Javier Arenas does not play for Alabama

Senior cornerback and return specialist Javier Arenas did not play Saturday night, ending his streak of 20 consecutive starts and 45 games played dating to the 2006 season opener against Hawaii.

Marquis Johnson started for Arenas at cornerback, and Tyrone King played Arenas’ star position when the Tide defense was in nickel and dime packages.
Julio Jones returned punts for the Crimson Tide.

Alabama coach Nick Saban said Arenas got punched in the ribs at the end of Wednesday’s practice.

“We thought he would be able to play today,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “He finished practice, wasn’t a big deal. Was sore on Thursday. Did walk-through, did everything on Friday. He went out in pregame warmup today and said he couldn’t move. It was very sore. Hopefully he won’t be out for any extended period of time. ... We’ll get him back.”

Tide out of sync
A frustrating night was compounded by some uncharacteristic errors. Alabama had four turnovers and 10 penalties.

“We shot ourselves in the foot today,” Saban said. “When you do those kinds of things you’re not playing winning football. You might win the game, but you’re not playing winning football.”

Passing game woes
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy looked confused for most of the night. He was 10-for-20 passing with the two picks and just 92 yards.

“The absence of explosive plays in the passing game, the ineffectiveness of us being able to throw the ball the last two games is something we’ve got to get corrected,” Saban said.

“I have all the confidence in the world that myself and my teammates can come back and dominate opponents,” McElroy said.

“I just wasn’t seeing the field good, wasn’t stepping into my throws good. We’ll get it figured out; I promise my players and the fans.”

Tough on QBs
Alabama has made a habit of making opposing quarterbacks look bad.

South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia was 20-for-46 passing, and Mark Barron returned his interception 77 yards for a touchdown.

Garcia was sacked five times and hurried into throws eight times.

Here’s a look at the quarterbacks the Crimson Tide has faced and their quarterback ratings against the Tide:

Tyrod Taylor, Va. Tech: QB rating in all games: 159.60; non-Alabama games: 177.78; vs. Alabama: 83.22.

Paul McCall, FIU: All games: 125.05; non-Alabama games: 128.34; vs. Alabama: 109.93.

Ryan Mallett, Arkansas: All games: 154.49; non-Alabama games: 176.49; vs. Alabama: 76.40.

Mike Hartline, Kentucky: All games: 119.16; non-Alabama games: 128.04; vs. Alabama: 91.65.

Jevan Snead, Ole Miss: All games: 107.63; non-Alabama games: 128.43; vs. Alabama: 43.41.

Another tough oneSouth Carolina has never beaten a team ranked first or second in the country. 

The Gamecocks are just 2-32 against teams ranked in the top 5. They were 1-31 before they knocked off No. 4 Ole Miss last month.

The highest ranked team South Carolina has even beaten is North Carolina, which was No. 3 before the Gamecocks upset them in 1981.

The No. 22 Gamecocks are 4-8 as a ranked team under coach Steve Spurrier.

Series
Alabama leads the all-time series against South Carolina 12-2.

This was Alabama’s first-ever homecoming game at night. The Crimson Tide is 75-13-1 all-time on homecoming.

They have an eight-game winning streak on homecoming since they lost to LSU in 2001.

The school did not lose a homecoming game from 1958 to 1983 Vanderbilt ended that 26-game streak in 1984.

Alabama’s first homecoming game was played on Armistice Day during the 1920 season, a 21-0 victory over LSU.

The Homecoming Grand Marshal was Richard Todd, who also served as the honorary captain for Saturday night’s game.

Todd played quarterback at Alabama from 1973-75 on teams that went a combined 33-3, won three SEC championships and one national title. He played 11 years in the NFL with the Jets and Saints.

What’s next
Alabama plays its eighth game in eight weeks when longtime SEC rival Tennessee visits Tuscaloosa for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on CBS.

Alabama leads the series 48-36-7 and has won the last two games in the series.

Tennessee was open Saturday, as was Alabama’s next opponent, LSU. The Tide’s open date comes between Tennessee and the Nov. 7 showdown against LSU in Tuscaloosa.

By the numbers
88 — The number of penalty yards the teams combined for in the first quarter. Carolina was whistled three times for 45 yards; Alabama had an uncharacteristic four penalties for 43 yards. The Tide finished with 113 yards on 10 penalties.

92 — The number of passing yards Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy threw for — a season low. He was 10-for-20 passing with two interceptions.

3 — The number of third-down conversions Alabama turned into first downs — in 10 chances. That’s also a season low.

4 — Alabama turnovers — two interceptions and two fumbles — a season high. Both interceptions came in the first quarter.