COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Steve Spurrier hates talking about young players, especially on offense. This year, though, South Carolina’s head ball coach doesn’t have a choice.

Spurrier’s tried for nearly five seasons to build a reliable attack at No. 22 South Carolina (5- 1, 2-1 SEC) that can hold up against the Southeastern Conference’s best.

Now, with steady sophomore Stephen Garcia at quarterback, and a trio of talented freshman breaking out in tailbacks Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles, and receiver Alshon Jeffery, Spurrier may be closer to that goal than ever before.

Seeing youngsters in charge of his complex offense is not the easiest pill for Spurrier to choke down. But “we’re relying on whoever we think are the best players, obviously, to give us a chance to go win the game,” he said Tuesday.

The Gamecocks face their toughest test of the season when they travel to No. 2 Alabama on Saturday night.

Garcia — known more for suspensions and offthe field problems, his first two seasons — has cut down his mistakes and developed as a leader. Giles became South Carolina’s first freshman to top 100 yards on the ground since 2006 with 113 against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 19. Then Miles joined him three games later with 100 yards rushing in a win over Kentucky.

Jeffery, a freshman who had pledged to Pete Carroll’s USC before choosing to stay close to home last February, had three touchdown catches — all which regained leads for the Gamecocks — in the Wildcat victory.

Jeffery was named the SEC’s freshman of the week and Spurrier was so tickled, he awarded a game ball to recruiting coordinator Shane Beamer “for his continual recruiting of Alshon Jeffery,” the head coach said. “He didn’t give up on him. He hung in there with him.”

You could say the same thing about Spurrier and Garcia, the once longhaired problem child who missed spring ball his first two seasons because of three run-ins with the law. Garcia was given a directive from the school and the coaches: Stay clean or you’re gone.

Garcia apparently paid attention, with a little help.

Spurrier brought in one of his former Florida quarterbacks and assistants in G.A. Mangus to tutor all passers, including Garcia. Mangus has become Garcia’s sounding board and liaison to Spurrier since arriving.

He’s third among SEC passers and went 124 attempts between interceptions during one stretch. Garcia grew in his coach’s eyes last Saturday when he leaped a Kentucky cornerback for a 5-yard gain on thirdand 4 to keep possession as South Carolina ran out the clock.

Senior receiver Moe Brown says he couldn’t stop shouting when he watched his quarterback go airborne. “That’s what I’m talking about Garcia. I see you,” Brown yelled.

Brown could see a different Garcia almost from the start of offseason workouts. “He’s brought a different attitude,” said Brown, a Gamecocks captain.

“That’s why you don’t give up quickly on some of those freshmen that have some problems,” Spurrier said.

At running back, Miles and Giles have helped solidify a position that ranked 101st and 112th nationally in the Football Bowl Subdivision the past seasons. South Carolina has averaged more than 157 yards rushing this season, more than 60 yards better than in 2008.