soldier’s touching reunion, 12
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID COLUMBIA SC PERMIT NO. 389
$1.50
Hats off!
Potent offense, Growing defense takes to the road
Razorbacks, Volunteers and Mizzou make up SEC gauntlet that lies ahead October 9, 2013 • Volume 35 • Issue 28
2 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
photo by TRAVIS BELL/SIDELINE CAROLINA
Fireworks go off following Mike Davis’ touchdown against Kentucky during first-quarter action on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013. It was the third sellout of the season at Williams-Brice Stadium.
South Carolina continues winning ways by brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com COLUMBIA, S.C. - “We win. We win. That’s who we are.” Those simple words are how head coach Steve Spurrier opened his postgame press conference after South Carolina’s 35-28 victory over SEC East rival Kentucky (1-4, 0-2 SEC) on Saturday evening at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina (4-1, 2-1 SEC) has now won 14 straight games inside the friendly confines of Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks never trailed in the contest as they commenced the game by taking a 21-0 lead over the first 15:40 of the game. South Carolina obtained its inaugural points of the game in the first 1:39 of the game when Connor Shaw connected with Damiere Byrd. Coming out of the I-formation, Shaw faked the handoff and then found a streaking Byrd for a 62-yard touchdown. The Gamecocks would then garner a 14-0
lead when an untouched Mike Davis scored from 22 yards out. Davis’ touchdown scamper pushed South Carolina’s scoring advantage against opponents at home in the first quarter in the 2013 season to 52-0. Davis would start the second quarter by scoring on the second play of the quarter from one yard out. Kentucky would pull within two touchdowns at 21-7 next, but the Gamecocks would make sure that they added some more points before intermission when Elliott Fry hit a 40-yard field goal seconds before the halftime break. The Fry field goal set the score at 24-7 in favor of the Gamecocks at intermission. South Carolina went on top 27-7 in the contest when it tacked on another field goal on its opening drive of the third quarter when Fry drilled a career-best 41-yard field goal. The 20-point lead for the Gamecocks would not last long with Kentucky scoring 14 straight points to pull within six at 27-21 with 11:50 remaining in the game. The Gamecocks would snap the Wildcats’
momentum on their next drive, marching 89 yards on seven plays for their first touchdown since the opening minute of the second quarter. The scoring drive ended with Shaw scoring on a quarterback keeper to the left side from two yards out. Shaw then connected with Nick Jones in the back of the end zone on South Carolina’s two-point conversion attempt to take a 14-point lead with just over eight minutes left in the game at 35-21. Kentucky scored once again on their next opportunity with the football, but with the score 35-28 their onside kick attempt was thwarted when South Carolina’s Shamier Jeffery was able to collect the football. The Kentucky defense would not be able to force the Gamecocks into a punting situation in the final minutes from there with South Carolina holding on for the seven-point win. Davis closed out South Carolina’s victory over Kentucky with 106 yards rushing to go along with the two touchdowns. He has now picked up 100 or more yards in a game in four
out of South Carolina’s five games this season. Davis also had 54 yards receiving on three catches in the Gamecock win over Kentucky. Shaw ended the Gamecock win 17-of-20 with 262 yards passing. He had the one touchdown pass to Byrd, who had five catches for a total of 98 yards receiving. “Connor Shaw played a heck of a game and Mike Davis had crucial runs when we needed him. It was a good win. It’s always fun to be tested,” Spurrier remarked. Kelcy Quarles led the Gamecock defense in the game with six tackles and one sack. Kentucky quarterback Jalen Whitlow ended the Wildcat loss to the Gamecocks with 178 yards passing and 69 yards rushing. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. The Gamecocks finished their victory with 453 yards of total offense. Kentucky closed out its loss with 301 yards of total offense. South Carolina will next begin its threegame SEC road swing with a 12:21 p.m. EST game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. on Saturday, Oct. 12.
October 9, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 3
Athletics department to host All Sports Reunion south carolina athletics media relations The University of South Carolina Athletics Department has announced the dates for the 2013 All Sports Reunion. The reunion will take place during Homecoming Weekend, November 1-2 in Columbia. To kick off the weekend, former studentathletes are encouraged to attend the 2013 All Sports Reunion Reception on Friday, November 1 in the Athletics Village. On Saturday, former student-athletes will join fellow alumni at the My Carolina Alumni Association Homecoming Tailgate in Gamecock Park (former Farmer’s Market) prior to watching the Gamecock football team take on Mississippi State. “The Gamecock All Sports Reunion gives us a chance to honor former studentathletes who have worn the Garnet and Black and represented the University so well,” said Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “We have a long and storied history at USC and by honoring our past we hope to keep this tradition going so that Game-
cocks for years to come will be treasured in the memories of all that support Carolina.” This year’s event will be open to all former student-athletes from all sports and all years. Please visit Reunion Registration (www.gamecocksonline.com/ reunion) to register. Registration deadline is Oct. 18.
For more information, contact: Jay Brown Gamecock Club Assistant Director 803.777.5723 JayBrown@sc.edu
4 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
What’s Inside? - Table of Contents Something to crow about!
Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
Contact Us: 218 Richland Ave. W. Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 335-1399 To subscribe: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Scott B. Hunter Publisher & President Aiken Communications, Inc. Tim O’Briant General Manager tobriant@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1400 Ext. 500 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Mike Kucharski Reporter mike@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 507
Looking ahead to Arkansas.........................................5 Martins asks Gamecock Nation to help sustain success..................................................6 Lisa Boyer profile.............................................................8 Postgame notes/quotes.............................................10 Recruiting Roundup....................................................11 Soldier surprises family..............................................12 Gamecock basketball programs begin practice......................................................... 13-14 Football rosters.............................................................15
Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 501
Garnet Market spotlight............................................16
Dee Taylor Advertising Director (803) 644-2371
Gamecocks in the NFL................................................18
Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 644-2349 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Matt Socha Graphic Designer Postal Information: Postage paid at 2001 Dixiana Rd., West Columbia, SC 29172. Periodical application pending. Spurs & Feathers is published 22 times a year, coming out weekly from Aug. 21 through Dec. 4 and bi-monthly from Jan. 29 through June 25. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Spurs & Feathers, P.O. Box 456, Aiken, SC 29801 (ISSN 07454368)
Where are they now? - Warren Muir......................17
“Starting Five” profile..................................................19 Depth Charts..................................................................20 History on display at Alumni Game.......................22 Sand volleyball..............................................................23 Checking in with volleyball......................................24 “Inside the Chart”.........................................................25 Gamecock radio affiliates..........................................27 Upcoming Events: Gamecock Club........................30 Ed Girardeau column..................................................31
The South Carolina men’s golf team cruised to a 24-stroke victory at the Badger Invitational at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona, Wis. The Gamecocks led wire-to-wire and wrapped up the week with a 54-hole total of 856 (-8) to pull away from the field for the win. Junior Caleb Sturgeon also captured medalist honors for the second time in his career. He posted a total of 206 (-10) to become the 11th golfer in school history to win multiple tournament titles. A native of Laurens, S.C., Sturgeon now has four career top-five finishes, just one shy of breaking into the top-10 in school history. “It was a good win for our program and I’m really happy for Caleb,” said South Carolina head coach Bill McDonald (pictured above with trophy), who has now led the Gamecocks to seven tournament titles as a head coach. “The golf course really played tough ... and I thought we did an outstanding job overall of staying patient and being aggressive in the right spots.” The Gamecocks will have more than a month to prepare for their next tournament as they will return to action on Nov. 3-5 at the Wendy’s Kiawah Classic. The 54-hole event will be held at Turtle Point Golf Club in Kiawah Island, S.C. South Carolina is the defending tournament champion after winning the tournament by 20 strokes last season. Sturgeon is also the defending individual champion. (Story and photo courtesy of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations)
Spurs & Feathers • 5
October 9, 2013
It’s going to take a full effort The divisions that make the effort to separate the Southeastern Conference geographically only begin to describe the separate realities faced by the 14 schools that have produced the last seven national football champions. Look inside and you see a wide chasm of differences in how teams go about the task of trying to reach the championship game that could propel them to a national title opportunity. Fast-paced spread offenses at Texas A&M, Mississippi, Mississippi State and Auburn are giving those teams a new approach, but one of the first-year coaches in the league wants to play old school. That would be Arkansas coach Brent Bart Wright Bielema who joins Alabama, Florida and Contributing Carolina among the collection of teams Writer that like to win with granite-tough defenses and offenses that can throw and run but, in a perfect world, would prefer to run the ball in your face over and over again. His addition makes this week’s game even more of a challenge to figure for the Gamecocks following an exasperating win over Kentucky that involved the surprising decision by Jadeveon Clowney not to play, which he informed his coaches of shortly before kickoff. Neither defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward or head coach
Steve Spurrier said they knew it was coming, but despite the last-minute disruption in plans, the Gamecocks had more than enough to get the job done. Just now though, it feels as though Carolina has been thrown into some bizarre reality show with its own soap opera sideshows and distractions. Connor Shaw played well on a shoulder we last saw encased in ice on the sidelines in Orlando with the suggestion he would be out a few weeks and he has to take on more of a load this week. The Gamecocks are surviving well with Shaw, now 21-4 as a starter, running the offense and running back Mike Davis being the metaphorical engine that makes it all work. It’s a scary time to have distractions because Carolina finds itself at the entrance to a walk down a dark alley for the next three weeks with a trio of games on the road – something that should never happen in a 14-team conference – at Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri. If they survive this they will deserve mention among the nation’s best and it starts with what looks like a fistfight in Fayetteville where they will need everyone they have available on defense. Everyone. The Arkansas offense has looked a bit unsure of itself in its last two games, lacking the confident leader the Gamecocks have with Shaw. Brandon Allen played well at times at the position for the Hogs against Florida, but more often he didn’t have a sense of pressure in the
The Arkansas game by ed girardeau ed@spursandfeathers.com
Arkansas Razorbacks (3-3, 0-2 SEC) Last time out: Lost to Florida, 30-10. They have lost their way coming into the matchup with South Carolina. Site:at Fayetteville, Ark. (Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium) Time: 12:21 am (EST) TV: SEC TV package (check local listings)
29-yard touchdown pass to Jerell Adams from Connor Shaw and then never trailed again. Bruce Ellington had 104 receiving yards and a touchdown. Last time in Arkansas: Arkansas 44– USC 28 The Gamecocks led 14-10 early in the second quarter on a 48-yard interception return by Devin Taylor, but trailed at the half, 24-14. A Connor Shaw sneak cut the deficit to 28-30 early in the fourth, but the Hogs behind 299 yards passing from Tyler Wilson with two touchdowns won comforably.
Last USC win in Arkansas: 2008 (3421) Kenny McKinley had 130 yards receiving, including a 15-yard fourth quarter Series: Arkansas leads series all-time 13- pass from a young Stephen Garcia to lead 8, including 8-2 when played in Arkansas the Gamecocks. Ryan Succop had two field goals, including a 54 yarder. Chris Last year: In Columbia, Gamecocks Smelly hooked up with Jared Cook for a won, 38-20 66-yard touchdown pass. South Carolina playing in their first game after the season-ending injury to Spurrier record vs Arkansas at USC: Marcus Lattimore, scored early on a 3-5 Radio: Gamecock Radio Network (check listings on page 27)
photo by allen sharpe
Mike Davis has 100 or more yards rushing in four games. pocket, he threw into coverage several times and had a pass picked off and run back for a touchdown. Bielema will no doubt have his first-year squad emotionally prepared and, given his new quarterback’s relative instability, he may want to try to win the game on the ground. It’s going to take a full effort by everyone on the trip to return with a victory against a team that wants to be like Carolina.
6 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
photo by allen sharpe
Frank Martin knows that for the men’s basketball program at the University of South Carolina to sustain success that he is going to need the help of Gamecock Nation.
Martin asking Gamecock Nation to help program sustain success by Brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com Second-year South Carolina head coach Frank Martin understands that for his team to sustain success he needs the support of Gamecock Nation. “I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, you hear people say I’ll wait to see if they’re good and I respect that, but I’m really not interested in listening to that fan,” Martin said. “If a fan comes in here and sweats with us, bleeds with us and cries with us whether we cry because of frustration or joy, then that fan deserves to be a part of what we do. We need more fans like that, we’ve got some fans like that but we need more that are willing to come root for their team not just the game.” Martin points out that this mindset is one
that he asks everyone associated with the program to buy into. “I told my team the other day, every day we get out of bed, we have to respect our name. That means the name our parents have given us; we have to respect our uniform, that’s the school that believed in us and gave us a scholarship and an opportunity to do our part; and we gotta respect the game. “If we can do those three things every day then people are going to enjoy being around us. People are going to enjoy the fact that we respect those three things. So, not only are they going to engage with us off the court, but then they are going to be committed to us on the court. We’ve got to work real hard on making sure our team has a personality and a respect factor. If we want to get respect from our fans then
we’ve got to give everyone respect … that allows people to want to commit to us.” South Carolina senior guard Brenton Williams believes great things are ahead for the South Carolina men’s basketball prgram. “I see the program definitely heading in a positive direction with the group of freshmen they brought in here,” Williams remarked. “All of them are really talented and they all bring different things to the table, which is really good. They’re going to gel pretty well. Just days into practice, Martin also believes that things are moving in the right direction for the Gamecocks. “I went home (after first practice) and I was extremely excited about our possibilities, the emotion and the enthusiasm.” Martin commented. “There were times during our first season you thought you were in a
morgue listening to us practice. That’s not taking a shot at the guys, it’s just the truth. They were trying to figure out what I wanted. Now the guys won’t shut up and that’s the way it should be. I told those guys today, `the best practices I’ve ever been a part of are where the players do a lot of talking and the coaches do very little.’ “We’re not there, but we’re further ahead when it comes to that. Then we sat down and watched film and there were a lot of mistakes. Mental mistakes, effort mistakes, understanding mistakes, but they’re all fixable. I’ll tell you what I see from the freshmen, I see a courage to make a play that you have to have to be good. They all have that in them right now and they’re willing to take a chance and go make a play. You can’t make a play if you don’t try to make it.”
Spurs & Feathers • 7
October 9, 2013
South Carolina Gamecocks
2013
football Schedule
Standings Team
SEC
Pct. Overall
Pct. Home Away Neutral Streak
08/29/13..... vs. North Carolina ............Columbia, S.C. ............W, 27-10
Eastern
09/07/13 .... at #11 Georgia..................Athens, Ga. ..................L, 41-30
Florida
3 - 0
1.000
4 - 1
.800
3-0
1-1
0-0
W3
Georgia
3 - 0
1.000
4 - 1
.800
3-0
1-1
0-0
W4
Missouri
1 - 0
1.000
5 - 0
1.000
3-0
2-0
0-0
W5
09/28/13 .... at UCF..............................Orlando, Fla. ................W, 28-25
South Carolina 2 - 1
.667
4 - 1
.800
3-0
1-1
0-0
W3
10/05/13 .... vs. Kentucky.....................Columbia, S.C. ............W, 35-28
Kentucky
0 - 2
.000
1 - 4
.200
1-2
0-1
0-1
L3
Tennessee
0 - 2
.000
3 - 3
.500
3-1
0-2
0-0
L1
Vanderbilt
0 - 3
.000
3 - 3
.500
2-2
1-1
0-0
L1
09/14/13 .... vs. Vanderbilt....................Columbia, S.C. ............W, 35-25
10/12/13 .... at Arkansas.......................Fayetteville, Ark. ....... 12:21 p.m. 10/19/13 .... at Tennessee....................Knoxville, Tenn. .................. TBA
Western
10/26/13 .... at Missouri........................Columbia, Mo. .................... TBA
Alabama
2 - 0
1.000
5 - 0
1.000
3-0
1-0
1-0
W5
LSU
2 - 1
.667
5 - 1
.833
3-0
1-1
1-0
W1
Auburn
2 - 1
.667
4 - 1
.800
4-0
0-1
0-0
W1
11/16/13 ..... vs. Florida.........................Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
Texas A&M
1 - 1
.500
4 - 1
.800
3-1
1-0
0-0
W2
11/23/13 ..... vs. Coastal Carolina..........Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
Ole Miss
1 - 2
.333
3 - 2
.600
1-0
2-2
0-0
L2
Arkansas
0 - 2
.000
3 - 3
.500
3-1
0-2
0-0
L3
Mississippi St.
0 - 2
.000
2 - 3
.400
2-1
0-1
0-1
L1
11/02/13 ..... vs. Mississippi State.........Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
11/30/13 ..... vs. Clemson......................Columbia, S.C. ................... TBA
8 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9ss, 2013
Personal relationships assist Boyer and Gamecocks’ staff by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
time too you’re dealing with people and relationships. Like anything in life, you just hold onto some of these relationships Lisa Boyer has held many coaching roles and with some of these kids who spend in her career in college and professionally so much time with us … once they’re in, and she now serves as the associate head they’re in,” Boyer continued. coach for the Gamecock women’s basketAn advantage for Boyer and the coachball program. ing staff is their ability to work as a team One of the things that drew her away to help improve the program. Boyer is the from coaching professionally was her pre- recruiting coordinator and liaison to the vious experiences with head coach Dawn strength and conditioning staff, but she Staley. Cultivating strong relationships noted that the staff doesn’t do anything with both the coaching staff and the stualone and every job is accomplished with dent-athletes is paramount in the program. a team effort. Boyer has been the lead assistant with “There are a lot of moving parts out Staley since her time at Temple starting there with recruiting … so you’re always in 2002 after she coached in the WNBA trying to stay on top of that and we all for the Cleveland have to have our Rockers. Durhands on that,” “We’re a pretty motivated ing her time in Boyer explained. Cleveland, Boyer staff; we’re all really “Everyone on also became the this staff recruits. competitive … you really first woman on There is no way an NBA coaching that we could do have to bring it every day staff in 2001-02 this alone. for the Cavaliers. “You have to and no two days are the She has had the recruit from the unique experience same.” relationship side in of coaching Staley - Lisa Boyer our opinion. We’re as a player and involved with them coaching with her and we’re involved as well. with their families. Their families are a “At the time when I had the opportunity part of our family. It’s not just the studentto go back into college coaching I was in athlete … because they all have to be inthe WNBA. I really enjoyed that and still volved with us since they come around to like it,” Boyer said. “It’s a really good see their daughters play,” Boyer said. league and it’s a lot of fun, but at the time This relationship that begins with reDawn really needed somebody to help her cruitment is cultivated through their time because she was still playing … this was at South Carolina and it is not always an all at Temple. easy path for them. The players entrust “She kept asking me to come back bethe staff with their careers and goals and cause of my experience as a head coach it takes hard work and reminders to help and she kind of wore me down and I came them reach those goals that are laid out back into college coaching and it has been when they come to play for the Gamegreat,” Boyer added. cocks. Boyer said that some of the basketball Keeping with the relationship theme, aspects of coaching professionally and in Boyer said that one of the strengths of the college are similar, but the skill levels and coaching staff is their blend of personmotivations are different. One of the asalities and the competitive fire of all the pects that she enjoys at the collegiate level members. is the ability to influence the young adults “We’re a pretty motivated staff; we’re all through a transitional time of their lives. really competitive … you really have to “We are ‘hands on’ with these kids all bring it every day and no two days are the the time. We know where they are. We’re same,” Boyer said. “Our expectations are very involved with making sure they do high, but not necessarily because of what what they need to do,” Boyer said. “For Dawn puts on us, but because we’re all the most part, by the time they graduvery self-motivated. ate from us, it’s a happy-sad day. We say “It’s a great working environment and goodbye to them, but they’ve accomwe all support each other and push each plished so much by the time they graduate. other. At the same time there is a lot of They’ve grown so much … that’s pretty camaraderie here and we take care of each gratifying. other. It really is a family,” Boyer contin“It’s constantly moving, but at the same ued.
SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
The staff has another strength in its continuity as Boyer’s connections with Staley and assistant coach Darius Taylor date back to their time working together on Temple’s coaching staff. The longevity and consistency of the staff is something she is thankful for because of the changing nature of the sport. She added that South Carolina is probably one of the few coaching staffs in the country that can boast these features and avoid the transition that the absence of even one coach would cause.
Boyer said that the seasoned staff, the blend of personalities and the experience of two Hall of Fame players on the staff, Staley and assistant coach Nikki McCray, are all advantages for the program. “I think that we know each other, we trust each other, we know what we’re teaching, we know how we recruit and we know our strengths and weaknesses. We have to rely on each other … and I totally trust these people,” Boyer said. “I would walk through fire for them and I know they would do the same for me.”
Spurs & Feathers • 9
October 9, 2013
Gamecock athletics announces Tip-Off Tailgate Party South Carolina Athletics Media Relations The University of South Carolina Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Gamecock Club and My Carolina Alumni Association, invites Gamecock fans to the “Tip-Off Tailgate Party With Gamecock Basketball,” to be held on Oct. 26 at Colonial Life Arena. The event is open to the public and will begin one hour prior to kickoff of the South Carolina at Missouri football contest. “The Gamecock Club and My Carolina Alumni Association are excited to work together to bring all Gamecocks together for this exciting day and event,” Gamecock Club director Patrick McFarland said. “I can’t imagine a better way to spend your day than meeting your Gamecock basketball teams and watching the Gamecocks take on Missouri in football ... all in one place!” My Carolina Alumni Association executive director Jack Claypoole echoed those thoughts. “What a great way to spend a Saturday! The Tip-Off Tailgate Party offers our alumni and friends the chance to celebrate three fantastic Gamecock teams at one time. From our two outstanding basketball teams to Gamecock
football - all under one roof with Gamecock Nation - it’ll be the best party in town! We hope you’ll join us!” The event, which will feature both the Carolina men’s and women’s basketball teams, will begin one hour prior to kickoff of the South Carolina at Missouri football contest that day. Kickoff time on the gridiron is still to be announced. After a fun and interactive hour with the basketball teams, fans can stay at Colonial Life Arena to watch the Missouri football contest on the video board and enjoy available concessions as they cheer on the Gamecock football squad to victory. The event will also be an opportunity for fans
to purchase and select seats for new season ticket holders. Representatives from the South Carolina basketball season ticket sales team will be on hand throughout the arena to assist fans through the ticket purchase and seat selection process. The Tip-Off Tailgate Party will feature exciting programming, including scrimmages from both squads, skills competitions such as a 3-point shootout contest, comments to the crowd from Gamecock men’s basketball coach Frank Martin and women’s head coach Dawn Staley and autograph and photo opportunities for fans. “This event we are putting together that in-
volves our Alumni Association, the Gamecock Club and our Athletics Department is a new way to embrace our fans with our team and to get to know one another in a way where we can enjoy the moment and create even more interest for the beginning of a new season. It will be exciting to cheer on our Gamecock football team with our great fans,” Martin said. “Basketball season is almost here and so much of our success has to do with the people that have supported us,” Staley said. “This event is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for that support. Fans will get to see how much our team enjoys being with the fans and they’ll get to see how funny the team is and how excited we are that it’s basketball season. It’s a fun opportunity to see a little basketball and support our football team from afar, so I think the atmosphere is going to be great.” Fans will also enjoy introductions of both teams and coaching staffs and giveaways such as rally towels and schedule posters for all in attendance. Fans should use the hashtag #TipOffTailgate when spreading the word about the event via social media. Purchase tickets for both men’s and women’s basketball by visiting www.GamecocksOnline. com/Tickets, or call 1-800-4SC-FANS.
10 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9,s 2013
South Carolina-Kentucky postgame notes/quotes SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS General Notes • No. 13/12 South Carolina’s (4-1, 2-1 SEC) 35-28 win over Kentucky (1-3, 0-1 SEC) makes South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier the first Division I coach to post 20 wins over any one opponent. Spurrier is now 20-1 with the lone loss to the Wildcats coming in 2010. South Carolina has won 13 of the last 14 over Kentucky. • The victory is also the 70th for Spurrier in his career at South Carolina. Spurrier is the winningest coach in school history. • The win also extends the Gamecocks’ home winning streak to 14-straight games, the second longest in school history and third longest active streak in Division I. • The announced crowd of 82,313 is the third sellout of the season at WilliamsBrice Stadium. With sellouts at Georgia and UCF, the Gamecocks have played in front of sellout crowds in all five of their games this season. Offensive notes • South Carolina has scored on their first possession in four of the first five games of the season. • Senior quarterback Connor Shaw was 17-for-20 for 262 yards and one touchdown. In three games against the Wildcats, Shaw is 58-for-77 (75.3 percent) for 721 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions. • Shaw’s 262 passing yards and 50 rushing yards combined for 312 total yards. It marks the seventh time in Shaw’s career that he has recorded 300-plus yards of total offense. • With 106 yards on 21 carries, sophomore tailback Mike Davis notched the fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season and his career. Davis added two touchdowns. • Junior Damiere Byrd posted a career-high 98 yards. Byrd scored the first touchdown of the game and his first of the year on a season-long 62-yard touchdown pass from Shaw. • Junior fullback Connor McLaurin earned his first career start. Defensive notes • Freshman defensive end Darius English and freshman linebacker T.J. Holloman earned the first starting nods of their careers. English recorded three tackles, tying a career high and Holloman posted six tackles to set a new career high. English and junior spur linebacker Sharrod Golightly combined for a sack, the first of English’s career. • Junior defensive tackle J.T. Surratt set a new career high in tackles with six, including one tackle for loss to tie a career high. Junior defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles matched career highs in tackles for loss (2) and sacks (1). • Redshirt freshman strong safety Chaz Elder broke his previous career high of two tackles with four. Specical Teams Notes • Freshman placekicker Elliott Fry hit both of his field goal attempts in the game. Just before the end of the first half in Fry’s first attempt since Georgia three weeks ago, the freshman hit a then career-long 40-yarder. In the third quarter, he bested the shot with a 41-yard field goal to put the Gamecocks up 27-7. • The fourth quarter two-point conversion is the first successful attempt for the Gamecocks since 2003 against UAB. Head Coach Steve Spurrier Opening Statement “We win! We feel really fortunate. We had no turnovers on offense. We won the game, well we barely won the game, but it is what it is. We can’t slow down anybody much in the second half.
But we’re 4-1, and we’re getting ready for Arkansas next week. A lot of guys played super, most of them on offense. I’m trying to think if a big defensive play occurred. I can’t remember one. Special teams - we had our fumble, nothing much there. Elliot Fry made his field goals, which were crucial, and Landon Ard kicked off really well. We gave each of them half of a game ball. I just made that up tonight. They both were sort of deserving, not quite all the way, but deserving. Anyway, we’re happy to win the game. Connor Shaw played a heck of a game, and Mike Davis had crucial runs when we needed him. It was a good win. It’s always fun to be tested. You have to move the ball and score every time you touch it if you want to win the game. We’ve got a good offense. We should go out there and score a bunch of points if we can get a bunch of possessions. It was a quick game. I appreciate the fans staying until the end. I think they photo by allen sharpe were all pretty much there so we appreciate them screaming and yelling. We’re 4-1 and getting ready for Arkansas.” On letting big leads slip away “We’re still winning, so that makes it not as tough. We don’t like it, but if that’s who we are that’s the kind of team we’re going to be all year it looks like. We’re going to try and change it though. I’m not going to be negative today. I told myself I’m going to quit being negative. I hope I haven’t been too negative, I’ve just been giving facts out. Our guys are trying - some of them are not trying the right way. They’re doing their own crap, and I’m not going to mention any names, you all watched it. I think we will make some changes.” On the running game “David Williams didn’t get a chance to play. We were hoping if the game got reasonable and he could play a little bit, he would. It was good to see Pharoh Cooper come in. I think he’s a ball player, a real ball player. We can put him in the shot gun and let him run. I think his time is coming here. There’s a good chance he can be the punt returner and kick returner. I think he’s a reliable player, good kid, and he does everything you ask. Look for Pharoh to be more involved with our team.” On the progress of the defense “We didn’t give up any long passes, so that was progress. I thought they [Kentucky] would do better against us. I think they’ve got good players and good coaches. They play hard. Anytime a team plays hard and smart, and they play pretty smart, you’re going to get a good test. We don’t play real smart. We can’t tackle very well. I don’t know how you change that, but we’ll keep working with them. Our guys are trying hard, and that’s all you can say as a coach, just keep trying the best you can, and we’ll put you in a position to play. We’re happy with our players effort wise.” Quarterback Connor Shaw On offense and atmosphere “It’s never frustrating when you win. I couldn’t be more proud of our guys on the offense. I thought we battled all through the night. One comment on the fans, I thought we had a great atmosphere from the first quarter and throughout the game, it’s a big advantage for us.” Running Back Mike Davis On if he expected to have this much success before the season began “Yes, I expected it, but not the type of numbers I have been putting up now. The more and more I play, the more the game slows down. I have been working hard in the weight room, outside running with guys. My coach expected me to have success.”
Spurs & Feathers • 11
October 9, 2013
South Carolina Gamecocks
Recruiting roundup by phil kornblut
OL Donell Stanley of Latta had planned to take this week to set up his official visits. Instead, Stanley has decided not to take any official visits. He’s ready to make his decision and is close to doing so. Stanley is down to USC, Clemson, Alabama and North Carolina. He has visited each unofficially and has gathered Phil Kornblut enough information from those Contributing visits to make Writer his decision. He is waiting on his sister to come home from Connecticut and then he’ll move forward. Stanley has not publicly stated a favorite throughout his recruiting but it’s become apparent that USC has made the strongest push for him. USC is looking to add immediate depth to the offensive line and has offered two junior college tackles. The Gamecocks went back in on a player they recruited for the 2011 class but did not land in Jordan Prestwood (6-6 310), a native of Tampa who attends Arizona Western JC. He was a tight end coming out of high school but has grown into a much sought after offensive tackle. He signed with Florida State in 2011 but later transferred to Notre Dame. He left South Bend and eventually landed in Yuma. Florida State, Auburn, Ole Miss, Cal and San Diego State have also offered. Chad Mavety (6-5 320) of Nassau JC, N.Y. is a native of Sparta, N.J. who did not sign out of high school. Like Prestwood, Mavety is a highly recruited JUCO target and plays for the sixth ranked team in the country. Ohio State, Florida State and Alabama are three other offers for him. WR Braxton Berrios of Raleigh has set an announcement date for October 12th at noon. He has taken official visits to USC, Miami and Oregon and is scheduled to visit Tennessee October 5th.
Juniors:
Brown have a real good chemistry.” Cain plays safety and corner and is being reUSC is one of the offers for RB Kercruited as a corner. He didn’t play much ryon Johnson (6-0 195) of Madison, Ala. defensive as a sophomore working mostly He named Alabama, Auburn and Florida at receiver. He is playing full time both State as his early favorites in no order. He ways this season. has visited his top three as well as MisDL Albert Huggins of Orangeburgsissippi State. Johnson is in no hurry to Wilkinson is off to a strong start this make a decision and is hearing from most season personally and team wise as his schools in the Southeast. He has visited Bruins are 5-0. Huggins’ last offer was Auburn and Alabama this season and from Auburn a couple of weeks back. plans to go to the Florida State-Miami He also has offers from Clemson, USC, game in November. His offers are from Florida State, Florida, Alabama, TennesClemson, USC, Alabama, Auburn, Florida see, Louisville, Georgia, NC State and State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Vander- North Carolina. Huggins has not been to bilt and LSU. any games this season because his father DB Terry Godwin of Hogansville, Ga. is recovering from surgery. Once his Dad has become a red hot target on the recruit- is able to travel, he plans to get to games ing trail and has seen his number of offers at Clemson and USC first. USC recruiter mushroom. Godwin said right now he Everette Sands was recently by the school. has offers from USC, Clemson, Alabama, “We mostly just talked about school and Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Louisville, Clowney,” Huggins said. “He’s showing Ole Miss, North Carolina, Tennessee, Vir- me a lot of interest.” Outside the state, ginia, Notre Dame, NC State, Arkansas, Huggins feels North Carolina, NC State, Georgia, Southern Cal and Vanderbilt. Florida and Georgia are showing the most Godwin has been to games at Georgia and interest. Auburn and is planning to get to games OL Martez Ivey (6-6 280) of Apopka, at USC and Clemson as well. There is no Fla. has the Gamecocks among his offers. favorites’ list at this point. Godwin is be“I’ve talked to their running back coach ing recruited for corner and receiver and (Everette Sands) several times,” Ivey said. said most like him primarily for corner. “He has been by to see me and tells me “I really want to play both,” Godwin said. he likes my footwork and how I finish He wants to make his decision before his blocks down field.” Ivey admitted that he senior season. is not too familiar with USC but is paying USC is the lone early offer for DB Desattention to the program. He has been to mond Cain (5-11 183) of Delray Beach, Florida this season. Ivey’s offers include Fla. and that has put the Gamecocks at this USC, Clemson, Florida State, Florida, top of his list at this point. “I was there Miami, Georgia, North Carolina, Ole for their (Black Magic) camp and I fell in Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, Auburn, love with everything,” Cain said. “I like Michigan, and Michigan State. He does the coaches and how they helped me with not have any favorites. the little things to become a better player. WR Freddie Phillips of Pelion has ofAnd I love the facilities.” That was the fers from North Carolina and NC State. only camp for Cain last summer. He is He’s also been drawing interest from also getting interest from Miami, Auburn, Clemson, USC, Florida State, Florida, Minnesota, Penn State and Michigan and Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech and Appalachian feels Miami will be the next to offer. He’s State. He has been to Georgia Tech for a not planning to make a final decision until game this season. the beginning of his senior season but right now USC is the team to beat. “USC leads,” he said. “Me and coach (Grady)
Basketball News: USC basketball coach Frank Martin was back in Jacksonville late last month to check on 6-7 Dante Buford according to Arlington Country Day coach Rex Morgan. Morgan said Martin has made it clear to him and Buford what he thinks of the player. “He’s their number one guy at that position, so he said it’s imperative they get him,” Morgan said. “He said it’s important to him.” Morgan said Buford, a native of Simpsonville, still isn’t tipping his hand. “He’s enjoying being recruited a little bit,” the coach said. “I think he likes everybody. Does he want to stay close to home and play in state or go outside?” Buford is set with three official visits for sure. He will go to Oklahoma October 4th and Miami October 11th. And he is set to visit USC November 1st. He is also scheduled to visit Oklahoma State and Southern Cal, but Morgan is not sure he will take those two trips. Morgan said Martin also remains interested in 6-9 Ledamian Keys though Keys is partial to DePaul right now. Morgan said one of his former assistants is an assistant coach at DePaul and that’s a big reason for Key’s affection for the Blue Demons.
12 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Soldier surprises family by returning home by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
Jones watched the Gamecock Walk at the press level, went to the 100 minutes meeting with game administrators and officials then South Carolina Athletics and the Columbia came back up for a pre-game meal. At about Metropolitan Airport brought the Jones family 6:55 p.m. Jones made his way down to the “Christmas in October” as the Military Famfield for the ceremony and got to his position ily of the Game was surprised with the return about 7:05 p.m. of Sergeant First Class David Jones in front of “I’m very excited. It’s more real now and a deafening roar at Williams-Brice Stadium. I just can’t wait to see everyone,” Jones said Jones returned from deployment in Afghaniwith a tone of elation. stan with the US Army after telling his family After about 15 minutes, the ceremony that he would have to be extended for an extra took place on the field at 7:19 p.m. as he surthree months. He said that it was tough to prised his family following his address on stretch the truth knowing it would add a little the video board. The frenzy on the field and more stress to them, but it would be worth it to in the stands illustrated how meaningful the get to surprise them by coming home. ceremony was not only for the family, but “I told them ahead of time that I was going for all in attendance. to be extended and that I hoped to be home for Kayla Harmon, the public relations and Thanksgiving weekend and the big weekend photo by allen sharpe government affairs manager from the that we have in this great state of South CaroliColumbia Metropolitan Airport, helped na,” Jones said. “It’s always a family event either hoped that his sister, who is expecting a baby that he calls her his mother, is a high school spearhead the project to get Jones home and up there at the other place or back here home at in December, wouldn’t go into labor from the teacher that previously coached high school said they love to run the Military Family of the Carolina. We’re always there. surprise of seeing him home. basketball as well. Kathy coached Marsha Wil- Game promotion as a partnership with South “They believe that I’m extended. I had my fiShe didn’t go into labor, but the family did liams and later taught Bruce Ellington. Former Carolina. ancée and my cousin help me out in keeping this freeze and was nearly speechless in celebration. football player Mike Dingle also came from “This is the second year in a row that we’ve secret … I’ve stayed away from Facebook and The moment was greeted by one of the loudJones’ hometown and he remembered following been able to reunite a family before a game, so that has been hard not knowing what is going on est cheers of recent memory from the fans in him when he was younger. this is starting to become a tradition that we do with everyone … but they had no clue,” Jones Williams-Brice Stadium. Jones went to school with Jimmy Legree’s for the airport to show support for our military said before the game. “We had no idea, we thought he was extended mother and he said that he was able to surprise families,” Harmon said. “This is by far the very While serving his country, Jones has been on a special mission. This is a great surprise and Legree and have lunch with him on Friday. He best part of my job. It means the world to us. deployed multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan, a great gift,” Kathy Jones said. said Legree was confused when he asked him “At Columbia Metropolitan Airport we really El Salvador and Honduras. In 2008 he reclassi“What a great surprise. It’s like Christmas to lunch because he was supposed to be in Afare all about serving the community and we fied as Military Intelligence to his current job as early to have him home, Christmas in October,” ghanistan, but he showed up and they were able want to serve our servicemen, servicewomen the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade with Ralph Jones said. “Watching the game will just to enjoy some time together. and their families, the folks who mean a lot to the 319th Military Intelligence Battalion as Hu- be a bonus now that we’ve got this guy back Getting the full day of Gamecock experiences this community. It’s just our way of giving back man Intelligence Collector, an interrogator he here with us.” was another thrill for Jones. He was able to and saying thank you to them for all that they described in laymen’s terms. In January 2014, A constant in their family life has been foltour the facilities starting with the video board do,” Harmon said. Jones will be credited with 17 years of active lowing the Gamecocks, Jones explained. Both control room, onto the field for an interview, to Jones continues to serve the county as he is duty service. of Jones’ sisters and brothers-in-law are South the weight room “where they get Beast Mode stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C. Jones said he was honored to have the Colum- Carolina graduates and the whole family has on,” then to the locker room where he was able in the process of redeployment. He is going bia Metro Airport and South Carolina Athletics been fans his entire life. Jones said he used to to leave a note of encouragement in Legree’s through medical evaluations and reintegration help him to recognize and thank his parents, do whatever he could to be involved, includlocker. to ensure his health and he said that Ft. Bragg Ralph and Kathy Jones of Moncks Corner, S.C. ing helping to park cars at the Fairgrounds on Next were trips to the equipment room, the does a great job with this process. He hopes to and his sisters Kathryn Jones-Erving and Kate- gamedays. training room and the media interview room hit 20 years of service and be able to retire from lyn Dibble for their years of love, support and “As a family we are huge Gamecock fans that where Jones got to sit at the interview table the military to be with his family regularly. understanding. have supported for the longest time, from the and practice his Steve Spurrier impersonation. Jones was born in Charleston, S.C. and grew “This day is totally about my family with their Black Magic days, to the 0-11 year, to the 52-0 Next was back to the video board control room, up in Beaufort, S.C. before enlisting in the US unconditional support and love. For me it’s an blackout games we have always sat through the where he chose the pre-game hype video featur- Army as a Military Policeman. He has served at honor,” Jones said. “They’ve been through the complete game never leaving and never giving ing the wide receivers with Ellington from his Camp Red Cloud, Korea (1997-98); Ft Jackson whole 16-plus years … for me, I put my uniup,” Jones said. “I have never left a game before hometown. (1998-2001); Giessen Army Depot, Germany form on and get all the attention that’s out there. there were all zeroes on the clock at the end of Following the tour back on the press level, (2002-06) and Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Families are the ones - the moms, the dads, the the fourth quarter. Athletics Director Ray Tanner, Assistant AD Texas in that capacity. siblings - that go through it too … it’s about “I have the Mighty Sound of the Southeast for Media Relations Steve Fink, University of Jones has earned a Bronze Star, seven Army where did I start from? What made me who I CD on my iPad and sometimes I’ll just put the South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides, Commendation Medals, three Army Achieveam? It’s wearing the Jones name first before I earbuds in and play that. I play ‘2001’ and play men’s basketball coach Frank Martin and base- ments, the Military Outstanding Volunteer put this uniform on. It’s not about me, it’s about ‘Sandstorm’ and other different things that I ball coach Chad Holbrook all stopped by to service medal, four overseas ribbons, the NATO the family. Those are the ones that I’m thinking have downloaded. They put me at peace and meet Jones. Tanner asked if he felt like a football medal, the Iraq Medal with three campaign about.” take me back home. That’s the biggest thing, it’s recruit coming in with such a special experience stars and the Afghanistan Service medal for his Jones was extremely excited to see his fama sense of family when you’re away from famand said that he deserved the treatment for his service. ily before the ceremony and could not guess ily,” Jones said. service to the country. All the coaches signed “The three pillars of life in the Jones family their reactions, although he said he wouldn’t be The Joneses also have ties to current and fora special camouflage Gamecock hat for Jones are God, my duty to the country doing this job surprised if there were some tears. He said he mer Gamecocks. His stepmother Kathy, who as a souvenir to go along with his memories of and family. It’s just great that I can come home thought his family would freeze in shock and Jones said has treated him like a son for so long the day. and celebrate with them,” Jones said.
Spurs & Feathers • 13
October 9, 2013
Martin, Gamecocks open practice looking to get better every day by Brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com
Martin mused. The Gamecocks return seven letterwinners (three starters) off last year’s team. “You might view last season as a struggle. South Carolina in turn also welcomes eight I view it as us laying a foundation,” Frank newcomers to this year’s squad. Martin told the media just minutes prior to Martin is not worried though about havSouth Carolina’s first official practice of the ing so many new faces as practice officially 2013-14 season at the Colonial Life Arena on commences. Monday, Sept. 30. “New guys is part of the business (of col“If you want to judge me and my team lege basketball),” Martin noted. “The part based on our record (last year) that’s fine … that makes the business easier to do year-towe laid a foundation for what we are about. year are the returning guys and we got core It’s not about disregarding last year, it’s not guys that played major minutes last year that about disliking last year, it’s about embracunderstand. They comprehend me. I coming last year and continuing to build. That’s prehend them. what we have to focus on here. Last year “There’s direction now for those first-year was a great, great thing to be a part of to guys where last year none of those guys had make us appreciate how much work we’ve direction. I was trying to figure them out, got to do and how far we’ve come already,” they were trying to figure me out,” Martin
said. Martin joked that getting his players to pass the ball to the right team and make lay-ups are what the team is going to be focusing on the most during the beginnings of practice, but really he knows that getting things started the right way is critical to the success of the Gamecocks this year. “Getting guys to continue to understand what we’re doing. Terminology; that’s a huge part, is terminology. Those young guys, they have to grasp terminology … this isn’t as laid back and as slow as the summer … we’ve got to move forward and they have to work real hard to stay in tune,” Martin said. Being able to get everyone to buy in to what the program is all about currently and for the future is what drives Martin daily.
“My expectations are for this program to compete for an SEC championship. When that happens, I don’t know, but that is my expectation every day,” Martin said. Martin continued “and for everyone of our guys to get better every single day. That’s where all my energies and focus is to help those two things be accomplished.” The first practice of the year for the Gamecocks lasted two hours. South Carolina will now practice for well over a month before opening the season up with a Nov. 3 exhibition against NCAA Division II perennial power USC Aiken. Tip-off between the Gamecocks and Pacers is scheduled for 2 p.m. The Gamecocks will open their regular season six days later at home against Big South foe Longwood at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9.
14 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Staley, Gamecocks driven to reach goals by Brian Hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com
After the first day of practice at the Basketball Practice Facility last week, South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley understood that her team had a lot of work ahead, but she also realized that she had a team that worked extremely hard. “They’re driven,” Staley said. “We’ve got to push them to be better as a team and individually. Hopefully, we’ll end up meeting our goals for this year.” Ranked 13th in the Lindy’s Sports Annuals preseason top-25, South Carolina commences the upcoming season with six returning letterwinners. The Gamecocks welcome back two starters and three of their top five scorers overall. South Carolina returns their top scorer in junior Aleighsa Welch, who was also the team’s second-highest rebounder last year. She averaged 12.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last year. Welch was a second-team All-SEC choice. The 2013-14 Gamecocks also include four newcomers with last year’s South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year Alaina Coates (center) and the WBCA Junior College/Community College Player of the Year in Olivia Gaines (guard) included among the four. Tabbed by Lindy’s as having an “outside chance to emerge as the best team in a loaded SEC,” the Gamecocks will spend the opening days of practice getting things ready for the upcoming season. “We have to put our little defense in because that’s what we do,” Staley noted. “There will probably be some adjustments to how the officials are going to officiate the game … so we’re going to make some adjustments to how we play as far as, you know, making contact; we’re going to play with our feet a little bit more. Then we are going to spend a lot of time on our offense. We’ve got to find a way to score some points … some new offenses that will free our players up to kind of take advantage of some of the things that we feel our players have improved on; putting the ball on the floor, knocking down shots. We’re going to open the floor up a little bit more.” South Carolina women’s basketball opens their 201314 season with an exhibition with NCAA Division II foe North Greenville at Colonial Life Arena at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1. The Gamecocks will open the regular season at home against Big South foe Charleston Southern at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8. Gamecock athletics has started a “Drive for 5” season ticket campaign this year with the goal being to try and bring at least 5,000 fans to each South Carolina women’s basketball home game. The campaign is named after Staley’s number five that she donned during her Hall of Fame career. Staley is asking Gamecock Nation to support her program that has procured back-to-back 25-win seasons. “I think it’s only fitting. I think people have embraced our program, just all-around, anywhere I go … they always talk about how proud they are of our team. Now, we want them to get season tickets and come down to Colophoto by ALLEN SHARPE nial Life Arena,” Staley said. Ranked in the top-15 nationally in the preseason, Staley and the Gamecocks enter the upcoming year coming off Staley concluded that she not only wanted the fans to back-to-back 25-win seasons. The Gamecocks are hoping for over 5,000 fans at each and every home game. show up, but also “show out for us.”
Spurs & Feathers • 15
October 9, 2013
South Carolina Gamecocks Football Roster # Name 1 Damiere Byrd 1 Rico McWilliams 3 Nick Jones 3 Jamari Smith 4 Ahmad Christian 4 Shaq Roland 5 Brendan Nosovitch 5 Darius English 6 Chris Moody 6 Connor Mitch 7 Jadeveon Clowney 7 Shon Carson 8 Kaiwan Lewis 8 Shamier Jeffery 9 Sharrod Golightly 10 Skai Moore 10 Perry Orth 11 Pharoh Cooper 11 T.J. Holloman 12 Brison Williams 13 Grant Davitte 13 Tyler Hull 14 Ali Groves 14 Connor Shaw 15 Austin Hails 15 Jimmy Legree 16 Kelvin Rainey 16 Nick St. Germain 17 Chaz Elder 17 Dylan Thompson 18 Patrick Fish 18 Cedrick Cooper 19 Landon Ard 19 Jody Fuller 20 T.J. Gurley 21 Marcquis Roberts 21 Andrew Bunch 22 Brandon Wilds 23 Bruce Ellington 24 Ronnie Martin 24 Kendric Salley 25 Kadetrix Marcus 26 Jasper Sasser 27 Victor Hampton 28 Jonathan Walton 28 Mike Davis 29 Elliott Fry 30 Sidney Rhodes 31 Jordan Diaz 31 Mohamed Camara 32 Larenz Bryant 33 Gerald Turner 33 David Williams 34 Mason Harris 35 Jeff Homad 36 Kyle Fleetwood 39 Max Huggins 40 Andrew Komornik 41 Kyle Morini 41 Connor McLaurin 42 Jordan Diggs 43 James King 43 Garrison Gist 44 Gerald Dixon 45 Brandon Sturdivant 47 Drew Williams 48 Caleb Kelly 49 Garrett Shank 49 Devin Potter 50 A.J. Cann 51 Cody Waldrop 51 Devin Washington 52 Phillip Dukes 52 Bryce King 53 Corey Robinson 54 Clayton Stadnik 55 Na'Ty Rodgers 55 David Johnson 57 Cedrick Malone 58 Ryland Culbertson 59 Coleman Harley 65 Brock Stadnik 67 Ronald Patrick 69 D.J. Park 70 Alan Knott 71 Brandon Shell 73 J.P. Vonashek 74 Mason Zandi 75 Will Sport 76 Mike Matulis 78 Cody Gibson 80 K.J. Brent 81 Rory Anderson 82 Kwinton Smith 83 Carlton Heard 84 Matthew Harvey 85 Kane Whitehurst 86 David Wilkins 87 Drake Thomason 88 Drew Owens 89 Jerell Adams 90 Chaz Sutton 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. 93 Deon Green 94 Kelsey Griffin 95 Michael Washington 97 J.T. Surratt 99 Kelcy Quarles
Pos. WR CB WR CB CB WR QB DE FS QB DE TB LB WR SPR LB QB WR LB SS QB P CB QB QB CB TE PK SS QB P LB PK WR FS LB WR TB WR CB TB FS S CB LB TB P/K CB FB SPR LB DE TB DE TE SS P/K P LB FB SPR LB FB DE FB LS PK S TB OG OC DE DT OG OT OC OT LB SPR LS LS OG OG OT OC OT OT OT OG OT OT WR TE WR WR WR WR WR WR TE TE DE DT DT DT DE DT DT
Hgt. 5-9 5-11 5-7 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-1 6-3 6-6 5-8 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-2 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-3 5-9 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-2 5-9 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-9 5-11 5-9 6-1 6-0 5-10 6-0 5-9 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-5 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-8 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-0 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-6 6-6 6-9 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-0 6-8 5-11 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-4
Wgt. 166 187 174 183 189 190 220 226 212 227 274 219 221 207 195 205 212 184 228 218 190 206 184 209 214 187 233 175 199 218 195 213 172 217 196 225 185 223 196 179 183 195 192 202 234 215 150 167 233 181 215 256 200 218 220 216 185 225 212 237 214 235 255 268 212 190 184 171 200 314 319 225 315 281 341 281 296 268 201 265 264 286 315 334 272 323 283 293 294 266 286 188 242 212 178 225 179 182 205 244 237 263 318 287 292 243 307 298
Cl. JR RS FR RS JR FR RS SO SO RS FR RS FR RS FR FR JR RS SO SO RS SO RS JR FR RS FR FR RS FR JR FR RS JR FR SR RS SO RS SR RS FR RS FR RS FR RS JR RS JR RS SO SO RS FR SO RS SO RS FR SO JR JR RS FR JR FR RS JR FR SO FR JR RS JR FR FR FR FR RS SO RS JR RS FR FR FR JR RS JR RS FR SO RS SO RS SO RS FR FR RS FR FR FR RS JR RS FR FR RS SO FR RS JR RS FR FR FR RS FR RS JR RS SO RS FR SR FR FR RS SO FR RS FR RS SO JR RS JR RS SO JR RS FR SO SO RS SO SR RS JR RS SO SO SR RS SO RS SO FR SO RS JR JR
Hometown/High School/Last College Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy Moore, S.C./Byrnes Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian Lexington, S.C./Lexington Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern McDonough, Ga./Henry County Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Scranton, S.C./Lake City Mays Landing, N.J./St. Joseph St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County Decatur, Ga./Southwest DeKalb Cooper City, Fla./University Ponde Verda, Fla./Ponte Verda/Florida State College Havelock, NC./Havelock Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Warner Robins, Ga./Northside/Fork Union Military Columbia, S.C./Irmo Mount Airy, N.C./Mount Airy/Guilford College Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Flowery Branch, Ga./Flowery Branch Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville Beaufort, S.C./Beaufort Yulee, Fla./Yulee Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Union City, Ga./Banneker Boiling Springs, S.C./Boiling Springs Shelby, N.C./Burns Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Charlotte, N.C./Sun Valley Cairo, Ga./Cairo Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Bishop England/Presbyterian Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood Moncks Corner, S.C./Berkeley Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg/Georgia Military Williston, S.C./Williston-Elko Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Darlington, S.C./Darlington Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Lithonia, Ga./Stephenson Frisco, Tx./Prince of Peace Christian Easley, S.C./Wren/Western Carolina Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West Cumming, Ga./Forsyth Charlotte, NC./Vance Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter Fort Oglethorpe, Ga./Ridgeland Hilton Head Island, S.C./Hilton Head/UNCP Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Myrtle Beach, S.C./Myrtle Beach Fort Mill, S.C./Nations Ford Lexington, S.C./White Knoll/Gray Military Raleigh, N.C./Garner Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek/Benedict Rock Hill, S.C./Northwesterm Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford/York Tech Irmo, S.C/Dutch Fork Cayce, S.C./Brookland-Cayce Marietta, Ga./Lassiter Granite Falls, N.C./South Caldwell Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Seffner, Fla./Armwood Orlando, Fla./Jones Manning, S.C./Manning Dillon, S.C./Dillon Havelock, N.C./Havelock Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Waldorf, Md./McDonough Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Camden, S.C./Camden/Coastal Carolina Laurens, S.C./Laurens Academy Aiken, S.C./South Aiken Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Cocoa, Fla./Cocoa Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Saint Marys, Ga./Camden County Irmo, S.C./Chapin Milton, Fla./Pace Boynton Beach, Fla./Park Vista Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Hamer, S.C./Dillon Athens, Ga./Clarke Central/Garner-Webb Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill Duluth, Ga./Chattahoochee/Arkansas Cowpens, S.C./Broome Greenville, S.C./Eastside Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell Pinewood, S.C./Scott's Branch Savannah, Ga./Jenkins/Fork Union Military Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern Windermere, Fla./Olympia Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Allendale, S.C./Allendale-Fairfax/S.C. State Winston-Salem, N.C./Parkland Hodges, S.C./Greenwood/Fork Union Military
photoby allen sharpe
South Carolina’s J.T. Surratt had a career-best six tackles in the victory over Kentucky.
What Kentucky has to say Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops addressed the media following their 35-28 loss to South Carolina and expressed his disappointment in losing to the Gamecocks. “Very emotional and disappointed with that loss,” said Stoops. “Some things played out like they thought they would and we have talked about them all week. We knew that they would start fast here at home. They’re a team that can get you off-balance, strike very quickly, and they did that early. I was proud of our team because they didn’t flinch, took their best shot, and battled back to have an opportunity to make plays to win the game in the fourth quarter. I was proud of the fact that we’re in the position to do that, but very frustrated that we didn’t make the plays. Our players showed a lot of toughness and character, and I was proud of them for that.” Stoops was asked about his quarterback Jalen Whitlow and Stoops was pleased with what he saw. “We understand that he’s not perfect. He missed a few throws here and there, but you saw a couple of good runs. That dimension in his game adds some things to the offense and that was good to see. When he can do that, it adds pressure to the defense and it allows us to pick up our tempo. It can be a good threat, and it was good to see him play like that tonight.” When asked about getting back in the game, the Kentucky coach was happy to see it. “It’s a good thing to see, but we’ve got to prepare and go fight (from the start). We play a tough schedule and it’s not easy coming in and playing South Carolina at home. If we prepare better and play to the best of our ability. I can live with whatever the result is.” Stoops also complimented Connor Shaw. “I thought you’ve got to give credit to that young man because he is very tough. He made some
critical runs at the end and made some great decisions. That all comes with his experience and toughness.” Whitlow, 17-24 for 178 yards and two touchdowns passing, thought that the Wildcats are getting closer. “Even though it’s a loss, you have to take positives (away from the game). You know, we were close – just a couple more plays. Ninety thousand people, top-ranked team, you know, we gave them all they wanted. We just got a couple more plays here and there, a couple more better decisions, we are getting close, getting better.” Linebacker Avery Williamson, who lead Kentucky with nine tackles, said it hurt to lose. “You can take a little bit from it, you know it still hurts to lose a game, we had it and I just felt like we missed some key opportunities.” “We just told ourselves we can’t get down, and we’ve got to go in there and fix what we messed up and we came out and we played with those guys. You know, it’s just simple things, a litle bit of confusion in the first half and we just had to come out and put somethings on the board and fix it. But we didn’t get down in that first half, we didn’t get down, and we knew we were going to come out and play those guys better.” Ryan Timmons, freshman wide receiver, who had four catches for 36 yards and one touchdown thought the Gamecocks helped the team prepare for their next game. “A lot of encouragement for next week, you know we have a great team coming in Alabama next weekend, but I think this game gave us a lot of confidence. It’s a great crowd, you know, a lot of great defense and this is a great team that we played. I think this is going to help us build to get ready for another great team next week.” (compiled by Ed Girardeau)
16 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Yesterdays an every day Gamecock favorite by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com Yesterdays Restaurant & Tavern is a well-known spot to Columbia locals on Devine Street in Five Points with a unique, flatiron-style building and an extensive menu. The owners and the restaurant are celebrating their 35th year as a part of the community around the university. “It’s a simple concept. We want to have a place that people come in to have a good meal and a few drinks at a reasonable price,” Duncan MacRae, one of the partners, said. “We prepare everything fresh, nothing comes from cans, and we use locally grown food as much as we can. “We’ve got a whole kitchen staff upstairs that does nothing but prep and make things from scratch. We hand cut all our meat and fish and it all comes in fresh,” MacRae continued. Yesterdays has embraced being a part of the Carolina community because they are so close to the University and many of their long-time customers are big Gamecock fans. MacRae said that it has been fun to watch the program grow as they have grown themselves and the community has been very good to them supporting them for 35 years. MacRae said they have supported Carolina throughout the years, which is evident from the atmosphere with all the Gamecock paraphernalia hanging on the walls. He said that he loves college sports, especially college football. There have been ties between Yesterdays and many different Gamecock athletic programs, but football has been a big part of the atmosphere being so close to campus. MacRae said that Sterling Sharpe and Todd Ellis used to come into to eat frequently and Joe Morrision was a regular customer during his time at Carolina as well. He added that some entertainment celebrities would also come in when they were in the area. Yesterdays has supported South Carolina and the Gamecock Club in many ways over the years. They are a member of the Garnet Market, giving a five dollar discount off a check of $35 or more to active Gamecock Club members. Yesterdays has also supported many Greek organizations on campus with percentage nights by donating a percentage of sales to the organization and they al-
ways work with the Carolina-Clemson blood drive every year. The partners also work with the Wounded Warrior program as well by sponsoring plaques on the walls with proceeds donated to the organization. The establishment was founded as a family-style restaurant by partners Duncan and Scottie MacRae and Darrell Barnes and it began running as Yesterdays in January of 1978. Since then, Duncan MacRae said that they have expanded the menu several times. “We started out with a relatively small menu and it just ended up getting bigger and bigger because every time we get a new menu, we couldn’t get rid of anything,” MacRae explained. “We saw all this new stuff that we needed to to do and it just grew and grew. We just do good, fresh, American food with lots of different choices and six fresh specials everyday. “There’s nothing static. We’re going to have the same quality every time but change it enough that we can be supported in a local community that is at times static, but sees lots of changeover as well,” MacRae added. Yesterdays was featured in ESPN’s Todd Blackledge’s Taste of the Town book that chronicles great spots to eat in college towns. It was the first restaurant in Columbia that he chose and they are featured on page 17 of the book. Partner Barnes said that the restaurant and business is really about the people, both staff and customers, who have been supporting them for 35 years. He likened it to the show “Cheers,” saying it was about the people who came in, not focused on the owner. “We’ve had some staff who have been here and some customers coming in for a long, long time. Without them, we wouldn’t be around still,” Barnes said. “It’s all about Yesterdays because when we’re gone hopefully this place will still be here for the community.” MacRae echoed these thoughts, saying that it has been a privilege to be a part of the Columbia and Carolina communities. He added they just do their best to serve the people who come in as patrons. “That’s pretty much what we’ve done for 34 years, give good food and a good value and we’ve been Gamecocks the whole way,” MacRae concluded.
October 9, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 17
Where are they now - Warren Muir by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
Sam Wyche played quarterback in practices. Wyche later went on to coach the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl. Also on the redAs a running back, Warren Muir could shirt team that year was legendary Gamehave been called a bulldozer since coach cock receiver Fred Ziegler and a young Lou Paul Dietzel said he was “the toughest inHoltz helping to coach that squad. side runner in college football” and he now “We had some pretty good redshirt coachworks in construction as a civil engineer. es between Sam Wyche and Lou Holtz. We What began as a summer job with Sumjust didn’t realize it at the time,” Muir comwalt Construction Co. to put some money mented. “Coach Holtz would try and get us in his pocket between his junior and senior fired up at the time … and we didn’t realize year turned into a career for Muir. how influential he would be with that at“I was just trying to get a job in the field titude of his.” and stay in shape … After getting off they were building the redshirt team, Warren Muir was described Dutch Square ShopMuir would go on ping Center then to have some great by Paul Dietzel as the outside of Columbia seasons for the “toughest inside runner in and I worked as a Gamecocks and ‘gopher’ for one of help lead them college football” the managers. That’s to an undefeated how I got kind of atconference season tracted to the construction business working and ACC Championship in 1969. Muir was a with them,” Muir said. two-time All-American as well. His bosses at the time were big Gamecock He noted that he had some pretty good fans and really nice to work for according individual performances in his senior year to Muir, so he continued working there folagainst Tennessee and Georgia, but those lowing his senior year. He had different games didn’t mean as much because they construction jobs and was always attracted were not able to defeat them. One of the back. Even after working as a project mangames that was most memorable and gave a ager for Michelin Tires he couldn’t get con- life lesson for Muir came during his junior struction out of his blood he said. He found season against North Carolina. it was a way to use his engineering degree “My junior year in 1968, we were playand do something he loved. ing North Carolina in Chapel Hill and after Muir came to South Carolina from Masthree quarters they had us down about 27-3. sachusetts and eventually became one of the We came back and beat them 32-27,” Muir best running backs in Gamecock history. He recalled. “It taught me, and I am sure a lot of said there was an adjustment to the heat, but other players, that you don’t ever give up. southern cooking, hospitality and the lack of “You never know, so you never give up beneed for snow shovels helped him get used cause you never know how the ball is going to living in the South. to bounce. You’ve got to play four quarters “Once you’re in school, meet so many and that is the same thing in life. Life has it’s people in the area and then you get in touch ups and downs, but you never quit and never with the business side of it, then it’s hard to give up. You’ve just got to try to stay posigo back north,” Muir said. “The southern tive,” Muir said. hospitality and all the friends you made in Muir said that being inducted into the college want to stay in the area, so you tend University of South Carolina Athletic Hall to want to stay too. It has been a great expe- of Fame in 2003 meant a lot to him to be rience.” honored by the place where he earned his One of the highlights for Muir during his degree. He also recognized the great job that time at Carolina was the great coaching staff not only his coaches did, but coaches everythat he had the pleasure to play for. The staff where do for kids. was led by Dietzel, “who was quite a leader, “The biggest thing I can say about coaches quite a man and a great person to have as a in general .. and teachers as well is I don’t football coach,” Muir said. think I’ve ever met a bad coach or a bad Also on the staff was defensive coordinator teacher. They all wanted to make better George Terry, who recruited Muir to attend people out of young men and women and West Point before they both moved down to they’re probably some of the most influential South Carolina. During his redshirt year af- people in molding young people into better transferring, the redshirt team served as ter adults. I’m thankful for all the work that the scout team and graduate assistant coach they do,” Muir concluded.
submitted photo
18 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Gamecocks in the NFL (through first four games of regular season) by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
Watkins is a member of the Chiefs practice squad.
Arizona Cardinals John Abraham - DE Started 2 of 4 games for the Cardinals and made four tackles thus far this season.
New York Jets Antonio Allen - S Started all four games for the Jets this year, collecting 19 tackles (12 solo) and one sack this year.
Jasper Brinkley - LB Started 3 of 4 games for the Cardinals and compiled 21 tackles (18 solo) and one pass deflection.
Philadelphia Eagles Clifton Geathers - DE Has played in all four games this season while compiling four tackles (3 solo) on the season.
Atlanta Falcons Partick DiMarco - FB Promoted off the practice squad in Week 3, has started one game this season. Cliff Matthews - DE Has played in all four games for the Falcons this season.
San Diego Chargers Melvin Ingram - LB Suffered a torn ACL in May and is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Ingram is eligible to return to the active roster in Week 7.
Travian Robertson - DT On the team but has not appeared in any games thus far.
Byron Jerideau, - DT A reserve player for the Chargers who has not seen action this season.
Buffalo Bills Stephon Gilmore - CB Has not played yet this season due to injured wrist, but could return as early as Week 6.
San Francisco 49ers Chris Culliver - CB Culliver is on injured reserve and out for the season with at torn ACL.
Carolina Panthers Captain Munnerlyn - CB Started all three games for the Panthers while collecting 14 tackles (10 solo) and 2 pass deflections.
Marcus Lattimore - RB Lattimore is on the reserve/non-fooball injury list with the knee injury he suffered against Tennessee last season as a Gamecock. He is not expected to play this season while recovering from surgery.
Travelle Wharton - G Has appeared in all three games for the Panthers thus far. Chicago Bears Alshon Jeffery - WR Started three of four games this season compiling 18 catches for 211 yards and one touchdown. He is averaging 11.7 yards per catch and has rushed three times for 57 yards.
photo by travis bell/sideline carolina
Holloman, seen here sacking Florida’s Jeff Driskel during first-quarter action in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, has played in all four games for the Cowboys. down and made an extra point in his only attempt on the year. Dallas Cowboys DeVonte Holloman - LB Played in all four games for the Cowboys compiling four tackles and recovering one fumble.
Cincinnati Bengals TJ Johnson - C Johnson is on the Bengals practice squad and has not appeared in any games this season.
Detroit Lions Devin Taylor - DE Has played in two of the Lion’s four games this year.
Cleveland Browns Tori Gurley - WR Was released by the Browns and is a free agent after catching one ball for 15 yards.
Houston Texans Johnathan Joseph - CB Started all four games for the Texans this year. Joseph has made 11 tackles and has seven pass deflections. He also has one interception on the season.
Spencer Lanning - P Punted in all four games for the Browns for a total of 23 punts for a 43.9 yard average with eight downed inside the 20 yard line. Lanning has also completed his only passing attempt on the season for an 11-yard touch-
D.J. Swearinger - SS Seen action in all four games while making 11 tackles (nine solo) this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars Ace Sanders - WR/PR Started two of four games for the Jaguars this year. He has 14 catches for 162 yards for an 11.6 yard per recaption average. Sanders has also returned one punt and one kick this year for 10 and 23 yards respectively. Kansas City Chiefs Dunta Robinson - CB Played in three games and started one this season while compiling five tackles (all solo). Robinson has also recovered one fumble and has one pass deflection. Ryan Succop - K Served as the placekicker and kickoff specialist for all four of the Chiefs games. Succop is 6-for-8 on field goals with a long of 51 yards and has made all 12 of his extra point attempts. He has had 14 touchbacks in 22 kickoffs giving an average opponent starting field position at the 26 yard line. Rokevious Watkins - OL
Seattle Seahawks Lemuel Jeanpierre - G/C Appeared in all four games for the Seahawks, starting one. Sidney Rice - WR Started two games for the Seahawks and played in all four. Rice has nine catches for 138 yards, an average of 15.3 yards per catch, and two touchdowns on the year thus far. St. Louis Rams Jared Cook - TE Cook has started all four games for the Rams this year while compiling 17 catches for 240 yards. He is averaging 14.1 yards per catch and has scored two touchdowns this season. Darian Stewart - S Played in two games for the Rams, but has not compiled an statistics thus far. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jamon Meredith - OT Appeared in all four games for the Buccaneers this season.
October 9, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 19
Starting Five with Sindarius Thornwell
South Carolina Athletics Media Relations
South Carolina freshman guard Sindarius Thornwell sat down with GamecocksOnline. com recently for a new web series in conjunction with Spurs and Feathers, “Starting Five With Sindarius Thornwell.” The series will highlight a different member of the Gamecock men’s basketball team with each edition. A South Carolina native and highly-touted recruit, Thornwell begins his first season with the Garnet and Black this fall. GamecocksOnline.com talked with him about his decision to attend South Carolina and what aspects of his game he is working on during the preseason thus far.
so it is always good to represent your home state. And so, coming here, if I can help Coach Frank and everyone else win, that’s great. And I’m from here, so it’s big for me. Q: You are a guard that is known as a pure scorer who can take over a game. How do you see yourself as a player? A: I see myself as a player who can score, but more of a slasher. I like to attack the basket, get open shots for my teammates and to play hard.
Q: Who do you model your game after the most? A: A Dwyane Wade type. The way he gets to the basket and gets his teammates open, and he is a slasher. Also James Harden. He can shoot the 3 better than Wade, so a combination of those two.
Q: You were one of the top recruits in the country. Why did you choose to come to photo by allen sharpe the University of South Carolina? Sindarius Thornwell, who will wear No. 0, is a 6-foot-5, 206-pound guard from Lancaster, S.C. Q: What aspect of your game are you A: I chose to come to South Carolina because it is home. I can be close to my family, working on the most as you prepare for and I felt that ‘why would I go to another uniCarey Rich described you this summer as to build something here at South Carolina. your freshman season to get underway? versity?’ when I can stay home and help out my the “Stephon Gilmore of the basketball Does building something special here at A: I’m working on my jump shot and staying home team to be a winning program. team at South Carolina,” meaning that you South Carolina drive you daily? low with my dribble. I’m also working on conQ: Former Gamecock basketball player spurred other offers from traditional powers A: It means a lot. I’m from South Carolina tinuing to develop my skills in other areas.
20 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Depth Charts for October 12, 12:21 p.m. OFFENSE WR: 1 Damiere Byrd 8 Shamier Jeffery 19 Jody Fuller WR: 23 Bruce Ellington 11 Pharoh Cooper 80 K.J. Brent WR: 3 Nick Jones 85 Kane Whitehurst 82 Kwinton Smith LT: 53 Corey Robinson 74 Mason Zandi LG: 50 A.J. Cann 65 Brock Stadnik C: 54 Clayton Stadnik 51 Cody Waldrop RG: 67 Ronald Patrick 55 Na’ Ty Rodgers RT: 71 Brandon Shell 78 Cody Gibson TE: 81 Rory Anderson 89 Jerell Adams 83 Mason Zandi QB: 14 Connor Shaw -OR- 17 Dylan Thompson 5 Brendan Nosovitch FB: 41 Connor McLaurin 31 Jordan Diaz TB: 28 Mike Davis 7 Shon Carson 33 David Williams
OFFENSE: WR: 4 Keon Hatcher 6 D’Arthur Cowan WR: 19 Javontee Herndon 5 Eric Hawkins TE: 87 Austin Tate 84 Hunter Henry LT: 69 David Hurd 68 Austin Beck LG: 76 Dan Skipper 65 Mitch Smothers C: 64 Travis Swanson 75 Luke Charpentier RG: 55 Denver Kirkland 72 Cordale Boyd RT: 50 Grady Ollison 74 Brey Cook QB: 10 Brandon Allen 11 AJ Derby RB: 32 Jonathan Williams -OR- 3 Alex Collins FB: 36 Kiero Small 40 Patrick Arinze
South Carolina
5-9, 166, Jr. 6-1, 207, So. 5-11, 217, RFr. 5-9, 196, Jr. 5-11, 184, Fr. 6-4, 188, So. 5-7, 174, Jr. 5-11, 179, So. 6-4, 212, RFr. 6-8, 341, Jr. 6-9, 293, RFr. 6-4, 314, Jr. 6-5, 286, RFr. 6-3, 281, RFr. 6-2, 319, RFr. 6-2, 315, Sr. 6-5, 296, Fr. 6-6, 323, So. 6-7, 286, Jr. 6-5, 242, Jr. 6-6, 237, So. 6-9, 293, RFr. 6-1, 209, Sr. 6-3, 218, Jr. 6-1, 220, RFr. 6-0, 237, Jr. 6-1, 233, Jr. 5-9, 215, So. 5-8, 219, So. 6-1, 200, Fr.
Sicklerville, N.J. St. Matthews, S.C. Charlotte, N.C Moncks Corner, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Waxhaw, N.C. Moore, S.C. Duluth, Ga. Hamer, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Irmo, S.C. Bamberg, S.C. Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Seffner, Fla. Cocoa, Fla. Waldorf, Md. Goose Creek, S.C. Tallahassee, Fla. Powder Springs, Ga. Pinewood, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Flowery Branch, Ga. Boiling Springs, S.C. Allentown, Pa. Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, N.J. Lithonia, Ga. Scranton, S.C. Philadelphia, Pa.
DEFENSE: DE: 90 Chaz Sutton 44 Gerald Dixon 34 Mason Harris DT: 97 J.T. Surratt 92 Gerald Dixon Jr. 93 Deon Green DT: 99 Kelcy Quarles 52 Phillip Dukes 94 Kelsey Griffin DE: 7 Jadeveon Clowney 5 Darius English MLB: 8 Kaiwan Lewis 11 T.J. Holloman 28 Jonathan Walton WLB: 21 Marcquis Roberts 10 Skai Moore 18 Cedrick Cooper SPR: 9 Sharrod Golightly 42 Jordan Diggs 32 Larenz Bryant CB: 27 Victor Hampton 4 Ahmad Christian SS: 25 Kadetrix Marcus 20 T.J. Gurley FS: 12 Brison Williams 17 Chaz Elder CB: 15 Jimmy Legree 3 Jamari Smith 1 Rico McWilliams
6-5, 263, Sr. 6-2, 268, So. 6-3, 218, So. 6-2, 307, Jr. 6-3, 318, So. 6-4, 287, So. 6-4, 298, Jr. 6-3, 315, So. 6-2, 292, Fr. 6-6, 274, Jr. 6-6, 226, RFr. 6-0, 221, So. 6-2, 228, RFr. 6-0, 234, Fr. 6-1, 225, So. 6-2, 205, Fr. 6-2, 213, So. 5-10, 195, Jr. 6-0, 214, RFr. 6-0, 215, Fr. 5-10, 202, Jr. 5-10, 189, So. 6-1, 195, Jr. 5-10, 196, So. 5-11, 218, Jr. 6-2, 199, RFr. 6-0, 187, Sr. 5-10, 183, Fr. 5-11, 187, RFr.
Savannah, Ga. Rock Hill, S.C. Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Winston-Salem, N.C. Rock Hill, S.C. Windermere, Fla. Hodges, S.C. Manning, S.C. Buford, Ga. Rock Hill, S.C. Powder Springs, Ga. Mays Landing, N.J. Stone Mountain, Ga. Daphne, Ala Powder Springs, Ga. Cooper City, Fla. Lithonia, Ga. Decatur, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Charlotte, N.C Darlington, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Stone Mountain, Ga. Cairo, Ga. Warner Robins, Ga. Union City, Ga. Beaufort, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Hampton, Ga.
Arkansas
6-2, 210, So. 6-3, 183, So. 6-1, 197, Sr. 6-0, 185, RFr. 6-6, 263, Sr. 6-6, 250, Fr. 6-6, 318, Sr. 6-7, 305, So. 6-10, 317, Fr. 6-4, 315, So. 6-5, 315, Sr. 6-4, 316, Jr. 6-5, 345, Fr. 6-3, 310, RFr. 6-5, 307, So. 6-7, 330, Jr. 6-3, 218, So. 6-5, 245, Jr. 6-0, 222, So. 5-11, 206, Fr. 5-10, 242, Sr. 5-10, 245, Jr.
Owasso, Okla. Olive Branch, Miss. Jacksonville, Fla. Longview, Texas Harrison, Ark. Little Rock, Ark. West Monroe, La. Nowata, Okla. Arvada, Colo. Springdale, Ark. Kingwood, Texas Cut Off, La. Miami, Fla. Memphis, Tenn. Malvern, Ark. Springdale, Ark. Fayetteville, Ark. Iowa City, Iowa Allen, Texas Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Baltimore, Md. La Mesa, Calif.
DEFENSE: DE: 42 Chris Smith 6-3, 270, Sr. 89 Brandon Lewis 6-5, 260, RFr. DT: 98 Robert Thomas 6-3, 325, Sr. 93 DeMarcus Hodge 6-1, 345, So. DT: 54 Byran Jones 6-2, 318, Sr. 91 Darius Philon 6-3, 300, RFr. DE: 86 Trey Flowers 6-4, 265, Jr. 48 Deatrich Wise Jr. 6-6, 275, RFr. SLB: 34 Braylon Mitchell 6-3, 230, Jr. 47 Martrell Spaight 6-0, 226, Jr. MLB: 49 Austin Jones 6-2, 237, Sr. 5 Otha Peters 6-2, 237, So. 51 Brooks Ellis 6-2, 230, Fr. WLB: 39 Jarrett Lake 6-3, 235, Sr. 52 Daunte Carr 6-3, 235, Jr. CB: 8 Tevin Mitchel 6-0, 180, Jr. 21 Carroll Washington 6-0, 180, Jr. SS: 27 Alan Turner 6-0, 200, Jr. -OR- 26 Rohan Gaines 5-11, 195, So. 7 Tiquention Coleman 5-10, 195, Jr. FS: 14 Eric Bennett 6-0, 200, Sr. 25 Kelvin Fisher Jr. 5-11, 197, So. CB: 9 Will Hines 6-1, 190. So. 29 Jared Collins 6-0, 175, RFr.
Mount Ulla, N.C. Memphis, Tenn. Muskogee, Okla. Monroe, La. Junction City, Ark. Mobile, Ala. Springdale, Ark. Carrollton, Texas North Little Rock, Ark. Little Rock, Ark. Dallas, Texas Covington, La. Fayetteville, Ark. Jenks, Okla. Gainesville, Ga. Mansfield, Texas Baltimore, Md. Junction City, Ark. Bainbridge, Ga. Mauldin, S.C. Tulsa, Okla. Gilbert, Ariz. Waco, Texas Tulsa, Okla.
SPECIALISTS: KO: 19 Landon Ard 29 Elliott Fry PK: 29 Elliott Fry 19 Landon Ard P: 13 Tyler Hull 18 Patrick Fish KR: 23 Bruce Ellington 7 Shon Carson PR: 27 Victor Hampton 11 Pharoh Cooper SSN: 58 Ryland Culbertson LSN: 47 Drew Williams H: 18 Patrick Fish 5 Brendan Nosovitch
5-9, 172, So. Rock Hill, S.C. 6-0, 150, Fr. Frisco, Texas 6-0, 150, Fr. Frisco, Texas 5-9, 172, So. Rock Hill, S.C. 6-2, 206, Jr. Mount Airy, N.C. 6-0, 195, Jr. Shelby, N.C. 5-9, 196, Jr. Moncks Corner, S.C. 5-8, 219, So. Scranton, S.C. 5-10, 202, Jr. Darlington, S.C. 5-11, 184, Fr. Havelock, N.C. 6-4, 265, Jr. Laurens, S.C. 6-2, 190, Fr. Irmo, S.C. 6-0, 195, Jr. Shelby, N.C. 6-1, 220, RFr. Allentown, Pa.
*These depth charts are taken from the listings from each team’s previous game. Spurs & Feathers goes to print shortly after each football game. Please visit www.spursandfeathers.com over the course of the week for updated depth charts.
SPECIALISTS: K: 18 Zach Hocker 43 John Henson P: 18 Zach Hocker 92 Sam Irwin-Hill SNP: 82 Alan D’Appollonio 32 Drew Gorton H: 56 Matt Emrich 37 Toby Baker KOR: 4 Keon Hatcher 33 Korliss Marshall PR: 19 Javontee Herndon 14 Eric Bennett
6-0, 191, Sr. Russellville, Ark. 5-11, 167, Jr. Southlake, Texas 6-0, 191, Sr. Russellville, Ark. 6-3, 210, Jr. Bendingo, Australia 6-0, 217, Jr. Phoenix, Ariz. 6-0, 200, So. Fayetteville, Ark. 6-3, 186, RFr. El Dorado, Ark. 6-3, 202, RFr. Memphis, Tenn. 6-2, 210, So. Owasso, Okla. 6-0, 200, Fr. Osceola, Ark. 6-1, 197, Sr. Jacksonville, Fla. 6-0, 200, Sr. Tulsa, Okla.
October 9, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 21
22 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
photos by allen sharpe
Left: Over 100 former players participated in the 2013 South Carolina Baseball Alumni Game held on Oct. 4, 2013 at Carolina Stadium. Right: Joined by current head coach Chad Holbrook (right), former Gamecock baseball head coaches June Raines (left) and Bobby Richardson (middle) also attended this year’s gathering of former lettermen.
Gamecock history on display at the 2013 Alumni Game by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
to see the teams now continuing what the older players started. “There are not many better programs The Gamecock baseball program had a around. When we grew up there were some celebration of its history on Friday Oct. 4 as big programs in Florida … but this has gotit hosted the 2013 South Carolina Baseball ten to be the best program around now. It’s Alumni Game at Carolina Stadium. great to see the fan support here too. They’re Over 100 former Gamecock baseball players out here tailgating for the Alumni Game. It’s and two former coaches arrived to be a part of amazing,” Martz commented. the festivities. Another former All-American pitcher, Joe The day started with many of the particiKucharski (1980-82) said the event is a fun pants enjoying a golf outing at Woodcreek way to keep in touch with former teammates Farms. They also took in Saturday’s football and other Gamecocks. He thinks the golf outgame against Kentucky together. ing is really enjoyable. In attendance were many generations of “It’s always nice to run into some of the peoGamecocks from Billy Pridgen who played in ple we played with. The golf is fun when we 1952 to members of the 2013 team in Patrick get out and hack it around together. It’s good Sullivan, Sean Sullivan and LB Dantzler. to see some of these guys again,” Kucharski Many players expressed how much it meant said. to see all the former players get together to Jeff Parnell (1990-93), who participated in celebrate the history and tradition of Carolina the game itself, also said he likes to see the baseball. former players and the coaches. “It’s an honor to be here and a pleasure to “It’s a lot of fun to get out here and play see so many players come back here,” Pridgen around with some of the old guys, run into my said. old coach. We’re just out here trying to not get Bobby Bryant (1965-67) said it was an exembarrassed or hurt and maybe make a play, cellent experience to get together to celebrate but it is so much fun,” Parnell said. the history of the program. John Taylor (2010-11), another game partici“It’s great for everyone to get back together pant, said that it feels good to come back to out here and see all the guys. It’s nice to get his home field and play one more time. He reback together after some of them didn’t make membered watching the event when he played it for the Lettermen’s golf. All the baseball for the Gamecocks. guys try to make it out here for this,” Bryant “I think a lot of it has to do with history and said. just to see some of these guys come back and Former All-American Randy Martz (1977) see how close they are to the program,” Taylor echoed these thoughts and said that it is nice said. “They keep coming back year after year
… just to show that loyalty to your team even after you leave I think is something that players here now can look up to and respect.” LB Dantzler (2012-13) noted that it was bittersweet to come back to the college environment and run into old friends and teammates in the locker room. He said that the atmosphere playing professionally is different and it was nice to return and know how many people are still so close to the program. “I think that ‘s really special because I’ve had all kinds of guys coming up and congratulating me on the year I had. It’s awesome that they’re supporting me and these are bigname guys, so that’s really cool. I didn’t even know they knew who I was and here they are following me,” Dantzler explained. The tradition, history and close ties to the program were important to all of the players, but the coaches felt that this was one of the greatest aspects of the program and the event. Former coach Bobby Richardson (1970-76) said that he has continued to follow the Gamecocks closely. Richardson was also the honorary starter at the football game Saturday. “It’s really good and I’ve been following the program of course and watching the games on television. I’m just so proud. Ray did such a great job and Chad is going to follow through. I’m just really excited to be here and come back,” Richardson said. “My biggest thing is when I see some of my players, I make sure that I recognize them and let them know how much I enjoy coaching them.” June Raines (1977-96) echoed these sentiments saying that he loves catching up with
all of his former players who come to the event. “Coach Tanner started this and coach Holbrook is continuing this and I think that it’s something great for the University. To keep ties with the old players that graduated and see how successful most of them are is nice. Some of them come back to see this ballpark; I cannot believe it how nice it is here. I think it’s a great thing for everyone,” Raines said. Current coach Chad Holbrook feels that it is great to have the history and traditions on display and enjoys seeing former players rekindle relationships and reminisce about their playing days. “Seeing some of the old coaches out here is really amazing … you almost have to pinch yourself. You get some great players, great people and great coaches. It’s just the tradition of Carolina baseball. To have them back here and telling stories on each other is pretty cool,” Holbrook said. The game itself was competitive as it finished with the Black team defeating Garnet, 9-8. Runs often came in bunches and there were some hard-hit balls, highlighted by a home run by Garris Gonce (2001-02) to left field. Overall, all the participants said they enjoyed the experience of being able to get out and play with some of the other players who have worn South Carolina on their uniforms. “To get to come back out here and play at your home field one more time feels good. I know it’s something people look forward to each year,” Taylor said.
Spurs & Feathers • 23
October 9, 2013
photo by MIKE KUCHARSKI
The work on getting the new facility ready by the end of October continues as large piles of sand are currently in place ready to be shaped into sand volleyball courts.
Sand volleyball digging into training by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
The South Carolina sand volleyball student-athletes and head coach Moritz Moritz are continuing the hard work in preparation for competition in the Gamecocks’ inaugural season. The practice intensity and frequency is tapering slightly to keep the team healthy for its lone fall competition in November, but that does not mean they have stopped working. Moritz said that the practices are fluctuating to keep the routine new, protect the student-athletes’ health and work on different aspects of the game. Moritz said that the team has been integrating more of the principles of ball control, movement and spacing that they have been highlighting in training thus far. He added that he has seen some of the players take aspects from the drills into the daily scrimmages as they translate the fundamentals into game-like situations. “Sometimes when you get into drills or really specific ball control kinds of things and it’s like ‘why are we doing this? It’s so tedious and monotonous,’” Moritz explained. “Then you watch them an hour and a half later when they’re playing and they’ve applied something that we have just been working on. You see the lightbulb come on. “’Wait a minute, we just did this.’ You didn’t think it would actually help or actu-
ally be specific to what we would need to do in a game situation, but there you are. Now you’re doing it. It’s cool to see them make the connection from one to the other and really apply those skills,” Moritz added. A main focus has been on creating an emphasis on defense and keeping points alive because Moritz is a believer in the old adage “defense wins championships.” He said that the team is starting to gain an attitude that they can make a play on any ball. “You always want to have that scrappy, never-say-die, no-quit attitude where you’re just going to go for everything. They’re really starting to get that,” Moritz said. “Even though there is only two of you and you have this huge amount of court to cover, you have to make that effort. Regardless of how far it looks like it might be, you make that effort and chances are that you’re going to get it. “If you don’t, at least you made the effort to get there and really build that response so that any time you see something happen you’re going to react and go for it. You’ll continue to help your partner to get better and put them into better positions to not necessarily always score, but at least to get it back over,” Moritz continued. Along with the work on the courts, the student-athletes have continued the work with the strength and conditioning coaches to prepare for competition. Moritz said there is a focus on core and circuit training to get the
explosion and burst needed for successful volleyball movements in the sand. He also said that the players’ legs will always get stronger from the plyometric-like workouts they get from jumping in sand at practice. The work on the team’s new facility is ongoing and there currently are large piles of sand ready to be shaped into courts as the work continues. Moritz said the target date set was for sometime this month and if all the materials arrive on time, then the team should be training in it’s own facility sooner rather than later. For now, he and the team are happy to continue working at the sand courts at the Blatt PE Center. The conditions have provided a chance for the team to train in the wind and elements rather than indoors, which will only help them to better prepare for competition. Moritz said that it is easier to train in the wind because it helps get the team ready for the unpredictability that they can see in such conditions. “I’ve heard this from many places, that a practice played in wind is equal to two or three practices in perfect conditions because you’re dealing with so much more unpredictability and adaptation required … I would rather have it windy all the time for us to train in and prepare like that because it is always easier to adapt from that to no wind than the other way around,” Moritz explained. Another advantage to training in the mid-
dle of campus for the team is the exposure they gain when students and the public walk past their practices on a busy walkway leading to the heart of campus from the Athletics Village. “The Blatt has been good, it’s been nice. It’s kind of nice to be out there right now because we do have people stopping on the concourse to stop and look … it’s kind of cool when some of the other student-athletes are walking by and they’re showing a little support,” Moritz said.
24 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Gamecocks attacking the SEC schedule by Mike Kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
year, including being named SEC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 23. Swanson said that she has always been talented The South Carolina volleyball team is and now has an extra sense of urgency and building the confidence and earning the ex- focus in her final year wearing the Garnet perience needed to compete in the SEC this and Black. season from the early season schedule. “She’s kept a great attitude and stayed paThe Gamecocks won the Gamecock Intient with the young kids and they’ve been vitational and the Carolina Classic in the able to follow her. I’m so proud of her for pre-conference schedule, but head coach stepping up as a leader that way,” Swanson Scott Swanson stressed the importance of said. “She’s hung in there and learned a lot. earning a split in the first SEC road trip She’s like one of the coaches on the floor of the season. They are currently in the now for us which is what you want a capmidst of a four-match home stand as all op- tain to be.” ponents going forward will come from the Swanson also credits setter Kellie McNeil competitive SEC. for helping the team find success offen“I thought it was crucial; it was huge sively, saying that she is one of the most to get the split,” Swanson said. “For our athletic setters that he has ever seen. He young kids to bounce back (after falling noted that she is able to block more balls to Missouri) and play the way we played than any setter he has seen play and her against Tennessee … a hostile environblocking was key in the road victory over ment, the first weekend most of these kids Tennessee. have even played in a big gym, there were “She’s just super-athletic and she has a lot of things against us and we played re- all the tools to be an All-American type ally well. I think that helps us for the rest player. On top of all that she is playing of the season.” with a fractured foot, so she doesn’t get to The win against Tennessee was the first train every day,” Swanson said. “The fact time that South Carolina had defeated the that she committed to say ‘I’m going to Volunteers on the road since 2002 and it play through this injury this year and get was the first win against them anywhere surgery after’ shows a lot of guts. since 2008. Swanson said the win was “I know her teammates appreciate that paramount for the team, especially for the and the coaches definitely do. We’re just seniors who had never beaten Tennessee lucky to have her,” Swanson added. and he felt that it built the confidence of Swanson said that the team has come tothe team to keep the mindset that they can gether well and learned from all of the earhave a great season. ly season matches. Some players were able One of the points of emphasis for the to gain experience and mentally the team’s Gamecocks has been to keep attacking attitude has gained the sense of urgency errors down by managing risk to create and understanding of the competition they a high hitting percentage. Swanson has will face each time out in the SEC. preached patience and keeping the ball in “As hard as it is to not have a better replay to put pressure on the opposing team cord going into SEC play, I think mentally to possibly make errors. He said that they that’s going to help us understand ‘OK, we could be more aggressive at times, but can’t take a day off, can’t take a match off.’ keeping the pressure on opposing teams is We’ve got to take everybody extremely important going forward. seriously,” Swanson commented. “After “With as many young kids as we have, seeing Missouri, I think our kids get it we’re really trying to get them to undernow that the SEC is really good. Whether stand that you don’t have to try to win it’s Mississippi State or Florida, any given the match with one swing,” Swanson night you could lose or you could win deexplained. “If you’ve got it then take it. If pending on how you play. you don’t, tip it and make it tough on them. “Our expectations are to go out there and They’ve bought into that. compete your butt off for however long it “That’s so crucial for us to be able to takes. We’re just trying to preach to our compete with other teams. We can’t make kids to do the best you can and if you do as many little errors or unforced errors and your best and it wasn’t good enough that still beat the talented teams that we face,” night, then you still hold your head up Swanson said. high. They’re all learning pretty fast how south carolina athletics media relations Individually, senior outside hitter Juliette to compete in the SEC,” Swanson conSophomore setter Kellie McNeil was key in the South Carolina road win over Tennessee. Thévenin has been having an outstanding cluded.
Spurs & Feathers • 25
October 9, 2013
The phrase “going to Dr. Andrews” is enough to send chills down a baseball player’s spine. Or elbow, or shoulder, or whatever other body part is ailing him. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews is a sports medicine legend, operating on thousands of athletes who have suffered career-threatening injuries. In baseball circles, he’s the go-to doctor Andy Demetra for Tommy John elbow surgery. Contributing Writer Athletes from around the world make the pilgrimage to his clinic in Birmingham, Ala., hoping the 71 year-old can fix their broken bodies and battered psyches. Former Gamecock catcher Richard Royal has a different take on the phrase. “To even be associated with anything with Dr. Andrews’ name on it, it was an unbelievable opportunity,” he said. Royal, a member of the Gamecocks’ 2010 national championship team, is a secondyear student in the College of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Last summer, he was one of four students to land a Student Researcher internship at Andrews’ renowned American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI).
The internship put Royal – who aspires to be an orthopedic surgeon – on the front lines of the one of the nation’s most influential research centers for sports-related injuries. “I was definitely excited to see what the best of the best do, and how they do it,” he said. Royal’s interest in orthopedics began, naturally, with an injury of his own. For two years in high school, doctors couldn’t pinpoint the reason he felt a nagging pain in his throwing arm. An orthopedist at N.C. State ultimately diagnosed him as having an avulsion fracture, where a ligament pulls off the growth plate. “Ever since then, I was kind of interested in [orthopedics], because he got me back to doing what I love to do,” Royal said. “The appreciation I had for the doctors who were able to get me back playing again - I kind of knew that was something that I wanted to for someone else.” Royal blossomed at Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville, N.C., where he was named to the SC/NC Select All-Star Team. His play eventually attracted the attention of the Gamecocks. His bloodlines didn’t hurt either: his Dad, Mike, played at N.C. State a few years before Ray Tanner. “[Richard] was a tremendous young man, a great student, and a high-energy practice player. He made our team better by his presence,” Tanner said. A McKissick Scholar, teammates were often impressed by Royal’s ability to quickly pick up on concepts. “He was a kid that worked harder than
anybody else. That’s kind of how he’s built. He always had a pencil behind his ear and a studied look on his face,” said Whit Merrifield, his former roommate. Royal’s numbers were modest during his first three years at Carolina, logging nine total at-bats in 2008 and 2010 (he redshirted in 2009). He hoped to change that his senior year and made a strong push for playing time in the fall. Then he began feeling pain in his elbow. USC physician Dr. Chris Mazoué gave the deflating diagnosis: he needed Tommy John surgery. “I had the choice of either fixing it or letting it be,” Royal said. “I prayed a lot about it. I was applying to med school. I thought that was where God wanted me to be – to pursue the med school route.” Royal opted for surgery and ended his career, graduating in 2011 with a 3.89 GPA in mechanical engineering. After his first year at MUSC, he wanted to get involved in sports medicine research over the summer. A conversation with MUSC’s Director of Student Affairs led him to the ASMI internship in Birmingham. The ASMI doesn’t perform the types of surgeries that Dr. Andrews is famous for; those happen at the Andrews Clinic in another part in the complex. Instead, the ASMI conducts clinical research in the everexpanding field of sports orthopedics. “We’re a research and education non-profit center. We really want to try to understand Please see inside the chart, Page 31
SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
Former Gamecock catcher Richard Royal.
26 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 27
October 19, 2013
Gamecock Radio/Television Information The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 34 affiliate stations for the 2013-14 season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts. The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www.GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista. Wild Wing Café, which is South Carolina’s home for the best wings south of Buffalo, has 12 locations in the Palmetto State. Visit www. wildwingcafe.com for more information.
Inside the Roost
South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff.
In-Stadium frequency
For those traveling to Arkansas, you can listen to the Gamecock Sports Network inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on 96.5 (primary) or 97.5 (secondary).
South Carolina-Arkansas television
The game is the SEC TV game. Please check local listings for your area.
2013-14 Radio Affiliates City Abbeville Aiken/Edgefield Allendale Anderson Camden Camden Charleston Charleston Chesterfield Clinton Columbia Columbia Florence Florence Florence Florence/Lamar Gaffney Gaffney Greenville Greenville Hilton Head Kingstree Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach Newberry Rock Hill/Lancaster Rock Hill/Lancaster Seneca Seneca Spartanburg Sumter Sumter Union Woodruff
Call Letters
Frequency
WZLA-FM WKSX-FM WDOG-FM WRIX-FM WPUB-FM WCAM-AM WWIK-FM WTMZ-AM WVSZ-FM WPCC-AM WISW-AM WNKT-FM WHYM-AM WOLH-AM WOLH-FM WFRK-FM WZZQ-FM WZZQ-AM WROO-FM WGVL-AM WGZO-FM WDKD-AM WSYN-FM WHSC-AM WKDK-AM WRHM-FM WVSZ-FM WSNW-AM WSNW-FM WSPG-AM WIBZ-FM WDXY-AM WBCU-AM WQUL-AM
92.9 92.7 93.5 103.1 102.7 1590 98.9 910 107.3 1410 1320 107.5 1260 1230 98.9 95.3 104.3 1500 96.7 1440 103.1 1310 103.1 1050 1240 107.1 107.3 1150 103.5 1400 95.5 1240 1460 1510
Football Basketball Coaches Shows Baseball X X X X X X X X X X Women’s Basketball X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X
28 • Spurs & Feathers
October 9, 2013
Starting Five with Justin McKie South Carolina Athletics Media RElations 1. You were named the Gatorade South Carolina Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year and South Carolina Mr. Basketball last year. Why did you decide to attend the University of South Carolina? I’ve always been a Gamecock fan and this program has meant a lot to my family and me when I was growing up. Plus, I have a little brother and sister, who I want to be able to watch grow up and be around for them when they grow up. Also, I really feel that Coach Martin believes in me as a player and I like him as a coach and as a person. 2. When you decided to come to South Carolina you noted that the atmosphere at a Gamecock football game really showed you what the future could be like for Gamecock basketball. What would it mean to you to have Colonial Life Arena packed night in and night out? The fans mean a lot. Without them, the games wouldn’t be as intense as they are. You see fans at football and see how
photo by allen sharpe
dedicated and passionate our fans are. As we keep growing as a program and under Coach Martin, I think we’ll have Colonial
Life Arena just like Williams-Brice Stadium. 3. A coach of another high school pro-
gram in the state of South Carolina noted that you are “one of those kids who’s actually fun to coach against because he plays the game the right way.” He also said you have a competitive fire that you don’t see every day. High praise obviously, but how do you see your game, or what sets you apart? I love to win. No matter how that has to come - whether that is me scoring, rebounding, playing defense, whether it’s me sitting on the bench cheering for my teammates, I just love to win. That is probably the biggest part of my game, more than anything just my passion and fire for the game. 4. Who do you model your game after the most? I don’t really model it after any one particular. I like Kobe (Bryant), but I’m 6’4” and he is 6’6”, so it is hard to model my game after someone who is 6’6”. I just try and be the best player that I can be. 5. What aspect of your game are you working on the most as you prepare for your freshman season to get underway? I have to get a lot stronger. My ball handling is good, but also needs to get a lot better for me to be the player that I want to be.
Starting Five with Desmond Ringer South Carolina Athletics Media Relations
photo by allen sharpe
to contribute as a presence underneath defensively and on the glass. Do you take pride in making the most out of 1. You were listed as one of the top your efforts on both ends of the court? players in the state of Georgia. Why Absolutely. My coach in high school told did you decide that the University of me that defense is effort. South Carolina was the best fit for you? Your offense, your shot might not be Because of the opportunity for playing falling, but defense, you can control it. time and Coach Frank is an excellent Any way I can help my team if my ofcoach. I think he is a coach who is going fense is not on, then I will work hard on to stay on you and that is what I need as a the defensive end. basketball player to get better. And as far 4. Who do you model your game after as academics, South Carolina had what I the most? I model my game after Tim Duncan because he is very fundamental needed. and he knows how to use his angles on 2. Your size, strength, athleticism the court to get baskets that a lot of post and skill in the post will be an asset players with athleticism don’t do. for the Gamecocks this year. What do 5. What aspect of your game are you you think that you bring to the team? working on the most as you prepare I think I bring a dimension inside that for your freshman season to get underthe team didn’t have last year. Not only myself, but all of us - Demetrius (Henry), way? Just working on being patient and listening. Coach Frank is big on listening Laimonas (Chatkevicius), Mindaugas and following directions. I think if I listen (Kacinas) - we all got better during the summer and will bring a great dimension and work within the system, scoring and steals will come if I just work hard, listen to the post. 3. Obviously your size allows for you and do what Coach Frank asks me to do.
October 9, 2013
Spurs & Feathers • 29
30 • Spurs & Feathers
New York City Gamecock Club Weekly Football Game-Watching Event Saturdays at The Mason Jar. The best place to watch Gamecock football if you can’t be at Williams-Brice! Located at 43 E 30th Street in Manhattan, with a Gamecock-inspired menu and discounts for Gamecock fans. Call them at: (212) 213-3587. For more information, check out the website at: www. nycgamecocks.com or email chapter president JR Buzzelli at gamecockclubofgny@gmail.com. Darlington County Gamecock Club - Board meeting Monday, October 7, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. Heritage Community Bank 206 South Fifth Street in Hartsville, S.C. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. All Gamecock fans are invited to attend! Lancaster County Gamecock Club Rally at the Moose University of South Carolina Gamecock fans in and around the Lancaster area are invited to an event on Monday, October 7th at the Moose Lodge right off of South Plantation Road in Lancaster. The event is free and begins at 6:30 p.m. and will include a hamburger and hotdog cookout. Former Gamecock star running back Ryan Brewer, Men’s Basketball Associate Head Coach Matt Figger, and Gamecock Club Assistant Director Jay Brown will be there to speak to the Gamecocks in attendance. New York City Gamecock Club Tuesday, October 8; 6-8 p.m. at The Mason Jar Cost: $20.00 Please join us as we welcome USC Athletics Director Ray Tanner to NYC. Appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be on hand. There will be a ton of great prizes and raffle items from the Gamecock Club. RSVP on NYC Gamecocks Facebook page or by emailing scalumniofnyc@gmail.com. Schedule: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Gamecock Happy Hour; 7:00 7:20 p.m.: Coach Tanner talk and Q & A; 7:20 - 8:00 p.m.: Photos, autographs, raffle winners. Arkansas Parking Infomration Public parking and tailgating is permitted in the Baum Stadium East parking lot and does not require approval but is subject to all applicable University policies. Free off-campus public parking is available off of Razorback Road near Baum Stadium approximately one mile south of the stadium between Martin Luther King (6th Street) and 15th Street. Shuttle service is provided beginning four (4) hours before kick-off. The shuttle provides return trips until all fans are returned to their vehicles after the conclusion of the game. For more shuttle information, please refer to the Shuttle Section below. RV Parking: RV parking is not allowed in any campus parking lot. Overnight RV parking is available next to Road Hog Park on 15th street off of Razorback Road near Baum Stadium approximately one mile
October 9, 2013
south of the stadium. Shuttle service is provided from the entrance to Road Hog Park beginning four (4) hours before kick-off. The shuttle provides return trips until all fans are returned to their vehicles after the conclusion of the game. Parking is available on a first-come first-served basis with the lots open for arrival the week prior to the game. Dry camping only with water and dump stations available in Road Hog Park. Please call Bob Roten at 479-409-8178 for information, prices and reservations. Spartanburg County Gamecock Club – October Meeting Thursday, October 17th 7 p.m. at Spartanburg Downtown Marriott Convention Center “Catching up with Yolanda and Vern” Guest Speakers: Yolanda & Vern Smith, parents of Marcus Lattimore. Come hear it from the parents’ viewpoint ... his years at Carolina, the injuries, the NFL Draft, his faith and his life with the 49ers. Admission is FREE and open to all Gamecock fans. Spartanburg County Gamecock Club “Leave the driving to us!” First come, first serve so don’t wait; seats will fill up fast! Oct. 19 - Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.) COST: Early Bird (Before Sept. 15th) $50/seat; After Sept. 15th $55/seat) Departure Time & Place: Jason Deli’s Parking Lot (W.O. Ezell Blvd. Spartanburg), time: TBA (once gametime is confirmed) Please make check payable to : Spartanburg County Gamecock Club Mail to: P.O. Box 5146, Spartanburg, SC 29304 Please remember reserved bus seats DO NOT include game tickets. Please contact Glenn Cox, (864) 597-8380, with questions. USC Aiken Men’s Basektball Tip-Off Banquet Special guest speaker: Gamecocks’ men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin October 29 at USC Aiken Convocation Center Meet and greet session starting at 6 p.m. with the banquet starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 for the meet and greet and banquet, $35 for the banquet only. Contact USC Aiken Athletics at (803) 641-3486 or USC Aiken men’s basketball head coach Vince Alexander at (803) 641-3438 for tickets. Darlington County Gamecock Club Election Monday, November 4, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. Heritage Community Bank 206 South Fifth Street in Hartsville, S.C.w Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. All Gamecock fans are invited to attend!
Don’t forget to check the calendar on www.spursandfeathers.com for all upcoming events.
Upcoming South Carolina Athletics Events zz October 11 Equestrian vs. Georgia...............................................2 p.m. Cross Country at Royal Cross Country Challenge........3:30 p.m. Volleyball vs. Georgia.................................................7 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs.. Alabama....................................7 p.m. Women’s Golf at Tar Heel Invitational...................................All day zz October 12 Football at Arkansas..............................................................12:21 p.m. Swimming and Diving at College of Charleston................1 p.m. Women’s Golf at Tar Heel Invitational...................................All day zz October 13 Men’s Soccer at Kentucky...........................................................1 p.m. Volleyball vs. Kentucky........................................................... 1:30 p.m. Women’s Golf at Tar Heel Invitational...................................All day Home events are............................................................................... Bold
Spurs & Feathers • 31
October 9, 2013
I’ll take my chances with this team
When the season began, just about every so called “expert” predicted the Gamecocks would be 4-1 through this point of the season. Thus, we should not be too surprised that this is the case. What is the surprise, at least in anticipation by most, is how this has come about. Particularly in the last three games, USC has given us cause for pause as big leads have given way to performances that have made even the most optimistic of us squirm. This Ed Girardeau past weekend, Kentucky Contributing closed to within six points Editor after trailing 24-7 at the half and then after a fourth quarter touchdown and two-point conversion, Carolina stretched the lead back to 14, only to see the Wildcats storm down the field in four minutes, for 81 yards and closed again within seven. USC recovered a hybrid on-side kick and ran out the clock. It wasn’t pretty ... again, but it was a win ... AGAIN! So, post-Georgia loss, we have done some of the things I thought we needed to do, but there are certainly some concerns with the defense, particularly in the fourth quarter. I suppose we could blame it on the youth, but then again, it does seem to be an entire defensive effort, including the veterans. Coach Spurrier said that it is just the way we are going to be on defense, though Lorenzo Ward said, “we’re not going to live with the way we’re playing, that’s for sure.” And the Clowney situation is disconcerting. I do not think the effort on Saturday night had anything to do with him or the lack thereof, but the coaches were none too happy. Who knows what will happen with him going forward, but the overall them from the coaches to the player postgame was “next
man up.” The defense will have to play better. There is no reason to think that they can’t. But based on the games this year, you certainly have to wonder whether it is going to happen. The defense surrendered 100 yards in the first half total offense and seven points. In the second, 201 yards and 21 points. One would think, put two halves together and we have it made. We will see if that can be accomplished. The offense on the other hand is really playing well. Mike Davis is the real deal at running back, the offensive line is blocking as well as anytime since the days of George Rogers and with nine receivers making catches Saturday night, this group is worthy of a top-10 ranking. And the straw that stirs the drink is Connor Shaw. After listening to him postgame, I am convinced more than ever that when you look up the word leadership in the dictionary, there is a picture of Shaw. And my description won’t do him justice. You almost have to sit there and listen to the young man talk to understand. He talked about this being his senior season and that he was not going to miss a game if he could help it as there were only a few left. He thanked the team, thanked the fans, thanked the coaches. Said he was fine and his injury felt fine. He had to repeat it three or four times, but he was fine. And then just to make it clear, he told the crowd, “get off the defense. They’ll be fine.” I guess the best way to put this is: Shaw gets it. And South Carolina needs Shaw and the rest of the Gamecocks to get it for the next three. All on the road, starting with Arkansas, then Tennessee and Missouri. At this point, it is really difficult to see us coming through this unscathed. There is a reason why South Carolina is 21-4 when Shaw starts. With him at the helm of the offense,
inside the Chart, continued from page 25
also shadowed the doctors on their post-op rounds at the Andrews Clinic; seeing the faces of athletes who had come in badly injured, only to leave full strength, further convinced him of his career path. Royal also helped in the ASMI’s famed biomechanics lab. The lab uses motion-capture analysis – think Madden video-game design - to study a player’s mechanical flaws, help him throw more efficiently and avoid injuries. While working there, Royal also learned his playing days weren’t as far behind him as he thought. One morning a fastidious pitcher, in town for a motion-capture analysis,
and prevent injuries in sports,” said Glenn Fleisig, Ph.D., ASMI’s Research Director. Throughout his internship, which lasted from June to August, Royal helped the ASMI staff on their research projects. Some days he crunched numbers on injury rates. Other days he studied new surgical techniques. Other days he helped on ligament tests in the cadaver lab. As he explains it, Royal ticks off terms like “trunk rotation” and “angle of abduction” as casually as he once did “hit-and-run” and “sac fly.” He
photo by tim O’briant
The Parents Weekend drop-in at Brittons was a huge success. Pictured is Perry Lancaster. I’ll take my chances. By the way... In our travels around the state in support of Spurs and Feathers, one of the great things is meeting great people along the way. Wednesday, we went by Sam’s grand opening in Aiken, not to shop, but to visit George Rogers who makes appearances on behalf of the Sam’s Club. It is always great to spend time with George. You cannot talk to him and not come away smiling and feeling good about things. He is a great ambassador for the University. It was Parents Weekend at the University this past weekend. Tim O’Briant and I went
by Brittons on Devine Street in Columbia as they were having a drop-in. There was a good crowd on hand and there is a great selection as many of you know of Gamecock wear to choose from. One of the interesting people we met was Ryan Dapps, a 13-yearold, who was dressed to the nine’s with his apparel from Brittons. The young man in order to purchase his clothes sells chicken eggs from his 15 on a farm and three at home. At $4 per dozen. And the best part, he was wearing from the Gamecock line of clothing. It does my heart good to meet young people like Ryan. Smile on his face and happy to tell us how he earns the clothes on his back. He is truly another Great Gamecock!
didn’t feel comfortable throwing to the lab’s rectangular strike zone screen. Royal, like any on-call doctor, had his tools handy. “I happened to have my mitt in the truck. I was able to throw my hat on backwards and catch a bullpen,” Royal said, chuckling at the memory. “A few years ago I may have been moaning and groaning about catching another bullpen. But it was kind of cool to squat back down.” Royal is on track to graduate from MUSC in 2016 (he lives with former Gamecock teammate Brady Thomas, a first-year student at MUSC). After that, he hopes to con-
tinue pursuing his specialty of orthopedic surgery. Though he never crossed paths with Dr. Andrews, a summer immersed in the orthopedic legend’s world gave Royal an invaluable jump-start on his career. “I learned a lot in terms of the procedures, how they’re done and why certain ones are done versus others. Anytime you can be around guys who’ve done it for that long, and at that high a level – being able to soak up any kind of knowledge you can is going to be beneficial down the road,” he said. “Going to Dr. Royal” may have a nice ring to it, after all.
32 • Spurs & Feathers
September 11, 2013