October 29, 2014 • Volume 36 • Issue 19 • $1.50
Shoot Outs Record-setting offense not enough to top key SEC foes
2 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Something to crow about!
Spurs & Feathers Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
Contact Us: 301 Greystone Blvd. Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 335-1399 To subscribe: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Ellen Priest Publisher Aiken Communications, Inc. Tim O’Briant General Manager tobriant@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1400 Ext. 500 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Dee Taylor Advertising Director (803) 644-2371 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Reporters Kyle Heck and Collyn Taylor
Auburn narrowly escapes.............. 3 Previewing Tennessee.................... 4 Player of the Game........................... 5 Postgame notes/quotes................. 6 Auburn view....................................... 7 Recruiting Roundup........................ 8 Standings/Schedule........................ 9 Volleyball gives back.....................10 Dan Reeves profile.........................11 Men’s basketball feature..............12 Compliance corner........................13 Women’s basketball feature.......14 South Carolina roster....................16 Tennessee roster.............................17 Legendary Fan.................................18 Fall baseball......................................19 Depth Charts....................................20 Baseball feature...............................21 Radio/television..............................23 Moore column.................................24 Sand volleyball feature.................25 Inside the Chart...............................26 “one.FAN-ily Fest”............................27 Upcoming events...........................28 Justin McKie feature......................29 Khadijah Sessions feature...........30 Girardeau column..........................31
Baseball America ranks recruiting class No. 5 in the nation South Carolina baseball’s recruiting class has been ranked No. 5 in the nation as announced by Baseball America on Wednesday, Oct. 22. It is the second consecutive year the Gamecocks have brought in a top-5 class as last year’s group was ranked No. 3 in the country by Baseball America. This year’s class consists of 16 newcomers (story courtesy of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations) Player Pos. Hometown (Previous School) Alex Calvert RHP/INF La Plata, Md. (La Plata HS) Thatcher Coleman C Hartsville, S.C. (Spartanburg Methodist) Banks Cromer LHP Columbia, S.C. (AC Flora HS) Alex Destino LHP/OF Weaverville, N.C. (North Buncombe HS) Everett Eynon INF Columbia, S.C. (AC Flora HS) Tyler Johnson RHP Midlothian, Va. (Trinity Episcopal) Jared Martin C Dunwoody, Ga. (Chattahoochee Valley JC) Cole McMillan LHP Lexington, S.C. (Lexington HS) Brandon Murray RHP/1B/3B Hobart, Ind. (Hobart HS) Dylan Rogers RHP Union, S.C. (Spartanburg Methodist) Clarke Schmidt RHP Acworth, Ga. (Allatoona HS) Clark Scolamiero OF Simpsonville, S.C. (Greenville HS) Collin Steagall 1B Lexington, S.C. (Spartanburg Methodist) Madison Stokes INF Columbia, S.C. (AC Flora HS) Hunter Taylor C Onley, Va. (Nandua HS) Jared Williams INF Gilbert, S.C. (Glibert HS) Baseball America top-20 recruiting classes 1. Louisiana St. 2. Virginia 3. Florida 4. Arkansas 5. South Carolina 6. North Carolina 7. UCLA 8. Stanford 9. Oregon State 10. Florida State 11. Texas 12. Missouri 13. Miami (Fla.) 14. Oregon 15. San Diego 16. FIU 17. Oklahoma State 18. Vanderbilt 19. San Diego State 20. Maryland
Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Mary Watson Graphic Designer Cover Design: Tim O’Briant (photo by Allen Sharpe) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 26 times annually. The frequency is monthly from December to July and weekly from the third Wednesday in August to the fourth Wednesday in November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes three slick-paper magazine issues — one in January, one in July and one in August. 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 Postmaster: Send changes to SPURS & FEATHERS, PO Box 456, Aiken, SC, 29802.
submitted photo
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Pictured is young Gamecock fans Molly and Myles DeBerry from Summerville, S.C.
Carter Beeks and My Wingman Sports at a recent South Carolina football game.
photo by allen sharpe
Spurs & Feathers • 3
October 29, 2014
‘It was almost a fun one’: Auburn narrowly escapes Gamecock upset bid by kyle heck Reporter
AUBURN, Ala. - Coming into the game at Auburn, South Carolina was 18-point underdogs. As it turned out, it was anything but a blowout and the outcome wasn’t decided until the final play of the game. The Gamecocks traded touchdown for touchdown with the Tigers for most of the day, but were unable to convert a hail mary pass as time expired and lost at No. 5 Auburn, 42-35. “We had a chance,” coach Steve Spurrier said after the narrow Gamecock loss. “We knew we had to play close to perfect on offense, but we couldn’t do it. But it was almost a fun one.” Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson posted a career day on the Plains. He passed for a careerhigh 402 yards and five touchdowns to lead the South Carolina offense. The five touchdowns tied a school-record for most in a single game by a Gamecock quarterback. “He really had an excellent game,” Spurrier said. The Gamecock offense got clicking early after they chose to receive the ball to open the game. They marched 75 yards down the field in seven plays to put the first points of the game on the board. The drive ended with Thompson’s first touchdown of the night, a 32-yard hookup with receiver Shaq Roland. Roland would finish with four catches for 75 yards and the touchdown on the night. The Gamecock defense made a stand on Auburn’s first drive of the game, limiting the high-powered Tiger offense to one first down and a punt. South Carolina once again drove down into the Tiger redzone on the next possession. A 28-yard run by tailback Mike Davis set the Gamecocks up at the Tigers’ 11-yard line. However, Thompson was intercepted on a second down pass attempt and Auburn reclaimed possession. The Tigers would take advantage of the turnover and go 92 yards in 4:55 to tie the game at seven. The rest of the first half consisted of the Gamecocks retaking the lead only to have the Tigers answer with a score of their own. Thompson notched his second touchdown pass of the day when he found sophomore receiver Pharoh Cooper in the endzone for a 16-yard scoring play. After a two-yard rushing touchdown by Cameron Artis-Payne tied things back up at 14, Thompson struck again. After getting a first down thanks to a facemask penalty on Auburn’s defense, Thompson connected with Davis on a wheel route for a 28-yard
touchdown. It was Thompson’s third touchdown pass of the half and gave the Gamecocks a 21-14 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first half. The lead was short-lived, however. Tiger quarterback Nick Marshall found a crease and raced 37-yards for the touchdown that knotted the score at 21-all heading into halftime. South Carolina found itself behind in the game for the first time shortly after halftime. Auburn took the opening drive 88 yards and capped it off with another Marshall touchdown run, this time from four yards out. The Gamecocks would answer the go-ahead score with one of their biggest plays of the night. Facing a second and four from his 49, Thompson found Cooper in stride on a slant route and the sophomore raced 51-yards into the endzone to once again even the score at 28. The Tigers retook the lead on the next offensive play. Receiver Ricardo Louis received the sweep and outran everyone to record a 75-yard touchdown that ignited Jordan-Hare stadium. As they did for most of the night, the Gamecocks rebounded. An 11-play, 75-yard drive that took over five minutes off of the clock ended when Thompson recorded a 10-yard touchdown pass to Nick Jones. The touchdown was Thompson’s fifth touchdown pass of the game. The drive included a gutsy fourth and six conversion. Thompson avoided pressure and found Cooper on the sideline for a nine-yard gain and a crucial first down. For the game, South Carolina converted 5-of-6 fourth down conversions. “We knew we had to do that,” Spurrier said of the fourth down attempts. “We knew we had to try and stay on the field.” South Carolina mixed things up on the ensuing kickoff, opting to try for the onside kick. It worked to perfection and linebacker Skai Moore was able to fall on the ball for the Gamecocks. “It wasn’t that hard,” Moore said. “You know where the 10-yard mark is and you just have to be patient and make the play.” It looked like South Carolina would finally reclaim the lead as they drove into the Auburn redzone following the onside kick recovery, but on a third and eight from the 18, Thompson’s pass to Roland in the endzone was intercepted by the Tigers’ Jonathan Jones with just over 13 minutes left in the game. Auburn would then go 80 yards in just under two minutes to take a 42-35 lead with 11:22 left in the game. Marshall’s nine-yard touchdown run put the Tigers on top. South Carolina had one final chance to at least tie up the game after the defense forced Auburn to punt with a little over one minute left in the
game. Thompson completed a pass to Jones, tight end Jerell Adams and Roland. A personal foul after the Roland reception set the Gamecocks up at the Tiger 41-yard line with seven seconds left. On a desperate hail mary pass into the endzone, Auburn’s Jonathan Jones sealed South Carolina’s fate with the interception. “A lot of guys really played super,” Spurrier said. “Pharoh, Jerell Adams, Mike Davis had some good plays. Really proud of so many of the guys.” Thompson finished with 402 passing yards and the five touchdowns to go with three interceptions. The passing yards were the most by a Gamecock quarterback since 1995 when Steve Taneyhill threw for a record 473 yards against Mississippi State. Cooper’s outstanding game ended with seven receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. The North Carolina native now has a team-leading six touchdown receptions in eight games. As an offense, South Carolina finished with
photo by allen sharpe
Shaq Roland had a 32-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of Auburn game. 535 total yards. It was the third straight 500-yard game for the offense, the first time that has happened since the 1995 season. “Honestly, I think we move the ball as well as anyone in the country,” Davis said.
4 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Previewing the Tennessee football team by kyle heck Reporter When South Carolina takes on Tennessee at Williams-Brice stadium, they will be facing one of the youngest teams in the country. In the season-opening 38-7 victory over Utah State, the Volunteers played 21 true freshmen, a school record. While that worked out well in the first two games against inferior opponents, the youth and inexperience has showed over the latter part of the season. Tennessee lost its next three games, including a heartbreaking 10-9 defeat to arch-rival Florida at home. One of the only veterans on the Vols roster, senior quarterback Justin Worley, has had an up-and-down season so far for Tennessee. He excelled in the narrow 35-32 loss at Georgia, but struggled in the defeat to the Gators. But then again, he’s had to rely on a host of young players. Freshman tailback Jalen Hurd, who was a five-star prospect coming out of high school, has been a bright spot for the Volunteer offense. He was named the SEC freshman of the week for his 83 yard, one touchdown performance against Arkansas State. Worley does have a little familiarity at the wide receiver position with sophomore Marquez North and junior Pig Howard, who are the teams’ two leading receivers. Gamecock fans are all too familiar with North, as he is the one who made the ridiculous catch last year in Knoxville that helped Tennessee defeat South Carolina. At the third wide receiver spot, there is another true freshman making an impact. Josh
photo by allen sharpe
Malone, a 6-3 five-star prospect, had 209 re- the preseason All-American team and will ceiving yards going into the Alabama game. likely find himself there after the season Just like the offense, the Volunteer defense has had its share of freshmen making impacts. Defensive end Derek Barnett leads all freshman defensive linemen in the SEC with 38 tackles. He had a brilliant game at Ole Miss, racking up 10 tackles, four of them for loss and two sacks. Perhaps the best player for Tennessee is linebacker A.J. Johnson. Another one of the few seniors on the squad, Johnson has been all over the field. He leads the SEC with over 11 tackles per game and racked up 17 in the loss to Georgia. He was named to
concludes. The Tennessee secondary boasts a couple of upperclassmen in senior cornerback Justin Coleman and redshirt junior safety Brian Randolph. However, sophomore cornerback Cameron Sutton is probably the most talented of the bunch. He was a freshman All-American last season and started all 12 games for the Vols, making 39 tackles and recording two interceptions. South Carolina will be seeking revenge for its 23-21 loss in Knoxville a season ago. A field goal as time expired doomed the Gamecocks. Before that loss, South Carolina had beaten the Vols three times in a row. Tennessee’s last game at Williams-Brice stadium was one of the more memorable ones of recent memory, for both good and bad reasons. It was the game during which tailback Marcus Lattimore suffered his devastating knee injury that ended his career at South Carolina. However, it was also a game in which the Gamecocks held off the Vols to record a 38-35 victory. A late forced fumble by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney proved to be the nail in the coffin.
Spurs & Feathers • 5
October 29, 2014
Thompson felt Gamecocks could score every time they had ball by Collyn Taylor Reporter
42-35. His record-tying night started on the Gamecocks’ first drive when he led the team down on Games like the one against Auburn is what se- a seven-play, 75-yard drive to put USC up 7-0. nior quarterback Dylan Thompson lives for. The fifth-year senior capped off the drive with Entering Jordan-Hare Stadium, Thompson and a 32-yard bomb to Shaq Roland, his first of five the Gamecocks had a chance to play spoiler and touchdowns on the night. upset the fifth-ranked Auburn Tigers. Thompson threw for 402 yards on 29 comple“This is what you live for,” Thompson said. tions and tied a school record for touchdown “You live for these big games and awesome passes thrown in a game with five. atmospheres. When you’re a kid playing NCAA He continued his level of play throughout the on the video game [system] this is what you game, incorporating 10 different running backs think of. You love to compete and we really felt and receivers into the passing game. like every time we had the ball we were going to “Out wide, I trust our receivers with anybody score.” in the country and I think And score Thompson did. you saw that tonight,” he said. He and the Gamecocks scored “They kept playing us man on five of their 11 offensive [to-man] and when you play drives during the game. man as and offense you have Thompson and the offense to make the defense pay and Dylan Thompson gave the team a chance late in for the most part I thought we KeenanSuggs the game, but the Gamecocks did that.” Player of the Week eventually fell to the Tigers, His leading receiver was
sophomore wideout Pharoh Cooper. Thompson was able to link up with Cooper for 127 yards and two touchdowns during the game. That included a 51-yard pass where Cooper outran the entire Auburn defense on his way into the endzone. “It seems like it’s on repeat every week how good Pharoh is but Shaq played great, Nick played great, Jerell Adams had a huge catch on fourth down,” Thompson said. “We’ve got some great players and it just hurts losing.” On the Gamecocks’ final drive, Thompson was able to drive the team down to the Auburn 41-yard line. He was able to heave a pass into the endzone as time expired; however the ball was inches out of reach for Adams. “I told Dylan that might have been his best play of the night,” head coach Steve Spurrier said. “He stepped up in there and threw it about 50 yards into the endzone, but it wasn’t meant to be.” Along with making plays in the passing game, Thompson even made plays receiving as well.
photo by jenny dilworth
He racked up 14 yards on a double reverse pass from Cooper that gave the Gamecocks a first down and kept the drive alive. Of the team’s 535 yards on offense, Thompson helped gain 416 of them, whether it be throwing or catching the ball. He gives credit to his players around him performing well and said that the offensive line had a tremendous push up front. He said that he’s moving forward after the loss and will start to prepared to face Tennessee next Saturday. “There were a lot of guys that felt like we should have won the game,” Thompson said, “but there’s no point in talking about that; we just have to get ready for Tennessee.”
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October 29, 2014
South Carolina-Auburn postgame notes/quotes South Carolina Athletics Media RElations GENERAL NOTES • Auburn defeated South Carolina 42-35 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn improves to 6-1 and 3-1 in the SEC with South Carolina now 4-4 and 2-4 in the SEC. • Captains for South Carolina for the game were: senior OG A.J. Cann, senior SPUR Sharrod Golightly, senior DT J.T. Surratt and senior QB Dylan Thompson • The Gamecocks have had seven players start every game this season: senior OT Corey Robinson, senior OG A.J. Cann, junior OT Brandon Shell, senior QB Dylan Thompson, senior DT J.T. Surratt, senior DB Brison Williams, junior S T.J. Gurley. OFFENSIVE NOTES • South Carolina finished with 535 total yards of offense. It is the first time since the 1995 season that the Gamecocks have put together three consecutive games of 500 or more total yards of offense. • Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson went 29-for-51 for 402 passing yards and five touchdowns. It is the fifth highest total of passing yards by a Gamecock quarterback in a single game in school history and the most since Steve Taneyhill threw for a record 473 on Oct. 14, 1995 vs. Mississippi State. Thompson’s five passing touchdowns tied a school record for a single game as well. It is the sixth time in school history a Gamecock has thrown for five touchdowns and the first time since Syvelle Newton vs. Florida Atlantic, Sept. 23, 2006. Thompson now has 20 passing touchdowns for the season and is tied with Todd Ellis (1986), Steve Taneyhill (1994) and Stephen Garcia (2010) for third most in a single season in school history. He is four shy of Connor Shaw (24 in 2013) for second in a single season and nine shy of the school record 29 set by Steve Taneyhill in 1995. • Senior offensive guard A.J. Cann made his 46th career start moving him into sole possession of third all-time in school history. He is one shy of Cliff Matthews (2007-10) for second all-time in school history. • Sophomore wide receiver Pharoh Cooper caught seven passes for 127 yards including two touchdowns. The 127 receiving yards marked a career-high, it was also the first time in his career he has caught two touchdowns in a game. Cooper leads the Gamecocks with six TD receptions on the year. • Junior tailback Mike Davis carried 21 times for 88 rushing yards and now has 2,208 career rushing yards. He is 23 yards shy of Mike Davis (2005-08), no relation, for 13th all-time in rushing yards in school history at 2,231. • Brandon Wilds became the 42nd player in school history to rush for 1,000 or more career yards. Thompson carried for 26 yards and now has 1,009 career yards with the Gamecocks. Sophomore wide receiver Shaq Roland’s 32-yard TD reception in the first quarter was his fourth TD reception of the season. Senior wide receiver Nick Jones also caught his fourth TD of the season with a 10-yard TD reception in the third quarter. DEFENSIVE NOTES • Sophomore linebacker Skai Moore led the Gamecocks with eight tackles. It is the fourth time this season he has led the Gamecocks in tackles in a game this year. • Sophomore defensive tackle Gerald Dixon had a careerhigh six tackles. Freshman cornerback Chris Lammons also
registered a career-high six tackles besting the previous mark of five set last week vs. Furman. SPECIAL TEAM NOTES • Sophomore placekicker Elliott Fry tied the school record for consecutive made PAT with 82 set by Scott Hagler from ‘84-86. • South Carolina recovered an onside kick in the third quarter. It was the first time the Gamecocks had recovered an onside kick since Nov. 3, 2007 at Arkansas. Team Totals SC AU FIRST DOWNS 30 25 Rushing 7 16 Passing 20 9 Penalty 3 0 NET YARDS RUSHING 119 395 Rushing Attempts 33 47 Average Per Rush 3.6 8.4 Rushing Touchdowns 0 5 Yards Gained Rushing 131 403 Yards Lost Rushing 12 8 NET YARDS PASSING 416 156 Completions-Attempts-Int 30-53-3 13-15-0 Average Per Attempt 7.8 10.4 Average Per Completion 13.9 12.0 Passing Touchdowns 5 1 TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 535 551 Total offense plays 86 62 Average Gain Per Play 6.2 8.9 Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-0 1-1 Penalties: Number-Yards 4-20 4-53 PUNTS-YARDS 1-47 2-70 Average Yards Per Punt 47.0 35.0 Net Yards Per Punt 19.0 31.5 Inside 20 0 1 50+ Yards 0 0 Touchbacks 0 0 Fair catch 0 0 KICKOFFS-YARDS 5-325 7-450 Average Yards Per Kickoff 65.0 64.3 Net Yards Per Kickoff 44.8 39.6 Touchbacks 3 6 Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 1-7-0 1-28-0 Average Per Return 7.0 28.0 Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 1-23-0 2-26-0 Average Per Return 23.0 13.0 Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 3-1-0 Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 Miscellaneous Yards 0 0 Possession Time 33:31 26:29 1st Quarter 6:52 8:08 2nd Quarter 8:35 6:25 3rd Quarter 9:19 5:41 4th Quarter 8:45 6:15 Third-Down Conversions 6 of 14 6 of 8 Fourth-Down Conversions 5 of 6 0 of 0 Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-5 4-4 Touchdowns 2-5 4-4 Field goals 0-5 0-4 Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 0-0 PAT Kicks 5-5 6-6 Field Goals 0-0 0-0 Points off turnovers 14 28
PASSING LEADERS South Carolina Dylan Thompson Pharoh Cooper
COM 29 1
ATT YDS TD INT 50 402 5 3 2 14 0 0
Auburn Nick Marshall Jonathan Wallace
COM 12 1
ATT YDS TD INT 14 139 1 0 1 17 0 0
RUSHING LEADERS South Carolina Mike Davis Brandon Wilds
CAR 21 7
YDS AVG TD LG 88 4.2 0 28 26 3.7 0 13
Auburn CAR Cameron Artis-Payne 25 Ricardo Louis 3
YDS AVG TD LG 167 6.7 1 30 102 34.0 1 75
RECEIVING LEADERS South Carolina Pharoh Cooper Mike Davis
REC 7 6
YDS AVG TD LG 127 18.1 2 51 85 14.2 1 27
Auburn REC Quan Bray 4 D’haquille Williams 3
YDS AVG TD LG 29 7.3 0 20 34 11.3 0 14
South Carolina Head Coach Steve Spurrier On the game... “We really had an excellent game. We had a chance. We knew we had to play close to perfect on offense, and we didn’t do it. We didn’t do it and we got beat. We weren’t good enough as a team to win the game.” On fourth down conversions... “We knew we had to try and stay on the field. We almost did it, but we couldn’t quite do it because we messed up. We messed up in the red zone a couple of times or else we had a chance. We got the onside kick, so we stole that possession right there, and that gave us a fighting chance. We were only two-for-five in red zone chances, and that’s the worst we have been all year. That’s why we got beat.” On having to score on every possession... “That’s just the way we are right now. We know we struggle. We almost did it, but it didn’t work out. Almost a good win, but we messed up in the red zone. We forced two punts, and we have won some games forcing two punts.” On the offensive production... “The final score is what it is all about, and we weren’t quite enough as a team. It’s a team sport. It was almost a fun game. If we catch the Hail Mary and we make a two point conversion that might have been the greatest win in my entire life. If it had worked out. It was just a close loss. I thought maybe something good was going to happen, but they picked it off.” On the thought of a moral victory... “We are four and four and maybe we can match up better with Tennessee. Maybe we can slow down their run game a little bit. They are not supposed to be as good of a run team as Auburn. But we will regroup and get ready to win a home ball game.”
Spurs & Feathers • 7
October 29, 2014
The view from the Auburn locker room by collyn taylor Reporter
South Carolina’s upset bid Saturday fell inches short as they fell 42-35 to the Auburn Tigers. The chance to tie the game fell fractions short as the hail-marry pass to tight end Jerell Adams glided inches past his outstretched hands and into the hands of an Auburn defender as time expired in the game. The Tigers knew going into the game that this was going to be a tough test. South Carolina had a potent offense that could score points and head coach Gus Malzahn knew that. “We felt like they were a top-10 team in the preseason for a reason,” Malzahn said. “They beat a good Georgia team, they beat another (good) East Carolina team. They are a very good team. Their coach is one of the better coaches to ever walk the sideline. Everybody saw that tonight with the fourth-down calls and the onside kick. They did a lot of good things, but at the end of the day our guys found a way to win it.” The Gamecocks were able to hold the fifthranked Tigers to just 119 yards passing on the night. They also forced a fumble on an Auburn
photo by jenny dilworth
punt return that set up a Dylan Thompson touchdown to put the Gamecocks up 21-14 at the time. Offensively, the Gamecocks were able to score 35 points—the second most points scored against Auburn this season behind topranked Mississippi State. The Tigers had no real answer for Thompson, watching him throw for 402 yards and five touchdowns, tying a school record. His favorite target for the night, Pharoh Cooper, put up 127 yards and two touchdowns on seven
catches. “You have to give them credit, but obviously our defense did not play defense,” Malzahn said. “We made some mistakes. I think they went for fourth down a lot, and there were not a whole lot of stops right there, but at the end, we found a way to keep them out of the end zone.” The Gamecocks finished the game converting six of 14 third downs, but five of six fourth down conversions. That success on fourth down frustrated Malzahn because he wasn’t
able to get the offense off the field, a reason he said the game was so close. “They went for everything,” he said. “That was the hard thing. They executed when they had to and they did it time and time again. That is the reason it was a close game and the reason it went down to the very end.” The one thing that the Tigers had over the Gamecocks was the running game. The team rushed for a combined 395 yards on the ground and scored five rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Nick Marshall plagued the Gamecock defense all night, rushing for 89 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw for 139 yards and one touchdown. “I thought our quarterback played extremely well in the red zone,” Malzahn said. “He was very efficient with his passing tonight.” Malzahn knows how big a victory this is for his team. Staring down the barrel at a rough upcoming schedule for the Tigers, he was glad the team could pull out a victory over a tough South Carolina team he knew would give their best shot to win the game. “Obviously, this was a very big win for us at home,” Malzahn said. “It went down to the very end. Our guys found a way to win. We knew that we would get their best effort.”
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October 29, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
Recruiting Round-up By Phil Kornblut
USC has lost one of its top commitment from the 2015 recruiting class. LB Davon Durant, the Greenwood native who attends Butler JC, KS said last Tuesday night he has decommitted from the Gamecocks and there’s very little chance of reconsidering. In fact, later in the evening Durant committed to Arizona State. “It’s nothing they did,” Durant said of USC. “I was thinking about it and I thought it wouldn’t be the best choice for me. They’ve got a lot of linebackers and a lot of guys coming back. I’m going to give other people a chance.” USC and Durant have a long relationship going back to his Shrine Bowl days at Greenwood High School. He wanted to go to USC out of high school but didn’t have the grades. This time, according to Durant, academics was not an issue in his decision to rescind his commitment. “I’m going to get out in December,” Durant said. “They (USC) already had my transcript. It’s nothing with grades. Coach Botkin came out here on his bye week, and I talked to him last night. He wanted me to enroll in January. He said if I change my mind give him a call. I doubt I will. After decommitting, I don’t want to waste anybody’s time. I never gave anybody else a chance and after thinking about it and talking to Phil Kornblut other people, I figured Contributing I’d give others a try.” Writer Durant took an official visit to Arizona State in the summer and was impressed by what he saw. “I like their defense and they have a good scheme,” Durant said. “Their coaches are great. We hit it off on my official. It’s a good program and defensively I think I would fit well.” Durant said he has scheduled official visits to Oregon and Texas A&M for the last two weekends in November but with his commitment to Arizona State, it remains to be seen if he will take those trips. Dillon junior quarterback Avery McCall is having a fabulous season. Going into last Friday’s game, McCall was completing 76% of his passes for 1505 yards, 20 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Last week he picked up an offer from Old Dominion to go along with earlier ones from USC, Clemson, North Carolina, Tennessee, LSU, Ohio State, NC State and Duke. But, the two in-state programs don’t appear to be all that excited about McCall right now. USC is going very hard after Brandon McIlwain and its contact with McCall hasn’t been overwhelm-
ing according to Wildcat coach Jackie Hayes. “He’s just enjoying playing at Dillon right now,” Hayes said. “He’s not saying much (about recruiting).” McCall’s only game visit this season was to East Carolina. The Pirates like to throw the ball around a lot and McCall does too. “The ECU offense kind of fits me a little bit,” he said. As for USC, McCall is keeping open the lines of communication despite their other interests. “South Carolina has been there since my freshman year,” he said. “I last talked to them a couple of weeks ago. I don’t have a favorite. I’m just focused on the season.” Clemson has now officially offered 2016 DL/OT Javon Kinlaw of Goose Creek. He also has a USC offer and has been favoring the Gamecocks. He also has been offered by Florida. The USC victory over Georgia earlier this season helped the Gamecocks find their way into the top five for junior DB Marlon Character (6-0 173) of Atlanta. Character has been to two games this year, and one of them was the USC-Georgia game. “That visit went really good,” he said. “I was really impressed. The fans there are crazy. I didn’t think they could win and was kind of happy they did. “I talked to coach (Lorenzo) Ward and a couple of other coaches. They’re just telling me they’re looking at me and wishing me luck on the season. I wish I could have seen more of the school but that’s okay. I plan on taking another visit there.” Character said he paid attention to the defense and saw where he could fit in to the Gamecocks’ defensive scheme. His other visit was to Alabama when Florida was in town. His top five are USC, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn and Virginia Tech in no order. All have offered. 2016 DL Nyles Pinckney of Whale Branch recently visited Florida for the LSU game. Pinckney has yet to visit USC but is considering a trip to Columbia when the Gamecocks host Tennessee. “USC just came to visit me at my school,” he said “They wanted to see how I was doing and see if I was still interested in them. I like USC. They always have good defensive linemen coming out of there and they have my major. I want to study International Business and they have a really good school for that.” Pinckney has offers from USC, Clemson, Florida State, Florida, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Miami and Georgia. He does not have a favorite. Junior TE Isaac Nauta (6-5 245) of Buford, GA is one of the top ranked players in the country at his position and there’s a 75% chance he will play his college football in the SEC. That’s because Nauta has narrowed his list to
USC, Georgia, Ole Miss and Florida State. The Gamecocks have made a very strong pitch for Nauta with recruiter GA Mangus leading the campaign. “Coach Mangus is great,” Nauta said. ‘He lets me know they want me really bad and I’m their top guy. I definite like coach Mangus. He’s a cool guy. And he’s from Georgia.” Nauta was at USC for the Georgia game which was his first game experience in Columbia. “The atmosphere was awesome,” he said. “The tight end had 6 catches and 2 touchdowns. They run power and sweep and those are two plays I love to block.” Nauta said he will get back to USC for another game this season. He’s been to Georgia and Florida State several times and he’s trying to get to Ole Miss. With USC a strong player for Nauta, the future of USC coach Steve Spurrier is being brought up by rival coaches. Spurrier will turn 70 on April 20th and tells anyone who asks he has no plans on retiring anytime soon. “It definitely does enter my mind,” Nauta said. “Everything I’ve heard from what he’s said and other coaches said he’s not going to stop until he gets himself a national championship at South Carolina. How much weight that holds as far as actually happening, I’m not sure. If coach Spurrier is the coach there and I decide I want to go to South Carolina, then that’s what happens. And if the coaching changes, then I guess it happens. I guess you can’t base it (decision) off whether he’s going to be there one more year or two more years.” Nauta is planning to make his decision on December 15th. Nauta missed two games this season with a fractured foot he suffered in the opening game. Last season he had 16 catches for 403 yards and 7 touchdowns. 2016 WR Samuel Denmark of Hanahan has offers from Wake Forest and Virginia Tech and said that Notre Dame also is showing strong interest. . He visited South Bend earlier this season when the Irish hosted Michigan. USC, Clemson, NC State, Notre Dame and Wake Forest are some of the other programs showing interest in Denmark. He does not have a favorite. Junior LB Devin Bush Jr. of Pembroke Pines, FL has trimmed his long list of offers to 15, and USC made the cut. Joining the Gamecocks on the list are Georgia, Florida, Louisville, Miami, UCLA, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Iowa, Duke, Oregon State, Rutgers and Northern Illinois. Basketball News: Last Tuesday was another busy day in recruiting for 6-5 Tevin Mack of Dreher as he works on his final decision. Mack went over to USC
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to watch practice and talked briefly with head coach Frank Martin. He just made his official visit with the Gamecocks over the weekend. Mack also had in person visits Tuesday from Clemson coach Brad Brownell and Georgia assistant Philip Pearson, and he talked with Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie. And VCU coach Shaka Smart and his entire staff were in on Monday night. As for where he is in the decision making process Mack said, “I’m not 100 percent sure yet. Signing Day is not until November 12th so it will be before that but I don’t know exactly when. It really is any day now. It could be tomorrow or the day after that or two weeks from now.” Mack said there is no leader among the five. He planed to go to USC Sunday for its exhibition game against Benedict. 6-6 PJ Dozier of Spring Valley made his official visit to Georgetown over the weekend. Dozier also has been to Michigan and North Carolina and still has USC and Louisville to come. Dozier father and coach Perry Dozier said USC’s coaching staff is in daily contact, much of it in person watching Dozier workout or practice. “They’ve done their job,” Dozier said of the Gamecocks. “It’s been pretty much the whole staff. Coach Evans comes by frequently.” As for the decision making process, Dozier said everything is going along as they planned. “It’s all about the feel for PJ right now, getting on the campus and see how it feels,” he said. “There’s no favorite. Everybody has their perks and their pluses. It’s hard to say what’s going to be the final decision until he takes all five visits.” When the decision is made, Dozier said they plan to announce it on one of the ESPN outlets in Charlotte, though those details have not been finalized. 6-6 Jacob Evans of Baton Rouge, LA last week committed to Cincinnati over USC. Baseball News: Spartanburg Methodist Junior College has long had a strong connection to the USC baseball program, and last Monday night the Gamecocks landed another of the top prospects in the Pioneer’s program. RHP Hayden Heflin (5-9 146) committed to the Gamecocks. Here is how Heflin put it on Twitter: “Next year I’ll be a South Carolina Gamecock. Unreal feeling when you reach the goals you work so hard for.” As a freshman last season at SMC, Heflin appeared in 9 games. He was 2-0 with 1 save and a 3.86 ERA. He struck out 14 and walked 8 in 18.2 innings. Heflin played his high school baseball at Pinewood Prep and originally committed to the College of Charleston while in high school. He pitched in the summer for the SC Shockwave.
Spurs & Feathers • 9
October 29, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
2014
football Schedule 08/28/14 ..........vs. #21 Texas A&M # ........... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 52-28
Standings SEC East
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA
STRK
Georgia
4-1 193 119 6-1 304 140 W5
Missouri
3-1 87
09/13/14 ..........vs. #6 Georgia # ................... Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 38-35
Kentucky
2-3 126 167 5-3 253 198 L2
Florida
2-3 107 153 3-3 172 153 L2
09/20/14 ..........at Vanderbilt # ...................... Nashville, Tenn. ..................W, 48-34
South Carolina
2-4 207 229 4-4 281 262 L1
09/06/14 ..........vs. East Carolina .................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 33-23
09/27/14 ..........vs. Missouri # ......................... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 21-20 10/04/14 ..........at Kentucky # ........................ Lexington, Ky. ...................... L, 45-38 10/18/14 ..........vs. Furman ............................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 41-10 10/25/14 ..........at Auburn # ........................... Auburn, Ala. ......................... L, 42-35 11/01/14 ..........vs. Tennessee # ..................... Columbia, S.C. ...................7:30 p.m. 11/15/14 ..........at Florida # ............................. Gainesville, Fla. ...........................TBA 11/22/14 ..........vs. South Alabama .............. Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA 11/29/14 ..........at Clemson ............................ Clemson, S.C. ...............................TBA
81 6-2 239 164 W2
Tennessee
0-4 64
113 3-5 191 183 L2
Vanderbilt
0-5 75
174 2-6 137 262 L1
SEC West
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA
Mississippi State
4-0 165 114 7-0 296 151 W7
Ole Miss
4-1 140
53 7-1 255 84
Alabama
4-1 166
77 7-1 292 112 W3
Auburn
3-1 151 101 6-1 275 145 W1
STRK L1
LSU
3-2 117 112 7-2 295 143 W3
Texas A&M
2-3 138 198 5-3 307 217 L3
Arkansas
0-4 94
139 4-4 313 205 W1
10 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Volleyball team committed to giving back
by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
Community Service is not a one-shot deal for South Carolina student-athletes, and Gamecock volleyball team members are making their presence felt in the local community daily throughout the month of October. “We get to put on a Carolina jersey and that represents the university and Columbia as a whole,” said senior Caroline Cann. “It’s important for us to get involved in the community so when we go out there and represent this state, we know who we are representing. We can walk around with a little more pride because we know we’ve invested in this community. Every time we walk out of somewhere that we are volunteering, all of us just feel appreciative of how spoiled we are in that we get to do so many things. To be able to turn around and see that we give back to someone is really humbling and a good experience for us.” The volleyball staff informs the team of opportunities to help out and are scheduled through Director of Life Skills and Community Outreach, Erica Nelson. The Gamecocks have been offering assistance at the Ronald McDonald House, which aids families of seriously ill or injured children, Transitions of Columbia, which assists the homeless, the Harvest Hope Food Bank and the Christopher Towers apartments for the elderly. “The coolest thing is our student-athletes do it because they love to do it,” said Coach Scott Swanson. “They just really care. We have some that do community service outside of these scheduled events too. It’s a cool thing to see because they’re busy with their classes, practices, weights and travel. For them to take the time to do that is something that makes us really proud.” “It feels really good to give back to the community as a team since we get so much support,” added freshman Allie Monserez. “It just feels awesome to put a smile on someone’s face who isn’t as fortunate. Seeing how they may not have much, but are still smiling and happy to see us, it means a lot and makes me appreciate all that I have.” The Gamecocks assisted in distributing meals at Transitions, while at Harvest Hope they packed boxes of food items for families in need. At Ronald McDonald House, the student-athletes went through the kitchen to make sure all of the food for the residents was fresh and put up some decorations as well. “At Transitions, we were serving them
breakfast and greeted the people as they came in to eat,” said sophomore Jacqy Angermiller. “They were really happy to see Gamecocks there. I like connecting with people like this.” For some of these projects, the studentathletes are up before 6 a.m. to help out. “At Transitions, we get to see the result of what we are doing immediately,” Cann said. “When they’re coming through the lines, we see their face light up when they see that we have on a Gamecock volleyball shirt. It’s such a good feeling and so rewarding. You go in there trying to do something for them, but you walk out of there feeling that you really got something out of it as well.” Recently, members of the South Carolina’s Sand Volleyball team had also spent some time at Harvest Hope, packing approximately 300 boxes of food for those in need. “It’s wonderful that the student-athletes want to lend their support for our mission to help struggling families,” said Scot Garrick, communications manager of Harvest Hope Food Bank. “University athletes have come in many times to help us pack emergency food boxes, which go right to tables of families in our community. Harvest Hope could not conduct our mission and help others without the generosity and compassion of these wonderful athletes who are showing their dedication to the community.” The volleyball student-athletes are also involved in a project for Habitat for Humanity. In addition to classes, student-athletes have a lot of demands for their time, especially when their sport is in-season, but the Gamecocks are happy to make it happen.
film, and weightlifting, and matches, so it’s pretty demanding, but we always find time.” Whether it was playing bingo with the elderly or getting up early to serve a warm meal to the homeless, each of the Gamecocks is able to tell how they have made an impact, and how the people they meet make an impact on them. “There are so many different areas in the community that can use our help,” said senior Mikaela Christiaansen. “The people are so friendly. Everyone has their own story to tell, and it’s good to hear it. It’s pretty eye-opening.” “Sitting down to play bingo and just have a conversation with them was fun,” added sophomore Megan Kirkland. “They enjoyed seeing new faces and having someone to talk to.” Swanson says his team is eager to make south carolina athletics media relations community service a year-long commit“We’re helping build a house for a local ment. “We’ll do even more in the spring, and family,” said junior Sarah Blomgren. “It’s that’s why I’m so proud of them,” Swanreally exciting. Just to be able to make son said. “They are so busy, but they love an impact and have it be so meaningto do it because they realize this is one of ful is really great. It’s harder to do all of the reasons why they are here - to reach this in-season because you have so many hours of practice and you have to focus on out and give back.”
Spurs & Feathers • 11
October 29, 2014
Catching up with Gamecock legend Dan Reeves
by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
other schools came back to me then, but South Carolina took a chance on me when nobody else did. I felt like I needed to honor that.” Former Gamecock Dan Reeves has found Reeves added that he had no regrets going success at every turn. After quarterbacking the out of state for his college career. Gamecocks from 1962-1964, his professional “That was four great years of my life,” football career took him to a record nine Super Reeves said of his time at South Carolina. “I Bowls as a player and a coach. Reeves, who was fortunate to go there the first year that was inducted into the South Carolina Associa- Marvin Bass was the head coach. It was a great tion of Lettermen Hall of Fame in 1977, was re- experience. He had a lot of influence on me, on cently inducted into the Den- and off the field. ver Broncos Ring of Fame for Reeves’ relationship with his college coach his 12 seasons (1981-1992) as continued in his professional career as Bass the head coach, leading the was on his staff while he was coaching the team to three Super Bowls. Broncos and, later with the Atlanta Falcons. “I had chills up and down Now living in Atlanta, Reeves still gets back my spine,” Reeves said of to campus from time to time. He spoke at a Reeves being honored at halftime of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet in the Broncos game with the Columbia last fall, and at the request of Coach Kansas City Chiefs last month. “When they Steve Spurrier, he spoke to the Gamecocks unveiled my name in the stadium, and the big before the game against Florida at Williamsstatue that they unveiled on the Friday before Brice Stadium. the game out in front of the stadium, it was just “Steve has done such a tremendous job at really neat.” South Carolina,” Reeves said. “It makes you Originally from Rome, Georgia, South Caro- proud to say you went to the University of lina showed early interest in Reeves as a high South Carolina.” school player, and even when other schools Reeves was not drafted coming out of South tried to lure him away later, he stuck with his Carolina, but he was able to prove he belonged original commitment. and transitioned to running back, playing eight “I ended up being MVP at the Georgia high seasons for the Dallas Cowboys (1965-1972). school all-star game,” Reeves said. “Several “I signed as a defensive back and the Cow-
boys tried me at different positions,” Reeves said. “I was really fortunate that through some injuries to other guys, I was able to play as a rookie in some of those preseason scrimmages and made the team. Then the next year, I ended up starting. So it was just a dream come true.” His best year on the field came in 1966 when he scored 16 touchdowns, which was tied for the league lead that season. He went to two Super Bowls as a player, winning Super Bowl VI in 1972. His coaching career actually began before his playing career ended as he served as a player-assistant coach beginning in 1970. “I got beat out for my position by Calvin Hill in 1969, who was the Rookie of the Year,” Reeves said. “Coach (Tom) Landry saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, and he asked me if I’d be interested in being a playercoach. So I did that for three years. Being a player-coach made it an easier transition to get into coaching.” After retiring as a player, he spent several years as an assistant coach and later offensive coordinator with Dallas before the Broncos hired him as their head coach in 1981. After 12 years and three Super Bowls in Denver, Reeves became the head coach of the Giants, spending four seasons in New York. He became Atlanta’s head coach in 1997, spending seven seasons with the Falcons, including the greatest season in that team’s history in 1998 with a
berth to Super Bowl XXXIII. Reeves retired after 23 years as a head coach in 2003 and spent some time as a broadcaster for the Westwood One radio network. Looking back, Reeves has a long list of individuals who made an impact on his career. “We had a lot of great players when I was with the Cowboys,” Reeves said. “Bob Lilly, Leroy Jordan, Don Perkins, Don Meredith those guys had an influence on me in the way they prepared themselves. The way we were taught by Coach Landry had a huge influence on me, and Coach Bass meant a lot to me as well. I also coached some great players in John Elway and Roger Staubach. They taught me a lot about that position, and you’re not going to be successful as a coach if you don’t have a good quarterback. I had great running backs too. I had Tony Dorsett and Jamal Anderson. Defensively, Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson when I was in Denver meant an awful lot.” As he was recently honored by the Broncos, Reeves continues to share the credit of any success he has had with those around him. “You can’t do it by yourself,” Reeves said. “It starts with ownership and of course you have to have good people in your front office, coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, and you have to have great players. So the success there in Denver is just a reflection of the help of a lot of people.”
12 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
‘There’s no doubt’ the Gamecocks are going to be better this year by brian hand Executive Editor South Carolina junior guard Austin Constable truly believes in what Frank Martin is doing at South Carolina. In fact, before deciding to even don the garnet and black, Constable took it upon himself to explain to one of his classes why Martin was the right head coach for the Gamecocks. “I actually didn’t start playing until my sophomore year, which was his first year here,” Constable noted. “When I got the news (that Martin was named head coach), I was in a public speaking class and I really do we had to convince because our class about an and I chose Frank’s got a issue coach. I said that standard of he was going to turn this program excellence around and it out that I ... I’m totally worked was able to try out and make the team. sold on been special Frank Martin. It’s being a part of this team. It’s different Adrian Branch, than in the past. ESPN analyst “I haven’t told him that yet, but eventually I would like to. That was before I had ever met him and then I went to hear him speak right after that (and) I was sold. I was completely sold as to what he was saying. I believe in him as a coach.” Constable’s feelings about Martin is also shared by many in the college basketball world with former Maryland standout and current ESPN college basketball analyst Adrian Branch even going as far as saying he considers South Carolina a “sleeper team” this year. “Believe it or not, I think they could be a sleeper team,” Branch remarked. “I really do because Frank’s got a standard of excellence, he’s got a track record and then they’ve finally got a back court that can really control the game and play the way that he wants to play … I’m totally sold on Frank Martin.”
higher aspirations in their locker room and they should. It’s not easy. They’re better right now than what I saw on tape (last year), but the problem is so is the conference. (They) are improving. Just be patient and believe in the process.” Martin utilizes the example of his extremely successful tenure at Kansas State to explain the steps he is presently taking with Gamecock men’s basketball. “If you get suckered into trying to change something overnight you can end up on a dead end street,” Martin said at the SEC Media Days at the Ballantyne Hotel in Charlotte on Wednesday, Oct. 22. “I use our example of Kansas State all the time. My first year we had nine freshman, we had two first-round picks, (but) it was the worst record we had in my five years there with two NBA guys. The other four years we didn’t have a player drafted, didn’t have a player make it in the NBA, yet we were better. We weren’t better because we had individual talent … but the culture that we fought for to build that year allowed us to have success the following year and then eventually create the strength that allowed us to have a successful program. “That’s what I’m trying to do (at South Carolina). I didn’t have the two first-round picks my first year to figure out a way to win 20 games on talent, but now we’ve photo by brian hand created a culture in that locker room that I’m hoping attracts more guys (recruits). I Former Tennessee standout and current guard) Sindarius (Thornwell) and (senior think we’ve built a locker room that takes SEC Network analyst Dane Bradshaw pride in how we do things and who we guard) Ty (Johnson) what they bring to thinks the Gamecocks are “going to be are. That’s going to help us in recruiting,” the table,” Farnham relayed. “Look at better.” Martin elaborated. what Frank’s doing. He’s building it the “Frank Martin like some of these other One of his star recruits from a year ago right way. They’re still maybe a year or coaches in the early years you might have two away from moving to the top-tier of and a freshman All-SEC selection last year, Thornwell completely buys into what to sacrifice some wins in order to lay the the conference, but can they move up, Martin and the Gamecock coaching staff foundation and I think South Carolina can can they be better this year? There’s no are preaching. be a very good program,” doubt.” “Everybody believes now,” Thornwell Bradshaw said. Farnham believes for said. “Coach was big on finding guys that South Carolina was South Carolina to have tabbed to finish 12th in the what will be considered by want to help win and care and I think this league in the 2014-15 SEC most a good 2014-15 season whole team cares. We want to win and we preseason media poll, but they need to compete for a want to be better.” Thornwell’s beliefs in the Gamecocks ESPN college basketball spot in the postseason. analyst and former UCLA “If they can qualify for a were brought further home as he was walking off the interview stage at SEC star Sean Farnham thinks postseason tournament, I All Gamecock basketball think that’s a good year,” Media Days. that is very misleading. coverage sponsored by “We were picked 12th (in the SEC pre“I went to South CaroliFarnham commented. Yesterdays season poll)?” Thornwell asked. “There’s na’s practice yesterday and “That’s a step in the right not 12 teams better than us in the league.” (with the Gamecocks) we’re direction for the GameDon’t sleep on the Gamecocks. talking about experience and (sophomore cocks. Obviously they’ve probably got
October 29, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 13
14 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Staley, Gamecocks know being SEC favorites due to hard work by kyle heck Reporter
When Dawn Staley was hired at South Carolina in 2008, she inherited a program that had won a combined 10 games in the SEC the previous two seasons. In fact, an Elite Eight appearance in 2002 was the high point of the program. Other than that outstanding year the Gamecocks usually found themselves in the bottom half of the league year in and year out. So when Susan Walvius stepped down it was Staley’s turn to change the Gamecocks’ fortune. In her first season, South Carolina won just two games in the SEC, but that was with players she did not recruit and before she had a chance to stamp her mark on the team. With a full year under her belt, Staley’s team improved drastically and won seven SEC games in her second season. The next year, the Gamecocks won eight SEC games. Staley’s work had begun to pay off and South Carolina was once again a contender in the league. Over the next three seasons, the Gamecocks won 35 SEC games, topped off by last season’s team that went 14-2 and captured the SEC regular-season championship. That brings us to this season where South Carolina returned all five starters from the championship team and signed two of the top ten players in the nation. From the moment that Staley arrived she knew what she wanted to do with the program and that was something that she relayed to recruits. Center Elem Ibiam joined the Gamecocks in 2011 and she remembers the All Gamecock basketball message that coverage sponsored Staley had for by Yesterdays her and the other recruits. “(She told us) that she wants to change the program, she wanted to make it a top program,” said Ibiam, now a senior. With an attitude like that, Staley drew in Ibiam and other top recruits. The Gamecocks went 25-10 and 10-6 in the SEC that year. The change of culture was evident in Staley’s recruiting pitch to guard Tiffany Mitchell, who arrived the year after Ibiam.
photo by brian hand
“She told me that the program is turned around and we’re going in a good direction and I wanted to be a part of that,” Mitchell said. Five years after the two win season, the Gamecocks are now the SEC regular-season favorites and serious contenders for the national championship, thanks in large part to the job that Staley has done in Columbia. Once Staley put the pieces in place it didn’t take long for the Gamecocks to take off. The
remarkable turnaround is something that surprised Mitchell, but it’s a pleasant surprise for the reigning SEC player of the year. “Did I know that it was going to happen this early?” asked Mitchell, who was also chosen as the 2014-15 SEC preseason player of the year. “No, but I’m thankful and blessed that it did.” Even Staley considered it somewhat surreal at the SEC Media Days at the Ballantyne Hotel
in Charlotte to come into the year as the league favorites. “It is (to be league favorites) because it’s all so very new to us, but we’ve got to look at the work we’ve put in to put ourselves in this situation where we’ll have to face the music that got us here,” Staley remarked. “We’re not going to shy away from it, I think. We want to be a national championship team and these are the steps we are taking to be that team.”
October 29, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 15
Personality of Gamecocks on display at ‘one.FAN-ily Fest’
by collyn taylor Reporter
ter from the team. After drills, the team would cheer as the coaching staff was announced. The women’s basketball team was relaxed The team’s loosest point was during the at their “one.FAN-ily Fest” on Monday, unveiling of the new team song. Junior Oct. 20. guards Tina Roy and Khadijah Sessions Standing together, they were laughing both picked up the microphone to sing/ and joking around, wearing big smiles on rap the team’s entrance song for this year their face as the fans slowly trickled down which was to the tune of Iggy Izalea’s to pick up their season tickets. “Fancy.” To senior forward Aleighsa Welch this is During the song, the team was smiling something she loves. She said that she loves and dancing and laughing behind them, showing off moves and having a good time. to interact with fans on a personal level. At the end the team cheered and all smiled During her time at the inaugural event she before heading to an autograph session. met new fans and fans that had been a seaTo Welch, that personality of the team is son ticket holders for over thirty years. something that’s going to translate on to “This is what it’s all about,” Welch said. photo by brian hand the court this season. She said that she’s As the time got closer before the event Aleighsa Welch gives her autograph to season ticket holders at the end of the event. ready to go out and have fun in her third started they year as one of the team’s captains. headed into In fact, Welch’s just ready to go out and the tunnel were laughing and dancing, getting loose The rest of the team was announced and have fun with her veteran and her newly so they before heading onto the court. then did some drills in front of the fans. could be anFreshmen were announced first as newDuring the drills, the players never stopped inducted teammates. “We’re 15 goofy people,” Welch said nounced. comers Doiyah Cliney, Kaydra Duckett, Ja- smiling. The team tarie White, Bianca Cuevas and top recruit Players would compete in shooting drills laughing. “The new girls have to come waited in A’ja Wilson were announced. and would begin shouting during the drills. around some more, but they’ll get there.” The women’s basketball team starts their the tunnel As each freshman came out they stopped At one point, Welch was running down All Gamecock basketball by the baseline and did a dance, which was the court during a drill and knocked the season Nov. 2 with an exhibition game and started coverage sponsored by against Coker in Colonial Life Arena at 3 to chant and met with smiles from their teammates and ball out of two of her teammates hands, Yesterdays sway. They loud applause from those in attendance. which was met with wry smiles and laugh- p.m.
16 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
South Carolina Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Damiere Byrd WR 1 Rico McWilliams CB 3 Nick Jones WR 3 Chris Lammons CB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 4 Shaq Roland WR 5 Darius English DE 5 Brendan Nosovitch QB 6 Connor Mitch QB 6 Chris Moody SS 7 Shon Carson TB 7 Wesley Green CB 8 Shamier Jeffery WR 8 Kaiwan Lewis LB 9 Deebo Samuel WR 9 Sharrod Golightly SPR 10 Skai Moore LB 10 Perry Orth QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 11 Pharoh Cooper WR 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 12 Brison Williams SS 13 Tyler Hull P 13 Grant Davitte QB 14 Shaq Davidson WR 14 Ali Groves CB 15 Austin Hails QB 16 Zack Cimaglia K/P 17 Chaz Elder FS 17 Dylan Thompson QB 18 Cedrick Cooper DE 18 Patrick Fish P 19 Terry Googer WR 19 Landon Ard PK 20 T.J. Gurley SS 21 Marcquis Roberts LB 21 Andrew Bunch WR 22 Brandon Wilds TB 22 Jamari Smith CB 23 Larenz Bryant SPR 24 D.J. Smith DB 25 Kadetrix Marcus FS 26 Jasper Sasser FS 28 Mike Davis TB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 29 Matrick Belton WR 30 Darius Paulk FB 30 Sidney Rhodes CB 31 Al Harris Jr. CB 31 Jordan Diaz FB 32 Rod Talley TB 33 David Williams TB 34 Jonas Price K/P 34 Mason Harris DE
Hgt. 5-9 5-11 5-7 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-2 6-3 5-11 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-4 5-9 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-0 5-9 6-0 6-0 6-4 5-8 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-3
Wgt. 170 184 168 172 231 176 241 221 211 210 201 176 198 228 192 187 213 204 234 201 189 208 207 180 170 187 220 170 195 218 225 194 210 178 194 216 173 222 197 220 189 194 203 223 228 165 215 199 182 162 236 201 214 165 235
Cl. SR RS SO RS SR FR FR JR RS SO RS SO RS FR RS SO RS JR FR RS JR JR FR RS SR SO RS SO RS SO SO FR SR RS SR RS FR FR RS FR RS JR RS SO RS SO RS SR RS JR RS SR FR RS JR JR RS SO RS SO RS JR SO SO FR SR RS FR JR SO SO RS SO RS SO RS SR FR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS JR
Hometown/High School/Last College Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy Moore, S.C./Byrnes Sunrise, Fla./Plantation Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Lexington, S.C./Lexington Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield McDonough, Ga./Henry County Scranton, S.C./Lake City Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County Pleasantville, N.J./St. Joseph Inman, S.C./Chapman Decatur, Ga./Southwest DeKalb Cooper City, Fla./University Ponde Verda, Fla./Ponte Verda/Florida State College Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Havelock, NC./Havelock Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Warner Robins, Ga./Northside/Fork Union Military Mount Airy, N.C./Mount Airy/Guilford College Columbia, S.C./Irmo Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park/North Carolina A&T Union City, Ga./Banneker Boiling Springs, S.C./Boiling Springs Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Shelby, N.C./Burns Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Cairo, Ga./Cairo Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Bishop England/Presbyterian Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Atlanta, Ga./Stephenson Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Tx./Prince of Peace Christian Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast/North Greenville Easley, S.C./Wren/Western Carolina Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter Cockeysville, Md./St. Paul’s Fort Oglethorpe, Ga./Ridgeland
Coaches Steve Spurrier - Head Coach Deke Adams - Defensive Line Kirk Botkin - Linebackers/Spurs Grady Brown - Secondary/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator Shawn Elliott - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive LIne G.A. Mangus - Quarterbacks/Tight Ends Joe Robinson - Special Teams Coordinator Everette Sands - Running Backs Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Steve Spurrier Jr. - Co-Offensive Coord/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator Lorenzo Ward - Defensive Coordinator Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Robbie Liles - Director - Recruiting Operations Patrick Shine - Administrative Coordinator - Recruiting Scott Spurrier - Quality Control Coordinator (Offense) Shaq Wilson - Quality Control Coordinator (Defense)
# Name Pos. 35 Shannon James DB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 40 Jacob August TE 41 Kyle Morini LB 41 Connor McLaurin FB 42 Jordan Diggs SPR 43 Benjamin Russell DB 43 Garrison Gist FB 44 Gerald Turner FB 44 Gerald Dixon DE 45 Brandon Sturdivant FB 46 Cedrick Malone SPR 47 Drew Williams LS 48 Nick McGriff TE 49 Garrett Shank SS 49 Devin Potter TB 50 A.J. Cann OG 51 Cody Waldrop OC 51 Devin Washington DE 52 Phillip Dukes DT 53 Corey Robinson OT 54 Clayton Stadnik OC 55 David Johnson DE 55 Na’Ty Rodgers OT 58 Ryland Culbertson LS 59 Coleman Harley LS 65 Brock Stadnik OG 69 D.J. Park OT 70 Alan Knott OC 71 Brandon Shell OT 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OT 75 Will Sport OG 76 Mike Matulis OT 77 Malik Young OL 80 K.J. Brent WR 81 Rory Anderson TE 82 Caleb Hines WR 83 Carlton Heard WR 84 Matthew Harvey WR 85 Kane Whitehurst WR 86 Kevin Crosby TE 87 Sean Odom WR 88 Drew Owens TE 89 Jerell Adams TE 90 Cody Gibson TE 90 Taylor Stallworth DT 91 Blake McClain DE 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. DT 93 Deon Green DT 94 Kelsey Griffin DT 95 Michael Washington DE 97 J.T. Surratt DT 99 Abu Lamin DT
Hgt. 5-7 5-11 6-6 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-8 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-9 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-5 5-11 6-0 6-8 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-4
Wgt. 153 170 247 221 243 217 175 260 250 274 218 201 201 220 203 203 311 309 221 323 344 273 275 280 267 246 287 328 280 333 346 301 291 307 318 192 227 160 188 22 8 169 230 190 238 242 278 293 265 323 289 310 237 310 302
Cl. RS SO RS FR FR RS SR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS JR RS FR RS SO RS SO RS SO SO FR RS SO RS SO RS SR RS SO RS FR RS JR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS SR RS JR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS JR FR RS SO RS JR RS JR FR RS JR SR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR FR SO RS JR JR RS SR FR FR RS JR RS SO SO RS JR RS SR RS SO
Hometown/High School/Last College Florence, S.C./South Florence Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman/Fork Union Warner Robins, Ga./White Knoll/Gray Military Raleigh, N.C./Garner Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./Northwesterm Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford/York Tech Camden, S.C./Camden/Coastal Carolina Irmo, S.C/Dutch Fork Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Marietta, Ga./Lassiter Granite Falls, N.C./South Caldwell Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Seffner, Fla./Armwood Orlando, Fla./Jones Manning, S.C./Manning Havelock, N.C./Havelock Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Waldorf, Md./McDonough Laurens, S.C./Laurens Academy Aiken, S.C./South Aiken Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Irmo, S.C./Chapin Milton, Fla./Pace Boynton Beach, Fla./Park Vista Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Cornelius, N.C./Hough Athens, Ga./Clarke Central/Gardner-Webb Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill Duluth, Ga./Chattahoochee/Arkansas Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg Prep Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell Pinewood, S.C./Scott’s Branch Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln Mobile, Ala./Murphy Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern Windermere, Fla./Olympia Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Allendale, S.C./Allendale-Fairfax/S.C. State Winston-Salem, N.C./Parkland Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott C.C.
Spurs & Feathers • 17
October 29, 2014
Tennessee Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Jalen Hurd RB 2 Pig Howard WR 2 D’Andre Payne DB 3 Josh Malone WR 4 Vic Wharton WR 4 LaTroy Lewis DL 5 Ryan Jenkins WR 5 George Bullock PK 6 Todd Kelly Jr. DB 6 Mike Wegzyn QB 7 Drae Bowles WR 7 Rashaan Gaulden DB 8 Dewayne Hendrix DL 8 Marquez North WR 9 Von Pearson WR 9 Derek Barnett DE 10 Isaiah McDaniel DB 10 Will Bradshaw LS 11 Joshua Dobbs QB 12 Nathan Peterman QB 12 Emmanuel Moseley DB 13 Patrick Ashford H 13 Devaun Swafford DB 14 Justin Worley QB 15 Marlin Lane RB 17 Dillon Bates LB 17 Devin Smith QB 18 Michael Cantwell LB 18 Jason Croom WR 19 Devrin Young RB 19 David Priddy DB 20 Cortez McDowell LB 21 Riyahd Jones DB 22 Malik Foreman DB 23 Cameron Sutton DB 24 Michael Williams DB 24 Derrell Scott RB 25 Aaron Medley PK 25 Josh Smith WR 26 Geraldo Orta DB 27 Justin Coleman DB 28 Lemond Johnson DB 29 Evan Berry DB 30 Devin Williams DB 30 Deanthonie Summerhill 31 Justus Pickett RB 33 LaDarrell McNeil DB 34 Jalen Reeves-Maybin LB 35 Troy Waites P 35 Ryan Ault P/PK 36 Gavin Bryant LB 37 Jayson Sparks RB 37 Brian Randolph DB 38 Jaye Rochell WR 38 Justin King LB
Ht. 6-3 5-8 5-9 6-3 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-4 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-5 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-0 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-2 6-1 6-0 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-7 RB 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-0 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-2
Wt. 227 187 185 204 201 257 193 209 203 222 206 173 275 221 183 267 188 219 216 220 178 213 184 220 209 222 199 203 243 173 170 215 188 190 190 177 194 181 200 183 188 200 199 187 5-9 199 215 230 179 198 236 175 209 206 245
Yr. FR JR FR FR FR RS SO RS FR RS SO FR RS JR RS SO FR FR SO RS JR FR FR FR SO RS SO FR RS JR SO SR SR FR FR RS JR RS SO SR SO FR SR SO SO RS SO FR FR SO RS JR SR SO FR RS FR 202 RS JR JR SO FR RS SO FR SO RS JR RS FR RS SO
Hometown/Previous School Hendersonville, Tenn./Beech Senior Orlando, Fla./Edgewater Washington, D.C./H.D. Woodson Gallatin, Tenn./Station Camp Spring Hill, Tenn./Independence Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban Marietta, Ga./Lassiter Knoxville, Tenn./West Knoxville, Tenn./Webb School Knoxville, TennMassachusetts Jackson, Tenn./Jackson Christian Spring Hill, Tenn./Independence O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon Township Charlotte, N.C./Mallard Creek Newport News, Va./Feather River College Nashville, Tenn./Brentwood Academy Knoxville, Tenn./Bearden Dyersburg/Dyersburg Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta Fruit Cove, Fla./Bartram Trail Greensboro, N.C./Dudley Morristown, Tenn./Carson-Newman Kingsport, Tenn./Dobyns-Bennett Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland Ponte Verda Beach, Fla./Ponte Vedra Knoxville, Tenn./Grace Christian Academy Morristown, Tenn./West Norcross, Ga./Norcross Knoxville, Tenn./Bearden Hendersonville, Tenn./Hendersonville Locust Grove, Ga./Locust Grove Columbus, Ga./Carver/Garden City C.C. Kingsport, Tenn./Dobyns-Bennett Jonesboro, Ga./Jonesboro Laurel, Md./DeMatha Catholic Havelock, N.C./Havelock Lewisburg, Tenn./Marshall County Knoxville, Tenn./Christian Academy of Knoxville Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes Brunswick, Ga./Brunswick Cooper City, Fla./Cooper City Fairburn, Ga./Creekside Knoxville, Tenn./Austin-East RS SR Tuscumbia, Ala./Deshler Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell/Maryland Dallas, Texas/Wilmer-Hutchins Clarksville, Tenn./Northeast Hattiesburg, Miss./Presbyterian Christian Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Jackson, Ala./Jackson Loganville, Ga./Grayson Marietta, Ga./Kell Norcross, Ga./Wesleyan School Dunwoody, Ga./Dunwoody
Coaches Butch Jones - Head Coach Mike Bajakian - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach John Jancek - Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez - Asst. Head Coach - Defense /Defensive Backs Coach Steve Stripling - Associate Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach Zach Azzanni - Wide Receivers / Recruiting Coordinator Mark Elder - Tight Ends Coach/ Special Teams Coordinator Robert Gillespie - Running Backs Coach Don Mahoney - Offensive Line Coach Tommy Thigpen - Linebackers Coach Mike Vollmar - Sr. Associate AD, Football Administration Dave Lawson - Director of Strength and Conditioning Chris Spognardi - Director of Football Operations Bob Welton - Director of Player Personnel Patrick Abernathy - Coordinator of High School Relations
# Name Pos. 39 Kendal Vickers DL 40 Dimarya Mixon DL 41 Elliott Berry LB 42 Derrick Brodus PK/P 42 Chris Weatherd LB 43 Matt Darr P 44 Jakob Johnson DL 45 Jase Stubbs TE 45 A.J. Johnson LB 46 Max Arnold DB 47 Joe Stocstill TE 48 Alex Ellis TE 50 Corey Vereen DL 51 Kenny Bynum LB 52 Joe Henderson DL 53 Colton Jumper LB 54 Danny Finch LS 54 Jordan Williams DL 55 Coleman Thomas OL 55 Cody Underwood LB 56 Curt Maggitt LB/DL 57 Andrew Henry LS 57 Mack Crowder OL 58 Owen Williams DL 59 Gregory Grieco LB 59 Matt Giampapa LS 60 Austin Sanders OL 63 Brett Kendrick OL 64 Ray Raulerson OL 65 Jacob Gilliam OL 66 Marques Pair OL 68 Benson Napier OL 71 Dylan Wiesman OL 72 Michael Sawyers DL 73 Jashon Robertson OL 74 Dontavius Blair OL 75 Marcus Jackson OL 77 Kyler Kerbyson OL 78 Charles Mosley DL 79 Thomas Edwards OL 80 Daniel Helm TE 81 Johnathon Johnson WR 82 Ethan Wolf TE 83 Cody Blanc WR 84 Woody Quinn TE 85 Brendan Downs TE 86 A.J. Branisel TE 87 Jacob Carter WR 88 Neiko Creamer TE 89 Jaylen Miller DL 89 Adrian Gamble WR 90 Charles Folger DL 93 Trevor Daniel P 95 Danny O’Brien DL 96 Trevarris Saulsberry DL
Ht. 6-3 6-3 6-0 5-11 6-4 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2 5-10 6-0 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-8 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-4 5-9 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-2 6-4
Wt. 262 282 208 188 225 220 240 235 245 191 237 238 253 243 234 227 207 284 328 215 251 205 295 288 221 211 311 316 278 297 327 327 303 306 304 300 306 312 370 322 240 186 240 207 251 240 238 191 229 253 176 254 237 286 296
Yr. RS FR FR FR RS SR JR RS SR FR FR SR RS JR RS SO RS JR SO RS SO FR FR RS FR SR FR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR RS JR RS SR RS JR RS FR RS FR FR RS SR RS SR FR SO FR FR JR RS JR RS JR FR RS FR FR JR FR JR SR SR SO RS SR FR SO JR RS SO RS FR RS SO RS JR
Hometown/Previous School Havelock, N.C./Havelock Compton, Calif./West Mesquite (Texas) Fairburn, Ga./Creekside Maryville, Tenn./Alcoa Carrollton, Texas/Creekview/Trinity Valley Bakersfield, Calif./Frontier Stuttgart, Germany/Jean Ribault (Fla.) Covington, LA/St. Paul’s School Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville McKenzie, Tenn./McKenzie Lewisburg, Tenn./Cornersville Del Mar, Del./Del Mar Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange Jacksonville, Fla./Raines Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights Lookout Mountain, Tenn./The Hun School Maryville, Tenn./Maryville Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Max Meadows, Va./Fort Chiswell Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville West West Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer Gallatin, Tenn./Station Camp Bristol, Tenn./Tennessee HS Macon, Ga./Westside/Butler C.C. (Kan.) Knoxville, Tenn./Farragut Jackson, Tenn./Michigan State Cleveland, Tenn./Bradley Central Knoxville, Tenn./Christian Academy of Knoxville Tampa, Fla./Plant Senior Knoxville, Tenn./Farragut Sumter, S.C./Sumter Coalfield, Tenn./Coalfield School Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain Antioch, Tenn./Ensworth Nashville, Tenn./Montgomery Bell Academy Anniston, Ala./Anniston/Garden City C.C. Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville Catholic Brighton, Tenn./Brighton Kingsport, Tenn./Dobyns-Bennett Chatham, Ill./Glenwood Friendswood, Texas/Blinn College Minster, Ohio/Minster Knoxville, Tenn./Knoxville Central Dana Point, Calif./Santa Ana College Bristol, Tenn./Tennessee HS South Euclid, Ohio/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin Nashville, Tenn./Ensworth Wilmington, Del./Eastern Christian Academy Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney Charlotte, N.C./Virginia Augusta, Ga./Lincoln County Dickson, Tenn./Dickson County Flint, Mich./Powers Catholic Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville
18 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Ellen part of Gamecock Club for half-century by kyle heck Reporter
Before the Gamecocks played Furman, Ellen was honored for his loyalty to the country and to the University by being William Ellen knew long before he went named a legendary fan of the game. to the University of South Carolina that he Ellen said he was surprised at the honor, wanted to be a student at the school. His but loves being a integral part of the two older brothers went to the University Gamecock athletic program. and naturally he wanted to follow in their “I just like college football, particularly footsteps. Gamecock football,” Ellen said. “I know But before he got the opportunity to atit gives me an opportunity to help finance tend college, World War II forced him to the athletic department.” take a detour. He was inducted into the Until about six or seven years ago, ElArmy Air Force at Fort Jackson in 1943. len and his wife would go to every South In two years overseas, Ellen campaigned Carolina game, home and away. They still in northern France, central Europe, the attend every home game, but don’t make it Rhineland and participated in the Battle to every road game. of the Bulge. He received four Battle Stars Ellen’s favorite Gamecock football memand was a recipient of the Eamet Service ory came in 2010 when South Carolina Medal. knocked off No. 1 Alabama at WilliamsAfter returning home in 1945, Ellen fiBrice Stadium. nally got his chance to attend South CaroAfter graduating, Ellen farmed for 16 lina. He graduated in 1951 with a business years before getting into politics at the degree. age of 41. He retired in July of 1991. He About a decade after graduation, Ellen hasn’t retired from South Carolina athletjoined the Gamecock Club and has been a ics however and for the last half-century member ever since, covering a span of 50 has been a loyal member of the Gamecock years. Club family.
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
Spurs & Feathers • 19
October 29, 2014
Holbrook getting better sense of his team this year by kyle heck Reporter
(Jordan Gore) plays with such great energy. He’s played with purpose and determination every game. He’s trying to prove to me he’s one of our best players and to this point he’s proven to me that he’s one of our best players.
A few weeks into fall practice, South Carolina baseball coach Chad Holbrook is getting a better sense of what kind of team he has this year. The Gamecocks wrapped up another weekend of baseball scrimmages on Sunday, Oct. 19 and Holbrook said he is starting to see the strengths and weaknesses of the team. One of those strengths is the defensive ability of everyone in the infield. There were very few errors once again in the three scrimmages over the course of the Photo by ALLEN SHARPE past weekend. Chad Holbrook, head baseball coach The pitching staff is also showing that Holbrook says that right now Jordan Gore would be the MVP of the fall for the Gamecocks. it can once again be a strong point of the team this season. “I like the way we play defense,” Holbrook said. “Our pitchers that are going staff and the catchers. to pitch a lot of our innings throw strikes However, sophomore Logan Koch has and work fast for the most part.” separated himself in the fall due in large Sophomore utility player Jordan Gore part to the experience he brings to the has impressed in practices and scrimteam, Holbrook note. Koch made six mages so far and Holbrook said he is the starts and appeared in 20 games overall MVP of the fall right now. as a freshman, batting .286 with two runs “He plays with such great energy,” Hol- scored an RBI. brook said. “He’s played with purpose “He’s been here a year and the tempo and determination every game. He’s try- that he has with our pitchers is much ing to prove to me he’s one of our best better,” Holbrook said. “We work at a players and to this point he’s proven to faster pace with him in there. Right now, me that he’s one of our best players.” Logan, through familiarity with the proHolbrook said he still isn’t sure how gram and the way that he’s played, has he is going to use Gore in the upcoming kind of got the lead on that deal right season, but he could be a leadoff guy for now.” South Carolina. As for the other catchers, Holbrook has One of the biggest holes liked the way that Hunter to fill on the team this year Taylor has swung the bat will be at catcher where the and also said that Jared Gamecocks will have to Martin is hanging in replace three-year starter there. Grayson Greiner, who’s The third-year head now in the MLB. coach plans on using two Now that they have had All Gamecock baseball and possibly all three some time to practice, the coverage sponsored by catchers during the regucatchers competing for the DiPrato’s lar-season. open spot are starting to The team was off this become more comfortable. Holbrook said past weekend for fall break. one of the big reasons that the scrimmages They will conclude fall practice with have become crisper is because of the im- the Garnet & Black World Series this proved relationship between the pitching weekend.
20 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Depth Charts for November 1 OFFENSE WR: 4 Shaq Roland 1 Damiere Byrd WR: 11 Pharoh Cooper 80 K.J. Brent 85 Kane Whitehurst WR: 3 Nick Jones 8 Shamier Jeffery 83 Carlton Heard LT: 53 Corey Robinson 74 Mason Zandi LG: 50 A.J. Cann 65 Brock Stadnik C: 70 Alan Knott 54 Clayton Stadnik RG: 75 Will Sport -OR- 76 Mike Matulis RT: 71 Brandon Shell 69 D.J. Park TE: 81 Rory Anderson -OR- 89 Jerell Adams 90 Cody Gibson QB: 17 Dylan Thompson 10 Perry Orth -OR- 6 Connor Mitch FB: 41 Connor McLaurin 31 Jordan Diaz TB: 28 Mike Davis
6-1, 176, Jr. 5-9, 170, Sr. 5-11, 201, So. 6-4, 192, Jr. 5-11, 169, Jr. 5-7, 168, Sr. 6-1, 198, Jr. 6-0, 188, Jr. 6-8, 344, Sr. 6-9, 301, So. 6-4, 311, Sr. 6-5, 287, So. 6-4, 280, RFr. 6-3, 273, So. 6-5, 291, Jr. 6-5, 307, Jr. 6-6, 333, Jr. 6-4, 328, Fr. 6-5, 227, Sr. 6-6, 242, Jr. 6-7, 278, Sr. 6-3, 218, Sr. 6-1, 204, So. 6-3, 211, RFr. 6-0, 243, Sr. 6-1, 236, Sr. 5-9, 223, Jr.
Lexington, S.C. Sicklerville, N.J. Havelock, N.C. Waxhaw, N.C. Duluth, Ga. Moore, S.C. St. Matthews, S.C. Athens, Ga. Havelock, N.C. Irmo, S.C. Bamberg, S.C. Greensboro, N.C. Tyrone, Ga. Greensboro, N.C. Milton, Fla. Boynton Beach, Fla. Goose Creek, S.C. Dillon, S.C. PowderSprings,Ga. Pinewood, S.C. Tallahassee, Fla. BoilingSprings,S.C. Ponte Vedra, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, N.J. Atlanta, Ga.
OFFENSE QB: 14 Justin Worley 6-4, 220, Sr. 12 Nathan Peterman 6-2, 220, So. -OR11 Joshua Dobbs 6-3, 216, So. TB: 1 Jalen Hurd 6-3, 227, Fr. 24 Derrell Scott 5-11, 194, Fr. 15 Marlin Lane 5-11, 209, Sr. WR: 8 Marquez North 6-4, 221, So. 18 Jason Croom 6-5, 243, So. WR: 2 Pig Howard 5-8, 187, Jr. 81 Johnathon Johnson 5-9, 186, Jr. WR: 3 Josh Malone 6-3, 204, Fr. 9 Von Pearson 6-3, 183, Jr. TE: 82 Ethan Wolf 6-5, 240, Fr. 48 Alex Ellis 6-4, 238, Jr. -OR80 Daniel Helm 6-4, 240, Fr. LT: 77 Kyler Kerbyson 6-4, 312, Jr. 63 Brett Kendrick 6-6, 313, RFr. LG: 75 Marcus Jackson 6-2, 306, Jr. 60 Austin Sanders 6-5, 311, RFr. C: 57 Mack Crowder 6-2, 295, Jr. 71 Dylan Wiesman 6-3, 303, So. RG: 73 Jashon Robertson 6-3, 304, Fr. 63 Brett Kendrick 6-6, 316, RFr. RT: 55 Coleman Thomas 6-6, 328, Fr. 74 Dontavius Blair 6-8, 300, Jr.
Rock Hill, S.C. Fruit Cove, Fla. Alpharetta, Ga. Hendersonville,Tenn. Havelock, N.C. Daytona Beach, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Norcross, Ga. Orlando, Fla. Friendswood, Texas Gallatin, Tenn. Newport News, Va. Minster, Ohio Del Mar, Dela. Chatham, Ill. Knoxville, Tenn. Knoxville, Tenn. Vero Beach, Fla. Cleveland, Tenn. Bristol, Tenn. Cincinnati, Ohio Nashville Tenn. Knoxville, Tenn. Max Meadows, Va. Anniston, Ala.
DEFENSE LE: 50 Corey Vereen 4 LaTroy Lewis
Winter Garden, Fla. Akron, Ohio
6-2, 253, So. 6-4, 257, So.
-OR-
South Carolina 6-2, 230, Jr. 6-1, 222, RFr. 5-8, 201, Jr.
Blythewood, S.C. Philadelphia, Pa. Scranton, S.C.
DEFENSE DE: 44 Gerald Dixon 6-2, 274, So. 34 Mason Harris 6-3, 235, Jr. -OR93 Deon Green 6-4, 289 So. DT: 97 J.T. Surratt 6-2, 310, Sr. 94 Kelsey Griffin 6-2, 310, So. 90 Taylor Stallworth 6-2, 293, Fr. DT: 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. 6-3, 323, Jr. 52 Phillip Dukes 6-3, 323, Jr. 99 Abu Lamin 6-4, 302, So. DE: 55 David Johnson 6-1, 275, RFr. -OR- 95 Michael Washington 6-3, 237, Jr. -OR- 5 Darius English 6-6, 241, So. MLB: 21 Marcquis Roberts 6-1, 216, So. 11 T.J. Holloman 6-2, 234, So. 8 Kaiwan Lewis 6-0, 228, Jr. WLB: 10 Skai Moore 6-2, 213, So. 28 Jonathan Walton 6-0, 228, So. 4 Bryson Allen-Williams 6-1, 231, Fr. SPUR: 9 Sharrod Golightly 5-10, 187, Sr. 42 Jordan Diggs 6-0, 217, So. 23 Larenz Bryant 6-0, 220, So. CB: 3 Chris Lammons 5-10, 172, Fr. 1 Rico McWilliams 5-11, 184, So.
Rock Hill, S.C. FortOglethorpe,Ga. Windermere, Fla Winston-Salem,N.C. Buford, Ga. Mobile, Ala. Rock Hill, S.C. Manning, S.C. Fayetteville, N.C. Lithonia, Ga. Allendale, S.C. PowderSprings,Ga. PowderSprings,Ga. StoneMountain, Ga. Mays Landing, N.J. Cooper City, Fla. Daphne, Ala. Ellenwood, Ga. Decatur, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Sunrise, Fla. Hampton, Ga.
DT: NT: DE: WLB: MLB: SLB: CB: SS: FS: CB:
22 Brandon Wilds 33 David Williams 7 Shon Carson
Tennessee
54 Jordan Williams 6-5, 284, Sr. 40 Dimarya Mixon 6-3, 282, Fr. 95 Danny O’Brien 6-2, 286, So. 58 Owen Williams 6-2, 288, Jr. 9 Derek Barnett 6-3, 267, Fr. 8 Dewayne Hendrix 6-4, 275, Fr. 34 Jalen Reeves-Maybin 6-1, 230, So. 20 Cortez McDowell 6-1, 215, Fr. 45 A.J. Johnson 6-2, 245, Sr. 44 Jakob Johnson 6-4, 240, Fr. 56 Curt Maggitt 6-3, 251, Jr. 42 Chris Weatherd 6-4, 225, Jr. 23 Cameron Sutton 6-1, 190, So. 12 Emmanuel Moseley 5-11, 178, Fr. 37 Brian Randolph 6-0, 209, Jr. 6 Todd Kelly Jr. 6-0, 203, Fr. 33 LaDarrell McNeil 6-1, 215, Jr. 13 Devaun Swafford 5-11, 184, So. 27 Justin Coleman 5-10, 188, Sr. 24 Michael Williams 5-11, 177, So.
SPECIALISTS P: 43 Matt Darr 25 Aaron Medley PK: 25 Aaron Medley 5 George Bullock KO: 25 Aaron Medley 5 George Bullock LS: 59 Matt Giampapa 82 Ethan Wolf
6-1, 220, Sr. 6-2, 181, Fr. 6-2, 181, Fr. 6-0, 209, So. 6-2, 181, Fr. 6-0, 209, So. 6-0, 211, Jr. 6-5, 240, Fr.
Gainesville, Fla. Compton, Calif. Flint, Mich. Macon, Ga. Nashville, Tenn. O’Fallon, Ill. Clarksville, Tenn. Locust Grove, Ga. Gainesville, Ga. Stuttgart, Germany WestPalmBeach,Fla. Carrollton, Texas Jonesboro, Ga. Greensboro, N.C. Kennesaw, Ga. Knoxville, Tenn. Dallas, Texas Kingsport, Tenn. Brunswick, Ga. Laurel, Md.
Bakersfield, Calif. Lewisburg, Tenn. Lewisburg, Tenn. Knoxville, Tenn. Lewisburg, Tenn. Knoxville, Tenn. Jackson, Tenn. Minster, Ohio
SS: FS: -OR CB:
20 T.J. Gurley 25 Kadetrix Marcus 24 D.J. Smith 6 Chris Moody 17 Chaz Elder 12 Brison Williams 31 Al Harris Jr. 30 Sidney Rhodes
SPECIALISTS KO: 19 Landon Ard 16 Zach Cimaglia PK: 29 Elliott Fry 19 Landon Ard P: 13 Tyler Hull 18 Patrick Fish KR: 7 Shon Carson 11 Pharoh Cooper PR: 11 Pharoh Cooper 3 Nick Jones SSN: 58 Ryland Culbertson LSN: 47 Drew Williams H: 18 Patrick Fish 13 Tyler Hull
H: PR: KR:
13 Patrick Ashford 43 Matt Darr 23 Cameron Sutton 87 Jacob Carter 29 Evan Berry 22 Malik Foreman
5-10, 194, Jr. 6-1, 194, Sr. 5-11, 189, Fr. 6-1, 210, So. 6-2, 195, So. 5-11, 208, Sr. 5-11, 162, Fr. 5-10, 182, Sr.
Cairo, Ga. StoneMountain,Ga. Marietta, Ga. McDonough, Ga. Union City, Ga. Warner Robins, Ga. FortLauderdale,Fla. Easley, S.C.
5-9, 178, Jr. 6-1, 170, So. 6-0, 165, So. 5-9, 178, Jr. 6-2, 207, Sr. 6-0, 194, Sr. 5-8, 201, Jr. 5-11, 201, So. 5-11, 201, So. 5-7, 168, Sr. 6-4, 267, Sr. 6-2, 201, So. 6-0, 194, Sr. 6-2, 207, Sr.
Rock Hill, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Frisco, Texas Rock Hill, S.C. Mount Airy, N.C. Shelby, N.C. Scranton, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Havelock, N.C. Moore, S.C. Laurens, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Shelby, N.C. Mount Airy, N.C.
6-0, 213, Jr. 6-1, 220, Sr. 6-1, 190, So. 6-0, 191, Sr. 5-11, 199, Fr. 5-10, 190, So.
Morristown, Tenn. Bakersfield, Calif. Jonesboro, Ga. Nashville, Tenn. Fairburn, Ga. Kingsport, Tenn.
October 29, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 21
Outfielders return from injury to bolster depth by mike kucharski Contributing Writer
South Carolina’s 2013 baseball team sustained and battled many injuries throughout the season and one area that was particularly affected was the outfield. This year two players – both of whom were having strong seasons before going down – will return to lineup looking to continue that success. Seniors Connor Bright and Elliott Caldwell each went down with unfortunate injuries – Bright an elbow injury and Caldwell a back injury – and were unable to play in the full complement of games. Caldwell was hitting near .300 before getting injured and Bright led the team in batting early in the year before finishing with a .311 average. Neither one managed to play in 45 of the team’s 62 games – Bright in 44 and Caldwell in 39. “Connor was disappointed with the way that his season ended last year. He had an injury and never really got back to who he was when the season got started. He had a really freakish injury. It hurt him not only physically, but psychologically,” Holbrook said of Bright during his fall preview press conference. Both players took the summer off from playing to heal and work in the weight room to prepare for called him our silent assassin and I still think that’s their senior seasons. “I took this summer to recharge, work out and who he is. I think he’s going to have a great senior just take a break from it all. I haven’t had a sumseason,” Holbrook expounded. mer just to work on my mind. It was a great sumBoth players know that the crop of outfielders mer and I’m ready to get started again,” Bright this fall will help push everyone to get better going commented. forward. “The first half of the summer was really just all “We do have a lot of experience, so working rest ... once I got released on July 7 it was time to hard is going to be a key part. There are a bunch of get back at it,” Caldwell explained. “We had a lot guys out there competing. Competition brings out of fun in the weight room this summer ... there the best in everybody, so I’m looking forward to were about nine or 10 guys just really working in that. It will be fun,” Caldwell commented. the weight room this summer and a lot of us got “We do have a lot of good kids that are playing faster and got stronger with big gains.” in the outfield right now, but it’s friendly competiBoth players have similar goals for the fall, but tion. We’re all going to give it our all and whatever those are not individually-based. happens, we’re going to support each other. That’s “I just want to be as good of a teamhow a team should be,” Bright mate as I can be, be as unselfish as added. I can be and just work to serve my Holbrook hopes that the two teammates to help them get betseniors will lead the team throughter and not just me. A lot of those out the fall and he looks for both younger guys might look up to me of them to have big seasons this being a senior and being through spring, saying “typically that’s three teams ... I feel like I can teach All Gamecock baseball what happens around here is your those guys things and give them coverage sponsored by seniors tend to have their best seaDiPrato’s confidence. It’s time for me to step son their last year.” up and be a leader,” Caldwell said. Bright confirmed that they will Bright said that he hopes to just both be looking forward to having go day-to-day and help the players mesh as a team. strong seasons in their final year in suiting up in Holbrook said that Bright has come in with a “re- Garnet & Black. newed sense of energy” and he is motivated to get “We try not to count down the days that we have back to work. left in college. They say it’s the most fun that you’ll “I love Connor Bright. I love that he’s steady, ever have and it has been, so we don’t want to he goes about his business, he works hard in the count down the days. We know it’s our senior year weight room, he’s done a great job and he’s had and we want to have a good season to top off the some big hits for us over his career. I’ve always last year of our college career,” Bright concluded.
photo by allen sharpe
22 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Opportunity to finish strong is still there As the saying goes, “close only counts in have to outscore Auburn, and he laid it all on horse shoes and hand grenades,” but South the line. I’m not sure they keep this stat, but I’m Carolina gave it everything it had before fallpretty confident no USC team has gone for it ing 42-35 to fifth-ranked Auburn on the Plains. on fourth down five times in a game, and cerOnce again it was a tale of two sides of the tainly not made four in a row. football. Thirty-five points should be enough I believe this will be the offensive approach to win most games, but in what has become the rest of the season because it has become a theme for this season, the defense couldn’t apparent there just aren’t many playmakers on quite hold up its end of the bargain. defense. Coach Spurrier alluded to it during If you love offense football, this was the last’s week’s Off the Field video. “When they game for you. Two masters of calling “ball picked the Preseason All-SEC Defensive we plays” – Carolina’s Steve Spurrier and Auonly had one guy – Skai Moore – on the third burn’s Gus Malzahn – used everything in their team. arsenals to produce the 77 points. The Gamecocks weren’t supposed to win The two teams combined for 55 first downs, – they were an 18-point underdog, but it was 1,086 yards of total offense on 148 plays. It was one of those games where one play on either a terrific punch-counter punch contest. The side of the ball could have been the difference. difference? The Gamecocks only converted How close? Had Dylan Thompson’s Hail Mary two of their five red zone oppass on the last play of the game portunities, while the defense been a touchdown instead of an couldn’t handle Auburn’s speed, interception, Coach had already and the Tigers scored all five decided to go for the win. “If times inside the 20. we catch the Hail Mary and we I feel most sorry for the HBC. make a two-point conversion He called a beautiful game. He that might have been the greatknew what to expect from Ellis est win in my life.” That’s how Johnson’s defense and he had heartbreakingly close the game the right plays, unfortunately the was. Glenn Snyder execution wasn’t there at some Here’s the plus. The GameInside critical moments. cocks must know, not just from Look Coach knew the Cocks would a confidence standpoint, but
photo by allen sharpe
actually seeing it on film that they can run the table against their final four opponents. Tennessee comes into Williams-Brice this Saturday 3-5, 0-4 in the league. Florida, 3-3, 2-3, is a few games away from firing their coach and Carolina will make the trip to The Swamp after a bye week. South Alabama is 5-2, the two losses - 35-3 to Mississippi State and 28-6 to Georgia Southern, so the Jaguars will be a test but winnable. That of course, leaves the trip to the Upstate. Yes, Clemson is 6-2 and the Tigers will likely
be 9-2 (Wake Forest, Ga. Tech, Georgia State) when the two meet in Death Valley. Without their impressive freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson, Clemson has looked vulnerable with Cole Stoudt. Watson should be back, but certainly not battle tested enough to face an SEC defense. I am certainly getting way ahead of myself, but I believe the opportunity for this year’s team to finish strong is there. Let’s start with the Vols. It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!
Spurs & Feathers • 23
October 29, 2014
Gamecock Radio/Television Information
The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 23 affiliate stations for the 2014-15 season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter (@GamecockRadio) page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts. The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www.GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista. 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-Tennessee television The game will be at 7:30 p.m. EST on the SEC Network. Please check local listings.
2014-15 Radio Affiliates
City Call Letters Frequency Football Abbeville WZLA-FM 92.9 X Johnston/Aiken WKSX-FM 92.7 X Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5 X Anderson WRIX-FM 103.1 X Camden WPUB-FM 102.7 X Camden WCAM-AM 1590 X Charleston WWIK-FM 98.9 X Chesterfield WVSZ-FM 107.3 X Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5 X Florence WHYM-AM 1260 X Florence WFRK-FM 95.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500 X Greenville/Spartanburg WROO-FM 104.9 X Hilton Head WVGB-AM 1490 X Hilton Head WVGB-FM 94.5 X Myrtle Beach WSYN-FM 103.1 X Newberry WKDK-AM 1240 X Rock Hill WRHM-FM 107.1 X Seneca WSNW-AM 1150 X Seneca WSNW-FM 94.1 X
24 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
The Gamecocks have to be hungry in all three phases Riding into the plains last Saturday night, the unranked Gamecock squad had to face a top-10 SEC team that looked to get back into the national championship convo as a team. With essentially no one outside of the locker room giving this Carolina squad a chance to win or be competitive in Auburn, the Gamecocks tried to pull out all the stops to win. For 60 minutes we saw a Gamecocks squad do everything they Langston Moore could on ofContributing fense and speWriter cial teams to win the game. If you noticed, I left one critical phase out of that equation, defense... Definition of Defense: “The action or role of defending ones goal against the opposition” Thanks Wikipedia, I’ve almost forgotten what a defense really is. I hate to poke fun at my alma mater, but in a night where our offense continued to answer the bell doing everything they could to upset the No. 5 team in the country, our defense could not rise to the occasion and play their role to “defend ones goal.” In a Madden video game type of back and forth scoring game, it looked like one or two stops would be enough to pull out the victory, but our boys just could not do it on defense. After the Gamecocks opened up with a scoring drive on offense our defense chose the next drive and the final offensive drive of the game for Auburn to stop a squad that ended up putting close to 400 yards on the ground. “Don’t let the past define you” The schedule, coaches and environment don’t make you, YOU make you as a player. The quote mentioned above also holds true to “just a second ago.” Right now our team with all of its woes is a good team, but they don’t play like it in all phases. This team has gotten defined by past performances and allowed those performances to affect right now. What we must be careful of is allowing the past: “last week, last series, last year, last play” define us or limit what we are capable of doing in our minds and expectations. Allowing past performances to dictate our current execution on the field, the snowball effect is created. Our defense doesn’t
photo by allen sharpe
Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper caught seven passes for 127 yards. He had a career-best two touchdown receptions in the Auburn game. The 127 receiving yards marked a career-high. Cooper leads the Gamecocks with six touchdown receptions on the year. tackle well, knock opponents backwards or even sideways. Let’s not mention trying to make an open field tackle one-on-one. This has a carry over effect to our special teams, remember the first play of the Vandy game this year (yeah, open field tackling/miss assignments!) We have a record-breaking offense, but the pressure to put up more than enough points to make up for other facets of the team leads to turnovers and makes this offense “press” to do more to
compensate. All of this becomes a cyclical pattern and doubt starts to creep in about players ability or talent, effecting everyone on the team, players and coaches alike. “The play doesn’t care who makes it. The game doesn’t care who wins it “ One thing I’ve learned about life, business, or sports is that there is equal opportunity for everyone to be successful. It doesn’t matter if your an all-american or
a walk-on freshmen starter, the plays are there to be made; its your job to go make them. Same as in business you think the world dealt Ray Kroc a special advantage to create McDonalds? He went out and made it happen everyday one day at a time until the golden arches sign stated “billions served.” He was an everyday person that went after his goal regardless if he had experience. He just wanted to succeed. This Gamecock squad filled with young underclassmen have to come to this realization that those phrases like “we’re young,” “ we lost players to the draft,” “he’s holding me” or whatever you want to insert in there is no more than an excuse. Excuses don’t tackle and they for sure don’t win games. Excuses only satisfy those who make them. They have to go out and make it happen every day like any other person in their pursuit to the top. Our boys in all three phases have to be hungry enough and be WILLING to go win the game and go make the play. Willingness is a choice just like tackling, blocking, running and catching. That choice is up to the players how well they want to execute that, directly influencing the outcomes of games. With four games left on a season that has been disappointing thus far, mainly because we haven’t won the close games nor have we preformed up to expectations, these players can’t be comfortable with the excuse “they’re a young group, we’ll be better next year.” All we have is right now. The young guys aren’t young anymore. They’ve played on the road, at home, up, down and everything inbetween. When I was a rookie in the NFL the attitude from the older players once you made the 53-man roster was: “you’re not a rookie anymore.” They expected you to act, prepare and execute just as a veteran would and would not allow youthful inexperience to keep them from winning. The vets knew they had to get newbie players comfortable with the idea of making plays when their numbers were called regardless of how big the stage or situation. Our players have to get comfortable with being “the guy” to go win the game, to go make the play. With three of the last four teams on the schedule looking to fix their own problems by beating the Gamecocks the opposition has just as much right to a victory as we do. Our squad must make up their mind that “it’s theirs” for the taking and nothing is owed to us. Go win the game! Follow Langston Moore on Twitter at: @reMovetheChains #justachicken #eat2win #yoby
Spurs & Feathers • 25
October 29, 2014
West Coast influence in the sand
by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
She capped her high school career by earning All-American honors in the sport by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Sand Volleyball is only in its second year of This was the first year that high school Allexistence at South Carolina, but it has already Americans were named in sand volleyball, captured the interest of fans and outstandand she was taken by surprise to be one of ing recruits. After becoming the first female only four honorees in the sport she has grown to have her jersey retired at to love. Westlake High School in “I was completely shocked,” Mannisto said. Los Angeles, California, “My coach told me when I received it. I still Gamecock freshman Julia can’t believe it. The whole feel of sand volleyMannisto, who was the top ball is so much better for me. It’s a two-person rated player on the California sport, so you have more responsibility. Every Beach Volleyball Association other ball is yours and you’re always involved Mannisto U18 tour, is hoping to make in the play. The connection with your partner an immediate impact at the is so important. You have a lot of control of the collegiate level. game.” “I want to make our team better since we During the summer she competed in many are such a new program,” Mannisto said. “We top tournaments in the sand. Last August she have some pretty good girls paired with Florida State’s out there right now, and hopeTory Paranagua to win the fully this will be the year we USA U-21 tournament in really pick things up.” Long Beach, California Mannisto, who is one of competing against mostly four California natives on the collegiate players. Gamecock roster, played four “We were the youngest All Gamecock sand volleyball ones there,” Mannisto said. years of indoor volleyball at coverage is sponsored by Westlake, where she is the “That was really interesting James W. Smith all-time leader in kills, and because there were a lot of Real Estate Co. two years of sand volleyball. girls who I had been look-
ing up their stats while they’re in college, and then I had a chance to play with them over the summer. It was exciting to get the opportunity to play against these great players. It made me want to give my all.” She had also advanced to the championship match of the 21st AAU Junior Beach Volleyball National Championships in Hermosa Beach, California. While those tournaments can be exhausting, they have certainly helped shape her game. “Sometimes the tournaments can go all day,” Mannisto said. “A lot of times I was out there from 8 a.m. until sunset. They were long days. It’s pretty tiring, but your adrenaline is pumping so there is no place I would rather be.” She is thrilled that South Carolina added sand volleyball after it was recognized as an emerging sport by the NCAA. “I wanted to get out of California for four years and have a new experience,” Mannisto said. “When I visited South Carolina, I fell in love. I’ve always loved the sport even when it was just for fun. Now that it is becoming very competitive and structured, it’s very exciting.” Just as impressive off the court, Mannisto was a four-time scholar athlete in high school, who hopes to be a Pre-Med major at South Carolina. Adjusting to college life can be tricky, but she knows there are plenty of
resources at the university to keep her on the right path. “It’s difficult, but you know what you have to do, so you get it done,” Mannisto said. “We can get so much help, so you have to take advantage of that. I spend hours at the Dodie (Academic Enrichment Center) almost every day.” Midway through her first semester, Mannisto is adjusting to life in the South. “The people are so nice out here,” Mannisto said. “The food is different, but I’m learning to love it. I lived twenty minutes from the beach back home, so I miss the beach, but we have an amazing sand stadium here.” From what she has seen so far, Mannisto says the best part about being a Gamecock is the support all of the teams receive, and her teammates have told her that the university and community fully embraced South Carolina’s newest varsity sport in its inaugural season last spring. “They told me the fans are great and there are so many fans out there cheering,” Mannisto said. “It’s been a really good experience so far and exactly what I wanted from college. I have been trying to get my hands on few players from California to come out here. I have friends back home who are younger and are really good players.”
26 • Spurs & Feathers
My favorite fall foliage isn’t the maple and That often sends me on a monk-like quest for oak leaves that float from the trees in my neigh- enlightenment, wandering the wilderness of the borhood. It’s the sheets of legal paper that cas- Internet and reading the tea leaves of numbers cade off the printer in my office. in search of the best insights. If you follow me Chart-making season is finally here. on Twitter, you know I love statistics (growing The Gamecock men’s basketball team opened up in a family of math majors has that effect on its season Sunday with an exhibition game you). I want to go beyond the boilerplate of a against Benedict College on SEC Network+. It box score, and uncover patterns or trends that also marked the start of another season making offer a clue to the game. When I can share one spotter charts, the bread and butter of our radio of those hidden stats, and it comes to bear durbroadcasts. ing a pivotal moment, it’s a satisfying feeling. What is a spotter chart (besides the catchy I’m also evangelical about advanced statisnamesake of this column)? In short, it’s a tem- tics. You’ll often hear me quote Rebounding plate containing all the information we need to Percentage, Three Point-Point Distribution, and call a game. Every broadcaster uses his own other numbers not seen on the NCAA website. system; I do mine on Excel, print the pages They may require extra explanation, but if they onto legal paper, and staple them side-by-side give listeners a better understanding of the onto a manila folder. matchup, they’re worth it. At its most basic, a chart helps us identify, A good chart also means diving deep into or “spot,” players during our play-by-play. In the Internet wormhole in search of humana fast-paced sport like basketball, we need interest stories. Did you know that Laimonas something we can glance at quickly without Chatkevicius’ fifth-grade geography teacher interrupting the flow of our call. Most charts in Klaipeda, Lithuania, was the mother of contain a thumbnail of each player, along with Gamecocks forward Mindaugas Kacinas? Or his height, weight, hometown, that Arkansas forward Alandise class, and a capsule of statistics. Harris, when he played at the But a good chart goes beyond University of Houston, had a names and numbers. We’re not putback dunk against Arkansas only painting a picture; we’re that ranked #1 on SportsCenter’s telling a story. We’re adding Top 10 plays? Those stories context and perspective to the often stick in listeners’ heads action. As game day approachlong after they’ve changed the es, I try to stuff my chart with channel. Google and patience any information that will help make for a potent combination me deliver a clear, well-rounded – and often, a more interesting account of the game. broadcast. As you may have guessed, I As you learn when preparing take an almost obsessive pride charts, a little curiosity can go a in my charts. I consider them a long way. When half of Georreflection of your preparation. gia’s players were wearing faded If I don’t have a dense, detailed pink socks versus South CaroAndy Demetra spotter chart staring back at me, lina last February, I thought it Contributing I feel like I’m cheating my audimay have been to support breast Writer ence. cancer awareness. Then I asked
October 29, 2014
one of Georgia’s student managers. It turns out they inadvertently washed the Bulldogs’ white socks with their red uniforms. I enjoy digging up those kinds of tidbits, and sharing them with our audience. You can’t tell a story if you only know the half of it. In addition to South Carolina, I want to be as well-versed as possible on the Gamecocks’ opponent. That means studying up on the players, their strengths, their psyche, and how they match up with USC. It means watching practices and shootarounds, and chatting with the Gamecock coaches, to gather intel for my broadcast. If I can relay an insight from practice – say, the Gamecocks wanting to force Ole Miss’ Marshall Henderson to catch passes with his toes pointed toward the opposite baseline – that makes my listeners more informed. If Henderson shoots 3-of-11 from three-point range, as he did in a South Carolina victory in 2013? All the better. I want you to know not only what’s happening, but why it’s happening. Understanding the scouting report is an important part of our preparation. For each game, it takes hours of reading,
researching, watching, and poring through statistics to put together a spotter chart. But here’s the kicker: only 10 percent of that information ever makes it into a broadcast. Every game has its ebbs and flows, its turning points and unexpected heroes. Sometimes a great anecdote will drift into the ether. Or a fascinating stat will never come to pass. But as a broadcaster, you have to be prepared for every contingency. Your spotter chart should reflect that. Is making a chart tedious? Sure. Labor intensive? Absolutely. But I love the thrill of the hunt, the art of the chart, chasing down tidbits that will capture Gamecock fans’ attention. I love putting the pieces of the puzzle together, so I can deliver a more compelling broadcast for Gamecock fans. The first of those charts rolled off the printer Sunday. In my research for Benedict, I learned that Tigers forward Christopher Youetto, a native of Paris, France, played for a junior college that was located on the Crow Indian reservation in Montana. One of his teammates was named Gavin Old Bull. Fall has finally arrived.
Spurs & Feathers • 27
October 29, 2014
Gamecocks get party started early with ‘one.FAN-ily Fest’ by kyle heck Reporter
The line of fans in Garnet and Black went out of Colonial Life Arena and down to the street the evening of Monday, Oct. 20. They were waiting to get inside the arena to take part in the “one.FAN-ily Fest” festivities with the South Carolina women’s basketball team. The event was for season ticket holders to pick up their tickets and also provided an opportunity for those that wanted to buy season tickets to do so. Coming into Oct. 20 around 6,000 season tickets had already been sold; 50 more were sold at “one.FAN-ily Fest” and nearly 700 people picked up their season tickets. Those fans were highly anticipating the 2014-15 season where the Gamecocks will
photo by brian hand
Pictured is the 2014-15 women’s basketball season ticket sheet. Over 6,000 season tickets have already been sold. be ranked in the top-5 to begin the year. They also bring back all five starters from
last year’s team that went 29-5. When head coach Dawn Staley first arrived in Columbia seven years ago the program was not winning very many games and the interest level for the team was low. The crowd at the event was proof of how far South Carolina has come over the last few years. The “one.FAN-ily Fest” was South Carolina’s way of thanking the fans for their support of the program. Players went through drills in front of the crowd, signed autographs and helped pass out season tickets. Staley also answered questions from fans in the crowd and on Twitter. It was the unofficial start to the season. “(This) was an opportunity for this party to get started early,” Staley said. “(The fans) have a really good time cheering us on at games. Here is a little less hostile en-
vironment where we don’t have opponents where they can just come together and enjoy each other.” When Staley is out and about in Columbia the amount of attention she now gets has increased considerably. “It’s incredible,” Staley said. “The awareness of the entire city, the state of South Carolina. People are really excited about women’s basketball. They said ‘if you build it, they’ll come’ and that holds true, especially with a night like this.” Staley also explained to the crowd the teams’ theme this year of “one.” It’s something that the Gamecock’s have focused on in practice this year and hope to carry over to the regular-season. “I think all of them want one thing,” Staley said of her players. “One goal, one lifeline and that’s to win one national championship this year.”
28 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
South Carolina Athletic Events: This Week
Upcoming Events: Gamecock Club NYC Gamecocks Game Watching Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: The NYC Gamecock Club home, The Mason Jar, at the intersection of 30th St. and Park Ave. Come out and enjoy Gamecock Football with the best NYC Gamecock fans you will ever meet. Enjoy drink specials, giveaway items, cool raffle items, great food and dozens of TV’s with only Gamecock Football! Wear your gameday gear, take a photo with our inflatable Cocky mascot and be proud to be a Gamecock in NYC! If you are not at Williams-Brice, you want to be here! Charlotte Gamecock Club Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: Icehouse in Southend; 2100 South Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28203 Guaranteed to watch the game, listen to the audio with free parking, free entry and right off the light rail. Come watch the game with plenty of Gamecocks with Gamecock trivia, specials and a revenue share to help the University! DC Gamecocks Game Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecock play football this season
Where: Greene Turtle Ballston: 900 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. or Redline DC: 707 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. Join your fellow Gamecocks at Greene Turtle Ballston for “2001,” “Sandstorm,” the Game-Cocks chant and the other great traditions you miss so much from Columbia. As always, we will host a raffle, provide free Gamecock swag, and offer great food and drink specials. Food: $5.00 Chicken Quesadillas, Hog Hammers, Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fried Pickles. Drinks:$3.00 for 16 oz. Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite Yuengling, Budweiser, Bloody Mary, and Mimosas; $5.00 for Firefly, Fireball, and Jager Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you all there or at our D.C. game watch location, Redline DC.
Wednesday, Oct. 29 ** Men’s soccer at Old Dominion.............................................................................7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 ** Women’s soccer vs. Mississippi State............................................................... 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 ** Cross Country at SEC Championships...........................................................................10 a.m. ** Equestrian vs. Texas A&M.......................................................................... 2 p.m. ** Women’s swimming & diving vs. FGCU.................................................... 5 p.m. ** Volleyball at LSU........................................................................................................................ 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 ** Football vs. Tennessee..........................................................................7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 ** Volleyball at Ole Miss.............................................................................................................. 2 p.m. ** Women’s basketball vs. Coker (exhibition).............................................. 3 p.m.
Bold................................................................................................................. Home game **For more South Carolina schedule information, visit: www.gamecocksonline. com/calendar/events/ for a complete master calendar.**
Fairfield County November Meeting When: Tuesday, Nov. 18; 6 p.m. Where: Fairfield Cove Restaurant, 1418 US Hwy. 321, S. Winnsboro, S.C. There will be door prizes and drawing for prizes at the meeting. All Gamecock Club members and fans are invited. For more information call Gene Schofield - 803337-8850 or Chris Blackwelder - 803718-3276.
photo by allen sharpe
The Tennessee Game
Site: Williams-Brice Stadium
(check local listings)
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network
TV: SEC Network
Series: Tennessee leads, 23-7-2
submitted photo
Allen Theodore Gantt Jr., Allen Theodore Gantt III (Trey) and Allen Theodore Gantt IV (Drew) at Drew’s first game October 18th against Furman to celebrate his third birthday. Allen Jr .is a 40-year Gamecock Club Member and Trey is a seven-year member.
Spurs & Feathers • 29
October 29, 2014
McKie looking to help the Gamecocks do things the right way by collyn taylor Reporter
years and had 38 games where he scored more than 20 points. After a long career of playing basketball professionally, BJ McKie is presentEvery time the Gamecocks take the court at ly an assistant coach at Charleston Southern. Colonial Life Arena this season there will be Martin says that people need to judge Justin two McKie jerseys there. on Justin though, not his last name. He said that One is a sophomore guard who will be donwhile values are rooted to his family and his ning the garnet and black jersey in hopes of last name, “who they are as a human being” is helping his team succeed. The other is slightly judged on his first name. above the court in the form of a garnet and “It’s not fair to judge children because of their white banner with a number three jersey with parent’s name - they’re different,” he said. “Just “McKie” stitched above it. because BJ McKie scored a gazillion points Justin McKie, the sophomore guard is the here and represented the last era of consistent son of Gamecock legend BJ McKie. Following winning here those expectations should not be in his father’s footsteps he came to Carolina to placed on his son because he has the same last play basketball about 15 years after his father, name. Their values are going to be similar, but BJ, graduated from the program as its all-time they are BJ and Justin.” leading scorer. And for Justin he hopes that this year he can BJ’s number was retired in 2005. break into a role that will help bolster his first“BJ was at practice yesterday name reputation. and he’s been phenomenal in While only averaging 4.7 helping us, helping Justin,” minutes per game last year, Martin said. “Justin’s in a much Martin said that McKie’s better place as a player, he’s in offseason workouts have put a much more stable place from him in a good position to see the day-to-day standpoint. That more time on the court this includes academically and soyear. cially.” McKie participated in the While BJ McKie was at Caro- All Gamecock basketball South Carolina Pro-Am coverage sponsored by lina he was named to the Allthis summer to help him get Yesterdays SEC team three consecutive ready for the grueling season.
He said that kind of offseason work has made him a better player and teammate. “I think practice has been doing really good,” McKie said. “I’m just sticking with the same things I was sticking with in the offseason workouts: practicing hard, having effort, give good energy and support my teammates.” After seeing his stats drop last year, McKie said that he’s seen tremendous improvement when it comes to game situations and being able to do things on the court. Mr. Basketball in the state of South Carolina two years ago, McKie said he’s back to playing like he did his senior year of high school. “I can tell during practice that I could make in high school but couldn’t make last year,” He said. “I am able to do things a little bit quicker. I am able to get a player off of me to create a shot.” He credits a lot of what he’s been able to do on the court to the strength and conditioning program. Along with competing in the Pro Am, McKie has been working in the weight room and putting on more weight to be more of a physical presence in games. “Strength and conditioning is big for coach Scott (Greenawalt). I still have to put two pounds on so I have to eat some steak or some shrimp,” McKie said. “But as far as lifting I know I’ve gotten a lot stronger. My bench [press] has improved a lot and a lot of things
photo by allen sharpe
McKie talks with Gamecock fans at South Carolina’s open practice on Friday, Oct. 17. I couldn’t do in the weight room, I can do it now.” McKie is looking for a breakout year. While he said he doesn’t want a defined role on the team this year, he said that he’s just looking to work hard on and off the court and putting forward more effort this year. He said if he does those things and does them right the wins would come. “It’s not about wins and losses,” McKie said. “Of course [Martin] wants to win just like everybody else, but he wants to make sure we are doing things the right way. Ultimately, whether professionally or if we get a job in the real world we are going to have to do things the right way.”
30 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014
Sessions putting in time to help keep Gamecocks elite
by collyn taylor Reporter
Sessions said. “I watch two to three hours a day of film from old games. I sit there and watch all different players so I will know my personnel After coming off an SEC regular-season when I am out there.” championship and a number one seed in the The women’s basketball team has improved NCAA Tournament not much has changed for tremendously over the past couple years under Khadijah Sessions. head coach Dawn Staley. “I see my role as still being a great defender The Gamecocks have reached three straight and trying to defend and keep the team in line, NCAA tournaments and were one of the top making sure everyone is on the same page no seeds in the tournament last year where they matter who’s in the game,” Sessions said. “I just reached the Sweet 16 for the third time in school want to make sure me and my point guards are history. on the same page and just being a hard-working Sessions has been a big part of that, averaging kid all the time.” 6.4 points per game and totaling 77 assists last Along with keeping up with her defensive side season. of the game, Sessions has been bolstering her She said that having a coach like Staley has offensive game as well. She said she wants to be really helped her and the team be successful in more of a general on the court when it comes to recent years. play calling. “I always have believed in coach Staley,” she She has spent her time poursaid. “She told me when she ing over the films of old games was recruiting me that she so she can learn more about was recruiting players that she who her teammates are as thought would help her win. players. Coming into my group I had “I’ve been working on my Tiffany Mitchell, Asia Dozier jump shot and just leading and Tiffany Davis with me. I the team: not looking back at knew something special was coach to see what plays to run, going to happen. She’s done it; All Gamecock basketball she’s kept her word. She’s one running the right plays at the coverage sponsored by right time and knowing when of the best coaches I’ve ever Yesterdays to get my scorers involved,” seen.”
photo by allen sharpe
This year, the goal for the team is a bit lofty than in year’s past. The team is one of the teams projected to reach the final Four and have a chance to win a national title. To Sessions, she said that winning a national championship doesn’t happen overnight. It starts moths before on the practice courts. “Knowing that it’s out there up for grabs and that you’re working toward it, it’s a real blessing,” Sessions said. “But, you have to work towards it every day. You have to work every day like you want to win a national championship and I think we are on the road to that.” A big talking point recently has been how the team is handling the high expectations this year.
ESPN ranks South Carolina as the second best team in the country behind perennial powerhouse Connecticut and says that they are heavy favorites to win the SEC title this year. Sessions credits both coaches and players for keeping the hype of this year’s team down and just focusing on going out and playing the game. “We have a coaching staff that keeps us level no matter what the media is saying, or anyone is saying,” Sessions said. “[Players] keep us level because we know anybody can beat you at any given time if you don’t come out and you don’t play your best. We know that as a group. I think that if we keep that mindset and we keep working hard like we want to win an SEC championship every night, it’ll happen.”
Spurs & Feathers • 31
October 29, 2014
Unique views sponsored by Unique Expressions
When we look back at this season, the over- Spurrier pointed out it would have been a heck whelming theme will be “almost.” The loss of a finish. Can you imagine going for two to Missouri, which should never have hapafter a Hail Mary touchdown? I don’t know pened. The loss to Kentucky, which I admit that my heart could have taken that, but we’ll I felt much better about after watching Misnever know. sissippi State struggle with the Wildcats into Basically the Gamecock offense was doing the fourth quarter. Now we can add a loss to the same thing to the Auburn defense in terms Auburn. of yardage and scoring, but doesn’t it seem Saturday night was about as frustrating as that USC struggled and worked extremely any of these. The offense was hard for what we were able to good. In some cases very good. accomplish, while Auburn was The two interceptions in the just running free? The defense red zone will haunt us. Two of was gashed for 395 yards on five scoring in the red zone is a the ground, which pretty much recipe for disaster. cancelled the Carolina offense’s Five hundred yards plus of of416 yards of passing. fense though should be enough The disappointing element of to win. However, the defense the lack of stopping the run is just is not making it happen. A that the strength of the defense stop on Auburn’s first possescoming into the season was sion gave hope that we would supposed to be the linebackers. Ed Girardeau be able to slow them down, but It just hasn’t turned out that Contributing six straight possessions with way. The defensive line has not Editor touchdowns for the Tigers just helped, but some of that can be made it too tough for the offense attributed to injuries and lack to duplicate. of depth. Besides that, the lineTo their credit, the defense was able to stop men are supposed to tie up the blockers to free Auburn on its last drive and get the ball back linebackers to make tackles. for one last desperate effort and as Coach Skai Moore did lead the team in tackles
with eight, but at times it seems like he is the only linebacker on the field. In order to finish strong the linebackers are going to have to play better as the teams left are going to be running right at them. So we find ourselves at 4-4. A disappointing number considering the pre-season build up. We do have a win over top-10 Georgia and that is something to feel good about and there are certainly opportunities to finish strong and in the end look back with good thoughts on the season. South Carolina can win the rest of their games. It won’t be easy, but certainly Tennessee and Florida are not having great seasons themselves. Play with intensity we can win the final two SEC games. With all due respect to South Alabama, I don’t think that the Jaguars have the players to win at Williams-Brice. Certainly we do not need to overlook them, but that should be a win for the Gamecocks. Then there will be Clemson. What do you say we worry about visiting that Death Valley the week of Thanksgiving? That game does shape up for an exciting finish. It is not too long ago that the “orange crush” would be a no win situation. That is not the case anymore. Let’s take them one at a time
and enjoy what is left. There are still good opportunities ahead. Finally, as we enter November, it means that basketball season is around the corner. Frank Martin’s team will be better and there is a lot to be excited about with his program. There are analysts saying that the Gamecocks will be the surprise team of the SEC and that is something nobody would have said in the past few years. And Dawn Staley’s team is scary good! Preseason polls have them ranked #2 in the country (yes, UConn is still out there). Some are picking South Carolina to win the national championship and Coach Staley is not shy about saying that her team will be playing with that goal in mind. No doubt, this will be an exciting season for the women and with a game at Duke in Durham in December and a trip to UConn later to go with the SEC schedule it promises to be a regular-season to remember. So there is a lot to be excited about in USC sports in November. So the sooner we shake off the Auburn trip, the better we’ll feel. What better way to get the month started than with a win over Tennessee on November 1? Let’s pack Willy B and make life miserable for the Vols!
32 • Spurs & Feathers
October 29, 2014