october 12, 2016 • Volume 38 • Issue 10 • $1.50
Full Speed Ahead:
A healthy Deebo Samuel gives Gamecocks weapon Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Please expedite
Gamecock student-athletes step up big again in time of need Publication mailed from Columbia on Tuesday, October 11
2 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
Contact Us: 326 Rutland Drive N.W. PO Box 456 Aiken, SC, 29801 To subscribe/questions: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Kyle Heck Reporter kheck@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Cover Design Brian Hand (Photo by Allen Sharpe) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 20 times annually. The frequency is monthly in January, April and July. The publication is weekly from September-November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes two slick-paper magazine issues — one in August and one in December. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC
October 12, 2016
Please Read: Editor’s note Please note that we are weekly for the rest of the football season (except for the open date). Please also make sure to email bhand@spursandfeathers.com whenever you have a meeting for inclusion in our editions and on SpursandFeathers.com. Per our contract with the Gamecock Club, below are our remaining edition dates for the 2016 year. Forever to Thee! Spurs & Feathers schedule
Oct. 12 newspaper Oct. 19 bye week (no newspaper) Oct. 26 newspaper Nov. 2 newspaper Nov. 9 newspaper Nov. 16 newspaper Nov. 23 newspaper Nov. 30 newspaper Dec. 21 magazine (end of year)
Please remember that due to bye week, we will not have an edition on Oct. 19. We will return weekly the rest of the 2016 football season as noted above.
Don’t forget, you can always revisit any edition of Spurs & Feathers on our official website at SpursandFeathers.com.
Need more gamecock updates?
Postmaster: Send changes to SPURS & FEATHERS, PO Box 456, Aiken, SC, 29802.
Get more news and daily coverage at
www.spursandfeathers.com
Spurs & Feathers • 3
October 12, 2016
AS14-1487746-1
4 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Georgia able to hold off second half Gamecock charge by brian hand Executive Editor COLUMBIA - South Carolina made it interesting in the second half by pulling within a touchdown twice, but Georgia was able to hold on for a 28-14 win over the Gamecocks before a crowd of 77,221 at Williams-Brice Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 9. After the tough loss, South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp opened up his press conference by passing along his thoughts to all of those affected by Hurricane Matthew, and by also thanking athletics director Ray Tanner, University of South Carolina president Dr. Harris Pastides and all of those within the community that worked so hard to make playing the game on a Sunday a reality. Muschamp particularly made mention of the close to sellout crowd that came to cheer on the Gamecocks just a day after Hurricane Matthew impacted the state. “The crowd was great today,” Muschamp said. “I appreciate them coming out. I wish we would have played better, and giving them a better showing, but they were outstanding.” With the loss to Georgia (4-2, 2-2 SEC), South Carolina (2-4, 1-4 SEC) now heads into its bye week according to Muschamp looking toward at what “we can improve on. All positions are open.” “The open week has come at a good time,” Muschamp said. “Our players will be off tomorrow (Monday), and we’ll work as a staff to improve our team. We’ve got six games to go, and we’re looking forward to those six games and continuing to improve our program.” Georgia would receive the opening kickoff, and they took advantage, going 73 yards on seven plays to take an early 7-0 lead with 11:55 left in the first quarter. Running back Nick Chubb collected the touchdown for the Bulldogs on a 15-yard touchdown run that ended the 3:05 scoring drive. Chubb would extend the Georgia lead to 14-0 with 10:27 left in the first half when he rushed in from one yard out. The one-yard touchdown run by Chubb finished off an eight-play, 28-yard drive that took 4:29 off the game clock for the Bulldogs that was made possible when Gamecock quarterback Perry Orth was intercepted by Malkom Parrish at the South Carolina 28-yard line.
photo by allen sharpe
The two teams would enter the halftime break with Georgia still owning that 14-0 lead. Georgia held a 209-108 advantage in terms of total yards in the half with the Bulldogs owning the time of possession battle at 20:17-9:43. The Gamecocks would finally be able to get on the scoreboard with 3:49 left in the third quarter when a nine-yard touchdown run that included a couple of nifty spin moves on a reverse by Deebo Samuel pulled
the Gamecocks to within seven at 14-7. It was Samuel who put the Gamecocks in position earlier in the scoring drive when he hauled in a 39-yard pass from Orth. Just a few plays later it looked as if the Gamecocks may have to just settle for a field goal attempt, but on fourth and one freshman running back Rico Dowdle rushed nine yards to set up the Samuel touchdown run a couple of plays later. The touchdown run by Dowdle was the
final play of a 12-play, 90-yard drive for the Gamecocks that took 5:06 off the clock. Georgia would respond to South Carolina’s inaugural touchdown of the day with a touchdown of its own with 11:43 remaining in the game. Georgia’s third touchdown of the game came when quarterback Jacob Eason connected with wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie for a six-yard touchdown. The touchdown reception by McKenzie concluded a five-play, 39-yard drive that lasted 2:20. The Gamecocks would pull back within seven with 1:40 left in the game when Rico Dowdle scored from one yard out to collect his first career touchdown and leave the Gamecocks trailing Georgia, 21-14. Dowdle’s first touchdown in the garnet and black ended a methodical 12-play, 74-yard drive that lasted 3:21. South Carolina would try the onside kick next, but it would be picked up by Georgia’s Terry Godwin and returned for a 43-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 28-14 lead with just 1:33 remaining in the game. A strong second half from the Gamecocks allowed them to finish with 318 yards of total offense to Georgia’s 355. Georgia picked up the majority of its yards on the ground with 326 yards rushing, while the Gamecocks acquired the majority of theirs in the air with Orth passing for 288 yards. Georgia owned a 35:02-24:58 advantage in regards to time of possession. Orth was 26-for-36 overall in passing for the 288 yards. Hayden Hurst was Orth’s top target with six catches for 86 yards. Back to “full speed” according to Muschamp, Samuel led the Gamecocks in total yards receiving with 90 yards on four catches to go along with his electrifying touchdown run. Dowdle and AJ Turner both led the Gamecock rushing attack with 30 yards rushing each with Dowdle also picking up the touchdown run. Sony Michel and Nick Chubb both picked up over 100 yards on the ground for the Bulldogs with Michel leading the way with 133 yards rushing, while Chubb had 121 yards rushing, including the two touchdown runs. Eason was just 5-of-17 with 29 yards passing for the Bulldogs. The 29 yards passing allowed by the Gamecock defense was the fewest allowed in a single game since 2011. Bryson Allen-Williams led the Gamecock defense with nine total tackles, which included one tackle for loss.
Spurs & Feathers • 5
October 12, 2016
Looking ahead to Massachusetts by kyle heck Reporter
After South Carolina’s bye week, the Gamecocks will welcome in a first-time opponent from the northeast on Saturday, Oct. 22. Massachusetts will make the trip south to WilliamsBrice Stadium, and it won’t be the first time this season that the Minutemen have faced a bigtime opponent. UMass has already played games against Florida, Mississippi State and Boston College this season, so they won’t be fazed by the big stage of playing against an SEC team in its home stadium. The Minutemen have played well against those opponents, as they were in the game against the Gators in Gainesville until the fourth quarter while Mississippi State was forced to scratch out a 47-35 win over the Minutemen. So far this season, UMass hasn’t quite been able to put together a consistent run game, but the Minutemen have a talented tailback in Marquis Young. The sophomore had an outstanding freshman season last year, and certainly has the ability to change any game. Two quarterbacks have split time under center in Andrew Ford and Ross Comis. Comis is currently the projected starter as Ford has had some turnover problems so far this year.
photo by jenny dilworth
Receiver Andy Isabella and tight end Adam Breneman have been the go-to guys for the two quarterbacks. However, the Gamecocks need to keep an eye on Jalen Williams, a big 6-foot-3 receiver who has made several big plays for UMass already. Steve Casali has been the Minutemen’s leading tackler at the “ZIP” position while
linebacker Da’Sean Downey has been able to wreak havoc on opposing offenses this season with his ability to get to the quarterback. Despite standing just 5-foot-8 and weighing 155 pounds, defensive back James Allen has arguably been UMass’ best cover corner. Shane Huber is another player to watch out for, and he’s caught the eyes of several on a national
level. The junior linebacker was named to the Bronco Nagurski Trophy watch list prior to the season. Ali Ali-Musa and Khary Bailey-Smith are a couple of other defensive players that have played well so far for UMass. South Carolina’s game with the Minutemen will mark the third of five straight home games for South Carolina.
A UN NOT IT HE SO R LD !
REMAINIG INVENTORY One, Two & Three Bedroom Condos
Condo S601 .................................................. SOLD Condo S510 ......................... $134,900 (1 bedroom) Condo S304 ...................... $274,900 (3 bedroom) Condo S609 .......................$134,900 (1 bedroom) Condo S608 ................................................. SOLD
John Creech: 803-608-0920 • jcreechm@gmail.com
WWW.CAROLINAWALK.COM
Owner may change product offerings or pricing at anytime. All information is deemed reliable but is not warranted or guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
AS14-1490570-1
GET YOUR GAMEDAY PARKING SPACES FROM $5,000
6 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Full speed ahead: Deebo Samuel shows capabilities when healthy by brian hand Executive Editor
COLUMBIA - He may could have played two weeks ago. He might could have played last week. But it was imperative with his injury history that South Carolina made sure to bring back Deebo Samuel to the Gamecock fold when he was fully ready to go “full speed.” And that’s exactly what he was against Georgia, and it was definitely apparent as the sophomore speedster finished with a season-best 90 yards receiving on four catches. “I think he’s full speed,” Muschamp said of Samuel after the Gamecocks’ 28-14 loss to Georgia on Sunday, Oct. 9. “Obviously it didn’t help us a couple weeks keeping him out, but he was not fully healthy and we needed to have him back full speed.” Samuel himself agrees with Muschamp, pointing out that “I feel like I was out there playing as fast as I could.” “It felt good,” Samuel said of being able to contribute once again for the Gamecocks. “These past couple of weeks have been kind of miserable to me trying to stick with
rehab, and I got back out there and made plays.” Samuel has played in only half of South Carolina’s six games on the 2016 season, collecting 156 yards receiving on eight catches. The above obviously means that half of Samuel’s output on the year in total came in South Carolina’s game with Georgia which bodes well for the Gamecocks going forward because he is an absolute weapon for the offense when healthy. All one has to do is look at his electrifying nine-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. His second touchdown run of the year, Samuel took the reverse and after two elite spin moves he would not be denied a spot in the end zone. It was a video game-type touchdown that showed just what he can do for the Gamecocks. Finally healthy, Samuel and the Gamecocks now head into the bye week looking to get better, and as one of the leaders on the team he knows it is important for him to help keep spirits high. “You see a lot of people with their heads down, but me as a leader, I try to pick them up,” Samuel said.
photo by allen sharpe
View from the Georgia locker room by kyle heck Reporter
passed for just 29 yards on the day, and completed 5-of-17 pass attempts while throwing one interception. While Eason came out of COLUMBIA - Coming into Georgia’s high school as one of the best quarterback game at South Carolina, head coach Kirby recruits in the country, Smart said it’s alSmart was preparing for difficult playing ways tough for a freshman to go into a hosconditions. While rain wasn’t going to be a tile environment and not have it affect him. concern, the Bulldogs were concerned about “It is tough, especially on a true freshthe wind messing with the passing game. man,” Smart said of playing on the road. “He Because of that, Georgia spent most of the saw things out there that didn’t exist. He’s week leading up to its game against South growing, and we have to help him through Carolina on Sunday, Oct. 9, preaching physi- that.” cality in the run game. Whatever was said The game was played on Sunday after it worked, as the Bulldogs used 326 rushing was delayed a day due to the impacts from yards to defeat the Gamecocks, 28-14, at Hurricane Matthew. Both teams had to Williams-Brice Stadium. prepare differently, but the Gamecocks obvi“We challenged them to be physical and ously have a lot of players who have family try to dominate the line of scrimmage, in the affected areas. which I really thought we tried to do that “I think their team probably had to deal and answer that bell,” Smart said. “We’ve with more than ours with their families got to improve our ability to throw and catch being involved,” Smart said. “But it really the ball.” wasn’t that much difference for our guys, to Georgia starting quarterback Jacob Eason be honest. The biggest difference was an ex-
tra day and how they managed that. I think that was critical.” As mentioned before, the wind conditions really affected how Georgia prepared for the game, and the Bulldogs placed a tremendous emphasis on the run game. Receiver Terry Godwin, who had a critical kick return touchdown on an onside attempt by South Carolina that sealed the win, praised the play of the running backs. “It was really big because all week, that’s what we’ve been practicing on,” Godwin said of the run game. “Running downhill, just being the hard-nosed (team) that we are, and I feel like we came out and did that today.” Despite struggling on offense for most of the afternoon, the Gamecocks used a late touchdown run by Rico Dowdle to trim Georgia’s lead to just seven points with 1:40 left to play. On the ensuing onside kick attempt, Godwin was in the right place at the right time to seal the Bulldog win.
“In the huddle, we were like ‘just get the ball,’” Godwin said. “Make sure you hold onto the ball and recover it. As the kicker kicked it, hats off to him, it was a perfect kick. Goes right behind the line, and I field it and look up and my line had blocked perfectly and there was nothing but green grass, and I was like ‘just go score.’” Sony Michel and Nick Chubb rushed for 133 and 121 yards, respectively, with Chubb recording two touchdown runs. Brian Herrien added 82 yards of his own to give the Bulldogs an impressive trio of tailbacks. “Those backs are special, and they make you good coaches,” Smart said. While Smart wasn’t necessarily happy about everything his team did on Sunday, he knows that it’s always big to get a win on the road in the SEC, no matter how it comes. “Let’s be honest, no team in the SEC is going to stop fighting,” Smart said. “We have a resilient group that fights and fights. We have to fight harder than them.”
Spurs & Feathers • 7
October 12, 2016
Martin knows he has hardworking group as practice officially begins by brian hand Executive Editor For Frank Martin the word to focus the most on is patience. “That’s the most important word because the young guys have to grow,” Martin mused at his upcoming press conference of the 2016-17 season on Tuesday, Oct. 4. “They have to learn.” Martin knows that the Gamecocks return a wealth of talent for the upcoming season, but at the same time they also have a bunch of newcomers to integrate into their system. Before Martin took the stage to talk about his team, standout senior guard Sindarius Thornwell mentioned that he felt that the Gamecocks had an NCAA Tournament-type team this year. Martin pointed out that Thornwell as well as anybody would know just what that means to make that kind of statement. “When he came in as a freshman he thought this thing was going to be easy, and halfway through his freshman year he realized, ‘oh, this is a little bit harder than anyone ever told me about,’ and now as a senior he understands,” Martin said. “He didn’t say that his sophomore year. Last year, if you go back to his preseason quotes, he probably said that was the goal. Now, he knows whether the guys are good enough or not good enough and he’s mature enough and understanding enough to be able to express it to whether you have a chance to win games or not.” Martin is quick to point out as well from Thornwell’s thoughts that “I totally agree with him,” but once again it is going to come back down to having patience. “I think our team - that’s why I said patience as we navigate the year, we can’t overreact to a loss or a win, a good day or a bad day - and allow it to impact the next day in a negative way,” Martin said. “When you get too positive or too have a rash of injuries because unfortunately unrealistic then that can be a negative reaction we’ve got some inexperience there, so if an to good things.” inexperienced guy gets hurt then he doesn’t get Martin knows first and foremost that as he the repetitions, and without the repetitions he enters his fifth year in charge can’t get better by the end of the of the Gamecocks that he has a year. If the old guys get hurt then team that is going to put in all now what happens is you’re goof the hard work to try and put ing to be depending on some initself in position for big things in experienced guys, which means the upcoming season. there is bumps in the road earlier “They’re going to work, in the season, which means you they’re going to compete, they don’t get to move forward and care, they’re fun to be around,” maybe even win the games that All Gamecock basketball you think you should win, and Martin said. “I’m not worried coverage sponsored by now you’re playing catch up at about those things. We need to Yesterdays stay healthy. We can’t afford to the end of the year, so we’ve got
photo by jenny dilworth
to stay away from the injury bug. It’s a little complicated that way. There is a confidence level about the older guys that I like a lot, but there is also a realistic approach to what they do every day. They stay humble and they committed to the work. They keep the young guys on edge.” The Gamecocks this past summer had the unique opportunity to bond a little earlier than usual as part of their foreign tour in Costa Rica, but even with that opportunity, Martin notes they are still going to do the same things in the first couple of weeks of practice that started on Monday, Oct. 3, that they always do this time of year. “We’re going to do the same stuff,” Martin
noted. “What (assistant coaches) Matt (Figger), Perry (Clark) and Bruce (Shingler) did with Costa Rica is they actually spent practice time on a couple of different concepts offensively because we played with a shorter shot clock, so you had to be ready to shoot the ball faster, and then defensively they spent a lot of time practicing things that I don’t usually spend a lot of time on. The way we’re trying to put it together is the same. We gave guys time off when they got back on campus (from Costa Rica). Now we’re pretty much back to our normal schedule. A lot of introduction to the offensive concepts, angles, screens and things of that nature this week and next week, and then on the 17th we start implementing our defensive concepts.”
8 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
2016
football Schedule 09/01/16...........at Vanderbilt# ....................... Nashville, Tenn....................W, 13-10
Standings
SEC
W-L
HOME
ROAD
09/10/16...........at Mississippi State#............ Starkville, Miss...................... L, 27-14
Tennessee
2-1
5-1
3-0
1-1
1-0
203
160
L1
09/17/16........ East Carolina....................Columbia, S.C............... W, 20-15
Florida
2-1
4-1
3-0
1-1
0-0
142
58
W1
Georgia
2-2
4-2
1-1
2-1
1-0
160
168
W1
Kentucky
09/24/16...........at Kentucky#.......................... Lexington, Ky........................ L, 17-10
SEC East
NEU PF PA STRK
2-2
3-3
3-1
0-2
0-0
147
188
W1
10/01/16........ Texas A&M#.....................Columbia, S.C................ L, 24-13
South Carolina 1-4
2-4
1-2
1-2
0-0
84
121
L3
10/09/16........ Georgia#..........................Columbia, S.C................ L, 28-14
Missouri
0-2
2-3
2-1
0-2
0-0
185
117
L1
Vanderbilt
0-3
2-4 1-2 1-2 0-0 114 138 L2
10/22/16........ Massachusetts.................Columbia, S.C................. 12 p.m. 10/29/16........ Tennessee#......................Columbia, S.C.......................TBA
SEC West
SEC
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA STRK
11/05/16........ Missouri#.........................Columbia, S.C.......................TBA
Alabama
3-0
6-0
3-0
2-0
1-0
269
95
W6
11/12/16...........at Florida#............................... Gainesville, Fla.............................TBA
Texas A&M
4-0
6-0
3-0
2-0
1-0
241
115
W6
Auburn
2-1
4-2
3-2
1-0
0-0
194
96
W3
11/19/16........ Western Carolina.............Columbia, S.C.......................TBA
LSU
2-1
3-2
3-0
0-1
0-1
126
74
W1
Ole Miss
1-1
3-2
3-1
0-0
0-1
208
148
W2
Mississippi State 1-2
2-3
1-2
1-1
0-0
128
131
L1
Arkansas
4-2
3-1
1-0
0-1
210
165
L1
11/26/16...........at Clemson.............................. Clemson, S.C.................................TBA Bold=Home Game #=SEC
0-2
AS14-1496663-1
Spurs & Feathers • 9
October 12, 2016
Jones believes his experiences will help him greatly this year by brian hand Executive Editor South Carolina junior catcher John Jones did not have much time to rest before returning to school in August, but it was for good reason as he had just finished out his time playing with the Bourne Braves of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. “I had a little bit of a quick turnaround from summer, but I’m just happy to be back out here at South Carolina,” Jones told Spurs & Feathers. Jones had originally planned to take the summer off, but the opportunity was too strong to play in the historic summer league, and on July 19, the Bourne Braves activated the Gamecock catcher. “It was awesome,” Jones said of getting the chance to play among the best in college baseball in the summer league. “It was a great experience. I’m glad I got to do it, and I’m glad I got the opportunity. It went well. I had a good time, and I think it helped me out as far as a player too not only getting the experience, but playing against the top arms in that league.” In 13 games including the Cape Cod Baseball League playoffs, Jones collected eight RBIs and homered once. He also had two doubles, and hit .263 (13-of-38) in total. Jones scored five runs over the course of his 13 games with the Bourne Braves. Jones finished his first season for the Gamecocks last year hitting .269 (57-of-212) in 60 games played, which included 55 starts. He picked up 18 extra-base hits on 11 doubles and seven home runs to go along with his 49 RBIs and 36 runs scored. During the first half of last season for the Gamecocks, Jones was one of the best players (.422). The Orlando native was also tied for the in the country as he was the named National league lead in home runs (six) and total bases Player of the Week and SEC Co-Player of the (57). He was third in the SEC in RBIs with 31. Week after going 8-for-8 with 10 RBIs in South After that fantastic start, Jones did not have Carolina’s three-game series sweep of Penn the strongest remainder of the season, but he State (Feb. 26-28, 2016). knows that now it’s a new year, and he feels like In South Carolina’s SEC home three-game he now knows more of what to expect. sweep of Arkansas (March “It’s a lot different playing 18-20, 2016), Jones hit .500 here than anywhere I have (7-for-14) with two home runs, ever played before,” Jones said. a double, five runs scored and “I think that will help me a five RBIs. lot this year knowing what to Entering South Carolina’s expect with everything that first road series of the year at comes with being a player All Gamecock baseball Ole Miss last season (March here. I think I will be able to coverage sponsored by 24-26, 2016), Jones was leadstay on a solid path the whole ing the SEC in batting average DiPrato’s year.”
photo by allen sharpe
Jones points out that the goal for him over the course of the coming months in preparation for the 2017 season is to “strike out less.” “I want to make sure that when I do make outs that they’re productive outs, and that I am not just giving away at-bats,” Jones said. “The average will go up if you just put the ball in play.” To Jones last season when he was flourishing, the main thing that he had done to improve himself at the dish was the way he went about his at-bats. “Really this year looks different than my approaches in the past,” Jones said in March of 2016. “I’m pitch-to-pitch as opposed to at-bat to at-bat.” Jones says that approach is “absolutely” what he plans to take into the 2017 season.
“When things are going right, that’s normally what’s going on, so I’m going to try to get back to that,” Jones said. Through the first few weeks of fall practices in preparation for the 2017 season, Jones has looked solid at the plate even while playing a little banged up. “He’s playing on one leg, and he’s hitting probably close to .450 this fall,” South Carolina baseball head coach Chad Holbrook said of Jones after the Gamecocks’ scrimmage on Sunday, Oct. 2. “He’s older, mature. He’s been through a lot. Has had a lot of good things happen to him here, and some not-so-good things happen, so he’s going to be able to handle the situation and the stage a little bit better than most.”
10 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
South Carolina student-athletes step up big again in time of need
by kyle heck Reporter
tion happening across the state, it was important for head coach Mark Berson to make sure his team did its part. University of South Carolina student“Clearly, it kind of underscores the imporathletes have always been known to be tance of everyone pulling together for each heavily involved with community service, other,” Berson said. “Our players are happy but in times of need and natural disasters, to do everything that they can to help everythe Gamecocks always seem to take that one that’s in distress.” extra step. The student-athletes know they are in a As Hurricane Matthew charged up the unique position because they have all of Florida coast toward Georgia and South their needs taken care of by the South CaroCarolina, the Palmetto State braced itself for lina athletics department. Because of that, the impact, and that meant making sure ev- they feel it’s important to make sure everyeryone was evacuated and safe, in addition one they come in contact with has that same to making sure there were enough supplies comfort. and food. “It’s great to come out just to reach out to On Friday, Oct. 7, the South Carolina people,” senior soccer athlete Ive Burnett men’s soccer team visited Harvest Hope said. “Maybe there’s people that aren’t as Food Bank for nearly two hours, helping to fortunate as we are. The coaches extend prepare nearly 800 food boxes that would be their arms out a lot to us and then all the sent to shelters across the state. people come out to our games and things With a potentially serious weather situalike that, so this is just us reaching our hand
photo by kyle heck
out to everyone else, just saying, ‘thank you for everything that you’ve done and thank you for everything you’re going to do in the future.’” The men’s soccer team wasn’t the only group from the University helping out Harvest Hope Food Bank. Students from the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management were helping pack boxes earlier in the day on Friday.
In addition to those mentioned above helping out, the South Carolina beach volleyball team visited the American Red Cross to help that organization prepare to help people out who were affected by Hurricane Matthew. Several members from the equestrian team helped the Savannah College of Art and Design equestrian staff evacuate their 71 horses to the South Carolina equestrian complex in Camden. Those athletes and many other volunteers helped the Savannah staff feed, hay, water and walk the horses along with cleaning stalls. South Carolina is regularly at or near the top of the SEC in community service hours, but being at the top is not what it’s all about. In times of need, the Gamecock studentathletes, no matter what sport, want to pitch in however they’re able to. “It’s not just about soccer or football or whatever the sport is. It’s about a lot more,” Burnett said.
Strong turnout for lettermen golf tournament despite rain
by kyle heck Reporter
Despite rainy conditions and an impending hurricane, there was a fantastic turnout for this year’s edition of the USC Association of Lettermen golf tournament at Cobblestone Park Golf Club on Friday, Oct. 7. “We’re Gamecocks, we’re going to fight through it,” USC Association of Lettermen president Moe Brown said. “A little rain and a little wind never scared a Gamecock off. We’re excited about it.” Brown said that there were over 100 golfers who still showed up despite the dreary conditions. If there wasn’t the worry about the hurricane, this year’s golf tournament would’ve been the largest to date. There was so much interest, in fact, that the association had to turn away three or four teams. Thanks to the leadership of Athletics Director Ray Tanner and University President Harris Pastides, the USC Association of Lettermen has continued to grow in recent years. That was more than evident on Friday at the annual golf tournament. As former Gamecock football player Courtney Leavitt told the lettermen prior to the start of the golf tournament, “we can’t make it happen without the support of you guys.” Senior associate athletics director
for development and Gamecock Club Jeff Crane was impressed with the turnout, but wasn’t surprised. “You notice there is a commitment to being a Gamecock,” Crane said. “No matter the weather, no matter the situation, the Gamecocks are going to be there, and this golf tournament shows that. It’s really fun to see the letter winners around each other and having fun and smiling and, some of them, reuniting for the first time in a long time.” Jimmy Mitchell, a Gamecock football great who is entering the South Carolina
job to make sure that former athletes are taken care of, and everyone involved hopes the support continues to grow. “Coach Tanner has made it a point that we’re going to do more for our letter winners,” Crane said. “We have an even greater commitment to providing better communication, more events and more programs for our letter winners.” Members of the USC Association of Lettermen volunteer to put on events like the golf tournament, and it takes a tremendous amount of work year in and year out. However, once the preparations are done, it’s all about having a good time. “I’ve played every year for I guess 35 photo by kyle heck years,” Mitchell said. “Me and Ken Wheat Hall of Fame this year, has been participat- and Jeff Grantz have always played togething in the golf tournament for over three de- er. We always have a good time.” cades, and supporting the USC Association It was obviously a very busy day for of Lettermen is something that has always Brown, and as president, he spends a lot of been important to him. time getting lettermen together and plan“Our lettermen, we’re dedicated to the ning future events. While the USC AssociaUniversity and we’re dedicated to each oth- tion of Lettermen continues to grow, Brown er,” Mitchell said. “When we have an event knows he has a lot of help. like this, the money that we raise is going to “People keep saying ‘Moe, you’re doing go to the USC Association of Lettermen for a good job’ and I say ‘I’m very fortunate,’” charity spending and for costs. I think it just Brown said. “Coach Tanner, President Passhows the character of the former athletes tides and Will Muschamp, they’re all about that show up in rain to play golf.” lettermen, and it’s not just in talk, it’s in The athletics department has done a great their action.”
Spurs & Feathers • 11
AS14-1497065-1A
October 12, 2016
12 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Gourmet Gents Grub of the Week Buffalo Chicken Dip INGREDIENTS: 1 8oz. Jar of Bleu Cheese Salad Dressing (can substitute ranch as well) 1 8oz. Package Cream Cheese softened 3/4 Cup of Frank’s (or your favorite brand) Hot Wing Sauce (we use more than 3/4 cup) 1 8 oz package Shredded Cheese (cheddar or colby jack) or bleu cheese crumbles 3 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts cooked and shredded DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix everything together (we like the chicken very finely shredded) 2. Spread mixture into 13 x 9 casserole dish 3. Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes About the Gourmet Gents Who are we? A few families who randomly met at Williams-Brice Stadium that enjoy doing it big (and just for fun) in the parking lot for the Gamecocks. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Gourmet_Gents.
AS14-1494736-1
Go Gamecocks!
Spurs & Feathers • 13
October 12, 2016
Moore: ‘What are you willing to give up to be great?’
When most people hear the phrase “give up” they associate it with failure, not trying, losing. “Don’t give up hang in there it might work out.” There are times when this can be useful advice. When applied correctly “giving up” on an action or thought habit, can free you up to make choices more aligned with your goals. We don’t think of “giving up” as a tool for succeeding. We relegate this to perceived losers. We miss the gift it can provide when we stop trying to control a situation Langston Moore and outcomes Contributing blindly. Many Writer times our egos make us “see something through” when we should’ve of pivoted and charted another plan of action. How many times have you endured a job, a relationship, habits that just didn’t serve you with where you wanted to go? Knowing intrinsically that “this ain’t gonna work” but you press on cause “momma ain’t raised no quitter.” Here’s a list of a few ways I “gave up.” These have helped me evolve on the football field as a player, and now away from the field in business and life. “Give up” on resisting - We know there is going to be adversity and struggles on anyjourney in life, but we resist getting started or making that needed change. What you resist persist. Trying to hold on to the past while trying to move forward keeps you stuck … give up.
“Give Up” on anger/resentment/jealousy These emotions incite a lot of energy inside of us, but it’s cheap unsustainable energy. It’s like living off caffeine or sugar rush for “Give up” being a follower - The power of a quick jolt. Sure it may stir some emotion the group (the coop) is tremendous, but it but the crash isn’t worth it. No one ever works both ways. You’re either a builder or “resented” their way to the top. Give up... a basher. The team, organization, group is under your control - you decide. “Give up” on inconsistency - just be consistent … doesn’t matter if it’s being con“Give Up” waiting on the right time sistently bad or consistently good. Just be - waiting on the “right time” is like planconsistent. Going back and forth from one ning a road trip but not leaving until all to the other is crippling. Give up... the lights are green on your path. It doesn’t work that way. There is no better time than “Give up” excuses - “excuses only satisfy “now.” Give Up... those who make them.” When you make an excuse for any situations you’re really “Give up” being small - Playing small or just giving yourself an “out.” If you want diminishing yourself serves no one. Not the best, if you want to achieve, give up the taking on more responsibility or accountexcuses... ability doesn’t protect you, it hurts you. Playing it safe and small holds us all back “Give up” being afraid - Fear can parafrom the greatness that could be. Give Up... lyze some to never attempt anything in
photo by jenny dilworth
life because they’re afraid. Afraid to fail and afraid to succeed too. It’s that monster under the bed that’s never there. “Fear knocked, faith answered… And no one was there.” “Give up” judging - We all have the tendency to judge situations and coin them “good” or “bad.” In doing so we tailor our effort and expectations of what we THINK it will take in those situations to succeed. Just like in life you can’t pick and choose your effort or execution based on perceived “good” or “bad” situations or people. Play every play, live every day like it matters because it does. “Give up” on it’s too late - it’s never too late. “The game isn’t over until we say so…” “#Justachicken.” You never lose, you just run out of time. Keep improving, keep living, keep swinging until...
Anyone who’s gone after a goal or milestone has had to give up a lot on the way towards the end destination. Many of the “give ups” on the above list are examples of how we give away our power. We give that power away by making excuses: waiting, resisting, playing the regret game. Giving up the ideas and beliefs that don’t serve you is a surefire way to get your power back. Football much like life is about the exchange. What are you willing to give up in order to be great? What are you willing to give up to win? The exchange of energy, time, attention that is offered up in exchange for something we desire. Being stuck and rigid blocks you from all the other possibilities and ways you can accomplish your goal. So the question is what are you willing to “give up,” exchange or offer up to reach the top rung of the ladder? Forever to Thee...
14 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Curing Kids Cancer announces new Gamecock clinic by kyle heck Reporter
ally saved his life, but the doctors didn’t have the money to get him to treatment,” Grainne Owen said. “After we lost him, I decided that I Back in 2005, Clay and Grainne Owen couldn’t stand the thought of that happening to created Curing Kids Cancer after their son, other families.” Killian, passed away after a battle with leukeThe reason behind changing the name to the mia. Their goal was to raise as much money as Gamecocks Curing Kids Cancer clinic stems possible to help other families avoid the heart- from a long and fruitful relationship between break that they went through. Curing Kids Cancer and the University of On Tuesday, Oct. 4, Curing Kids Cancer South Carolina. Several of the athletic teams completed another huge goal at Palmetto hold events every year to benefit Curing Kids Health Children’s Hospital. There, the organi- Cancer, including the football team, which zation announced a $1.2 million commitment dedicates a game every year to the cause with to the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood players and coaches wearing special bracelets Disorders at Palmetto Health Children’s Hos- and whistles. pital. After the money is donated, the facility “I’m so excited about it because we have a will be renamed to the Gamecocks Curing wonderful partnership with the entire athletics Kids Cancer Clinic. department at the University of South CaroliThe Owen family was there along with rep- na,” Grainne Owen said. “I cannot thank them resentatives from Palmetto Health Children’s enough for their support.” Hospital, the Palmetto Health Foundation and During the event, Curing Kids Cancer prethe University of South Carolina. sented the Palmetto Health Foundation with “We are so thrilled to be able to say today a $50,000 check for the research. The money that we are funding research that actually goes was raised from several events, including to save lives,” Grainne Owen said. “We want the fire truck pull that happens every year in all of those amazing, innovative drugs to be Columbia. In fact, several members of the Coavailable here to children in South Carolina, lumbia Fire Department were on hand for the and that’s why we’re doing what we’re doing.” presentation as well. That is extremely important to the Owen For South Carolina executive associate athfamily because of their past experiences with letics director/chief of staff/chief communicatheir son Killian. tions officer Charles Bloom, the University is “There was a drug that might have actumore than glad to do their part to raise aware-
photo by kyle heck
ness. “To take personal tragedy and make a positive contribution to society is a tremendous recognition of what they’re trying to do to help kids that they may never meet to defeat children’s cancer,” Bloom said. “The tie-in with USC and the athletics department for Curing Kids Cancer, it’s a natural. College athletics makes such an impact on young people. It’s a good partnership.” Head men’s golf coach Bill McDonald and equestrian head coach Boo Major and her staff were on hand for the big moment. For McDonald, the cause holds a special place in his heart because he is a survivor of leukemia. He was diagnosed shortly after he met Clay and
Grainne Owen. “They’re an incredible family, and it’s just really been a pleasure to be involved with them,” McDonald said. “Happy to do anything I can to help them and support them. It’s wonderful the money they’re putting toward the research now for the pediatric side of things because that’s where it needs to go.” To date, Curing Kids Cancer has raised more than $8 million to go toward research for childhood cancer, something that means the world to the Owen family. “Despite everything that has happened to our family, I cannot tell you how blessed we feel to be able to see the results of what we’re doing,” Grainne Owen said.
TERRY BISHOP TEAM INVESTMENT PROPERTY
#1 RE/MAX agent
in Columbia Former Gamecock Football Player & Letterman
WOODLAKE 5BR, 5.5BA, 4400 SQ. FT. MLS#398534 $399,850
LAKE KATHERINE 3BR, 2BA, 1560 SQ. FT. MLS# 408174 $189,900
OLDE SHANDON FIVE UNITS - 2BR, 1BA EACH, 3532 TOTAL SQ. FT. MLS# 403645 $359,700
(803) 665-1442 TerryBishopTeam.com
NEW LISTING PALMERSTON SOUTH 4BR, 2BA, 2151 SQ. FT. MLS# 400304 $192,900
LAKE MURRAY 5BR, 5BA, 7150 SQ. FT. POOL AND PRIVATE DOCK. MLS#396742 $1,249,500
CYPRESS LAKE 6BR, 5BA, 4528 SQ. FT. MLS # 410556 $493,700
AS14-1504406-1
Spurs & Feathers • 15
October 12, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
Recruiting Round-up By Phil Kornblut
OL Jerry Drake Jr. (6-6 310) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL was recently offered by USC and took an official visit over the last weekend that ended Monday. Drake also has been hearing from Mississippi State, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, South Florida and West Virginia. DE Matthew Butler of Garner, NC made another visit to USC Saturday for the Texas A&M game. It was an unofficial visit but Butler used the visit to gather more intel on the school and the program, to the point where he doesn’t necessarily fill the need to return for an official visit. Butler said he arrived early and that gave him the chance to go Phil Kornblut inside the stadium Contributing and see the renovaWriter tions and also watch the Gamecocks’ pre-game work. He also had the time to talk with Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson and they continued their campaign as to why he should join forces with them. “The reason I went on the visit was to see what they are emphasizing,” Butler said. “I saw what they are emphasizing, their wants and needs, their strengths and weaknesses. I’ve seen all that I’m looking for out of South Carolina. I still consider them a contender. I feel good about South Carolina.” Butler said he’ll talk more with Muschamp in the coming days about whether or not he will take an official visit. He has taken official visits to Duke and Penn State and is scheduled to visit NC State officially November 5th. He’s also planning to go to NC State this weekend for the Notre Dame game. And he might take an official visit to Tennessee for the Alabama game. As for the game, Butler said he watched from the stands and enjoyed being a fan and rooting for the Gamecocks. “I was into the game and my mom was into the game,” he said. “She was really into it and that game was a good takeaway for myself and my family. We were really into it.” Butler doesn’t plan to make his decision until after his season in December and he’s not rushing the process, thus no one has emerged as a clear front runner in his mind. “I’m just trying to look at everything levelheaded,” Butler said. “I’m laying everything out. I’m not
trying to say this improved this school and this improved that one. Each of those five and kind of six schools with (Texas) A&M have their own individualities that really could separate each from the rest but right now I’m just trying to look at things like what are the strength and weaknesses and how do I fit into the program.” Some of the other recruits confirmed at USC Saturday included 2018 TE Davin Dyal of Cookeville, TN, 2018 DL Dalton Widner of Corryton, TN, and 2018 QB Jalil El-Amin, 2018 WR Will Huzzie and 2017 WR Cortez Buckholts of Duluth, GA. DB Naytron Culpepper of Miami rescheduled his official visit to USC from this past weekend to this coming weekend. Culpepper is still frequently hearing from the USC coaching staff. Along with USC, Culpepper said he is still hearing from Utah, Mississippi State and Michigan State the most. As for his other official visits, Culpepper is still on schedule to visit Maryland October 15th and Michigan State November 19th. WR Shawn Smith of Brunswick, GA decommitted from USC this week after the Gamecocks changed his offer to a grayshirt according to his coach. That leaves USC with 22 commitments with two at receiver. WR Chad Terrell of Dallas, GA is way down the road in the recruiting process and he can see the end. He’s not sure when the end will appear, but he knows it’s not far off. And Wednesday night Terrell named USC his favorite ahead of Oregon and NC State. Terrell said the Gamecocks have a slight lead on the Ducks at this point. And why does USC lead? “Pretty much everything, the coaches, the players, the atmosphere and the area,” Terrell said. “The school just suits me like my academic side, it just suits me in all those areas.” Terrell has not yet been to a game at USC this season but he plans to get to one as soon as he can. He did take an official visit to Oregon in September. He doesn’t feel the need to take any more visits to move forward with his decision. “I’m like at the very end so there’s no telling when I could make the decision,” he said. “I just have a few little things that I’m thinking about. Whenever I feel like I’m ready I’m just going to give a week’s notice before I announce it.” Terrell said he talked with USC’s Will Muschamp and Bryan McClendon earlier this week. “It was us talking about what’s
going on and just keeping in touch,” Terrell said. “I talk with them on a weekly basis. Everything I needed to know (about USC) has pretty much been said.” DE Aaron Sterling of Tucker, GA put himself back on the market in the middle of September with a decommitment from Alabama. But he’s limiting the market to USC, NC State and Tennessee. The Gamecocks have been recruiting Sterling for an extended period and kept up their interest even when he committed to the Crimson Tide. That diligence is being rewarded by Sterling’s strong interest in them. “They are pretty high (on his list), I think highly of South Carolina,” Sterling said. “Coach T-Rob and Coach Muschamp, they were honest with me and told me straight up how they want to use me and told me my chances of playing and stuff. They were totally honest with me.” Sterling was at USC last summer for a camp so he got a chance to see the coaches work up close, and he also checked out the football facilities. Sterling said he’s hearing from the Gamecocks every week with Robinson, Muschamp and Mike Peterson checking in. Sterling said he will visit USC for a game this season but he’s not sure when. And he said he will also take an official visit to Columbia but no date has been set. Sterling will also visit Tennessee and NC State but again, no dates have been set. And he said he will visit Georgia at some point. He did visit NC State unofficially earlier in the season for the Old Dominion game. Sterling said he has no favorite at this point. 2018 class recruiting notes: OL Jalil Irvin of Stone Mountain, GA has had contact through the mail from USC. His strongest interest is coming from Tennessee, Auburn, NC State, LSU, Florida State, Michigan and Mississippi State. LB Khalid Jones of Byrnes was at USC for the East Carolina game. WR Shocky Jacques-Louis of Lehigh Acres, FL was offered by USC earlier this year. He also holds offers from North Carolina, Maryland, Cincinnati, Indiana and Rutgers. He’s also hearing from Florida, Florida State, Arkansas, Penn State, Kentucky and Michigan State. WR Demarcus Gregory of Byrnes has offers from USC, NC State, North Carolina and Wake Forest. He said he hears from USC and Clemson every day. He’s also hearing from Florida, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Penn State and Florida State.
QB Brayden Hawkins of Dillon has a chance to develop into one of the state’s top prospects for the next recruiting season. The former York quarterback passed for 2800 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Cougars as a sophomore. He has not landed any offers yet but said USC is showing him a lot of interest and he was in Columbia Saturday for the Texas A&M game. He’s also drawing interest from Texas A&M, Purdue, UCLA, NC State, Florida, Georgia, Marshall, Michigan State, Toledo, Ohio, Duke, Wake Forest, Southern Cal, Cal, Arizona State, Florida State, Penn State, Central Florida, Virginia Tech, Georgia, Miami and others. Hawkins also has visited Marshall. He plans to visit NC State October 15th and he also plans to visit Texas A&M, Ohio, Purdue and Oklahoma. USC is among the offers for OL Curtis Dunlap of IMG Academy in Florida. Some of the other offers are Oklahoma, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Arkansas, LSU, Southern Cal and others. DB Tre’ Douglas of McDonough, GA said USC is showing interest. He’s also hearing from Clemson, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Ohio State, Florida and Penn State. DL Kelijah Brown of Saluda has early offers from USC and East Carolina. He’s also hearing from Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Navy, Florida, North Carolina, Penn State, Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina. Basketball News: 6-4 2G Clyde Trapp Jr. of Lower Richland picked up another major offer last week from USC. The Gamecocks join Georgia, Georgia Tech, Charlotte, Missouri, Kansas State, Rice and South Florida on Trapp’s offer list and while he’s happy about having them all, getting one from the hometown school was special. “It’s like every South Carolina kid’s dream to get an offer and be able to play in front of their family,” Trapp said. “I feel honored. I really like Frank. He’s a great guy.” Trapp averaged 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists per game last season. Trapp has scheduled an official visit to Georgia for this weekend and he tentatively is set to visit Georgia Tech October 22nd. USC also is a possibility for an official visit. He and his family were there last month to meet with Martin. Trapp said he does not have a favorite and he’s planning to sign in November at this point.
16 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks # Name Pos. 1 Deebo Samuel WR 3 K.C. Crosby TE 3 Chris Lammons DB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 4 Jake Bentley QB 5 Darius English DL 5 Terry Googer WR 6 Chris Moody LB 7 Korey Banks WR 7 Jamarcus King DB 8 Randrecous Davis WR 8 Marquavius Lewis DL 9 Jerad Washington WR 9 Sherrod Pittman LB 10 Skai Moore LB 10 Perry Orth QB 11 Brandon McIlwain QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 12 Javon Charleston DB 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 13 Sean Kelly P 13 Jalen Dread LB 14 Jamari Smith WR 15 Antoine Wilder DB 15 Matrick Belton WR 16 Bailey Hart QB 16 Rashad Fenton DB 17 Chaz Elder DB 18 Danny Gordon QB 18 Keir Thomas DL 19 Lorenzo Nunez WR 20 Joseph Charlton K/P 21 Rico Dowdle RB 22 Steven Montac DB 22 Montray Feaster WR 23 Christian Owens WR 23 Larenz Bryant LB 24 D.J. Smith DB 24 Garrett Frederick WR 25 A.J. Turner RB 26 Jasper Sasser DB 27 Toure Boyd DB 27 Ty’Son Williams RB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 30 Darius Paulk RB 30 Daniel Fennell DL 31 Chris Smith DB 32 Rod Talley RB 32 Brett Shore LB 33 David Williams RB 34 Mon Denson RB 34 Scott Grant DB 35 Shannon James DB 36 Morgan Vest DB 36 C.J. Freeman RB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 39 Rivers Bedenbaugh TE 40 Jason Senn DB
Hgt. 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-3 6-6 6-4 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-3 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-4 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-5 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-5 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-8 6-3 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-7 6-0 5-11 5-9 6-2 5-8
Coaches/Staff
Wgt. 205 227 190 230 223 245 220 220 180 180 181 270 175 225 220 200 205 230 195 215 190 220 210 185 215 175 190 200 210 265 205 185 211 190 205 215 225 195 180 195 210 195 220 230 170 205 235 180 205 210 220 215 185 160 190 200 170 256 195
Cl. RS SO RS SO JR JR FR RS SR RS SO RS SR FR JR FR SR RS FR RS FR SR RS SR FR RS SR RS FR RS SO RS SR SO RS JR RS FR RS SR FR SO RS SR RS SO FR SO RS FR FR SO FR RS FR SR JR FR RS FR RS JR RS JR SO SR SR RS SR RS FR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR RS FR RS SO RS SR FR FR RS JR RS JR RS FR
Football Roster
Hometown/High School/Last College Inman, S.C./Chapman Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Lauderhill, Fla./Plantation Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Opelika, Ala./Opelika Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy McDonough, Ga./Henry County Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Mobile, Ala./Blount Atlanta, Ga./Mays Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood/Hutchinson CC Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Cooper City, Fla./University PonteVedra, Fla./PonteVedra/Florida State College Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Gurnee, Ill./Warren Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Oakland, Fla./West Orange/FAU/Tallahassee JC Foley, Ala./Foley Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Riverdale, Ga./Hapeville Charter Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando Miami, Fla./Miami Carol City Union City, Ga./Banneker Worthington, Ohio/Worthington/Miami (Ohio) Miami, Fla./Miami Central Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison Columbia, S.C./A.C. Flora Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds Covington, Ga./Newton/Coffeyville C.C. Union, S.C./Union County Griffin, Ga./Griffin Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Plano, Texas/Plano Clifton, Va./Centreville Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Chaffey College Sumter, S.C./Crestwood/North Carolina Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Texas/Prince of Peace Christian Columbia, S.C./North Greenville Loganville, Ga./Grayson Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork/Tyler JC Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter LaGrange, Ga./LaGrange Laurens, S.C./Laurens Florence, S.C./South Florence Leander, Texas/Rouse Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Leesville, S.C./Lexington/Georgia Southern Beaufort, S.C./Beaufort
Will Muschamp - Head Coach Bobby Bentley - Running Backs Shawn Elliott - Offensive Line Coleman Hutzler - Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Bryan McClendon - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Mike Peterson - Outside Linebackers Travaris Robinson - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Kurt Roper - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Lance Thompson - Asst. Head Coach - Defense/Defensive Line Pat Washington - Tight Ends Jeff Dillman - Director of Strength & Conditioning Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Robbie Liles - Director of Player Personnel Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Andre Goodman - Director of Football Development Larry Waters - Director of Football Equipment Operations Clyde Wrenn - Director of High School Relations
# Name Pos. 40 Jacob August TE 41 Tyler Ragsdale LB 42 Jordan Diggs DB 42 Alexander Woznick PK 43 Benji Russell DB 44 Adrian McGee RB 44 T.J. Brunson LB 45 Ben Asbury LS 45 Spencer Eason-Riddle LB 46 Trey Mitchell LB 46 Harrison Freeman LS 47 Drew Williams LS 47 Avery James DB 48 Nick McGriff LS 48 Dexter Wideman DL 49 Boosie Whitlow DL 50 Griffin Gentry DL 50 Sadarius Hutcherson OL 51 Cory Helms OL 52 Jajuan Blankenship DL 55 Christian Pellage OL 57 Hassan Belton LB 59 Logan Crane LS 60 Chandler Farrell OL 61 Javion Duncan DL 61 Cameron Johnson OL 63 Blake Camper OL 65 Pika Leota OL 66 Will Putnam OL 67 Ryan Green OL 69 D.J. Park OL 70 Alan Knott OL 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OL 75 Darius Whitfield OL 77 Malik Young OL 78 Zack Bailey OL 79 Trey Derouen OL 80 Shemar Glenn WR 81 Hayden Hurst TE 82 Evan Hinson TE 83 Chavis Dawkins WR 84 Kyle Markway TE 85 Devin Dingle WR 85 Michael Almond K/P 86 Robert Tucker III TE 87 Kiel Pollard TE 89 Bryan Edwards WR 90 Wyman Baxley LS 90 Taylor Stallworth DL 91 Shameik Blackshear DL 92 D.J. Wonnum DL 93 Ulric Jones DL 94 Kelsey Griffin DL 95 Dante Sawyer DL 96 Aaron Thompson DL 97 Kobe Smith DL 98 Stephon Taylor DL 99 Abu Lamin DL
Hgt. 6-6 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-8 6-8 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-9 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4
Wgt. 248 220 205 160 200 185 225 210 226 210 235 215 195 225 280 240 246 273 310 265 305 215 245 280 260 300 300 315 282 265 330 290 325 315 286 300 315 310 175 250 238 200 245 180 222 238 230 210 195 310 265 240 300 295 275 271 305 293 310
Cl. RS SO RS FR RS SR FR RS JR FR FR RS SO FR FR FR SR JR RS SO RS FR SO FR FR RS JR FR SO SO RS FR FR RS SO FR SO FR FR SO RS JR RS JR RS SO RS SR FR RS SO SO RS FR RS FR SO FR FR SO RS FR RS FR FR FR FR FR JR RS FR FR RS JR SR JR FR FR FR RS SR
Hometown/High School/Last College Columbia, S.C./Fork Union Military Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Greenville, S.C./Eastside Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Greer, S.C./Greer Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast Atlanta, Ga./Berry College Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Lexington, S.C./Lexington Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork Duncan, S.C./Byrnes/Liberty Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Saluda, S.C./Saluda/Camden Military Opelika, Ala./Opelika Birmingham, Ala./Homewood Huntingdon, Tenn./Huntingdon Alpharetta, Ga./Milton/Wake Forest Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna Brooksville, Fla./Nature Coast Tech Blythewood, S.C./Western Carolina Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth Summerville, S.C./Summerville Simpsonville, S.C./Woodmont/Citadel Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County Virginia Beach, Va./Frank W. Cox Asheville, N.C./Asheville Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge James Island, S.C./James Island/Presbyterian Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Chapin, S.C./Chapin Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Summerville, S.C./Summerville Lilburn, Ga./Parkview Union, S.C./Union County/USC-Union Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School Deltona, Fla./Deltona Duncan, S.C./Byrnes St. Louis, Mo./St. John Vianney Summerville, S.C./Cane Bay North Augusta, S.C./Westminster Atlanta, Ga./B.E.S.T. Academy Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County Conway, S.C./Conway Athens, Ga./Athens Academy Mobile, Ala./Murphy Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Oxford, Ala.//Butler (Kan.) Community College Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Suwanee, Ga./East Mississippi C.C. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer New Orleans, La./McDonogh 35 Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott C.C.
Jessica Jackson - Director of On-Campus Recruiting Kristin Sheetz - Director of External Communications Ellis Johnson - Analyst Kyle Krantz - Analyst Demarco McNeil - Analyst Scott Spurrier - Analyst Seth Strickland - Analyst Brian Turk - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Offense Shaq Wilson - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Defense Omar Young - Analyst David Feeley - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Corey Jenkins - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Roy Upchurch - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Cedric Williams - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Shuler Hayes - Assistant Director of Football Equipment Operations Kim Fields - Assistant to Head Football Coach Charity Grady - Coordinator of Offensive Operations Carina Hargreaves - Coordinator of Defensive Operations
Spurs & Feathers • 17
October 12, 2016
Massachusetts Minutemen # Name Pos. 2 Ross Comis QB 2 Zeke Edmonds S 3 Lee Moses S 4 James Allen CB 4 Sekai Lindsay RB 5 Peter Angeh DL 5 Dan Jonah WR 6 Tedrick Lowery S 6 Sadiq Palmer WR 7 Andrew Ford QB 8 Shane Huber LB 8 Marquis Young RB 10 Brennon Dingle WR 11 Roderick Jones Jr. LB 12 Todd Stafford TE 13 James Bowe Jr. LB 13 Randall West QB 14 Shaquille Harris TE 17 James Sosinski QB 18 Taylor Edwards TE 19 Shakur Nesmith WR 20 Jordin Hamilton CB 21 Khary Bailey-Smith S 21 Marcus Odiah RB 22 Bilal Ally RB 22 Micah Morel S 23 Andy Isabella WR 23 Michael Schreiner PK 24 Charan Singh S 25 Patrick Amara Jr. S 25 Connor Lemieux WR 27 Jesse Monteiro S 28 Jackson Porter CB 29 Martin Mangram CB 31 Mike Caggiano PK 32 Tyshaun Ingram S 34 Steve Casali LB 35 Colbert Calhoun LB 35 Peytton Pickett RB 36 Cycoby Burch S 37 Andrew Libby FB 38 Nick Orekoya RB 39 Isaiah Rodgers CB 40 Jon Lucier TE 41 Da’Sean Downey LB 42 JohnRobinson-Woodgett FB 43 Brandon Mangram CB 44 Peter Ngobidi LB 45 Bakhari Goodson CB 45 Malik Lee FB 46 Lucas Amato LB 46 Cole Morrison TE 47 Michael Dowe Jr. LB
Ht. 6-0 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-8 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-7 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-7 6-4 6-4 5-10 6-2 0-0 5-10 5-11 5-9 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-0 5-9 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-9 5-11 6-1 5-9 5-10 6-6 6-4 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-1
Wt. 200 207 193 155 215 266 195 221 175 205 237 205 174 260 267 192 233 245 262 260 206 172 203 0 190 195 186 220 197 208 199 179 197 182 176 208 236 219 196 182 223 203 155 217 225 247 179 221 167 267 220 248 246
Yr. SO JR SO SO SO SR SR JR FR SO JR SO FR JR JR FR FR JR FR FR JR JR SR FR FR SO SO FR SO JR JR JR JR FR SO FR JR JR FR FR JR FR FR SO JR SR FR SR FR JR JR FR SR
Football Roster
Hometown Weirton, WV West Palm Beach, FL Warwick, RI Fort Lauderdale, FL Melbourne, FL Silver Spring, MD West Springfield, MA Austin, TX Red Bank, NJ Camp Hill, PA Basking Ridge, NJ Fairport, NY Baltimore, MD Seattle, WA Riverside, CT Miami, FL Moorestown, NJ Palmetto, FL Chandler, AZ Wilmington, DE Philadelphia, PA Paradise Valley, AZ Weymouth, MA Burlington, MA Jacksonville, FL Brockton, MA Mayfield, OH Webster, NY Murrysville, PA Philadelphia, PA Fitchburg, MA Brockton, MA Ellicott City, MD Buford, GA Manalapan, NJ Orlando, FL Farmingville, NY Riverside, CA Arlington, TX Orlando, FL Saco, ME Billerica, MA Tampa, FL Holden, MA White Plains, NY Springfield, MA Buford, GA Hyde Park, MA Orlando, FL Mashpee, MA Yarmouth Port, MA Dalton, MA Cromwell, CT
Coaches/Staff Mark Whipple Head Coach Tom Masella Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach Mark Michaels Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Charles Walker Asst. Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Steve Costello Asst. Coach/Cornerbacks Matt Dawson Asst. Coach/Defensive Line and Special Teams Spencer Whipple Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Mike Foley Asst. Coach/Offensive Line Jason Palermo Asst. Coach/Tight Ends Darrius Smith Asst. Coach/Running Backs Scott Woodward Graduate Asst. Coach/Quarterbacks Joe Kreinsen Offensive Graduate Asst. Coach Anthony Rouzier Defensive Graduate Asst. Coach Matt Schell Defensive Graduate Asst. Coach
# Name Pos. 48 Randy Alay PK 49 Jeremy Rodriguez LB 50 Mike Yerardi OL 51 Christian Appia LB 51 Seamus Murray OL 52 Vondell Langston LB 53 Nick Berus LS 54 Leon Flanagan Jr. LB 55 James Reilly OL 56 Joe Parsons OL 56 Taylor Riggins LB 57 Raquan Thomas OL 58 Jack Driscoll OL 58 Adam Tucker LB 59 Larnel Coleman DL 59 Peter Comaroto LS 60 Enock Asante DL 61 Joe Previte DL 63 Dom Cipriani DL 65 Leyshawn Askew DL 66 Anthony Fernandez OL 67 Dan DiNicola OL 68 Elijah Wilkinson OL 69 Basit Dennis DL 71 Michael Boland OL 72 Derek Dumais OL 73 Fabian Hoeller OL 74 Lukas Kolter OL 75 DaVone Hall DL 79 Jake Largay OL 80 Jalen Williams WR 81 Adam Breneman TE 81 Davis Clarke S 83 Cody Banks TE 84 Alfred Adarkwah WR 85 Avien Peah TE 86 Elijah Robinson WR 87 Travis Reynolds TE 88 Bernard Davis WR 89 Patrick O’Reilly IV WR 90 Ali Ali-Musa DL 90 Dejion Evans WR 91 Jack Coveney PK 92 Theo Yongue PK 93 Sharif Saleem DL 94 Charly Timite DL 95 Sha-Ki Holines DL 95 Kyle Horn TE 96 Mario Patton DL 97 Aaron Kinsey LB 98 D’Shan Harley LB 99 Logan Laurent PK
Ht. 5-11 6-1 6-4 5-11 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-5 6-1 6-6 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-1 6-6 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-4 0-0 6-7 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-2 0-0 6-2 6-3 6-1 5-8 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-4
Wt. 269 227 306 229 243 235 220 212 282 280 220 392 294 192 260 218 261 269 290 317 295 309 329 268 318 318 295 324 330 315 205 250 0 257 199 251 164 252 192 0 274 203 185 156 251 307 257 230 297 208 215 217
Yr. FR SO FR SO SO SR JR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR SR SO FR FR SO SO SR SO SR FR SR JR JR SO SR JR FR FR SO FR FR SO SR FR JR FR FR SO FR FR JR FR FR FR FR JR
Hometown Waltham, MA Hillsdale, NJ Cohasset, MA Edison, NJ Hyannis, MA Everett, MA Gibsonia, PA Staten Island, NY Norwell, MA Dover, MA Webster, NY Philadelphia, PA Madison, CT Quincy, MA Malden, MA Burlingame, CA Trenton, NJ Brockton, MA Toronto, ON Paterson, NJ Rancho Cucamonga, CA Walpole, MA Downingtown, PA Worcester, MA Rockville, MD Marblehead, MA Roesrath, Germany Cologne, Germany Brooklyn, NY East Hartland, CT Atlanta, GA Mechanicsburg, PA Winchester, MA Richmond, VA Worcester, MA Providence, RI Montclair, NJ Brisbane, Australia Lake Worth, FL Franklin, MA Annandale, VA Boston, MA Grafton, MA Nyack, NY Cleveland, OH Philadelphia, PA Springfield, MA Pembroke, MA Cleveland Heights, OH Miami, FL Wichita Falls, TX Temecula, CA
Joe Connolly Director of Sports Performance/Football Strength and Conditioning James Carson Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Clayton Kirven Strength and Conditioning Intern (FB/MBB/WBB) Paul Gorham Director of Operations J.P. Correia Asst. Director/Operations Tim Silvernail Director of Player Personnel Tommy Cancalosi Asst. Director/Player Personnel Michael Scire Equipment Manager Jennifer Brodeur Associate Head Athletic Trainer Jeff Aldeus Assistant Athletic Trainer Marissa Visocchi Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer Bill Sisler Video Coordinator Reilly Christie Student Assistant Matt Gordon Student Assistant Andrew Schatz Student Assistant Jake Waldsmith Student Assistant
18 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Depth Charts for October 22 South Carolina OFFENSE WR: WR: WR: -OR- LT: LG: OC: RG: RT: TE: QB: -OR- RB: -OR-
1 Deebo Samuel 83 Chavis Dawkins 14 Jamari Smith 7 Korey Banks 89 Bryan Edwards 5 Terry Googer 8 Randrecous Davis 74 Mason Zandi 77 Malik Young 78 Zack Bailey 70 Alan Knott 51 Cory Helms 70 Alan Knott 72 Donell Stanley 69 D.J. Park 69 D.J. Park 63 Blake Camper 81 Hayden Hurst 3 K.C. Crosby 11 Brandon McIlwain 10 Perry Orth 4 Jake Bentley 25 A.J. Turner 33 David Williams 32 Rod Talley
6-0, 205, So. 6-2, 200, Fr. 5-10, 210, Jr. 5-11, 180, Fr. 6-3, 210, Fr. 6-4, 220, So. 5-10, 181, Fr. 6-9, 315, Sr. 6-3, 300, So. 6-6, 315, So. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 310, Jr. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 325, So. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-8, 300, So. 6-5, 250, So. 6-1, 227, So. 6-0, 205, Fr. 6-1, 200, Sr. 6-3, 223, Fr. 5-10, 195, RFr. 6-1, 220, Jr. 5-10, 205, Jr.
DEFENSE Inman, S.C. Duncan, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Tyrone, Ga. Conway, S.C. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta, Ga. Chapin, S.C. Pelzer, S.C. Summerville, S.C. Tyrone, Ga. Alpharetta, Ga. Tyrone, Ga. Floydale, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Virginia Beach, Va. Jacksonville, Fla. Bamberg, S.C. Newtown, Pa. Ponte Verda, Fla. Opelika, Ala. Clifton, Va. Philadelphia, Pa. Laurens, S.C.
DE: 8 Marquavius Lewis 92 D.J. Wonnum -OR- 91 Shameik Blackshear DT: 90 Taylor Stallworth 18 Keir Thomas DT: 94 Kelsey Griffin 93 Ulric Jones DE: 95 Dante Sawyer 5 Darius English SLB: 11 T.J. Holloman -OR- 6 Chris Moody MLB: 28 Jonathan Walton -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman WLB: 4 B. Allen-Williams -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman CB: 16 Rashad Fenton 22 Steven Montac S: 24 D.J. Smith 42 Jordan Diggs S: 17 Chaz Elder 22 Steven Montac CB: 3 Chris Lammons 7 Jamarcus King N: 42 Jordan Diggs 16 Rashad Fenton
RT:
2 Ross Comis 6-0, 200, So. Weirton, W. Va. 7 Andrew Ford 6-3, 205, So. Camp Hill, Pa. 8 Marquis Young 6-0, 196, So. Fairport, N.Y. 4 Sekai Lindsay 5-8, 215, So. Melbourne, Fla. 22 Bilal Ally 5-10, 195, Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. 42 JohnRobinson-Woodgett 6-1, 247, Sr. Springfield, Mass. 37 Andrew Libby 6-1, 223, Jr. Saco, Maine 45 Malik Lee 6-1, 267, Jr. Mashpee, Mass. 88 Bernard Davis 6-2, 192, Sr. Lake Worth, Fla. 80 Jalen Williams 6-3, 205, Sr. Atlanta, Ga. 23 Andy Isabella 5-9, 186, So. Mayfield, Ohio 81 Adam Breneman 6-4, 250, Jr. Mechanicsburg, Pa. 87 Travis Reynolds 6-5, 252, So. Brisbane, Australia 68 Elijah Wilkinson 6-5, 329, Sr. Downingtown, Pa. 57 Raquan Thomas 6-5, 392, Fr. Philadelphia, Pa. 79 Jake Largay 6-5, 315, So. East Hartland, Conn. 50 Mike Yerardi 6-4, 306, RFr. Cohasset, Mass. 73 Fabian Hoeller 6-3, 295, Sr. Roesrath, Germany 72 Derek Dumais 6-5, 318, RFr. Marblehead, Mass. 71 Michael Boland 6-6, 318, Sr. Rockville, Md. 67 Dan DiNicola 6-6, 309, So. Walpole, Mass. 58 Jack Driscoll 6-5, 294, RFr. Madison, Conn. 66 Anthony Fernandez 6-4, 295, So. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Greenwood, S.C. Stone Mountain, Ga. Bluffton, S.C. Mobile, Ala. Miami, Fla. Buford, Ga. Oxford, Ala. Suwanee, Ga. Powder Springs, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. McDonough, Ga. Daphne, Ala. Stone Mountain, Ga. Ellenwood, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. Miami, Fla. Covington, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Union City, Ga. Covington, Ga. Lauderhill, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Fort Myers, Fla. Miami, Fla.
SPECIALISTS K: P: LS: KOR: PR: H:
29 Elliott Fry 20 Joseph Charlton 13 Sean Kelly 20 Joseph Charlton 47 Drew Williams 48 Nick McGriff 25 A.J. Turner 16 Rashad Fenton 16 Rashad Fenton 3 Chris Lammons 13 Sean Kelly
6-0, 170, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 5-10, 190, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 6-2, 215, Sr. 6-0, 225, So. 5-10, 195, RFr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 5-10, 189, Jr.
Frisco, Texas Columbia, S.C. Oakland, Fla. Columbia, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Gainesville, Fla. Clifton, Va. Miami, Fla. Miami, Fla. Lauderhill, Fla. Oakland, Fla.
Massachusetts
OFFENSE QB: RB: FB: WR: TE: LT: LG: C: RG:
6-3, 270, Sr. 6-4, 240, Fr. 6-4, 265, RFr. 6-2, 310, Jr. 6-2, 265, Fr. 6-2, 295, Sr. 6-5, 300, Jr. 6-3, 275, Jr. 6-6, 245, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-1, 220, Sr. 6-0, 230, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-0, 230, Jr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-11, 190, So. 5-11, 195, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 6-2, 200, Sr. 5-11, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 6-2, 180, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 5-10, 190, So.
DEFENSE
DE: NT: DT: WILL: SAM: MIKE: ZIP: CB: SS: FS: CB:
95 Sha-Ki Holines 60 Enock Asante 90 Ali Ali-Musa 96 Mario Patton 61 Joe Previte 5 Peter Angeh 41 Da’Sean Downey 44 Peter Ngobidi 6 Tedrick Lowery 13 James Bowe Jr. 8 Shane Huber 35 Colbert Calhoun 34 Steve Casali 52 Vondell Langston 4 James Allen 39 Isaiah Rodgers 3 Lee Moses 27 Jesse Monteiro 21 Khary Bailey-Smith 24 Charan Singh 28 Jackson Porter 45 Bakhari Goodson
6-3, 257, Jr. Springfield, Mass. 6-2, 261, Sr. Trenton, N.J. 6-2, 274, Jr. Annandale, Va. 6-0, 297, RFr. Cleveland Heights, Ohio 6-2, 269, So. Brockton, Mass. 6-1, 266, Sr. Silver Spring, Md. 6-4, 225, Jr. White Plains, N.Y. 6-2, 221, Sr. Hyde Park, Mass. 6-0, 221, Jr. Austin, Texas 6-0, 192, Fr. Miami, Fla. 6-3, 237, Jr. Basking Ridge, N.J. 5-11, 219, Jr. East Riverside, Calif. 6-1, 236, Jr. Farmingville, N.Y. 6-0, 235, Sr. Everett, Mass. 5-8, 155, So. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 5-10, 155, Fr. Tampa, Fla. 5-11, 193, So. Warwick, R.I. 5-9, 179, Jr. Brockton, Mass. 6-2, 203, Sr. Weymouth, Mass. 6-1, 197, So. Murrysville, Pa. 6-1, 197, Jr. Ellicott City, Md. 5-10, 167, Fr. Orlando, Fla.
SPECIAL TEAMS KO: 31 Mike Caggiano PK: 31 Mike Caggiano P: 99 Logan Laurent LS: 53 Nick Berus 59 Peter Comaroto H: 37 Andrew Libby 2 Ross Comis KR: 39 Isaiah Rodgers 4 James Allen 23 Andy Isabella PR: 4 James Allen 88 Bernard Davis
5-11, 176, So. 5-11, 176, So. 6-4, 217, Jr. 6-0, 220, Jr. 5-11, 222, RFr. 6-1, 223, Jr. 6-0, 200, So. 5-10, 155, Fr. 5-8, 155, So. 5-9, 186, So. 5-8, 155, So. 6-2, 192, Sr.
*These depth charts are taken from the listings from each team’s previous game. Spurs & Feathers goes to print shortly after the conclusion of each game. Please visit www.spursandfeathers.com over the course of the week for updated depth charts.
Manalapan, N.J. Manalapan, N.J. Temecula, Calif. Gibsonia, Pa. Burlingame, Calif. Saco, Maine Weirton, W. Va. Tampa, Fla. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Mayfield, Ohio Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Lake Worth, Fla.
October 12, 2016
Spurs & Feathers • 19
20 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Frank Martin on Duane Notice: ‘He’s driven to get better daily’ by brian hand Executive Editor His game has definitely evolved since his arrival, but that is really what makes South Carolina senior do-it-all guard Duane Notice so important for the Gamecocks in that he is incredibly versatile. “I think I’ve evolved as a player just my body getting stronger and just being able to endure more,” Duane Notice said. “It’s been a great experience just learning from the (players) and the coaching staff, and I like the player that I’ve become.” South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin knows that versatility has been huge over the past few years as the Gamecock program has also continued to evolve at the same time and reach new levels like picking up a school-record 24 wins during the regular-season last year. “When you think back to when he was a freshman, he said he picked here because we were the one school that did not want him to play the point and he ended up playing the point basically his whole freshman year,” Martin said. “Then last year because of the necessities that I felt were needed for that team, I asked him to come off the bench and he went out and became the Sixth Man of the Year in the league. Duane’s such an unselfish human being. He’s so giving, he’s so willing to do whatever is asked of him. It makes him special.” Last season for the Gamecocks, Notice Player of the Week. as noted by Martin was tabbed as the SEC Martin knows that for the Gamecocks to Sixth Man of the Year after a year that saw have another special year in the 2016-17 him play over 900 minutes on the year in season that they are going to need Notice to just eight starts. be as always the best Duane Notice that he On the season, Notice averaged 10.8 can be for the team. points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per “Duane has tremendous pride,” Martin game for the Gamecocks. Notice averaged said. “Duane wants to be the best. He’s 10.4 points per game in SEC play. driven to get better every single day. That His exceptional junior season continued stubbornness as a player sometimes gets the solid foundation that the Toronto nahim in trouble because he tries to do more tive had built over his first than maybe he should be two years in the garnet and trying to do. I think Duane black. Notice made 22 starts through his experiences has in his freshman campaign in learned that to be a real good 2013-14, averaging 8.2 points, player it doesn’t mean you 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists have to do more. It means you per game. He followed up his have to be real good at what freshman year with an even you’re good at. And I think better sophomore year with that is where he has grown the 11.7 points, 2.7 assists and 2.6 All Gamecock basketball most in his understanding of coverage sponsored by how we play, his understandrebounds per game. He was Yesterdays named the Dec. 8, 2014, SEC ing of what he’s real good at
photo by jenny dilworth
and just kind of piece of mind (in) let me do these things that I’m real good at and let’s ride with that and see where it takes us. I think that’s why you saw him take a big step forward last year.” Not known as much of a shooter coming out of high school, Notice changed that quickly at South Carolina and now with a tremendous ability to shoot and attack the basket he has spent a great deal of the offseason working on his in between game. In fact, during the SC Pro-Am this past summer it was obvious that what Notice had been focusing on in his individual workouts was working. “Coming here enhanced my work ethic just playing with these guys,” Notice said of fellow seniors Justin McKie and Sindarius Thornwell. “We were always trying to compete against each other just being in the gym. I guess I became a shooter. It’s kind of ironic because I couldn’t shoot in high school and trying to get away from the label
of just being a shooter, I worked on my in between game with floaters and pullups and things like that to be more efficient.” Notice’s award-winning junior season in 2015-16 though goes back to what he says he was working on as 68 of his 115 made field goals on the year came from beyond the arc where he shot just at 40 percent. An asset who has already scored over 1,000 points in his Gamecock career with multiple facets to his game entering his senior season, do not be surprised if after the upcoming season, Notice becomes the latest player from the greater Toronto area that professional scouts covet. That’s a long way from now though as the only thing on Notice’s mind right now is being the best player he can be to help the Gamecocks have another successful season. “He’s grown in his willingness to just accept who he is and he became that best version of Duane Notice that he can possibly be,” Martin said. “He’s fun to be around.”
Spurs & Feathers • 21
October 12, 2016
Gunter: We have officially hit the midway point of the season After Sunday’s 28-14 loss to Georgia, South Carolina has officially hit the midway point of the season. For starters, it is kind of strange that it has flown by this fast. It seems like just the other day I was writing this article following the game at Vanderbilt and speculating on the possibilities but now here we are. The Gamecocks stand at 2-4 halfway through the first season Bill Gunter of Will MusContributing champ and that is Writer probably pretty close to where they should be. Personally, I was hoping for a record of three wins and three losses but maybe that was being optimistic. When this team was broken down at the beginning of the season, there were certainly deficiencies that would be cause for concern, however I had thought the Gamecocks might be able to overcome those problems. That has not been the case though as injuries to key offensive players like Deebo Samuel, Blake Camper and Donell Stanely have hurt the improvement of the offense. Those are not excuses and not the sole reason the Gamecock offense has struggled but it is something that should not be forgotten when taking into account what is happening with the offense at the current moment. Brandon McIIwain has made some strides at certain times and looked liked a freshman at others. Personally, at the beginning of the season, I thought Perry Orth should receive the majority of snaps as they brought McIIwain along slowly. However, that ended up not being the case and while there have been moments that McIIwain has showed the ability to be a quality SEC quarterback in the years to come, there have been moments that have shown he is also a young man trying to find his way through his freshman season as a quarterback in the SEC. Count me in the group that believes that freshman quarterback Jake Bentley should continue to redshirt and learn through practice. That is how recent quarterbacks such as Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel were able to develop as quarterbacks and while anything those players did is unfair to compare to what Bentley may do, it does go to show that quarterbacks typically need a year to develop. The wide receiver position has been up and down with Bryan Edwards showing in the opener that he has the potential to be a go-to receiver over the next few years. Injuries and subpar quarterback play has slowed his pro-
photo by jenny dilworth
duction slightly but Edwards is still a prospect in which you can build an offense around. On Sunday against Georgia, Samuel showed the playmaking ability that many have raved about since he arrived on campus. The key will be keeping the redshirt sophomore healthy to continue his development and bringing along freshman Randrecous Davis, who flashed potential earlier in the season as a guy that the passing game could count on. Defensively, the Gamecocks have shown the ability to be a sturdy unit outside of one half of play, which came against Mississippi State. First time defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson has done a solid job of keeping his guys in position to make plays each week and teamed with his defensive staff to make continued improvement in each group’s fundamentals with each game. Where the problem seems to have come each
week is that this particular Gamecock football team can’t get everything to click properly. Some of that has to do with talent and some of that has to do with the opposition the team is facing. Sunday against the Bulldogs was a perfect example as the Gamecocks turned the ball over three times however still found themselves down seven points in the third quarter. However, a bad decision in special teams led to bad field position and then a poor punt that set up the Bulldogs for an easy score. That essentially put the game out of reach and the Gamecocks fell to their fourth loss of the season and enter the bye week looking for answers. Personally, I compare this season to what happens when someone has to get a root canal. You can prepare yourself all you want but that still does not make the situation pleasant and easy to deal with.
The bottom line for this Gamecock program is that it has a ways to go. Just predicting a season record of 7-5 and hoping for the best does not mean it will happen. I have stated several times (despite my optimistic prediction) fans should be looking for improvement each week. I don’t need to be your eyes, you can make you own judgment and feel how you want about what is taking place. I will admit the season is not going as I had expected but that does not mean fans should give up based on the first six games. You have to see how things play out and then make an accurate assessment of where things stand when the season wraps up in late November. Until then, I encourage some to take a weekby-week approach and expect to see improvement while expecting bigger things coming over the next few seasons.
22 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Gamecocks to hold open practice in Greenville south carolina athletics media relations
well and look forward to meeting the many passionate Gamecocks in that area.” Southside High School is located at 6630 South Carolina women’s basketball will host Frontage at White Horse Road. an open practice on Thursday, Oct. 13, at South- The three-time reigning SEC champion side High School in Greenville, head coach Gamecocks officially opened practice for the Dawn Staley announced recently. Open to all 2016-17 season on Thursday, Oct. 6. Staley fans at no charge, practice will returns two starters from last be 6-8 p.m. with Staley addressseason’s squad in All-Americans ing fans immediately following. Alaina Coates and A’ja Wilson, “We’re excited to take our making South Carolina one of practice to our out-of-town fans just three teams in the nation reagain this year,” Staley said. turning multiple All-Americans “With the SEC Tournament this season. Junior guard Bianca coming to Greenville, it’s the Cuevas-Moore is back to lead perfect time to visit the Upstate the Gamecocks, who also welAll Gamecock basketball come junior transfers Kaela Daand start to paint it garnet and coverage sponsored by vis and Allisha Gray to the fold black for March. We’ll spend a Yesterdays few days in the community as after sitting out last season. Both
photo by allen sharpe
were First-Team All-ACC selections in 2015 and amassed 1,000 career points in just two seasons at their previous schools. South Carolina added five newcomers to the roster with the four freshmen ready to take the court this season, led by FIBA U18 Americas Championship
gold medalist Tyasha Harris. Season tickets are available now via the website, GamecocksOnline.com/tickets, or by calling the South Carolina Ticket Office at 1-800-4SC-FANS (472-3267). Prices start at $30 for general admission seating.
The Ray Tanner Foundation celebrates 11th Year of Home Run October 15th by Sheryl McAlister
COLUMBIA – The Ray Tanner Home Run, scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2016, marks the 11th straight year for the event. The Home Run is a fundraiser of The Ray Tanner Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving economically and medically disadvantaged children and their families. The Ray Tanner Foundation, established in 2005, began its signature run a year later as part of a four-pronged approach to serving an underserved segment of the South Carolina Midlands area. The unique event is presented by Strictly Running and features a 12K Run, a 5K Run/Walk, a 1-Mile Run and a Kids’ Fun Run. The 12K event is certified by USA Track & Field and presented in conjunction with the submitted photo Columbia Running Club. “When we started the Ray Tanner Home Run in 2006, we had about 200 runners who joined us at the old Sarge Frye field (on USC’s campus),” said Karen Tanner, co-founder of The Ray Tanner Foundation. “Since then, we have seen our numbers increase significantly and are expecting approximately 1,800 run-
Officer of Strictly Running. Participants can register for The Ray Tanner Home Run on The Ray Tanner Foundation website (www.theraytannerfoundation. org), and at Strictly Running (www.strictlyrunning.com). Activities begin early Saturday morning, October 15, 2016, at Founders Park, 431 Williams Street, Columbia, SC 29201, with the
photo by brian hand from last year’s event
ners and walkers this year.” Proceeds from the Home Run have been contributed to Families Helping Families; the Family Shelter; Oliver Gospel Mission, and the Palmetto Place Children’s Shelter, among others. “Our foundation’s mission is focused on improving the quality of life for those in this community who are medically or eco-
nomically challenged,” Tanner said. “We, at Strictly Running, are proud to have been partnered with The Ray Tanner Home Run from day one. We are excited to see the growth the event has had and the contributions the proceeds have allowed The Ray Tanner Foundation to provide the community,” said Jordan Lybrand, Chief Operating
12K race start at 7:45 am. The 5K race/walk start follows at 8:15 am, followed by the 1 Mile and Kids’ Fun Run and games on the field. The awards ceremony is expected to begin at approximately 9:15 am. www.facebook.com/raytannerhomerun Twitter @raytannergives
October 12, 2016 Spurs & Feathers • 23
AS14-1498333-1
24 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Upcoming Gamecock Club events
Current listing of known upcoming Gamecock Club events: Please contact Brian Hand (bhand@spursandfeathers. com) if your upcoming event is not listed.
Women’s basketball to hold open practice in Greenville South Carolina women’s basketball will host an open practice on Thursday, Oct. 13, at Southside High School in Greenville, head coach Dawn Staley announced. Open to all fans at no charge, practice will be 6-8 p.m. with Staley addressing fans immediately following.
Club, Spurs & Feathers and additional USC guests. There will be fun for all ages at the event Florence Gamecock Club Fall Rally featuring inflatables and membership in the The Florence County Gamecock Club will Junior Gamecock Club will be available. A hold their annual “Fall Rally” on Thursday, special October 13 at the Floyd Conference Center at feature at the “Fall Rally” will be the FlorCarolinas Hospital System. ence County Gamecock Club sponsorship Doors will open at 5:30 pm with dinner of Harvest Hope. A raffle for autographed from Roger’s BBQ House followed by the Gamecock items will be held and for each program at 7:00 pm with special guests, can of food donated to Harvest Hope at the Head Baseball Coach Chad Holbrook and event, a free raffle ticket will be given. AdHead Beach Volleyball Coach Moritz Moritz ditional tickets may be purchased and all along with members of the Gamecock financial donations will also be given to HarSouthside High School is located at 6630 Frontage at White Horse Road.
vest Hope. Donna Lollis, Donation Relations Manager, from Harvest Hope will join the Gamecocks at the rally. Tickets will go on sale starting on Tuesday, September 27th, at $20 for adults and $5 for youth ages 12 & under, which includes the meal. Tickets can be purchased at Rogers BBQ House and Jernigan Law Firm on Second Loop Road; both locations of Micky Finns on N. Cashua Drive and Pamplico Hwy. or through any Florence County Gamecock Club Board member. For more information, please contact Florence County Gamecock Club President Scat Scaturro at 843-621-8008.
Spurs & Feathers • 25
October 12, 2016
Herman Leslie: ‘It’s just great to be a Gamecock’ by kyle heck Reporter Herman Leslie was ordered to the University of South Carolina as part of the Navy’s V-12 College Training program during World War II, and once he was enrolled, he became a Gamecock and there was no looking back after that. More than 70 years later, Herman Leslie is still one of the biggest Gamecock fans you’ll ever meet. His son, Les Leslie, is well aware of that, and that was the main reason he suggested his dad for the Legendary Fan of the Game honor. On Saturday, Oct. 1, that suggestion became a reality as Herman Leslie was honored in front of nearly 80,000 people at Williams-Brice Stadium prior to South Carolina’s game against Texas A&M. It was a tremendous early birthday present as Herman Leslie was just a few days shy of his 91st birthday. “It was quite an affair,” Herman Leslie said. “It was something I had no idea of ever participating in. My son was the one who led the way. I was real appreciative, and I enjoyed the event very much.” After enrolling, Leslie stayed at South Carolina for four semesters before leaving for midshipmen school. He could’ve stayed at South Carolina, but wanted to get out in the fleet. After the war was over, Leslie returned to the University to complete his degree in 1948.
photo by allen sharpe
A member of the Gamecock Club for 56 consecutive years, Herman Leslie has gone to football games since the late 1940s. He has accumulated thousands of memories from his time at Gamecock football games, but one that stands out came during the 1961 Clemson-Carolina rivalry game. It was the year a South Carolina fraternity pulled a famous prank where they dressed up as Clemson football players and went down on the field to do warmups. Everything was fine until they started intentionally sabotaging themselves by punting foot-
balls backward and pretending to milk cows, among other things. “When that fraternity came on the field, that was real fun,” Herman Leslie said. For Les Leslie, his favorite memory with his dad also came during a rivalry game between the Gamecocks and Tigers. It was 1984, and South Carolina had just pulled off an amazing, 22-21 comeback victory over Clemson on its home field. With less than a minute left in the game, the Gamecocks scored a touchdown to tie, and needed a PAT to take the win. Scott
Hagler missed the first PAT, but a penalty was called, giving him another chance. He didn’t miss that one. “After the game, we stopped by the restroom - it was packed with mostly Clemson fans, shoulder to shoulder,” Les Leslie recalled. “You could hear a pin drop, and dad turned to me and said, ‘it’s as quiet as a tomb here’ with a little smile. There was not one word spoken. (Clemson) was just devastated.” The love for the Gamecocks has carried on through all of the years for Herman Leslie, and the University holds a special place in his heart. “You are loyal to the Gamecocks,” Herman Leslie said. “I went to school there, and both of my sons went there. It’s just great to be a Gamecock and be loyal to your college and loyal to your football team.” Several family members were in attendance for the big moment, including some from out of town. All in all, being able to be honored as the Legendary Fan of the Game is something that’s hard to surpass. “We were just treated royally,” Les Leslie said. “We were given sideline passes (and) we were able to be down there. We had just a wonderful experience, and they could not have treated us better. “We grew up in Greenville and came down to every game,” Les Leslie added. “We have been Carolina born and bred. Just thinking back on all the good times, and now that (Herman) is the legendary fan, it’s just hard to take in.”
Annual Border Bash a big hit once again
Despite the weather surrounding Hurricane Matthew, it was incredibly important for those with the Augusta Gamecock Club to make sure and still hold the annual Border Bash. “It was important to have it because it’s always been a tradition the night before the game - even though the game is Sunday now - but it’s always a tradition and we just have to deal with the weather,” Curley Avant, president of the Augusta Gamecock Club, said. “We appreciate everybody coming out.” The 23rd annual Border Bash was held on Friday, Oct. 7, at the Augusta University Golf & Gardens in Augusta, Georgia. “This is really one of our big events of the year that we’re involved in with the Bulldog Club and the Gamecock Club to do the Border Bash,” Avant told Spurs & Feathers before the annual event. “This is the 23rd year for Border Bash, and we’ve raised close to $950,000 over that period of time, and we support 26 charities within the Augusta area.” The reasoning above is why it was so important
photo by brian hand
for the Augusta Gamecock Club and the area Bulldog Club to host the annual event even with so much going on around this year’s South Carolina and Georgia football game that was held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 9, at Williams-Brice Stadium. “We expected a big crowd, but due to the weather it’s unfortunate the way things happened,” Avant said. “It’s all for charity for the local area, so we’re doing the best we can based on the weather.” Border Bash is always a huge event for the Augusta Gamecock Club in that as noted it helps to raise money for great causes and the University of South Carolina. “It’s great to see two colleges and people who
support those colleges come out to raise money to benefit the local charities within the area,” Avant said. “Besides that, I think it’s rewarding for us, the Augusta Gamecock Club, raising money to give back to the student-athletes at Carolina. Over the past 10 years, we’ve given back roughly $30,000 to help the student-athletes at Carolina.” Gamecock Club executive director Patrick
McFarland is incredibly thankful for the lengths the Augusta Gamecock Club goes to support Gamecock athletics. “If there was ever a year to show just how much the Augusta Gamecock Club does for Gamecocks everywhere, it is definitely this year,” McFarland said. “Their efforts are noticed by everyone, and we cannot thank them enough for going above and beyond for Gamecock athletics.”
SIR BIG SPUR YARD SALE SATURDAY OCT. 15TH
Proceeds to support Sir Big Spur and Tranquilidad Foundation (a home for children and youth) For sale: Sir Big Spur’s war chest of Gamecock Memorabilia including prints, one-of-a kind items and collectibles. Christmas items, household goods, exercise equipment. Sir Big Spur prints and clothing. Signed copies of his autobiography. Sir Big Spur available for pictures.
At SBS’s Roost: 555 Kimball Pond Rd, Aiken 8am until 12 noon.
AS14-1495677-1
by brian hand Executive Editor
26 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Gamecock beach volleyball is ‘driven, motivated group’ by brian hand Executive Editor Moritz Moritz knows how lucky he is to have his current grouping of Gamecocks. “You’ll never hear me not praise this team,” South Carolina’s fourth-year head beach volleyball coach told Spurs & Feathers from his office on Monday, Oct. 3. Moritz’s thoughts are not necessarily because his team in the fall of 2016 is putting itself in position to win the national championship during the 2017 regular-season. The Gamecocks may end up being in that conversation during the spring season, but for Moritz it’s the attention to all of the little things that has him so excited about this year’s team. “They’re driven academically, they’re driven community service-wise,” Moritz said. “When they get out there, they’re going for everything constantly.” South Carolina’s fall preparations are mainly focused on deciding what will be the best combinations in the spring and individually just getting better. “In our first meeting that was kind of our big topic,” Moritz said. “This semester is learning about each individual as best we can, and then obviously start to eliminate combinations that we think won’t work or we’ll see won’t work, and then start formulating combinations that we think could work. What we really want to do in this phase is make sure that we have the best information possible so that we have the closest approximation to pairs in January when we get going so we can really give those potential pairs the longest amount of time to prepare for March.” In the first three years of the program, year. It was also the Gamecocks’ first-ever Gamecock beach volleyball has made huge win over a top-10 opponent. strides each and every year. Moritz knows all of the tremendous steps After winning five matches in their inaugu- taken over the past few years are incredibly ral season, the Gamecocks nearly tripled that important, but they are going to measure this total in year No. 2, notching 14 wins. year’s team on its own merit. In the spring of 2016, South Carolina kept “One of the interesting things that we have up that improvement, and it resulted in a started talking about - and granted we’re still very important milestone for the team. With only going into our fourth year - is that the a victory over FIU on April 23 to make it measurement of this team shouldn’t necesto the semifinals of the Coastal Collegiate sarily be based on what we did last year or Sports Association (CCSA) Tournament, the the last three years,” Moritz said. “It should Gamecocks picked up their 20th win of the be based on what we can do and what we season, and finished the year with a 20-16 can create with the group we have now. record. When you talk about all of Last year was the first year the things like the fact that that South Carolina was part we had 20 wins last year, we of the CCSA conference, and had a great team GPA or the to make it to the semifinals community service hours of the conference tournament that we did, that’s in the past, was an impressive feat. The so what can we accomplish All Gamecock win over No. 10 FIU in the with this group and these beach volleyball coverage teammates and continue to postseason was even more sponsored by James W. important than the fact that develop, build and grow? Smith Real Estate Co. it was the 20th victory of the That’s kind of the neat thing
photo by jenny dilworth
with this group. We’re mature, we have some leadership, we have great youth, we have great talent across the board, everybody is getting better, but knowing and really having an idea of where we are compared to anybody else is still so far away.” This past fall, the Gamecocks also left the friendly confines of their word-class Wheeler Beach facility to travel to Hilton Head, South Carolina for a fall training camp. Moritz knows the chance to get away can only help the Gamecocks going forward this year. “I think it’s huge,” Moritz said. “When you are on campus constantly you have all of the distractions. You have everything that you are thinking about all of the time, whether it’s make sure you are getting to the Dodie on time for your meals or tutoring or something along those lines or getting to weights and practice on time and getting to classes. There is just so much going on. Sometimes you don’t necessarily get enough time to connect with your teammates even though we spend a ton of time on that. Having those
conversations where you can just simply focus on each other, I think is huge for us. And really, to give them a different look at training in different areas because really that is what we do because we play on a different beach every weekend (during the regularseason) and it’s how do we adjust, how do we adapt, how we are we flexible? Then to be able to kind of integrate some team-building and some fun kind of things in it, I think is huge for the continued development of the legacy of the program itself.” Once again though, Moritz knows his group this year has the right mindset, and he is excited to see what the rest of the year holds for his team. “The great thing about this group and the very fortunate thing for the coaching staff is that they are that driven, they are that motivated,” Moritz said. “Maintaing that is maybe what we’re doing and channeling it, but we’re so fortunate to have the kind of kids that we do that work the way that they do. I think everything that we have accomplished is everything that they’ve earned.”
Spurs & Feathers • 27
October 12, 2016
South Carolina men’s soccer honors military at Heroes Night Out game by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
The win for South Carolina men’s soccer over Marshall at Stone Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2 was more than just a victory for the Gamecocks. It was also a night to honor military members, past and present, for Heroes Night Out. “We want to thank these gentlemen for their service, and for all the people around the world that keep us all safe,” head coach Mark Berson told his team in the locker room prior to Sunday’s match as the veterans and current servicemen stood behind him. “No one can predict what the world is going to be like in the future, but you can be sure that there are going to be people like these guys who are going to help keep you safe and your children safe. We appreciate all you guys do.” All military members and their families received free admission to the game. Honorees were given a VIP tour of the new soccer locker room and weight room facility before the game and met with the Gamecocks’ coaches and student-athletes. University of South Carolina
Air Force ROTC members presented the colors for the national anthem and the servicemen and veterans were introduced to the crowd prior to kickoff. A special halftime video was played honoring those who have served. “We talk about sacrifice to our guys, and we can’t imagine anybody who embodies that any more than you guys,” South Carolina assistant coach Spencer Lewis told the group before leading them on a tour. The Gamecocks rose to attention when the
active servicemen and veterans came into the locker room before the game, and each attendee met all of the team members individually. “It’s great to come here and get a tour of the facility and meet the team,” said retired U.S. Army first sergeant Keith Taylor, who lives in Laurens, S.C. “We really do appreciate everything (South Carolina) is doing for our veterans. It’s nice to get the recognition and to know how much they appreciate the military and what they do for our freedom. A lot of people out there just
don’t know the sacrifices of the soldiers, sailors and servicemen. It’s a tremendous sacrifice, and they’re all volunteers now.” “We’re just so appreciative of South Carolina being so concerned about our veterans and inviting us to be here,” said retired U.S. Army medical corpsman John Elingburg, who served as a combat medic in the Vietnam War. “I’ve always been treated so wonderfully here,” said Denny Sago, Sr. who spent 20 years in the U.S. Army and is the father of the men’s soccer volunteer assistant coach who shares his name. “We love the Coach, we love Cocky, and we love everyone involved with the program.” Military attendees also received an Operation Hat Trick cap, which is an organization that supports America’s wounded veterans, active service members, and their families. “I just wanted to come out and support the local community,” said Elton Lambert, who is currently serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson in Columbia. “My wife and I both played soccer in high school, so we’re fans and it’s kind of neat to get an opportunity to see a sport other than football.”
Tailgate on an island of your own.
Quality material, fine craftsmanship, innovative technology: SEDONA by LYNX BRUNCH
REGULAR MENU
Sun – Thurs: 11:15 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. (Bar: 12:00 p.m./till) | Fri and Sat: 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. (Bar: 1:00 p.m./till)
Full Menu at yesterdayssc.com
AS20-1490503-1
1421 Atlas Road d • Collumb bia, SC 29209 “Serving the Midlands for over 50 years” www.jeffersmcgill.com • (803) 776-4466
AS14-1490524-1
Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m | Sun: 10:00 a.m. – Noon Full Bloody Mary Bar
28 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
South Carolina/Georgia postgame notes and quotes south carolina athletics media relations
ing to know something is coming and having a hard time stopping it – it is very frustrating. We got the open week, which comes at a good time. Our players will be off tomorrow, and we’ll work as a staff to improve our team. We’ve got six games to go, and I’m looking forward to those six games and continuing to improve our program.”
GENERAL NOTES • Today’s Attendance: 77,221 (Updated season total: 235,850; 78,617 average per game) • Georgia now leads the all-time series, 49-18-2. It marks the first time since 2008-09 the Bulldogs have won two in a row over South Carolina.
On the offense “We weren’t running the ball very well, and, at the end of the day, between Rico (Dowdle) and AJ (Turner) we had 63 yards rushing. So there was nothing in the run game. So, we felt like we needed to throw the football, which I thought was effective at times. And we’d have movement, but then we’d have a turnover. When we can’t get out of our own way sometimes it gets very frustrating. We can continue to go back at it, and evaluate what we need to do and improve.”
OFFENSIVE NOTES • Perry Orth’s 39-yard pass to Deebo Samuel in the third quarter marked a season-long pass for the quarterback. • Deebo Samuel’s 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter marked his second rushing touchdown of the season. • Deebo Samuel recorded a season-high 90 yards receiving on four catches. • Perry Orth passed for a season high 288 passing yards in a 26-for-36 performance. • Rico Dowdle’s touchdown in the fourth quarter marked his first career touchdown. • South Carolina was 2-for-2 inside the red zone, the third time this season the Gamecocks were perfect in the red zone. • Hayden Hurst’s 86 yards receiving finished just four yards shy of matching a career high.
On the bye week “We just need to manage it the right way, I told the players they had off tomorrow so they can decompress a little bit. The staff and I were going to go recruiting, but because of the weather we need to stay here and we need to evaluate what we’re doing. We’ll come back and work tomorrow and get back to work Tuesday and evaluate where we are and get good practices in on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – just try to improve our team, that’s the bottom line right now. We have got to get better. I don’t think anyone questions the effort, and I don’t think anyone questions the want to. We’re just not getting the execution, and it’s very disappointing for them to not get the results. They have worked hard; they have put the time in, but that’s just a part of it.”
DEFENSIVE NOTES • Darius English’s sack in the second quarter marked his sixth sack of the season and the 12th sack of his career. He leads the team in both categories. • Antoine Wilder’s interception in the third quarter marked his first interception of the season and of his career for the redshirt freshman. • South Carolina’s defense held Georgia to 29 passing yards, the fewest of any Gamecock opponent this season. It is the fewest passing yards allowed by the Gamecock defense since The Citadel recorded eight yards passing against Carolina in 2011. • Georgia’s Nick Chubb (121 yards) and Sony Michel (133 yards) each posted more than 100 yards rushing marking the first time a Gamecock opponent has had two players with more than 100 yards rushing since Nov. 28, 2015, against Clemson, Deshaun Watson (114) and Wayne Gallman (102). SPECIAL TEAM NOTES • Elliott Fry converted two PAT attempts in the game moving him into sole possession of 18th place all-time on the SEC career scoring list. His 319 career points scored are one more than Kevin Faulk (LSU, 1995-98). • Elliott Fry has now successfully converted 133 consecutive PAT attempts, a streak that ranks third in SEC history. He is two from tying the 135 consecutive PATs made by Van Tiffin (Alabama, 1983-86). • Sean Kelly averaged 49.4 yards per punt against Georgia with a long punt of 57 yards. That marks a season high average (previous season high was 49.1 at Mississippi State).
photo by jenny dilworth
South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp Opening Statement: “First I’d like to say our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected by the storm. This is obviously a tragic time for the state of South Carolina as well as Florida, Georgia and the North Carolina coast. The crowd was great today, and I appreciate them coming out. I wish we had played better and given them a better show, but they were outstanding. I’d like to thank President Pastides, Coach Tanner and Sherriff Leon Lott for making this happen today. It takes a lot of work and effort on those people’s parts, and I appreciate it. Offensively – field position, three turnovers on third down – we got to get back in the open week and just find out some things we can improve on. All positions are open; evaluation in those positions has to be more efficient. Defensively, you have to play the block, and you have to tackle. You can stunt and do as much as we did today but eventually you have to defeat the block, get off the block and you have to tackle. It’s been an issue here for a long time, and that’s something we’re dealing with and trying as best we can to work through. It’s very, very frustrat-
Category 1st Downs Total Yards Rushing Passing Penalties-Yards 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Turnovers Time of Possession Passing Leaders Georgia COM Eason 5 South Carolina COM Orth 26 Rushing Leaders Georgia CAR Michel 21 Chubb 16 South Carolina CAR Dowdle 7 Turner 11 Receiving Leaders Georgia REC McKenzie 2 Nauta 1 South Carolina REC Hurst 6 Samuel 4
UGA SC 19 13 355 318 326 30 29 288 8-56 5-42 6-12 2-13 0-0 3-5 1 3 35:02 24:58 ATT 17 ATT 36
YDS 29 YDS 288
TD 1 TD 0
INT 1 INT 1
YDS 133 121 YDS 30 30
AVG 6.3 7.6 AVG 4.3 2.7
TD 0 2 TD 1 0
LG 18 40 LG 9 8
YDS 15 9 YDS 86 90
AVG 7.5 9.0 AVG 14.3 22.5
TD 1 0 TD 0 0
LG 9 9 LG 35 39
Spurs & Feathers • 29
October 12, 2016
Gamecock Radio/Television Information
The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 25 affiliate stations for the 2016 football 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 CafÊ, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista. Wild Wing CafÊ, which is South Carolina’s home for the best wings south of Buffalo, has 12 locations in the Palmetto State. 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. South Carolina-Massachusetts television The South Carolina-Massachusetts game will be televised by the SEC Network.
2016-17 RADIO AFFILIATES
City
Call Letters
Frequency
Football
Abbeville WZLA-FM 92.9 johnston/Aiken WKSX-FM 92.7 Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5 Camden WPUB-FM 102.7 Camden WCAM-AM 1590 Charleston WWIK-FM 98.9 Chesterfield WVDZ-FM 107.3 Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5 Florence WFRK-FM 93.5 Florence WHYM-AM 1260 Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3 Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500 Greenville WROO-FM 104.9 Hilton Head WVSC-FM 106.5 Hilton Head WVSC-FM 99.1 Lake City WHYM-AM 1260 Myrtle Beach WJXY-FM 93.9 Myrtle Beach WJXY-FM 93.7 Newberry WKDK-AM 1240 Rock Hill WRHM-FM 107.1 Seneca WSNW-AM 1150 Seneca WSNW-FM 94.1 Spartanburg WSPG-AM 1240 Sumter WIBZ-FM 95.5 Union WBCU-AM 1460
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
 �� � � � � �   €
AS14-1504289-1
30 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
Girardeau: It was a rather surreal week There are things that happen in life that you would just assume forget. A year ago falls into that category and this past week will live in that same infamy. The rain that started in early October followed by the disastrous floods throughout the state is not a week that we here in South Carolina will look back fondly upon. Sure there were heroic deeds, but washed out dams, roads, homes, and, worst of all, lives lost are a week nobody likes to remember. That’s not to mention the moving of the South Carolina home game to Louisiana and the subsequent retirement of Coach Spurrier. That just added to an already terrible week. Sure the LSU Ed Girardeau band learned our Contributing fight song, Leonard Editor Fournette made a nice gesture of auctioning his jersey, and the LSU fans were very hospitable, but the whole thing is best forgotten. So how ironic is it that approximately a year later, all those terrible memories are dredged up again with Hurricane Matthew? The week turned into us all watching the storm slowly, agonizingly so, trek up the east coast, after wreaking havoc in Jamaica, Haiti and the Bahamas. As the week wore on, the furthest thing from my mind were football games and I’m sure it was the same for you. Where would it go? How bad would it be? It was a rather surreal event as we waited for the wind and rain to hit. First there were mandatory evacuations and school closing including USC. Then all the high school games canceled on Friday night. Well, there was one high school team playing Clemson on television Friday, but that was not worth watching. I was left feeling like I was forgetting something. Then came Saturday and with the USC game with Georgia having moved to Sunday, once the rain passed I found some time to rake the yard and clean up a few limbs. Watching football on TV just did not seem that appealing. Except for maybe the Notre Dame/NC State game being played in the pouring rain. That brought back memories of 1999’s South Carolina game in Raleigh in the torrential downpour of what was left of Hurricane Floyd. We lost that 10-0, so I was glad that we were not experiencing that first hand. Moving to Sunday was the prudent thing
photo by allen sharpe
South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner presented Richland County sheriff Leon Lott a commemorative ball to thank him and all of the first responders for what they did before, during and after Hurricane Matthew impacting the Palmetto State. to do. It’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the cards we were dealt. The conversation Saturday about LSU and Florida postponement with no makeup in sight sounds like trouble brewing, so resolving to get the game played was a good thing. I’m a traditionalist, so let’s hope this doesn’t happen again. I dislike very much that the ACC plays games on Friday nights. Neither do any of my friends from Clemson. I don’t like Thursday night games. Have you ever noticed that Georgia has never played on a Thursday night? If they don’t have to, why does anybody else (there are plenty of others, too). All that to say, I hope no one with ESPN or any TV network gets the bright idea that Sunday would be a good idea for a college football game, ala Thursday. Leave Friday to the high school, leave Saturday to the colleges and Sunday to the pros. In my estimation, not having the game on a regular Saturday, much less a Saturday evening, really softened the atmosphere. I was impressed with the crowd. We showed up, but something was missing, particularly in the parking lot before hand, and I would put blame on the week’s events. It just did not have the feel of a Georgia – South Carolina
football game of what I have experienced in the past. It was a beautiful day in Columbia, if we talk about the weather. The game itself not so much. We are at the halfway point of the season and stand at 2-4 and an open date awaits. You don’t need me to tell you that we have a long way to go. But looking at positives, the defense is better than the last two years. As Coach Muschamp called them, they are decent. I don’t know that he would have called them decent after this game, at least in the post game press conference. He was obviously not pleased. He pointed out, several times, that we need to get off the block and make the tackle, particularly displeased with not being able to stop the run. Someone asked about the defensive backs play and he explained that they only threw 17 passes and “that was probably 17 more than they really needed to throw.” The good news: the coaches are not satisfied with the defense, despite being better. The bad news: nobody is satisfied with the offense. It was good to get Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards back. They are good receivers and are something to build on. The skill play-
ers, with the exception of Perry Orth, are all very young and have a lot of promise. The most disappointing part of the offense is the line. The blocking leaves a bit to be desired particularly on run blocking. They are just not able to open holes and be consistent. The effort is there on both sides of the ball, but again, errors just kill USC. If it’s not a penalty, it’s a fumble, or an interception, or missed block, or missed tackle, or a dropped pass. The Gamecocks are just not good enough to overcome mistakes and I’m sure that the off week will be spent on trying to correct them. However, correct a few of these miscues and South Carolina would be 4-2, instead of 2-4. If not for the fluke return of the onside kick, this was a pretty close game. All of the games have been close with the possible exception of the Mississippi State game and how many of us would like to have a do over on that one? Carolina’s not that far away. There are still chances to salvage a decent season out of this one unlike last year. Let’s hope the off week leads to some corrections and a win in our next game against Massachusetts. Keep the faith! It’s still a great time to be a Gamecock!
Spurs & Feathers • 31
October 12, 2016
Young South Carolina runners show improvement at Gamecock Invitational by kyle heck Reporter
ers were freshmen, including Morgan Lee, who was South Carolina’s top finisher, coming in second place overall. South Carolina assistant coach/distances “I’m proud,” Lee said. “It restored my Andrew Allden is always looking for ways faith in running. My first race was not what to prepare his cross country team for the I wanted it to be.” future. One of those opportunities came Lee participated in the last event held at on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at the Gamecock Invithe Sandhill REC, the Carolina Challenge tational, held at the Sandhill Research and to open the year, and her improved perforEducation Center (REC). mance on Tuesday joined several other runLess than a week after placing 14th in a ners who experienced the same thing. packed field at the Notre Dame Invitational, “I felt like as a group, the folks that we the runners who didn’t participate in that ran today ran significantly better than they meet ran on Tuesday and helped the Game- ran at our home meet at the Carolina Chalcocks to an overall team win, their third of lenge,” Allden said. “Much more competithe young season. South Carolina had 10 of tive and significant improvement across the the top 12 times on the day. board there.” “We’re always trying to bring along that For freshmen like Lee, it’s important to next generation of runners who are going to get the experience in a college meet because help us next year and the year after,” Allden it is so different from what they face in high said. “That’s a big part of what today is school. about. It is a big jump even from 5K to 6K.” “It’s very different from high school,” Lee Despite three teams pulling out of the said. “I love my friends, and they push me meet due to the hurricane situation out in really hard in practice. We’re all good at the Atlantic Ocean, Allden thought there different things, and I really think it’s gowere several standouts. The top five finish- ing to make me a much better runner. I’m
Enjoy our beaches every da y... Call about proper ties for sale.
photo by kyle heck
excited for the next four years.” With the excellent showing at the Gamecock Invitational, Lee is hoping it’s a springboard for the rest of the season, especially when it comes to confidence in herself. “For me, it’s more mental strength,” Lee said. “I know that I’m physically capable to run whatever times I want to. I really think that running is 80 percent mental, so you just have to believe in yourself the entire
time.” The Gamecocks are off until Oct. 14, when they travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the Crimson Classic. It will again be a tough field that will test how much South Carolina has grown throughout the year. “It sets us up well for Alabama in two weeks,” Allden said of Tuesday’s Gamecock Invitational. “Alabama is our first 6K of the year, so that’s very important because conference and regionals are six kilometers.”
Vacation
RENTALS
JAMES W. SMITH REAL ESTATE CO. Real Estate Sales & Vacation Rentals
Over 40 Years....Making Vacation Dreams Come True
North Litchfield • South Litchfield Pawleys Island • Litchfield by the Sea
CALL FOR GAMECOCK SPECIALS! INFO@JWSRE.COM
www.JWSRE.com call 800.746.5651 or 843.237.4246 AS14-1504411-1
32 • Spurs & Feathers
October 12, 2016
AS14-1501345-1