Spurs & Feathers 108

October 8, 2014 • Volume 36 • Issue 16 • $1.50

Ruffled!

Fourth-quarter woes continue in Kentucky

Ground Attack Running backs chew up field; Davis plows for 183 yards

‘We have to do better’

Coach Spurrier goes back to drawing board for bye week

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Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

What’s Inside? - Table of Contents Something to crow about!

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South Carolina falls to Kentucky................................3 View from the Kentucky locker room.......................4 KeenanSuggs Player of the Game.............................5 Inside the Chart................................................................7 Holbrook comfortable with top of rotation........11 Legendary fan is lifelong Gamecock.....................15 Sand volleyball digs into year two.........................16 Bringing Sir Big Spur to life in homes...................17 Langston Moore column...........................................18 Recruiting Roundup....................................................19 Unique Views from Ed Girardeau............................20 Track and Field preview.............................................22

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submitted photo

Carter (left) and his 4-month old little brother, Ayden, in their Gamecock gear ready for gameday. Carter and Ayden Beeks are the sons of Courtney and Ethan Beeks, who are both graduates of South Carolina. They are the grandsons of Terry and Herbie Witherspoon and Billy and Kathy Beeks. They are the great grandsons of Duncan and Carol Williams of Branchville, SC.

Women’s Golf earns first No. 1 ranking in program history After an impressive seven-shot win at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate, the most competitive tournament of the regular-season, South Carolina women’s golf earned the first No. 1 ranking in the program’s history in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.

“We’re obviously excited to have the No. 1 ranking in the country. However, it is really, really early,” South Carolina head coach Kalen Harris said. “It’s just the first month of the season, and we’ve got a long way to go until May. Our goal is to get better every practice and tournament. It’s an incredible way to start our season and to play that well in field that featured the top teams in the country. We’re excited about where this team is going to go.”

Earlier last week, South Carolina captured the inaugural ANNIKA Intercollegiate championship, firing a 10-under 854 for the three-day tournament. The Gamecocks were led by senior Justine Dreher’s 9-under par performance that earned the individual title.

The hand-selected field featured 12 of the top 15 teams in the country.

Including the Gamecocks, three SEC teams are in the top 10 No. 1 South Carolina, No. 2 Arkansas and No. 9 Tennessee.

South Carolina is just a year removed from a record-breaking season. Last year, the program reached as high as No. 4 in the Golfweek rankings and No. 5 in Golfstat.

The Gamecocks continue the season at the Tar Heel Invitational at the UNC Finley Golf Course. The event in Chapel Hill, N.C., is set for Oct. 10-12.

(Story and photo courtesy of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations)

October 8, 2014

Spurs & Feathers • 3

Gamecocks fall at Kentucky, 45-38

by kyle heck Contributing Writer

LEXINGTON, Ky. - It was another tough night for South Carolina. After taking a 3824 fourth quarter lead, Kentucky rallied for 21 points in the final quarter to defeat the Gamecocks, 45-38.

This comes a week after Missouri erased a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to beat South Carolina, 21-20.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak over the Wildcats for South Carolina and dropped the Gamecocks to 3-3 and 2-3 in the SEC this season. After the brutal twogame stretch, it could be easy for the team to lose confidence and hope. However, the leaders on the team say they know how to stop that from happening.

“Pick each other up,” junior tailback Mike Davis said. “Have leaders in the room and not letting guys get themselves down and beating themselves up. Not only me, but you have (other) guys in the locker room telling guys to keep their head up. The season is not over. We have six more games.”

South Carolina got off to a good start, taking the opening drive of the game 79-yards on 19 plays and finishing it with a Davis one-yard touchdown run. The drive took nearly eight minutes and temporarily silenced the Commonwealth Stadium crowd.

The Gamecocks carried that momentum throughout the first quarter and the defense allowed little to the Wildcat offense. By the end of the first, South Carolina still held a seven-point lead and had a 143-26 advantage in total yards.

Davis doubled the South Carolina lead early in the second quarter when he notched his second rushing touchdown of the game.

This time, it was from two-yards out and completed an 11-play, 72-yard drive that took over five minutes off the clock.

However, Kentucky answered a few minutes later, thanks to a couple of big pass plays by Wildcat quarterback Patrick Towles. Tailback JoJo Kemp brought Kentucky to within 14-7 with a three-yard touchdown run with 9:15 left in the first half.

After a three and out by the Gamecocks on their next drive the Wildcats got the ball back and were looking to even up the score.

However, linebacker Larenz Bryant had other plans. On a third and six from around midfield, Bryant sacked Towles, forcing a fumble on the play. Linebacker Jonathan Walton recovered the fumble for the Gamecocks, giving the offense great field position.

An Elliott Fry 31-yard field goal a few plays later extended the lead to 17-7. It was Fry’s 10th field goal make in 11 attempts.

back at their 20-yard line, looking to score the game-winner, but on a second down pass, Thompson’s pass was tipped up into the air, falling into the hands of Kentucky defensive end Alvin Dupree, who ran it six yards to the endzone to give the Wildcats a 45-38 lead.

South Carolina had one more chance to tie the game up, but Thompson’s third interception of the game at the Kentucky 30-yard line was the nail in the coffin.

“You can’t turn the ball over three times on the road and expect to win and I was the reason for that,” Thompson said.

The Gamecocks finished with a seasonhigh 500 yards of offense with 282 of that coming on the ground.

Davis led the rushing attack with a careerhigh 183 yards on 23 carries to go along with three touchdowns. Thompson finished 23-37 for 218 yards, a touchdown and the three interceptions, a career-high for the senior.

Cooper led all receivers with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.

South Carolina has a bye week before it faces Furman at Williams-Brice Stadium on Oct. 18. The Gamecocks will try to regroup during the off week and turn the season around. photo by allen sharpe “We have to find a way to do a lot better to Pharoh Cooper led all receivers in the game with six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. try and have a winning season,” head coach Steve Spurrier said. “Every game (was) down to the wire like this, except the first It only took Kentucky three plays to anwhich tied the game back up. one and we’ve won several close ones and swer the field goal. Tailback Braylon Heard The Gamecock defense forced another now we’re losing some close ones. It is what raced into the endzone from 38 yards out to Kentucky punt and the offense found the it is.” cut the deficit to three points. endzone again.

“We’ve got a team that lives by the never South Carolina once again drove down the Pharoh Cooper was the go-to man this bend, never fold (philosophy),” senior Sharfield on its next drive. After three straight time, hauling in a 21-yard reception to get rod Golightly said. “We’re going to bounce Dylan Thompson completions and a 10-yard into Wildcat territory and then making a back and I’m looking forward to the next Thompson run, the Gamecocks were deep 12-yard touchdown reception that put the in Kentucky territory. However, on a first Gamecocks up 31-24. The sophomore made game.” and 10 from the 15-yard line, Thompson’s a nifty spin move to get into the endzone. pass attempt was intercepted and returned Early in the fourth quarter, Davis extended 50-yards. The Wildcats were able to get a the lead to 14 points with a 26-yard touchfield goal out of the turnover to tie the game down run. During that drive, tight end Cody up at 17 at the end of the first half.

Gibson made his first career catch, a 27-yard By halftime, the Wildcats had trimmed reception that helped set up Davis’ score. the yardage gap to 222-208 in favor of the However, Kentucky would seize the moGamecocks. mentum back by using Kemp in the wildcat Kentucky took its first lead of the game package. On a seven-play scoring drive that early in the third quarter on a trick play. cut the deficit to seven, Kemp ran out of the Kemp took the wildcat snap, handed off to wildcat on six of those plays, including a Javess Blue, who pitched it back to Towles. one-yard touchdown run that capped it off.

The Wildcat quarterback then lofted it to After a South Carolina punt the Wildcats a wide open Ryan Timmons for a 48-yard returned to what worked the drive before. touchdown pass to take a 24-17 lead.

On a first and ten from the 49, Kemp scamThat would be the last Wildcat score in a pered out of the backfield for 43-yards to set while, thanks to a resurgent effort by the up a first and goal. Two plays later, Kemp Gamecocks. The team responded to the scored from five-yards out to knot the game Timmons score with a six-play, 85-yard up once again. drive capped off by Shon Carson’s 25-yard With just over two minutes remaining, touchdown run, his first of the season, Thompson and the Gamecocks got the ball

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October 8, 2014

View from the Kentucky locker room by kyle heck Contributing Writer

Gamecocks were doing on offense.

Tailback JoJo Kemp handled the snaps throughout most of the fourth quarter after After a narrow comeback victory over South Kentucky was in a 14-point deficit. The result Carolina, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops was 116 rushing yards in the fourth quarter was obviously happy about his team. He with most of them coming from Kemp. The praised the ability of his team to climb back sophomore finished with 131 yards and three out of a 14-point fourth quarter deficit. touchdowns.

Coming into the game, Stoops knew that he “I think just what South Carolina and coach would be facing a South Carolina offense that Spurrier were doing, they were doing some has been impressive for most of the season. things to us that we were having a hard time The Gamecocks continued that trend and finding an answer (to),” Stoops said. “And I rolled up 500 yards of offense, albeit in a losthink it’s always that old cliché, you’re going effort. ing to scratch where it itches. If you can’t get “That’s a very good football team,” Stoops it stopped, you’re going to keep doing it … said. “Coach Spurrier, I have so much respect called JoJo up and gave him a game ball befor (him) offensively.” cause it was just sheer determination that he The Gamecocks were able to answer every had. He put the team on his back.”

Wildcat score until the final six-yard intercepWith the victory over the Gamecocks, the tion return that sealed it, meaning Kentucky Wildcats suddenly find themselves in the thick was on its heels often. of the SEC East race with a 2-1 conference “It was very frustrating,” Stoops said. record. Historically known as a SEC doormat, “That’s why he’s a Hall of Fame coach and Stoops and the Kentucky program seem to be won an awful lot of ball games. He took us turning things around. out of some of the things we have been doing “I think it’s a big step,” Stoops said. “And well.” we’re very grateful for it. And as I just told Stoops and the Wildcats turned to the “wild- them, I really want them to dig down, and cat” formation, ironically, to offset what the there’s a lot more in there for us. I have a lot

Gamecock tight end Cody Gibson made his first career catch in the game with Kentucky.

photos by allen sharpe

of good people, excellent coaches, everybody in our building, everybody in our program is very united and has one goal and really works well together.”

South Carolina was able to frustrate the Kentucky team for most of the night, but in the end the Wildcats were the team that was able to put it together in the closing moments.

They were able to do this despite losing the total yards and possession time battle. They won the turnover battle and that’s what made the difference.

“I was frustrated a lot of the night,” Stoops said. “But just very grateful, I think, is the thing that comes to mind and I appreciate the guys in that locker room.”

Spurs & Feathers • 5

October 8, 2014

Davis plays hard for his teammates ‘every play’ by brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com Mike Davis knows there is a long way to go in the 2014 season for the Gamecock football team.

After South Carolina’s loss to Kentucky, Davis noted that the goal for the Gamecocks the rest of the way is pretty simple.

“Win out. Try to win every game from here on out,” Davis remarked.

The junior tailback fully believes that is a possibility for the Gamecocks as well.

“I have a lot of confidence in my guys,” Davis commented. “I love those guys to death. I go out there and play hard for my teammates every play.”

Davis proved his point after the loss to Kentucky during the game as he rushed the football 23 times for a career-best 183 yards. The 183 yards rushing in the game bested his previous Mike Davis high of 167 KeenanSuggs in South Player of the Week Carolina’s

photo by jenny dilworth

road win over UCF on Sept. 28, 2013.

Davis’ 183 yards on the ground in the Kentucky game allowed him to collect his 10th career 100-yard rushing game, which tied him with Gamecock legend Steve Wadiak for the sixth-most 100-yard games in program

history.

Davis tied his career high and the programhigh with three rushing touchdowns in the Kentucky loss.

The three rushing touchdowns in the game with Kentucky leaves him with six on the

year and 19 in his career.

Davis is leading the Gamecocks with 551 yards on the ground this season on 103 carries. His 551 yards rushing so far this year has pushed his career total to 2,009 yards, which is the 16th-most in Gamecock history.

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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

Missouri

1-0 21

20 4-1 173 103 W1

Georgia

2-1 114

87 4-1 225 108 W3

09/13/14 ..........vs. #6 Georgia # ................... Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 38-35

Florida

2-1 67

81 3-1 132 81 W1

Kentucky

2-1 92

81 4-1 171 98 W2

09/20/14 ..........at Vanderbilt # ...................... Nashville, Tenn. ..................W, 48-34

South Carolina

2-3 172 187 3-3 205 210 L2

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. .............................TBA

Tennessee

0-2 41

45 2-3 123 105 L3

Vanderbilt

0-4 61

150 1-5 102 218 L3

SEC West

W-L PF

PA W-L PF PA

STRK

Auburn

2-0 86

28 5-0 210 72 W5

11/01/14 ..........vs. Tennessee # ..................... Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA

Ole Miss

2-0 64

20 5-0 179 51 W5

Mississippi State

2-0 82

60 5-0 213 97 W5

11/15/14 ..........at Florida # ............................. Gainesville, Fla. ...........................TBA

Texas A&M

2-1 118 104 5-1 287 123 L1

10/25/14 ..........at Auburn # ........................... Auburn, Ala. .................................TBA

11/22/14 ..........vs. South Alabama .............. Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA 11/29/14 ..........at Clemson ............................ Clemson, S.C. ...............................TBA

Alabama

1-1 59

44 4-1 185 79 L1

LSU

0-2 36

75 4-2 214 106 L1

Arkansas

0-2 49

80 3-2 223 129 L1

Spurs & Feathers • 7

October 8, 2014

Don’t believe what you read. South Carolina basketball didn’t start the 2014-15 season Monday, Oct. 6.

The Gamecocks’ season actually began in March, inside the cavernous, curtained-off Georgia Dome in Atlanta. There, across three days at the SEC Tournament, the Gamecocks offered an intriguing glimpse of what may lie ahead in 2014-15.

Playing as the 13-seed, South Carolina knocked off Auburn and Arkansas, teams that both dealt them losses in the regular season.

Combined with a win over Mississippi State, the Gamecocks stitched together their first threegame SEC winning streak since 2010. They defused full-court traps, attacked the offensive glass with abandon, and played with a poise and chemistry that belied their age. It capped a final month where South Carolina finished 6-5, despite fielding a roster that was the ninth-youngest in the country by average years of experience per player.

Andy Demetra Fans saw an Contributing identity taking Writer shape. Frank Martin’s vision – his roster, his system, his oncourt philosophy – was slowly being realized. It was enough to make the Gamecocks head coach crack a smile.

Almost.

Martin knows there’s more work to be done before South Carolina becomes a contender in the SEC. But when he gathers his team at midcourt at Colonial Life Arena Oct. 6, calling to order the first practice of the season, Martin will see many of the faces responsible for that lateseason run.

In the backcourt, Sindarius Thornwell turned in a Freshman All-SEC season that rivaled BJ McKie, South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer.

His ability to get to the free-throw line, defend multiple positions, and take clutch shots will

make the 6’5,” 215-pound Thornwell a leader on both sides of the floor.

Duane Notice, who ripped off a career-high 23 points in the Gamecocks’ SEC Tournament win over AuAll Gamecock basketball burn, re-joins coverage sponsored by Thornwell in Yesterdays the backcourt.

The Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada native has dropped 15 pounds in hopes of adding more speed and durability.

Then there’s the return of Ty Johnson, who missed the last 18 games of the season with a fractured foot. Without Johnson, the Gamecocks were forced to play most of their SEC schedule with two point guards who a.) were freshmen, and b.) not natural point guards.

Thornwell and Notice primarily played off the ball in high school.

That injury, along with a head-scratching eligibility ruling, cost Johnson a year-and-a-half of his playing career. In many respects, the Plainfield, N.J., native feels like a newcomer himself. But at 6’3,” Johnson gives the Gamecocks the true point guard they lacked last season. His ability to read pick-and-rolls is second to none (just re-watch the second half of South Carolina’s win over St. Mary’s). The addition of Marcus Stroman, a Columbia, S.C., product who was a top-100 prospect at Lower Richland HS, should give Martin the flexibility of moving Thornwell and Notice more to their natural twoguard spots.

How the Gamecocks fill the three-point shooting void left by Brenton Williams is something they’ll need to address. Brian Steele and Justin McKie will try to find a niche in the rotation.

6’6” freshman TeMarcus Blanton will challenge for minutes as a rangy floor-stretcher. But as they break for preseason camp, South Carolina will have no shortage of options in the backcourt.

Meanwhile, the “we just need 1 or 2 more big men” camp continues to clear its throat. Questions persist about the Gamecocks’ frontcourt, its size, depth, and ability to reliably score around

the rim. Yet South Carolina still returns 88% of its rebounds from a year ago. Their rebounding percentages – the percentage of available offensive and defensive rebounds they grabbed - were 3rd and 10th in the SEC. The Gamecocks were outsized, but not necessarily overmatched.

Consistency and avoiding fouls will be key for a group that won’t have the depth it expected.

But the Gamecocks’ frontcourt also offered a glimpse into its potential at the SEC Tournament. Junior Laimonas Chatkevicius averaged 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in Atlanta, showing off a feathery touch on post-ups and free throws.

Junior Mindaugas Kacinas, averaged 9.0 points and 8.0 rebounds over his last five games. Frank Martin says he hoped to average 20 points per game from his starting “bigs”; Kacinas and Chatkevicius nearly did that.

Sophomore Demetrius Henry has bulked up to 225 pounds, making him better suited for scraps around the rim. After an up-and-down sophomore year, Michael Carrera will try to marry his live-wire passion with the floor savvy he needs to be a consistent contributor. Undersized or not, the Gamecocks have a frontcourt that knows what kind of battles await in the SEC. Either way, the axis has started to shift, from young to seasoned, untested to experienced. As they begin their six-week grind of preseason, the Gamecocks fully understand Martin’s system and expectations. Time will tell whether their walk off the blond wood floor of the Georgia Dome, signaling the end of their 2014 SEC Tournament, will be a one-off or a jumping-off.

The fun is in finding out. The Gamecocks began that process Monday.

8 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

Nashville Gamecocks put together unforgettable weekend by brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com

thought about it and two reasons we wanted to do the Tin Roof thing: (1) Tin Roof is our official bar and Jed’s is not and they’ve (Tin Two years ago when South Carolina opened Roof) been extremely good to us since we’ve its 2012 football season against Vanderbilt been there, so we wanted to do something with the help of the My Carolina Alumni As- with them and (2) a lot of people like to do sociation and the Gamecock Club the Nash- their own thing on gameday … so we wanted ville Gamecocks had a gameday event at to do something Friday night because we’ve Jed’s Sports Bar and Grille in the West End seen other chapters do that,” Brunson reof Nashville. marked. “It turned out very well, so we were The gameday event in anticipation of South very excited for that.”

Carolina’s 17-13 season-opening victory over This year’s turnout at Jed’s was also even Vanderbilt on Aug. 30, 2012 was a huge suc- bigger than two years ago according to cess.

Brunson and the Tin Roof gathering - that The Nashville Gamecocks still wanted to included performances by Gamecocks Pathave the gameday experience at Jed’s for rick Davis and Ricky Young - was a massive South Carolina’s eventual 48-34 victory over success. Brunson commented that they could the Commodores this year on Sept. 20, 2014, not have done it without the help of the My but J.W. Brunson along with his other board Carolina Alumni Association and the Gamemembers decided they wanted to make it an cock Club. all-weekend party and to this end they held “We didn’t even imagine we were going to a gathering at the Tin Roof location on Deget that many people at Tin Roof and Jed’s,” monbreun Street in Nashville the day before Brunson noted. “It kind of just blew up on the South Carolina-Vanderbilt game on Frisocial media … word got out and we had day, Sept. 19, 2014. a great turnout. It was great to see all the “A lot of us that are on our board – me and Gamecock fans and just kind of have a place three other guys – go to as many away, bowl for everybody to gather and meet and be a games as we can and we’ve seen where chap- big fanbase in an away city and let the city ters have done stuff the day before and we know we were all there.”

submitted photos

October 8, 2014

Spurs & Feathers • 9

10 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

Spurs & Feathers • 11

October 8, 2014

photo by allen sharpe

Crowe picked up freshman All-America accolades in the 2014 season for the Gamecocks.

Holbrook comfortable with top of pitching rotation by kyle heck Contributing Writer

Wynkoop since he is an upperclassman.

The junior knows what will be expected of him and welcomes the opportunity.

Because the South Carolina baseball team “I’m pretty comfortable with my role so lost its fair share of talent last season there are far,” Wynkoop said. “I’ve had some real good a few question marks as fall camp begins in experiences here at Carolina and I think it’s preparation for the 2015 season. an advantage that I get to use that and maybe One of the things that coach Chad Holbrook even use it to help out some of the younger feels comfortable with, however, is the top of guys that haven’t had that experience yet. I’m his pitching rotation despite the loss of Jordan definitely excited about this year because it’s a Montgomery, the ace from a season ago. big year (for us).”

Junior Jack Wynkoop and sophomore Wil Wynkoop said he’s been working on imCrowe return after stellar seasons in 2014. proving his secondary pitches this summer They combined to post a 15-9 record and both and trying to get his fastball to sink a little bit had ERAs under 3.00. As a freshman, Crowe more. was named to the NCAA Regional All-TourIt was much of the same for Crowe and both nament team and started the season 6-0. Both players abstained from playing summer league players will compete to replace Montgomery ball. Holbrook said he wanted the two to rest as the ace of the team. their arms because of the important roles they Because they were able to prove that they are expected to play in the upcoming year. could pitch in the SEC, Holbrook’s concerns In addition, despite being just a sophomore, with the starting pitching this season is limited Crowe knows that because of his success as to who is going to be the third weekend starter, a freshman there will be higher expectations barring injury to either Wynkoop or Crowe. for him this season. As for who takes over as Both players worked hard during the offsea- the ace of the team, Crowe is just interested in son to improve their velocity. Crowe was able what’s best for the team. to put on a lot of “good weight” according to “I’m here to help the team and try to help Holbrook, who said he actually had to slow everyone get on the right path,” Crowe said. “I Crowe down in the weight room. Wynkoop just want to make sure everyone knows that I got stronger and is expected to have better ve- want to be the leader if the team wants me to locity this season. be the leader. I want to be the guy that’s doing “We feel good about where Jack and Wil the right thing all the time.” are,” Holbrook said.

The pitching staff has been one of the major Both reasons that South Carolina has been such a players consistently dominant team over the last dewill be excade and Wynkoop and Crowe do not plan on pected to changing that this season. take more “We’ve got to keep it up,” Crowe said. of a leader“We’ve got to make sure we’re throwing the ship role way we always have and we feel like we’re a All Gamecock baseball this seagood team. We feel like we can make it a long coverage sponsored by son, parway. We’ve just got to come out and play our DiPrato’s ticularly game.”

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October 8, 2014

South Carolina Gamecocks 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 • 13

October 8, 2014

Furman Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Jordan Snellings WR 2 Trey Robinson FS 3 Andrej Suttles WR 4 Gary Robinson WR 5 Rodney Anderson SS 6 Thomas Brown SS 7 P.J. Blazejowski QB 8 Terry Robinson WR/QB 9 Tyler Langenfeld QB 9 Harris Roberts QB 10 Marcus McMorris LB/NIC 11 Dillon Woodruff QB 12 Reese Hannon QB 13 Jamarri Milliken CB 14 Reggie Thomas CB 15 A’lencio Graham WR 16 Hunter Townes PK/P 17 Duncan Fletcher TE 18 Richard Hayes III NIC 19 Lane Christian QB 19 Evan Jager WR 20 Donovan Franks CB 21 Nick Miller CB 22 Ernie Cain FB 23 Joe Farrar CB 24 Tanner Skogen RB 25 Antonio Wilcox RB 26 Hank McCloud RB 28 Adekunle Olusanya FS 29 Cole Feigl RB 29 Stuart Smith LB/NIC 30 Issac Garcia RB 31 Byron Johnson LB 32 Kealand Dirks RB 33 Ridge Gibson FB 35 Gary Wilkins DE 36 Luke Cuneo CB 36 Joe Schosky CB 37 Parker Polhill CB 37 Trent Silfies CB 38 Sean Rusnak SS 38 Hunter Tremaine SS 39 Brad Meccariello SS 40 Nic McBride LB 41 Reeves Rogers LB/NIC 41 Luke Smith FS 42 John Mackey DT 43 Brad Minter LB/DE 44 Charlie Anderson FB 45 T.J. Warren LB 46 Cory Magwood LB

Ht. 6-2 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-0 5-9 6-0 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-9 5-11 5-10 6-2 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-3 5-6 5-10 5-9 5-8 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-2 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2

Wt. 190 206 182 194 191 200 182 182 183 178 202 210 214 186 180 171 201 222 190 165 202 188 167 214 193 198 195 195 194 188 179 203 221 235 213 240 160 174 160 169 185 190 189 198 204 170 263 226 243 216 228

Yr. R-Jr. So. R-So. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. Jr. R-So. Jr. Fr. R-So. So. So. Fr. Fr. R-Fr. So. R-Jr. Fr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-Jr. So. R-Jr. R-So. Jr.

Hometown/Previous School Atlanta, Ga. / Marist Spartanburg, S.C. / Dorman Dallas, Ga. / East Paulding Hephzibah, Ga. / Hephzibah Nashville, Tenn. / Ensworth Seneca, S.C. / Seneca St. Augustine, Fla. / Bartram Trail Hephzibah, Ga. / Hephzibah Massillon, Ohio / Jackson Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth Newberry, S.C. / Newberry Christiana, Tenn. / Riverdale Greer, S.C. / Greer High Point, N.C. / T.W. Andrews Abbeville, S.C. / Abbeville Lawrenceville, Ga. / Flowery Branch Greenville, S.C. / Christ Church Episcopal Columbus, Ga. / Brookstone Greensboro, N.C. / Dudley Waynesboro, Ga. / Burke Academy Orlando, Fla. / Lake Highland Prep Altamonte Springs, Fla. / Lake Brantley Kennesaw, Ga. / North Cobb Atlanta, Ga. / Woodward Academy Tucker, Ga. / Tucker Woodstock, Ga. / Woodstock Fitzgerald, Ga. / Fitzgerald Tampa, Fla. / Tampa Catholic Tampa, Fla. / Sickles Dallas, Texas / Highland Park Knoxville, Tenn. / Knoxville Catholic Charlotte, N.C. / Olympic Swansea, S.C. / Swansea Clemmons, N.C. / West Forsyth Marietta, Ga. / Walton Covington, Ga. / Alcovy Ashland, Mass. / Dexter School Taylors, S.C. / St. Joseph’s Catholic Suwanee, Ga. / Greater Atlanta Christian Center Valley, Pa. / Southern Lehigh Greenville, S.C. / St. Joseph’s Catholic St. Petersburg, Fla. / Shorecrest Prep Hilton Head, S.C. / Hilton Head Academy Lyons, Ga. / Vidalia Tampa, Fla. / Plant North Augusta, S.C. / North Augusta Chattanooga, Tenn. / Baylor Hueytown, Ala. / Hueytown Montgomery, Ala. / Montgomery Academy Chattanooga, Tenn. / Ooltewah Varnville, S.C. / Wade Hampton

Coaches Head Coach: Bruce Fowler Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks: Tim Sorrells Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Jimmy Kiser Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: John Windham Special Teams: Antonio Goss Defensive Line: Jimmy Lindsey Running Backs/Recruiting Coordinator: Norval McKenzie Cornerbacks/Safeties: Mark Moehring Offensive Line: Scott Smouse Assistant Defensive Line: Ricky Spradling Tight Ends: Duane Vaughn Director Of Football Operations: Jordan Sorrells

# Name Pos. 47 Caleb Hollis P 47 Noah Mitchell RB 48 Andy McMillan P/HO 49 JonCroftHollingsworth PK/P 51 Dru Duke LB 52 Joe Turner OG 53 Preston Furry LB 54 Charles Emert OG 55 Carl Rider LB 56 Jack Bryant OG 57 Jordan Hawkins NT 58 Mike Sharpe SS 59 Jacob Powell LB 60 Danny LaMontagne SN 61 Jerry Langan LB 62 Matthew Schmidt C/OG 63 Harrison Magee C 64 Justin Floyd OG 65 Ryan Marks OT 66 Tank Phillips C/OG 67 Zach Thier LB 68 Nolan Sanders OG 69 Terrell Bush OG 71 Harrison Monk OT 72 Danny Palmer NT 73 Grayson Weber C 74 Sebastian Rice OT 75 Jaylan Reid NT 77 Jackson Buonamia C 78 Chris Wade OG 79 Aaron Black OT 80 David Dingess WR 81 JD Tuten WR 82 Chad Scott WR 83 Bradford Lemmons WR 84 Ajay Williams TE 85 Andy Schumpert WR 86 Hunter Branch WR 87 Kevin Mall TE 88 Logan McCarter WR 89 Kedar Bryant TE 90 Shawn Boone DE 91 Brian Nwokolo DE 92 James Elliott DE 93 Connor Jackson DE 94 Daniel Butler DT 95 Brian Ross DT 96 Alexander Saucer DT 97 DeAndre Thornton DT 98 Chinedu Okonya DE 99 Ira McCune DT

Ht. 6-0 5-8 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-5 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-6 6-5 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-2 6-3

Wt. 186 192 177 155 165 275 225 286 217 277 290 200 210 212 216 285 287 270 288 307 228 251 317 274 270 286 294 267 278 286 260 216 171 175 175 239 188 180 237 177 232 246 226 227 239 267 257 259 270 210 261

Yr. Fr. Fr. R-So. Fr. Fr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Sr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Sr. R-Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Sr. R-So. Fr. So. Fr. R-Fr. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. R-So. R-Fr. Fr. Sr.

Hometown/Previous School Franklin, Tenn. / Independence Nicholasville, Ky. / Lexington Catholic Ancaster, Ontario / Christ School (N.C.) Greenwood, S.C. / Greenwood Easley, S.C. / Easley Roswell, Ga. / Roswell Norcross, Ga. / Marist Statesboro, Ga. / Statesboro Suwanee, Ga. / North Gwinnett Atlanta, Ga. / Woodward Academy Jacksonville, Fla. / Wolfson Buffalo, N.Y. / Canisius Statesville, N.C. / Statesville Snellville, Ga. / Brookwood Chinchilla, Pa. / Abington Heights Stokesdale, N.C. / McMichael Jacksonville, Fla. / Mandarin Cartersville, Ga. / Cartersville Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth Nashville, Tenn. / Montgomery Bell Academy Columbia, S.C. / Gilbert Lebanon, Tenn. / Lebanon Tuscaloosa, Ala. / Tuscaloosa Academy Charlotte, N.C. / Providence Longwood, Fla. / Lake Brantley Sarasota, Fla. / Cardinal Mooney Grayson, Ga. / Grayson Marietta, Ga. / Hillgrove Snellville, Ga. / Brookwood / Air Force Prep Charlotte, N.C. / Independence Dallas, Ga. / East Paulding Nashville, Tenn. / Ensworth Ridgeland, S.C. / Thomas Heyward Academy Suwanee, Ga. / North Gwinnett Columbia, S.C. / Dreher Elm City, N.C. / Beddingfield Brentwood, Tenn. / Brentwood Birmingham, Ala. / Mountain Brook Melbourne, Fla. / Viera Sevierville, Tenn. / Sevier County Jacksonville, Fla. / Providence Lithia, Fla. / Newsome Jamestown, N.C. / Ragsdale Franklin, Tenn. / Christ Presbyterian Academy Tallahasse, Fla. / Florida State University School Enterprise, Ala. / Enterprise Century, Fla. / Northview Houston, Texas / St. John’s School Fairburn, Ga. / Creekside Riverdale, Ga. / Riverdale Marietta, Ga. / Hillgrove

14 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

South Carolina-Kentucky postgame notes/quotes SOuth Carolina athletics media relations

• Sophomore wide receiver Pharoh Cooper was the leading receiver for the Gamecocks with six catches for 83 yards.

• Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson was 23-for-37 in the air for 218 passing yards with one touchdown. Thompson now has 3,404 passing yards and moved into 12th all-time in South Carolina history in passing yards.

some better calls. Wish our kickoff guy would’ve kicked it deep. For some reason we’re trying that grounder ball. I don’t GENERAL NOTES know why. We got issues on a little bit of • Kentucky defeated South Carolina 45-38. everything and you lose a close game and The Gamecocks are now 3-3 on the year and everything comes back to haunt you a little 2-3 in the SEC with Kentucky now 4-1 and bit. You could probably say that if he kicked 2-1 in league play. South Carolina is now 17it off to the 20 or if they got it on the 50 be8-1 vs. Kentucky in the all-time series hiscause we couldn’t stop the wildcat guy (Jojo tory; it is the first loss to the Wildcats since Kemp). That maybe had nothing to do to the 2010 season.

DEFENSIVE NOTES with the game, but yeah it was amazing. We • Captains for South Carolina for the game • Freshman defensive back D.J. Smith were running one play and they were runwere: senior WR Nick Jones, sophomore LB made his first career start for the Gamecocks ning one play most of the whole game. We Marcquis Roberts, junior TB Brandon Wilds as starting free safety. probably should’ve run ours more often as and senior DT J.T. Surratt.

• Sophomore linebacker Skai Moore tallied it turned out. Didn’t block it correctly there • The Gamecocks have had eight playnine tackles to lead the Gamecocks in the when we hads to punt the next to last time ers start all six games this season: senior contest; it is his second highest mark on the when we had a seven-point lead. Other than OT Corey Robinson, senior OG A.J. Cann, year, just one short of his season-high 10 vs. that, a lot of guys played pretty well and a junior OT Brandon Shell, senior QB Dylan Georgia. Sophomore linebacker Jonathan lot not so well. That’s just the way it is right Thompson, senior DT J.T. Surratt, sophoWalton registered a career-high six tackles. now” more DE Darius English, senior DB Brison Williams, junior FS T.J. Gurley.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES On motivating the team…

• Sophomore placekicker Elliott Fry is now “Well we’ll take some time off. We’ve got OFFENSIVE NOTES 10-for-11 this year in field goal attempts. He a team we’ll be favored over I think. We’ll • South Carolina’s offense finished with connected from 31 yards out in the second be favored over Furman. We have to find a 500 total yards of offense, the most yards quarter. way to do a lot better to try to have a winby the Gamecocks in a game this season. ning season. That’s where we are now. Every South Carolina’s 282 yards rushing is the QUOTES game is down to the wire like this except the most by the Gamecocks this season as well first one and we’ve won several close ones and fourth highest rushing yard total by the Steve Spurrier, Head Coach and now we’re losing some close ones. It is Gamecocks in the Spurrier era. South CaroOpening Statement what it is.” lina also totaled 32 first downs that tied the “Okay I’m not going to yell and scream. highest mark in the Spurrier era and the most Everybody saw what happened. They scored On re-evaluating positions… since Nov. 23, 2013 vs. Coastal Carolina. more points than we did; they got a deflec“Well we’ll just evaluate our players. We’ll • Senior offensive guard A.J. Cann made tion and a touchdown and they beat us. They see if we can get some guys on the field who his 44th career start surpassing Todd Ellis had a lot of guys play pretty well and probhaven’t maybe played much yet and see if (1986-89) for sixth all-time in school history ably a lot that didn’t play well, but overall as they can make some plays.” in career starts. a team we got beat. Simple as that. Got beat.”

• South Carolina’s opening scoring drive of Dylan Thompson, QB 19 plays, 79 yards was the longest by plays On wildcat formation…

On back-to-back late fourth-quarter this season and second longest in the Spur“Obviously we can’t stop it. Obviously we loses…. rier era. It is the longest drive by plays since cannot stop that kid in the wildcat.”

“We just have to finish. That is for everySouth Carolina had a 20-play scoring drive one in the locker room, starting with me. We at Tennessee on October 29, 2011.

On the thought of running the ball after • Junior tailback Mike Davis rushed 23 UK’s go-ahead interception… times for a career-high 183 yards. His previ“It was two minutes. We got a two-minute ous career-high in rushing yards was 167 drill. We thought of it. We don’t usually at UCF on Sept. 28, 2013. It marked his make as long of runs as other teams do.

10th career 10-yard rushing game tying Although, Mike Davis had some good runs. him with Steve Wadiak for sixth most in Brandon Wilds had some early. They all school history. Davis tied a career-high with had some good ones, but obviously not good three rushing touchdowns, which also ties a enough. Y’all watched it. We’re not a great single-game school record. He scored on a team. You know that. Hopefully we play 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, a better the rest of the season. I told the guys 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter and we’re going to try to have a winning season a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. somehow and we have to do some work to He now has six rushing touchdowns this do that. We’ll obviously try to make some season and 19 for his career. Davis moved to changes somewhere. I don’t know exactly 16th all-time in rushing at South Carolina as where, but we have to do something differwell with 2,009 career yards. ent.”

• Junior tailback Shon Carson’s 25-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was his On “talent issue” with USC… first touchdown of the season and second of “I’ll let you guys make that decision. Just his career. write what you see. Wish we could’ve made

just have to finish, and we haven’t done that.

“On if the team thought a loss like this could happen after preseason expectations….

“You never know how a season is going to turn out, you don’t. Obviously you don’t expect to lose a game where things are going well, where you feel like you have control of it, and just blow it, and that’s what we did.”

On if he blames himself after this loss….

“I mean you can’t turn the ball over three times on the road and expect to win, and I was the reason for that.”

Mike Davis, RB On if the team should have run the ball towards the end of the game….

“That’s not my decision, I’m not the type of guy to go to coach and tell him I want the ball or whatever, but at times I want the ball, but I’m not going to go to coach and tell him I want the ball. My coaches are here for a reason, they are the ones calling the plays and getting paid.”

On back-to-back late fourth-quarter losses…

“It’s frustrating, but you know we have leaders on our team that pick guys up, telling guys that it’s not over, it’s not the end of the world.”

On if it’s frustrating losing while scoring 38 points…

“It’s not all the defense’s fault, it’s on the offense too. We had some three and outs where we should have kept the ball a little longer, so it’s not all defense, some of it is on the offense too.”

Spurs & Feathers • 15

October 8, 2014

Legendary Fan has been attending Carolina football games all of his life by kyle heck Contributing Writer

of the 1902 South Carolina team and is in the Gamecock Hall of Fame.

McCutchen Jr. didn’t follow in his father’s Thomas English McCutchen Jr. has been atsteps when it came to football, but instead practending South Carolina football games longer ticed law for almost 70 years after he left South than the majority of the population has been Carolina. He attended the University from alive. McCutchen Jr., 95, said he attended his 1936-1941 before serving in the military durfirst Gamecock football game when he was ing World War II and beginning his law career around a year old. shortly thereafter.

“From the time I was able to stand up, I went However, being the son of a Gamecock legto Carolina football games,” McCutchen Jr. end, McCutchen Jr. has his fair share of South said.

Carolina football memories.

He remembers Melton Field, the original He particularly remembers the passion that home field of the Gamecocks, before Williams- was prevalent during the South Carolina and Brice stadium was built. Melton Field was right Clemson games. in the center of campus around where Russell Before the two teams started their yearly House is now. home-and-home series they used to play at He remembers the standing room only crowds the fairgrounds on Thursdays in what became they had at the old stadium and the passion that known as “Big Thursdays.” the fans had for the Gamecocks even all those McCutchen Jr. says the entire city changed on years ago. those days.

The McCutchen name is entrenched in “Big Thursday was bigger than Christmas South Carolina history thanks to Thomas’ dad in this state,” McCutchen Jr. said. “The stores Thomas English McCutchen, who was captain closed throughout most of the state and every-

body down there was drinking. It was feverish.

The animosity some years was incredible.”

Much like it still is today, McCutchen Jr. remembers football gamedays in Columbia as being almost as sacred as church on Sunday.

“You knew today that you were going next year and nothing was going to interfere with it,” McCutchen Jr. said. “Nobody got married on that day. That day had one focus; (some) folks said, ‘I don’t feel well’ and you’d say, ‘well, you’ll have to get sick some other time.’”

McCutchen Jr. said he has had the same four seats at Williams-Brice Stadium since the mid1940s and has kept up with the Gamecocks over all those years.

His favorite memory at Williams-Brice came two seasons ago when South Carolina trounced Georgia, 35-7, in a battle of top-10 teams.

“It was a perfect football game from our teams’ standpoint,” McCutchen Jr. said. “The mistakes were just practically not there. I have a picture of (the game) in my hunting hut over in Bishopville taken by one of my grandchildren.

I haven’t seen any other game like it,” Mc-

photo by allen sharpe

Cutchen Jr. said.

McCutchen Jr. was extremely thankful to President Harris Pastides, Athletics Director Ray Tanner and the rest of Gamecock Nation for giving him the honor of being a Legendary Fan. For him, the University of South Carolina has and always will hold a special place in his heart.

“This University was created in 1801 (and) it has always been a shooting star,” McCutchen Jr. wrote in a thank you letter. “May that always be true!”

16 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

Sand volleyball digs into year two by mike kucharski Contributing Writer

tion hits. He added that he is proud to see some of the crossover players are finding success in the indoor season this fall, saying “it’s nice to South Carolina sand volleyball heads into its see them apply some things that we worked on second year as head coach Moritz Moritz hopes to improve their game all around and find sucto lead the Gamecocks to higher heights after cess to build confidence as well.” the inaugural season.

The excitement level of the team has not “Without trying to recreate the wheel, we are decreased following year one according to trying to recreate who we are and how we do Moritz as he said they are all “beyond excited what we do,” Moritz said. “Obviously we didn’t and incredibly grateful to have this opportuhave as good of a season as we wanted last year nity - myself included.” He also said the team and a lot of that was because of inexperience, knows the “year one” shine may leave from the but now we’re better prepared and because of program, so they must make sure that they are competitive to continue to find support form the that we kind of have to reshape things to make sure that we can compete at a higher level. We photo by brian hand community.

“The first thing that we said coming into this have a better understanding of what we represent, how we represent it and what we need to now be that because everybody is improving, strength … now we have to add the sand condi- year is ‘the honeymoon is over.’ Not that we do to compete at that level. how does it fluctuate? That will be kind of a tioning component as well. We have to continue didn’t have to do work last year, but now the glitz and the glamour is over. It is such an excit“The cool fun piece too. We’re better in so many different to build both ends up. Because of last year we ing sport and fan-friendly environment, we thing is that ways and now we can tool around with it a little have a better understanding of where we need we don’t lose more too,” Moritz continued. to start and how we need to build them up. We want to bring in that competitive environment to keep people around this program. I don’t anybody and He said that the team has been in weight train- get them started in the weight room, but work we added ing and conditioning at six and seven in the in the sand to make sure that they can maintain think that the level of excitement has died down a bit, but the fact of the matter is that it is year some really morning and have just began working in the that in the long run,” Moritz remarked. two and time to start really showing improvequality com- All Gamecock sand volleyball sand.

Moritz said that the goals for the fall are still ment. You always have to improve and that’s ponents. The coverage is sponsored by “Now you can see how hungry they are to get being set and are focused on day-by-day imJames W. Smith interesting back in the sand. Now we really get to apply provement. He said they are focusing on funda- what we’re working to continue doing,” Moritz Real Estate Co. thing will that excitement. You can see that they have the mentals to help later in the year when competi- concluded.

Spurs & Feathers • 17

October 8, 2014

Bringing Sir Big Spur to life in the homes of fans by mike kucharski Contributing Writer

Sir Big Spur is one of the most interactive live mascots in the nation and fans can now own a piece of high-quality art depicting the majestic Gamecock.

Artist Stephen Malkoff - who has been featured in Southern Living, Country Living and Guidepost along with a one-hour documentary entitled “Tree Lines: the Art of Stephen Malkoff” - captured Sir Big Spur with pencil in stunning detail.

Malkoff said that he used 42 pencils to create the drawing over three months, noting “I am really proud of how it turned out. The thing that I am most proud about was when it came time to draw the eyeball. I didn’t drink any coffee that morning; there are certain mornings that I drink coffee,” Malkoff commented. “I’m usually drawing by 4 a.m.; I’m a morning person, but on days that I know that I have to draw something that I know has to be perfect, I don’t take in any caffeine because I want my hand to be completely steady. I spent four-and-a-half hours on the socket and the eyeball together.

“I really felt I nailed it. When I drew his eyeball, it made him look so intense. The eyes are the window to the soul and as an artist, you try to capture the spirit of the animal. You can

draw an animal and it sometimes won’t have any life, but the goal is to draw that animal and have it take on a personality. The goal is to actually capture the personality of the animal, the bird. I think with Sir Big Spur that I captured supreme cockiness. Certain things you don’t want cocky, but certain things have the right to be cocky. Sir Big Spur is the guru of cockiness,” Malkoff expounded.

Malkoff said that he was excited to meet Sir Big Spur’s owners Ron Albertelli and Mary Snelling and was proud to be commissioned to create the work of art. The proceeds from the sales go to the care of Sir Big Spur and provides scholarship funds for deserving Gamecock students as it is officially licensed.

“I think that is very important and I’m excited to be working with the University. I’m excited to be working with Ron and Mary and I’m also excited that I’ve captured the mascot that means so much to so many people,” Malkoff said.

“One of the great things is that Ron and Mary started this tradition just because they loved South Carolina not looking for any monetary gain or anything like that. I haven’t found any bigger fans yet than Ron and Mary. They love South Carolina, they love having Sir Big Spur and bringing him out to bring joy. He’s a very accessible mascot … having him sit out there in the sunshine is special.

“I saw him on ESPN one time and I told my wife ‘I want to draw that Gamecock. He is one good-looking bird.’ I did some research and found out he belongs to Ron and Mary, called them, we met and I went out and spent the day with Sir Big Spur and my camera so I could go home and create the work of art. I’m thankful that it’s available now,” Malkoff continued.

The prints are available on 100 percent, cotton Strathmore paper - “the best paper money can buy” - with museum-quality custom framing available. They are limited edition, signed and numbered prints that are available at www. malkoffgallery.com or by calling the gallery toll free at 888-410-3559. Unframed prints are available for $125 and framed are available for $275.

Malkoff said that he is pleased to be able to make a living as an artist as it is not an easy profession. He particularly thanked his wife, Lori, for her support which included at one point selling her car to help him start his business. He felt proud that he has persevered, saying “… there was a time in my life that I considered giving it up because it was such a challenge, but I knew that God wouldn’t have wasted a gift like that to not have me be an artist.”

Aside from being an artist, Malkoff said he is a great fan of collegiate athletics and college football. In his work for many colleges through-

submitted photo

out the southeast, Malkoff said that he feels South Carolina has the greatest fanbase.

“One of the greatest fanbases that I’ve experienced so far is the South Carolina nation. They support their team win or loss,” Malkoff said.

“There are a lot of universities out there that have fair-weather fans. South Carolina has a lot to be proud of in their history. It’s kind of cool as an artist to get to experience that and be a part of it.

“The neat thing about art is that it always gives. Art should move you emotionally and I think that Sir Big Spur makes people happy.

I think when people see him it makes them smile, especially children. Children absolutely love Sir Big Spur and that is one of the reasons that I was so excited to get the opportunity to do this,” Malkoff concluded.

18 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

The devil is in the details for the Gamecocks “Devil in a blue dress”

own 2001 “black-out” at Williams-BriceStadium. Led then by the HBC, the Gators dominated us in front of the nation (we had over six NFL players on our roster and still got demolished). That game still has lasting effects on the Gamecock program and one of the reason we will never wear “all black” again at home (sorry Gamecock Nation). But Saturday night’s game didn’t come down to uniforms or coaches, but the ability of these respective teams to be consistent and make plays when it counted.

Kentucky did and the Gamecocks didn’t: plan and simple.

to defeat or make a block, or something as simple as communication between teamThe Gamecocks came into Commonmates. Whatever the detail required we wealth Stadium Saturday night with quesmost focus on that devil as if our souls tions surrounding the team in all phases. depended on it because our season does.

One of the biggest question was “is this We’ve had home winning streaks snapped, gamecock team fragile?” In one word, consecutive rankings streaks broken and “no;” inconsistent, “yes.” The one conwith the loss on Saturday night our consistent thing fidence looks to be the next thing up for for this 2014 grabs if we don’t get back to doing the season is that “little things” consistently. this team is As we look back over the tape and where consistently we are as a team this upcoming bye week “inconsistent” it will be more important than ever to and it seems have that “come to Jesus moment.” No QB to show at the “The devil’s in the details” change is needed, no new defensive or ofmost dire of fensive schemes need to be implemented times.

The first time I heard this phrase I was and there is no need to cash in this season Langston Moore Mark Stoops in the NFL on a squad that had talent either as a player or fan. What’s needed is Contributing and the Wild(like all NFL teams do), but was battling a group of young men that will play “one Writer cats coined a .500 record on the season. Much like the snap at a time” and do it while focusing this was their Gamecocks now we must search out that on the minutiae on every play! Kentucky “black-out” game against the Gamecocks. “devil” and exercise the demons out of overcame a 14-point deficit early on SatSomething all Carolina fans should’ve felt our team or fight the same battle for .500. urday as well as scoring 21 unanswered good about with the HBC being on our side The only way to do that is to focus on the points in the last eight minutes. Instead this time. We’ve handled the Florida Gasmallest details within each of the three of choosing to try and make a big play the tors in the swamp during their “blue-out” phases: special teams, offense, especially Wildcats ran there “wildcat” JoJo Kemp to capture the SEC East title in 2010. And defense. Be it every man doing their own until somebody from our side would stop yours truly was on the receiving end of our job/assignment, using the proper technique him. Luckily we only play 60 minutes of

football or else we would still be trying to stop that one play. I don’t say that to poke fun at our inability to stop a team that was running one play with success repeatedly, but to show that scheme, coaches, talent mean something, but it’s not the final indicator of who wins or loses; it’s about execution. It’s about doing the common things uncommonly well and allow the little things to accumulate into a win Like many proverbial quotes let this and our play serve as “prophecy” of caution to everyone wearing garnet & black on what’s to come if we don’t. This team and season will be as inconsistent in the “win” column as it is in its play. If we plan on returning to form of years past we don’t need to look any further than our own ability or inability to be consistent with the “little things.” How and if we do that will ultimately determine if we have to “bear the cross” of a losing record at the end of the season.

Follow Langston Moore on Twitter at: @reMovetheChains #justachicken #eat2win #yoby

Spurs & Feathers • 19

October 8, 2014

South Carolina Gamecocks

Recruiting Round-up

By Phil Kornblut

The South Carolina basketball program hosted a big target recently. By big, we’re talking 7-0, 318 pound center Rozelle Nix, a Cincinnati native who attends Pensacola JC in Florida. Nix attended last Saturday night’s football game, got a tour of the campus and athletic facilities and checked out the academics. “The visit went fantastic,” Nix said. “I liked pretty much everything. The academics and the athletics, it’s pretty amazing.” Nix spent a lot of time with Martin getting to know each other and getting a feel for how he would fit in with the program.

“He said if I came there I would make a huge impact on the program,” Nix said. “My physicality and my work ethic, he said I could be ten times better if I came here. The practice area is pretty good and the arena is pretty amazing.

It’s huge. The players are a cool group of guys.

They have a great atmosphere. It’s a family environment. I could see myself here but I’ve got to wait until after the season.” Nix was scheduled to visit Pittsburgh this past weekend but is not going to be able to make it because of his own basketball schedule.

He’ll visit there during the season or afterwards.

He’s also looking at Missouri, Tennessee and Georgia for possible visits, and he’s had VCU and his hometown school Xavier come into the picture of late. Right now, USC, Loyola and Phil Kornblut Pittsburgh top his list Contributing with the Gamecocks Writer and Marymount tied at the top. Nix is expecting USC assistant coach Matt Figger watched him this past weekend as his team played in a junior college scrimmage in Tallahassee.

6-6 PJ Dozier of Spring Valley made the first of his five official visits two weekends ago with a trip to Michigan. His father and coach, Perry Dozier, joined on the trip to Ann Arbor. “It was a very good visit,” Perry Dozier said. “We expected it to be a good visit. The staff is awesome. PJ did very well gelling with the fellas there. They’ve got plenty to offer. Good school.

Real good school. I think he made a good rapport with the coaching staff which is really big with him. The campus is awesome. The program and what they’ve got to offer life after basketball is real big to me and his mom. And opportunities to be able to pursue his career in basketball, all of those things he felt real comfortable with.” John Beilein is the veteran coach at Michigan and has produced some outstanding guards in his career. Michigan’s style of play is one that is attractive to the Doziers. “His style

is definitely on point,” Dozier said. “But when PJ came down to picking his five schools, that was one of the things he based it on, the style of play they have. Now it’s just a matter of trying to figure out which is going to be the best one out of the five.” The Doziers visited North Carolina this past weekend and then will take the next weekend off. They will go to Georgetown on the 17th, South Carolina on the 24th and Louisville on the 31st. Dozier remains open with no true leader though Michigan has an early leg up because that’s been the only visit. As for how they will handle the announcement, Dozier said they are considering doing something on one of the ESPN outlets.

6-5 Tevin Mack of Dreher made an official visit to VCU recently. He also has visited Georgia. This past weekend Mack visited Clemson.

He will go to Connecticut October 11th and USC on the 18th. Mack made an unofficial visit to USC a while back to watch the Gamecocks work out and talk with the coaches.

Senior 6-9 Johncarlos Reyes attends a prep school in LaGrange, GA and he claims an offer from USC. Reyes said USC coach Frank Martin watched him during the AAU season this past summer and has interest as well. “Me and coach Martin have like the same background,” Reyes said. “We talk all the time. It (USC) is close to home and I feel like I can really improve there. We last talked about two weeks ago.”

Reyes lists his offers as USC, Clemson, Texas Tech, Connecticut, Texas A&M, Western Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Alabama and Tennessee. .Right now he said he’s looking the hardest at Clemson, USC, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Texas Tech but he still considers himself wide open. Reyes has not taken the SAT or ACT yet so he can’t schedule any official visits.

That means he won’t sign until the spring.

Football News: USC 2015 commitment DB Damon Arnette of Fort Lauderdale has made multiple visits to Columbia but the Missouri game was the first time he’d been to a game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Arnette made an unofficial visit for the Missouri game and was joined by his parents.

“Everything was great,” Arnette said. “The atmosphere was great. It’s just sad that we lost.”

Arnette focused much of his attention during the game on the USC defense and in particular the play of the secondary. ‘It seems like they have a great chemistry together,” he said. “I thought they did a pretty good job. They played man much of the night. Brison (Williams) and Al (Harris Jr.) did a pretty good job.” Arnette doesn’t plans to take his official visit to USC until the big recruiting weekend in January. He also will take official visits to Ohio State, Louis-

ville and Kentucky. The only date his knows is Louisville on November 29th for the Kentucky game. “My commitment is real strong,” Arnette said. “I don’t see me going anywhere else.”

USC 2014 signee DE Dexter Wideman is going through the paces at Camden Military Academy this fall, and the early results have been positive both on and off the field. “His play speaks for itself,” said Camden Military coach Will Rice. “There’s a reason South Carolina and Florida State wanted him. What I like most about him is he’s one of the nicest young men I’ve met in my life. He’s always got a smile on his face, a positive attitude and is a great leader.

I love being around him.” Wideman is playing defensive end, some defensive tackle and occasionally tight end. In the classroom, Wideman also is excelling according to his coach. “I think he’s on pace to do what he has to do to be there in January,” Rice said. “He’s putting forth the effort and doing his work. We’ve been pleased.”

Rice said USC is keeping in touch with Wideman and there’s no wavering on the commitment either way. “That’s a done deal,” he said.

“I think he’s going to do well both academically and athletically there.”

Juniors: USC has offered LB Tobias Little (6-0 233) of Atlanta and he feels good about the Gamecocks. “I like South Carolina a lot because of the defense. They play based on their defense and I could see myself having a lot of fun there.”

Little added that he would like to take a trip to Columbia this fall for a game. Other schools that have offered include Clemson, NC State, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech with interest coming from Auburn, Georgia and Florida.

USC has already offered junior QB Avery McCall (6-0 195) of Dillon but that does not complete his offer sheet. Clemson, LSU, Tennessee, North Carolina, Duke and East Carolina also have offered. And USC could have a slight advantage early because of his familiarity with the program. “They’re a good school, just like Clemson,” he said. “And it’s close to home. I went there and it has a good campus…a good everything. The coaches are great and they make me feel like I’m at home. They have great fans and a great atmosphere there.” He did not omit Clemson from the conversation, however.

“I could see myself playing there,” McCall said.

“They’re a good school and they’ve got a good team. I haven’t talked to their coaches as much (as USC’s coaches). I want to get up there for a visit.” McCall has visited East Carolina and named North Carolina as another school he would like to visit this season. He does not have any favorites.

RB Shakur Chisolm (6-2 188) of Barnwell

YOUR UNDER ARMOUR HEADQUARTERS! 620 Huger St., Columbia, SC Website: toddandmoore.com Facebook: Todd and Moore Sporting Goods broke his foot in the first game of last season but is fully healthy this season and showing it. He had over 600 rushing yards in his first four games including a 22 carry, 296 yard effort against Bamberg-Ehrhardt. “That was one of the most impressive performances I’ve seen from a running back,” Barnwell coach Eddie Moore said. “If he’s not one of the top ten running backs in the country next year, I’d like to see them.” Chisolm, who also plays free safety, came on strong as a freshman and drew a verbal offer from Auburn back then. USC, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Purdue, Missouri, Virginia and East Carolina are some of the schools now expressing interest. Chisolm was at the USCGeorgia game and has been to USC and Clemson in the past.

QB Collin Hill (6-4 200) of Dorman recently visited Georgia and this weekend he is going to Arizona to see the Wildcats host Southern Cal. Other schools showing interest include USC, Florida State, Stanford, Tennessee, Purdue, Utah, Appalachian State, Pitt, Louisville, Duke, Central Florida and NC State. Hill would like to get to USC for a game this season. “I camped down there this summer and they told me I threw the ball well,” Hill said. “I like them a lot.

It’s really close to home and I have a sister that goes there. I’ve been to games there before and you can’t beat the atmosphere.” Hill does not have any favorites.

North Carolina was the first to offer junior DE Norman Hand, Jr. (6-3 235) of Colleton County and he is hearing from USC, Clemson, Wake Forest, Georgia, Auburn, and Duke among others. He does not have any visits scheduled to date but definitely wants to visit Ole Miss, his parents’ alma mater. Hand’s late father played at Ole Miss and in the NFL. WR Larry Collins Jr. (6-3 190) of Lower Richland has blossomed this season into a major prospect. “He’s extremely athletic,” LR coach Daryl Page said of Collins who also is a member of LR’s 4 x 100 relay team and basketball team.

“He has a big body and can go up and get the football. He makes tough catches in traffic but he’s still working on body position and taking advantage of his size.” USC has offered along with Clemson, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida State, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Appalachian State. Collins was at USC for the Georgia game. “The game was great and they played great,” Collins said. “They are telling me to keep doing what I’m doing.” He also was at Florida State for the Clemson game. Collins grew up in Jacksonville as a Florida fan before moving to South Carolina in 2006. Collins said all the schools are recruiting him about the same and he has no favorites. He’s not sure when he’ll make his decision.

20 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

Unique views sponsored by Unique Expressions On a weekend where top-10 teams were falling like dominoes (Oregon, Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and UCLA) it probably should not come as much of a surprise that South Carolina found a way to lose Saturday night. Many so-called experts predicted that Kentucky, who was much improved, would win.

But the way the Gamecocks found to lose this one is what makes it hard to swallow, completely wasting a career night for Mike Davis with 183 yards rushing despite being dinged up. This night was eerily similar to a night in Lexington, Ky. in 2010 when Marcus Lattimore had a huge first half and South Carolina found a way to lose that one, the only two times Coach Spurrier has lost to Kentucky.

Two weeks in a row Carolina built two touchdown leads in the fourth quarter only to see Ed Girardeau it fall apart. Boy Contributing did these two fall Editor apart. Last week was bad enough

losing by one, but this was something else.

Kentucky’s offense at the end was a one back in the “Wildcat” and everybody in the stadium knew what was coming and USC’s defense was gashed. It was hard to watch; it’s hard to write about.

For whatever reason, the defense, which had showed improvement, digressed on this night.

Instead of not being able to cover anybody on a pass route, nobody could tackle, particularly in the second half.

And just like last week, the offense, which had been pretty efficient on the night, completely flopped on the last two possessions. A tipped pass turned into an interception, which turned into a Kentucky touchdown and gave them their first lead of the night. And then just as an awful pass was picked off at the end of the first half with South Carolina threating to score, this time another awful pass was picked off downfield well overthrown to any Gamecock receiver.

As coach Spurrier said after the game, “if we had it to do over again, I guess we would run the ball down there.” Unfortunately, we threw it. Dylan Thompson’s last couple of games have been rough. Late in the game, he has not been able to pull these last two out of the fire.

It would not be so bad, but he’s following up a

guy, Connor Shaw, who pulled quite a few out in these type situations.

Now to be fair, Connor had many more starts and had a few which did not go his way either (Tennessee last year comes to mind). All quarterbacks do. Knowing Thompson, I’m sure he will bounce back and play his heart out even more than he already has. Dylan plays hard and games like this seem to even out along the way so hopefully he will get another chance.

One thing the HBC said after the game was that he would tell the coaches to look at the freshmen and find the players who want to be on the field and play hard. This is not the time to give up. It will continue to be a crazy season and perhaps with a week off and a fresh start, South Carolina can find a way to get back on track and win a few of these games down the stretch.

There is no reason why improvement cannot be made. There’s talent on the team. Practice hard and find players who can tackle on defense and make plays on offense. I personally am not looking for any one player in particular at any one position, but competition from within usually results in better play I can remember growing up those weeks after losses were always difficult and the worst was open date after a loss. There were certainly

photo by jenny dilworth

no vacations. I certainly don’t expect there to be any vacations this week either. It will be a chance to heal some wounds, but it’s also a chance to get better and come out ready to win and maybe see a few new faces on the field against Furman.

There are a lot of opportunities to make this into a good season going forward. We will go on the road at Auburn, Tennessee at home, at Florida and at Clemson. Win three out of those four and we will feel pretty good about ourselves.

We will have to improve dramatically to achieve that. Here’s hoping it happens.

Spurs & Feathers • 21

October 8, 2014

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 GameCocks 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. Triangle Gamecock Club hosts Athletics Director Ray Tanner When: Friday, Oct. 10; 12 p.m.

Where: Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, 222 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, N.C. Gamecock Athletics Director Ray Tanner will visit the Triangle Gamecock Club. Tanner will address those in attendance starting at 12:30 p.m.

Spartanburg Gamecock Club October Meeting When: Thursday, October 16th, 7:00PM Where: Spartanburg Downtown Marriott Convention Center

Topic: Annual “mid-season review and player update” Guest Speaker: Chris Clark (Gamecock Central Recruiting Analyst) All Gamecock fans are welcome and Admission is FREE! Jacksonville Gamecock Club Florida Weekend When: Nov. 14-15 (Bus Tickets sales cutoff is Oct. 15) The Jacksonville Gamecock Club invites all Carolina fans to Jacksonville to prepare to beat the Gators again! November 14 & 15, 2014. Reserve your bus tickets and party tickets now! Friday night party starting at 7 p.m. at Jacksonville Marriott @ Southpoint; cost is $20 per person with The Sensational Epics performing.

Game day bus ride on Nov. 15 five hours prior to kickoff; leaving from Jacksonville Marriott @ Southpoint with a coast of $40 per person, does not include ticket to game.

Hotel accommodations at Jacksonville Marriott @ Southpoint, Gamecock Club rate $79/ night. (904) 296-2222. Make checks payable to Jacksonville Gamecock Club, 2948 3rd Street South #328, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250-5847. Please include email for confirmation. Any questions call: Belk Ingram: (904) 254-5969, bingram@pbclubrealty.com; Rod Brace (904) 755-4041, rrbrace@gmail. com; Dane Hall (904) 591-4877, dhall88@ comcast.net; Rick Williamson (904) 6997952, rwilliamson1301@yahoo.com.

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 - 803-3378850 or Chris Blackwelder - 803-718-3276.

The Gamecock Club remembers these members of Gamecock Nation who have recently passed away....

James Davis “Blackie” Kincaid - Blackie was born on August 11, 1930 to the late Rondal and Beatrice Kincaid of Ansted, West Virginia.

Ansted was always home and that is where he lived until attending the University of South Carolina in 1948. He initially played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.

After his junior year he and his brother, Billy Gene, and two teammates joined the Coast Guard. He then returned to USC and played football his senior year. Upon graduation from USC, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 29th overall pick of the NFL draft. He was traded to the Washington Redskins and later played in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger Cats and then the Montreal Alouettes. Football was his life for many years and he remained a loyal fan to his

South Carolina Athletic Events: This Week Wednesday, Oct. 8

zz Cross country USC Open #2............................................................................. 6 p.m. zz Men’s soccer at Florida International..............................................................7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 10

zz Equestrian at Auburn............................................................................................4 p.m. zz Swimming and diving at Kentucky......................................................................5 p.m. zz Women’s soccer at Kentucky...........................................................................7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 11

zz Men’s soccer vs. UAB......................................................................................... 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 12

zz Volleyball at Alabama...........................................................................................4 p.m.

Friday - Monday

zz Women’s tennis at UVA Fall Invitational..........................................................All Day

Friday - Sunday

zz Women’s golf at Tar Heel Invitational...............................................................All Day

Wednesday, Oct. 15

zz Volleyball vs. Florida............................................................................................6 p.m.

Bold................................................................................................................. Home game **For more South Carolina schedule information, visit: www.gamecocksonline. com/calendar/events/ for a complete master calendar.** beloved Gamecocks throughout his life. His journey took him back to USC where he attained his Master’s degree and worked for the University, overseeing housing and later the Student Union. The transportation business eventually took him to Charlotte, N.C. and then Goldsboro, N.C. To say he was a sports enthusiast is putting it mildly. He coached and attended every sport imaginable while his children and grandchildren were playing. He loved high school football and refereed for many years. Softball was one of his favorite sports to play and he remained a top tier player until long after his contemporaries had hung up their cleats. As busy as he was, he always managed a round or two of golf on weekends and after he retired, during the week also. Everyone would remember his keen ability on the golf course as he had 13 holes in one.

John Megrey - John was born in Marquerite, Pa. to Andrew Anthony Megrey and Mary Cecilia Gumbita Megrey. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army Air Corp during WWII with Patton’s Army. Prior to retirement he worked for United States Steel, A & P and Colonial Stores.

Mr. Megrey was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1954, prior to that he was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Greenville and St. Andrews, Myrtle Beach. At St. Joseph he was a member of the all men’s choir under Madame Baker, past president and vice president of the Men’s Club, served as usher for 36 years and at the inception of Cardinal Newman High School he was a board member to represent St. Joseph.

He was a life member of American Legion Post #6, VFW Post #641 and DAV Woodrow Wilson Chapter #4. An avid Gamecock fan, he was 2004 Gamecock Club Fan of the Year and attended every Gamecock game in and out of town for 37 years, riding on Wayward Bus. He was a member of the Gamecock Club, Tip Off Club and Touchdown Club. He was also a past board member of the Navigator Corp. and Christopher Towers and member of Knights of Columbus Bishop England Council 724 3rd and 4th Degrees, Jednota 388, Columbia Country Club, Fort Jackson, Sedgewood Country Club and Marguerite Volunteer Fire Department.

22 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014

Gamecocks racing toward an impact in SEC by mike kucharski Contributing Writer

South Carolina’s track and field studentathletes are excited to be back on campus and working this fall toward taking another step forward this season.

Head coach Curtis Frye said that the fall is all about improving and working to prepare for the spring competitions. He explained that the goals in the fall are based on the athletes’ fitness levels and analyzing training.

“We have set tests that they take early, then we train six weeks and repeat that test to see how their recovery is and the progress that they make through training. We can compare them to some people who have been successful here and look at the numbers to help project. Then they’re working in the weight room to help create power and muscle endurance so we can continue with our tests. It’s like a laboratory,” Frye said.

With some team members having successful summers in competing in international meets, Frye said the rest of the team gains a sense of hope and a blueprint for success. Jussi Kanervo, Tyler Brokington, Chris Royster and Jeannelle Scheper all found international successes over the summer with many others competing in summer meets as well.

“We’re excited because it gives a good picture for the kids to have someone in the program that was able to represent their country. It gives a good light for our staff and our team and it creates hope … it has us in a good place. Hope is always a good place and this year we hope that we’re able to put more kids on national teams,” Frye remarked.

He said that those who participated in the summer competitions needed some time to rest and recover, but they are now back training with the rest of the team. He added that the athletes of that caliber will not take long to get back into the same shape as the rest of the athletes.

The men’s and women’s teams both selected captains in early September and Frye said that the group should provide great leadership for the team.

“It’s getting to the point where we have enough older kids - six junior/seniors on each side - that have been to regionals or nationals.

It’s been a while since we have had that … we haven’t had kids that knew what it meant to be leaders,” Frye commented. “We’ve had kids that were leaders in community service and in the classroom - they’ve got that part down and have been great leaders off the track - but the part of going eye-to-eye with some of the best in the SEC, we haven’t had that part recently and it takes a different breed to compete in the SEC. That’s the thing that we’re moving toward now.

“I think this leadership has worked hard

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Javelin specialist Kaleb Zuidema had a highly decorated season last year for the Gamecocks as he was named an All-American. enough … that they’re examples of our system. If you work hard we’ll get all of the gift that you have. Right now we have leaders that have followed that protocol. We have people that will be at the National Championship and people that will be an example of what it takes to score. It’s a body of adding up the work and the good guy wins and sustains winning,” Frye expounded.

Frye added that he likes that his teams have always been all-around examples of true student-athletes and he is looking forward to this group making an impact in the competitive SEC. “We don’t want to sacrifice what makes college athletics great. We emphasize student to athlete and we think that we’re an example of what athletics will become,” Frye said. “I’m proud of Carolina track and what this group of leaders have done, but our ultimate goal is that we can’t just be front in the classroom.

We have to be at the front in competition.

That’s why I came here to coach.

“This is a great recruiting class that we brought in - I know they’re young - to go along with a great group of leaders. We think it’s a combination of melting it back. We have to stack our recruiting classes to be great and

I think we’re getting there with the commitment to track from Athletics with breaking ground on the new facility in January. Our leadership is incredible. Our future of the facility and the commitment of the program is great as well … we’ve got the whole picture,” Frye concluded.

October 8, 2014

Spurs & Feathers • 23

24 • Spurs & Feathers

October 8, 2014