the ‘wood-shed’ like we did when I was a kid.

...can Napoleon Pete survive?

The story of three envelopes is a business classic for dysfunctional organizations. It starts with an incoming 'my way or the highway CEO' replacing a recently fired outgoing CEO.

Pete had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech corporation. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately and presented him with three envelopes number 1, 2 and 3. "Open these if you run up against a problem you don't think you can solve," … “when things get really tough, open these one at a time." the departing CEO said.

Things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales took a downturn and Pete was really catching a lot of heat. About at his wit's end, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope. The message read, "Blame your predecessor." Pete called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO. He concocts a story that pins the problems on the previous CEO and deftly sidesteps blame for the issue.

Satisfied with his comments, the press -- and Wall Street -- responded positively, sales began to pick up and the problem was soon behind him.

About a year later, the company was again experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, "Reorganize!" …. “Blame your coworkers,” it advises. He does, and once again avoids taking the fall for a problem he caused.

This he did well (blaming others), and the company quickly rebounded.

After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once again fell on difficult times. Pete went to his office, closed the door and opened the third envelope. The message said, "Prepare three envelopes." ...

A person’s character can be neatly judged when we see how they handle mistakes or tough times. We are all human; we all fail. When confronted with that failure, our next move paints a picture of how we handle responsibility and blame. Do you step up and really own the problem, or do you reach for an envelope?

Good people step up. They acknowledge the problem, accept the blame, and work hard to correct the problem. It is a sad commentary on our world today that most people are pleasantly surprised when you do this. While you may not be able to completely rectify the problem, you will earn some measure of respect by taking ownership of the issue. The problem may not be fixed, but your character is intact.

Bad people step away. They look to blame anyone except themselves, and will sacrifice anyone to protect themselves. Blaming predecessors and coworkers will work for a while, but you will eventually run out of envelopes. The problems remain, but you will not. And your character will be irreparably tarnished….or your nose will continue to grow like someone I (thought) I used to know…..

Sales drive the company mister!....not a predecessor on paper.

..any color you want...as long as it's black

Automobile manufacturer Henry Ford was born July 30, 1863, on his family's farm in Dearborn, Michigan. From the time he was a young boy, Ford enjoyed tinkering with machines.

Farm work and a job in a Detroit machine shop afforded him ample opportunities to experiment. He later worked as a part-time employee for the Westinghouse Engine Company. By 1896, Ford had constructed his first horseless carriage which he sold in order to finance work on an improved model. After two unsuccessful attempts to establish a company to manufacture automobiles, the Ford Motor Company was incorporated in 1903 with Henry Ford as vice-president and chief engineer. The infant company produced only a few cars a day at the Ford factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit. Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies.

Ford incorporated the Ford Motor Company proclaiming, "I will build a car for the great multitude." In October 1908, he did so, offering the Model T for $950. In the Model T's nineteen years of production, its price dipped as low as $280. Nearly 15,500,000 were sold in the United States alone. The Model T heralds the beginning of the Motor Age; the car evolved from luxury item for the well-to-do to essential transportation for the ordinary man.

Henry Ford realized his dream of producing an automobile that was reasonably priced, reliable, and efficient. This vehicle initiated a new era in personal transportation. It was easy to operate, maintain, and handle on rough roads, immediately becoming a huge success.

Ford revolutionized manufacturing. By 1914, his Highland Park, Michigan plant, using innovative production techniques, could turn out a complete chassis every 93 minutes. This was a stunning improvement over the earlier production time of 728 minutes. Using a constantly-moving assembly line, subdivision of labor, and careful coordination of operations, Ford realized huge gains in productivity.

In 1914, Ford began paying his employees five dollars a day, nearly doubling the wages offered by other manufacturers. He cut the workday from nine to eight hours in order to convert the factory to a three-shift workday. Ford's mass-production techniques would eventually allow for the manufacture of a Model T every 24 seconds. His innovations made him an international celebrity.

The company began construction of the world's largest industrial complex along the banks of the Rouge River in Dearborn, Michigan, during the late 1910s and early 1920s. The massive Rouge Plant included all the elements needed for automobile production: a steel mill, glass factory, and automobile assembly line. Iron ore and coal were brought in on Great Lakes steamers and by railroad, and were used to produce both iron and steel.

Rolling mills, forges, and assembly shops transformed the steel into springs, axles, and car bodies. Foundries converted iron into engine blocks and cylinder heads that were assembled with other components into engines. By September 1927, all steps in the manufacturing process from refining raw materials to final assembly of the automobile took place at the vast Rouge Plant, characterizing Henry Ford's idea of mass production.

It's been a long ride to the Saleen Boss 302 Mr. Ford....nice job!

p.s. Thanks for Grabber Orange!

...Kentucky cracks Top 10....(the hard way)

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Steve Spurrier worried about the hangover against Kentucky. He kept reminding his South Carolina players not to get too high following an upset of defending national champion Alabama last week.

The 10th-ranked Gamecocks seemed as if they'd keep it together before freshman running back Marcus Lattimore went down with an ankle injury.

Then they could only watch as Kentucky's Randall Cobb caught a 24-yard touchdown pass with 1:15 remaining then added the two-point conversion to cap a furious second-half rally and give Wildcats a stunning 31-28 victory, ruining South Carolina's chance to get a leg up in the jumbled SEC East.

"Give Kentucky credit, they kicked our tails," Spurrier said.

Mike Hartline threw for a career-high 349 yards and four touchdowns for the Wildcats (4-3, 1-3 SEC), who had lost 10 straight to the Gamecocks (4-2, 2-2) and never beaten Spurrier in 17 tries.

It appeared Spurrier was ready to make it 18 for 18 when the Gamecocks stuffed Cobb for a 4-yard loss, setting up a 4th-and-7 at the Kentucky 24.

Hartline calmly set his feet and faked a slant to Chris Matthews. The South Carolina defense bit and Cobb found himself wide open at the goal line. He then swept over left tackle for the 2-point conversion to put Kentucky up three.

South Carolina drove to the Kentucky 20 in the final minute but quarterback Stephen Garcia's heave into the end zone was intercepted by Kentucky's Anthony Mosley with 4 seconds remaining. Hartline took a knee to set off a raucous celebration and end two decades of torture at the hands of Spurrier.

"We just can't, as they say, put the nail in the coffin," Spurrier said. "We can't put a team away. We just can't do it. I don't know why. We just can't do it."

Not without Lattimore anyway.

The budding star had 212 yards of total offense and three touchdowns but spent most of the second half on the sideline after rolling his left ankle while getting tackled early in the third quarter.

"I just heard it crack and I thought something really bad had happened, but it's just a sprain," Lattimore said.

It was enough to force him to watch his team implode while he sat on the bench.

Kentucky shut the Gamecocks down over the final 30 minutes, holding them to 103 yards - 49 of which came on the desperate final drive - while slowly chipping away at the lead.

"We challenged our guys at halftime, that we were in a street fight," said Kentucky coach Joker Phillips. "We're in a street fight. I'm in a street fight. I want to see who has my back."

Hartline hit LaRod King for a 5-yard touchdown pass to cap a 95-yard drive and bring Kentucky within 28-17. Then Hartline found Matthews for a 38-yard score to get within 28-23. Matthews finished with 12 receptions for 177 yards and a score.

Given one last chance with 7:31 remaining, Hartline guided Kentucky to the South Carolina 24. Facing fourth down, he pumped the ball once and lofted the ball to a wide open Cobb in the end zone. Cobb bulled over left tackle for the 2-point conversion to put the Wildcats up three.

Garcia, who finished with 382 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, quickly moved the ball to the Kentucky 20 with 11 seconds remaining.

The Gamecocks used a timeout and opted to take a shot at winning in regulation. Garcia threw it up to 6-foot-3 receiver Lamar Scruggs. The ball was tipped and Mosley snagged it out of the air.

"I should have thrown it a little further outside," Garcia said. "I don't know. The guy made a good play."

Hartline took a knee and Kentucky had its first win over a ranked team since beating then-No. 1 LSU in 2007.

"We never lost faith, we never for one second thought we were going to lose that game," Cobb said. "We've had struggles at times but we found a way to win."

The giddy celebration hardly seemed possible after a first half in which the Gamecocks did whatever they wanted behind the precocious Lattimore.

The freshman bounced off Kentucky's would-be tacklers on handoffs or ran past the overmatched defensive ends who had the unfortunate assignment of covering him on pass routes out of the backfield.

Lattimore came into the game with 81 yards receiving all season. He had 133 in the first half, when the Gamecocks victimized Kentucky's overzealous pass rush by sending Lattimore on wheel routes out of the backfield.

Three times Lattimore ran by a Kentucky defender and into the open field, gaining huge chunks of yardage. A 48-yard reception set up his own 10-yard touchdown run, and later added a 47-yard scoring pass in which he sprinted past defensive end Taylor Wyndham then easily sidestepped another Kentucky defender at the 10 before strolling into the end zone.

The score gave the Gamecocks a 28-10 halftime lead, and things could have been worse. South Carolina turned it over three times in the half, and the Wildcats turned two of the miscues into points.

"I thought we'd play better tonight but we didn't," Spurrier said.

Instead it was Kentucky who responded. The Wildcats dropped three straight games after a 3-0 start, including a 37-34 heartbreaker against Auburn last week in which the Tigers kicked the winning field goal on the game's final play.

The loss could have been deflating, yet the Wildcats found a way behind the play of Hartline. The oft-maligned senior has spent three years searching for respect. He may have finally found it on the defining night of his career. Hartline completed 32 of 42 passes and never pressed even after the Wildcats fell behind.

He gripped the ball tightly while being mobbed by fans that stormed the field after Kentucky saved its season.

"I wanted this one so bad," he said. "It was just a big, emotional win for everybody. I wasn't going to give up that ball."

Way to go Cats!!