november 2, 2016 • Volume 38 • Issue 12 • $1.50
STATEMENT WIN! Gamecocks make it a rocky evening for 18th-ranked Tennessee Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Please expedite
South Carolina women’s soccer at 17-0-1 (11-0-0 SEC) becomes the first SEC team to notch an undefeated regular-season Publication mailed from Columbia on Monday, October 31
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Spurs & Feathers Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
November 2, 2016
Please Read: Editor’s note Please note that we are weekly for the rest of the football season. Please also make sure to email bhand@spursandfeathers.com whenever you have a meeting for inclusion in our editions and on SpursandFeathers.com. Per our contract with the Gamecock Club, below are our remaining edition dates for the 2016 year. Forever to Thee!
Contact Us: 326 Rutland Drive N.W. PO Box 456 Aiken, SC, 29801 To subscribe/questions: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Kyle Heck Reporter kheck@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Cover Design Brian Hand (Photo by Jenny Dilworth) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 20 times annually. The frequency is monthly in January, April and July. The publication is weekly from September-November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes two slick-paper magazine issues — one in August and one in December. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC
Looking ahead: Florida parking information
Spurs & Feathers schedule Nov. 2 newspaper Nov. 9 newspaper Nov. 16 newspaper Nov. 23 newspaper Nov. 30 newspaper Dec. 21 magazine (end of year)
Dr. • From Garage IX there are ADA shuttles. The shuttles begin running 4 hours prior to kickoff and drop off at Gate 18 of the Football stadium. The Shuttles from Garage IX are running continuously until kickoff and then pick back up at the start of the fourth quarter. • Golf carts are available at Gate 18 to assist patrons who need further assistance to their gate.
General Public Parking: • Public parking lots are very limited around the stadium. All lots that are not reserved are available on a first-come, firstserved basis (see map). As always, parking on the grass and sidewalks is NOT permitted and any vehicles doing so are at risk of being towed. • In an effort to tighten security around the stadium, starting 2.5 hours prior to kickoff, no vehicular traffic will be allowed on Lemerand Drive between University Avenue and Stadium Road. The closure will remain in effect until the end of the game.
Parking Maps: http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/gatorzone.com/documents/2015/8/24/parking-mapfb-2015.pdf
Game Day Shuttle Information: Utilize the RTS Shuttle service to avoid the limited parking on campus on game days. Park at one of five convenient locations around Gainesville for a quick ride to the game: The Oaks Mall, Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, The Village Center in Haile Plantation, Tioga Town Center, and Downtown Parking Garage. The RTS Shuttle service costs $10/game or $50/season. Service is offered from 3 hours before the game until kickoff, with return shuttles beginning in the 4th quarter. For more information, call 352-334-2600 or visit go-rts.com. Handicap Parking: • Disabled Parking for Visitors is located at Garage IX, which is located on the south side of Archer Road on Gale Lemerand
RV Parking: • .Visiting team first-come, firstserve RV parking is located on Hull Road west of SW 34th Street behind the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center. Once you enter the parking area the road will fork and the free RV parking is to the left (south portion of the lot). • For more information please contact UF Transportation and Parking at (352) 3928048 • The lot opens at 6:30pm on Friday night and is open until Sunday at 12:00pm (Noon). Special thanks to Mike McManus and the Gamecock Cruisers, who provide us with this parking information to pass along. For more information on Gamecock Cruisers, visit their website at GamecockCruisers.com
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Statement win: Gamecocks make it a rocky evening for 18th-ranked Vols by brian hand Executive Editor
COLUMBIA - “Our guys played their guts out tonight.” First-year South Carolina (4-4, 2-4 SEC) head coach Will Muschamp could not have put it any better in describing the Gamecocks’ 24-21 huge statement win over No. 18 Tennessee before a crowd of 78,696 at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 29. The win over the Volunteers (5-3, 2-3 SEC) was not only the biggest of Muschamp’s short time as South Carolina’s head coach, but also the Gamecocks’ first over a ranked foe since besting No. 6 Georgia, 38-35, at Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 13, 2014. “What a great win for our football team, for our program,” Muschamp said. “Our fan base was amazing. It was an electric atmosphere. You could feel the energy when we pulled up to Gamecock Walk and everybody was lined up ready to roll, and we appreciate that.” Tennessee won the toss in the game, but deferred to the second half, and the Gamecocks took advantage of their decision by promptly going 73 yards on 10 plays in 4:30 to take a 7-0 lead with 10:30 left in the first quarter. The Gamecocks looked to have been stalled on their opening drive, but on fourth and two, South Carolina freshman quarterback Jake Bentley beautifully sold what looked to be a run to the right and bolted out left for a 16-yard run to the Tennessee 23-yard line. One play later with a defender draped all over him, wide receiver Deebo Samuel made a highlight reel
one-handed catch on a play that would have otherwise been pass interference to give the Gamecocks the football at the two-yard line. Two plays later, freshman running back Rico Dowdle rushed in from one yard out to give the Gamecocks the 7-0 lead. Tennessee would even things up at 7-7 with 1:50 left in the opening quarter when Jalen Hurd concluded a nine-play, 53-yard scoring drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The scoring drive took 3:41 off the clock. It would not take long for South Carolina to take the lead back though. The second Gamecock touchdown of the day was the perfect example of defense turning to offense as after a Jamarcus King interception of Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs at their own 31-yard line, the Gamecocks just three plays later scored to take the 14-7 lead. The touchdown came off the arm of Bentley as he connected with another freshman in Bryan Edwards for a 17-yard touchdown that finished off a three-play, 31-yard drive that took just 59 seconds. The two teams would enter the halftime break with the Gamecocks still holding that 14-7 lead. South Carolina finished with 101 yards of total offense to Tennessee’s 98 in the first half. South Carolina would pick up the first points of the second half with 1:49 left in the third quarter on a 28-yard field goal by Elliott Fry. The Fry field goal was the culmination of an 11-play, 69-yard drive for the Gamecocks. There were some big plays on the scoring drive for the Gamecocks, including an ankle-breaking 40-yard run by Dowdle and a 22-yard pass from Bentley to Samuel. The Gamecocks looked as if
ered by South Carolina’s Darius English at the 50-yard line. The Volunteers would get back to within three at 24-21 with 7:03 to play on a six-yard touchdown pass from Dobbs to Jauan Jennings. The touchdown finished off a six-play, 77-yard scoring drive that lasted 2:51 for the Volunteers. Tennessee would have a chance to tie up things with a last-second field goal attempt from 58 yards out, but the attempt never really had a chance, allowing the Gamecocks to pick up the thrilling three-point win. Dowdle finished South Carolina’s win over the Volunteers with a career-best 127 yards rushing to go along with his rushing touchdown. He was the main catalyst of a Gamecock offense that finished with a total of 325 yards of offense to Tennessee’s 297. The Gamecocks held a photo by jenny dilworth commanding 35:54-24:06 advantage in terms of time of possession in the game. they may pull ahead 21-7, but a Bentley two-yard In improving to 2-0 as a starter, Bentley ended his evening 15-of-20 with 167 yards passing. He touchdown run was nullified by a hold by tight passed for two touchdowns and had no intercepend Hayden Hurst. It would not take long at all for the Volunteers tions. Bentley’s top target in the game was Samuel, who hauled in eight catches for 83 yards. to respond to Fry’s field goal with Evan Berry Dobbs ended Tennessee’s loss just 12-for-26 taking the ensuing kickoff back 100 yards to pull Tennessee to within three at 17-14 with 1:35 passing, throwing for just one touchdown to go along with his two picks picked up by South left in the third quarter. Carolina’s King. The Gamecocks would push their lead back The Gamecock defense limited Tennessee to to 10 at 24-14 with 9:54 to play when Bentley just 136 yards rushing in the game with no Volfound a streaking KC Crosby down the right unteer eclipsing the 100-yard or more plateau. sideline for a 35-yard touchdown. The Crosby South Carolina will next welcome Missouri to touchdown reception concluded a four-play, Williams-Brice Stadium for a 4 p.m. game on 50-yard drive for the Gamecocks that took just Saturday, Nov. 5. The game will be nationally1:44 off the clock. The touchdown was made possible by a Tennessee fumble that was recov- televised by the SEC Network.
Strong week of preparation leads to win over No. 18 Vols
by brian hand Executive Editor
COLUMBIA - South Carolina junior linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams has been saying for some time that he felt things were coming together, and big things were in the Gamecocks future. Well, he was right and then some in South Carolina’s thrilling 24-21 statement win over No. 18 Tennessee (5-3, 2-3 SEC). In fact, one of the problems the Gamecocks (4-4, 2-4 SEC) have had all year has been defending the run, but against Tennessee’s vaunted rushing attack that was not the case as the Gamecocks did not allow a 100-yard rusher and surrendered just 136 yards rush-
ing to the Volunteers. Allen-Williams feels a great deal of South Carolina’s success comes from buying into what it takes to be successful on game day in practice. “This was the best week of practice,” AllenWilliams said of the Gamecocks’ efforts against the rush. “Sunday through today, we’ve just been prepared. We’ve had a lot of walk-throughs, a lot of preparation was put into this game and it definitely paid off. I feel like this was the best we’ve played all year, but we just have to work and continue to get better.” Fellow South Carolina linebacker T.J. Holloman agrees. “We needed this win tonight,” Holloman
said. “Not only for our program, but also for our fans. Our fans came out tonight. Great support. It was a loud stadium, and (the fans) got what they deserved. Holloman said that the commitment to stopping the run was by design. “Our game plan was to come in and shut down the run and make Dobbs beat us throwing the ball,” the senior said. “As we saw today, our defensive line got after him and he had a lot of problems trying to get the ball.” The biggest win of his career up to this point in time, South Carolina first-year head coach Will Muschamp like Allen-Williams knows the strong week of practice leading up to the game paid off huge for the Gamecocks.
“We had a really good week, probably our best week of preparation,” Muschamp said. “I told our guys early in the week that this game was going to come down to the fourth quarter. I felt that way all along. We’re going to have to finish, and the word of the week was finish. You have to learn to finish against an opponent. You need to learn to make plays in these games. The effort and mental urgency our guys had were outstanding all week, and you saw a product of that on game day.” Muschamp knows that big win or not, there is definitely still room to grow for his Gamecocks. “We’ve improved,” Muschamp said. “We’re not near where we need to be. That’s the bottom line.”
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Muschamp: ‘Our fan base was amazing’ by brian hand Executive Editor COLUMBIA - Will Muschamp knows it could not have happened without the Gamecock fans behind them. With a young team still growing, having Williams-Brice as live and loud as it has been for some time on Saturday, Oct. 29, Muschamp pointed out that “our fan base was amazing” after South Carolina’s 24-21 statement win over No. 18 Tennessee. “We’re a different team at home in terms of how our guys approach and play,” Muschamp said. “Our fan base has a tremendous effect on us and how we go about our business.” South Carolina junior linebacker T.J. Holloman like his head coach knows that being able to win such a big game in front of the Gamecock fans at Williams-Brice Stadium means a great deal. “A win is a win,” Holloman said. “But a win at home like we did tonight in front of our fans is unbelievable.” In a series where South Carolina (4-4, 2-4
photo by allen sharpe
SEC) had entered this year’s game having been on the losing side of things for the last three games, South Carolina junior linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams knows clos-
ing things out in such a strong way against a nationally-ranked foe can go a long way towards future success. “It meant a lot,” Allen-Williams said of
South Carolina’s fourth win over Tennessee in the last five meetings between the two at Williams-Brice Stadium. “This is my third year here and the last two times we’ve played Tennessee, we’ve kind of let them get the win at the end of the game. So it meant a lot to finish out this game, and it means a lot for the future of our program. We proved that we can finish games, and we have to continue to keep working so everyone can know who we are.” In their quest to become bowl eligible, South Carolina’s win over Tennessee (5-3, 2-3 SEC) is huge obviously. That’s why Muschamp quickly brought up the 24-hour rule after the win over Tennessee with Missouri next coming to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5. “We have to enjoy tonight and put this one behind us and get ready for a game against Missouri,” Muschamp said. “I’m very pleased with our guys’ efforts, and they have continued to fight. It says a lot about our players and about our staff. Our staff sticks together, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
View from the Tennessee locker room by kyle heck Reporter
if you want to be successful. We didn’t do that, and that’s what the score shows.” Now, the Vols hope they can move past the COLUMBIA - Tennessee had a bye week to loss and refocus. recover from two tough losses to Texas A&M “We can’t let South Carolina beat us twice,” and Alabama, but in the end, it still wasn’t linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. said. “We have enough. The Vols once again got out to a slow to focus on what we can focus on and control start in their game against South Carolina on what we can control.” Saturday, Oct. 29, and the Gamecocks upset Tennessee had just 297 yards of offense No. 18 Tennessee, 24-21. against the Gamecocks, which was nearly 100 With the win at Williams-Brice Stadium, the yards below its season average entering the Gamecocks snapped a three-game losing streak game. Along with the two interceptions, Dobbs to the Vols. Tennessee turned the ball over three completed just 12-of-26 passes for 161 yards. times, and it resulted in 14 points for South “They were doing different things with the Carolina. (defensive) front,” Dobbs said. “Twist up front, “When you’re on the road, you can’t turn the different stunts and everything. We knew that football over,” head coach Butch Jones said. coming into the game, so that just goes back “Too many penalties on special teams, and to being focused on the offense and the gamethose are momentum killers.” plan.” Coming into the year, Tennessee was the “They were able to play some man coverfavorite to win the SEC East, but the Vols have age, and Josh wasn’t able to set his feet,” Jones now dropped three straight games. They were added. 13.5 point favorites against the Gamecocks, but South Carolina freshman tailback Rico the home team was able to outplay the national- Dowdle had a career night against the Vols. ly-ranked Vols. Dowdle rushed for a career-high 127 yards on “You can’t look past anyone, especially on the 27 carries to go with a rushing touchdown. On road in the SEC because it obviously showed one play, he used an incredible juke move that today, at any given point, anyone can beat made Kirkland Jr. fall down to pick up 40 pivanyone,” said quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who otal yards. threw two interceptions on Saturday. “So you “His long run, that was a mistake by me,” have to come out and bring your best football Kirkland Jr. said. “He just broke free. I feel
photo by jenny dilworth
like our defense did a good job controlling him overall, but he did get a couple nice runs.” It was obviously a marquee win for Gamecock head coach Will Muschamp in his first year with the program. Beating Tennessee is nothing new for him, however, as he went 4-0 against the Vols while coaching at Florida.
For Tennessee, Jones was feeling good about his team entering the game, but that didn’t translate to Saturday’s game. “I thought we had a good week of preparation,” Jones said. “But you have to apply it. You have to apply your week of preparation on the game field.”
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South Carolina Gamecocks
2016
football Schedule 09/01/16...........at Vanderbilt# ....................... Nashville, Tenn....................W, 13-10 09/10/16...........at Mississippi State#............ Starkville, Miss...................... L, 27-14
Standings
SEC East
SEC
W-L
HOME
ROAD
NEU PF PA STRK
Florida
4-1
6-1 4-0
1-1 1-0 206 82 W3
Kentucky
4-2
5-3
4-1
1-2
0-0
222
247
W3
Tennessee
2-3
5-3
3-1
1-2
1-0
234
233
L3
South Carolina 2-4
4-4
3-2
1-2
0-0
142
170
W2
10/01/16........ Texas A&M#.....................Columbia, S.C................ L, 24-13
Georgia
2-4
4-4
1-2
2-1
1-1
186
209
L2
10/09/16........ Georgia#..........................Columbia, S.C................ L, 28-14
Vanderbilt
1-3
4-4
2-2
2-2
0-0
166
171
W2
Missouri
0-4
2-6
2-3
0-3
0-0
265
243
L4
SEC West
SEC
09/17/16........ East Carolina....................Columbia, S.C............... W, 20-15 09/24/16...........at Kentucky#.......................... Lexington, Ky........................ L, 17-10
10/22/16........ Massachusetts.................Columbia, S.C............... W, 34-28 10/29/16........ Tennessee#......................Columbia, S.C............... W, 24-21
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA STRK
Alabama
5-0
8-0 4-0
3-0 1-0 351 119 W8
11/12/16...........at Florida#............................... Gainesville, Fla.............................TBA
Texas A&M
4-1
7-1
4-0
2-1
1-0
307
158
W1
Auburn
4-1
6-2
4-2
2-0
0-0
290
128
W5
11/19/16........ Western Carolina.............Columbia, S.C.......................TBA
LSU
3-1
5-2
5-0
0-1
0-1
209
105
W3
Arkansas
1-3
5-3
4-1
1-1
0-1
247
251
L1
Ole Miss
1-4
3-5
3-2
0-2
0-1
288
260
L3
Mississippi State 1-3
3-5
2-2
1-3
0-0
243
240
W1
11/05/16........ Missouri#.........................Columbia, S.C................... 4 p.m.
11/26/16...........at Clemson.............................. Clemson, S.C.................................TBA Bold=Home Game #=SEC
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‘It’s surreal’: SEC champ South Carolina ends regular-season unbeaten by brian hand Executive Editor COLUMBIA - True to form, nationally second-ranked and SEC champion South Carolina women’s soccer took a little time to celebrate, but shortly after completing an undefeated regular-season with a 2-0 win over Ole Miss on Senior Night on Thursday, Oct. 27, the Gamecocks were already thinking ahead. And why not? It’s what put South Carolina (17-0-1, 11-0-0 SEC) in a place where they could become just the second team in SEC history to go 11-0 in league play, and the first in SEC women’s soccer history to end the regular-season undefeated overall. “We take wins and we celebrate them, but then we also (say) ‘what’s next?’ So we’re also looking ahead to Wednesday, and we know we’ve got a whole new season to start,” South Carolina junior standout Savannah McCaskill said after South Carolina’s historic win over Ole Miss. “We have the SEC Tournament (next) and our goal is to win that in three games and then the next thing would be NCAAs, but just taking that game-by-game mentality and doing everything we can since we have almost a week before our next game to take advantage of that and rest our legs and get back to work.” South Carolina women’s soccer head coach Shelley Smith noted after the win over Ole Miss that they will have plenty of time to reflect on their incredible regular-season later, but right now there is still a lot of soccer left to be played. “It doesn’t hit us sometimes when you’re in the middle of it,” Smith said. “I guess I’ll probably enjoy it when I step back a little bit, but we’re always driven, ready for the next thing and looking ahead and sometimes, especially with us coaches, we don’t really truly enjoy it until we reflect on the season. We’ll have a lot to reflect on and talk about already, so I’m so excited about that, but we’re looking at next week and I know this team is driven and wants to achieve more goals. We’re in the mindset of what can we do next, and get better from tonight. It wasn’t our best performance even though we had a win and shut them out. It really wasn’t our best performance, so we’ve got to get back to what we’ve been doing well all year.” The only remaining unbeaten team in
photo of groff (left) and McCaskill by allen sharpe
women’s college soccer, South Carolina had some really solid chances in the opening few minutes of the win over Ole Miss, but were a little unlucky in hitting the post and just missing wide.
That would change in the 18th-minute on McCaskill’s single-season school record 14th goal of the year. The goal happened when on a breakaway McCaskill easily slotted the ball into the lower left
corner of the net past Ole Miss goalkeeper Marnie Merritt. A little over a minute later in the 19thminute, McCaskill found senior Sophie Groff, who calmly dribbled past the goalkeeper and placed the ball into the open net for a 2-0 Gamecock advantage. The goal was the sixth of the season for Groff. The goal and the assist by McCaskill in the game allowed her to become South Carolina’s single-season leader in points at 36 (14 goals and eight assists). South Carolina had already clinched the SEC regular-season title even before their regular-season finale win over Ole Miss (9-10, 4-7 SEC), but the shutout win over the Rebels was a great way to put the finishing touches on a special regular-season that gave the Gamecocks their second league regular-season crown and first since 2011. It is South Carolina’s third SEC title overall as the Gamecocks also won the 2009 SEC Tournament. A part of a Gamecock team that has won a school-record 17 straight matches, Groff after the win over Ole Miss said it was all just “surreal.” “To be honest just the whole aspect of being able to win the SEC is huge,” Groff added. After South Carolina’s win over Ole Miss, South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner addressed the Gamecocks. “I just told them I was so proud of them,” Tanner said. Being one that obviously knows what it takes to win at an elite level, Tanner overall was just incredibly proud of what the South Carolina women’s soccer program has already been able to accomplish this year. “First off all, winning an SEC championship in any sport is very, very difficult, and to be able to go undefeated in the league and out of the league is a tremendous accomplishment,” Tanner said. “Coach Smith has done a wonderful job for a long, long time, but to go undefeated is certainly a wonderful year and we’re excited about what is ahead in the next few weeks.” The No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament that will be contested at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Alabama, the Gamecocks will next play the winner of the No. 8 Texas A&M-No. 9 Alabama matchup (Monday, Oct. 31), at 6 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
November 2, 2016
Spurs & Feathers • 9
Gourmet Gents Grub of the Week Cheesesteak Dip
Ingredients · 1 large green pepper, sliced thin and chopped · 1 large onion, chopped · ½ pound thinly sliced steak or 6 frozen cheesesteak steaks · 1 teaspoon garlic powder · ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes · salt and pepper to taste · 12 ounces cream cheese, softened · ½ pound provolone cheese, chopped · ½ pound american cheese, chopped · One large ciabatta loaf Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 375º 2. Heat a large skillet to medium high and add the steak. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, chop the steak into small pieces as it cooks. Cook for 3 - 5 minutes. 3. Add the green pepper and onion and saute until pepper and onion are soft. Approximately 5 minutes. 4. Stir in the garlic powder, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. 5. Turn the heat to low and add the cream cheese, provolone cheese and american cheese. 6. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is well blended. 7. Cut a rectangular hole in the middle of the ciabatta loaf and hollow out the middle. 8. Scoop the cheesy mixture into the hole in the bread or place in round casserole dish. 9. Place in the oven for approximately 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. 10. Garnish with additional sauteed peppers and onions if desired. 11. Serve with additional slices of bread, crackers and slices of peppers. About the Gourmet Gents Who are we? A few families who randomly met at Williams-Brice Stadium that enjoy doing it big (and just for fun) in the parking lot for the Gamecocks. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Gourmet_Gents.
Rogers makes appearance at Newk’s to give back to fans by kyle heck Reporter
pictures and autographs, the event at Newk’s was also centered around the George Rogers Foundation and the great things it does. South Carolina football great George Rog- The foundation gives scholarships to first ers always jumps at the opportunity to inter- generation college students who more than act with Gamecock fans, and that was more deserve it. than evident on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Newk’s This year once again, the George Rogers Eatery in downtown Columbia. Foundation gave a lot of support back to There, Rogers and his Heisman Trophy those students with $40,000 being given out posed for pictures and signed autographs this year alone. for the fans in attendance. Rogers talked at Coming out of high school in Georgia, length with the fans about anything and evRogers himself was the first person in his erything Gamecocks. For him, he’s excited family to attend college, so giving back to to talk about the team, and has a lot of hope students like himself means a great deal. The for the future. opportunity for a college education helped “It’s always good, but it’s always better Rogers get to where he is now, and it’s somewhen we win,” Rogers said of talking with thing he will forever be thankful for. fans. “I think (head football coach Will) “First generation means a whole lot to Muschamp is going to do a great job. Our de- me,” Rogers said. “That’s why I started the fense is playing real well. Now that we have George Rogers Foundation because I wanted the other quarterback (Jake Bentley) coming to have a chance to give kids a chance to go in who throws some passes, who knows? We to school. That’s what I do. I try to give kids might make it to a bowl game. You never a chance to go to school and make something know.” out of themselves because school is imporAlong with giving fans an opportunity for tant.”
photo by kyle heck
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November 2, 2016
Moore: ‘This Gamecock team has the heart to achieve what most doubt could be accomplished’ Imagine this, you’re at a party, gathering whatever … Surrounded by a group of folks and you say something to add to the conversation. The crowd bursts into laughter … suddenly you feel ashamed, embarrassed. “Hold up …” You ask yourself mentally, “are they laughing at me?” You realize this crowd isn’t laughing at you because you are a “dope,” and what you said was foolish, actually they’re laughing with you. Or how about this scenario: You miss your favorite team Langston Moore playing and are Contributing oblivious to the Writer score or the outcome. You see your best-loved player is on the cover of the newspaper with tears rolling down his face, but there’s no caption. At first you think “dagnabit, we lost a heartbreaker…” Then you find out later that the game was one of the greatest upsets in team history and that picture of your favorite player in tears, was one of joy, not of misery. Both examples show us the power of our perceived beliefs. How we think we know how “things will turn out,” but mostly we’re wrong just like in the above examples. Our beliefs are fluid when we think they are concrete and certain. Even when we trust we have all the facts and believe it just can’t be any other way, our beliefs let us down. Ask any child about monsters living under their beds, and they’ll politely sell you on all the reasons why, “there’s a monster waiting to pull them under as soon as the lights go off.” But we challenge this belief (hopefully) and look under the bed and realize there is no monster. You become conscious that this belief is comical, especially after all the effort, anxiety and time spent in fear. After the first half of the season, coming out of the bye-week most folks didn’t have much belief in the Gamecocks getting to six wins with the remaining schedule. You’d be hard pressed to find many that would’ve believed we would get the win we needed against UT. The questions I would get all week leading up to the game: “be honest and tell me the truth do you think we have a chance?…” In football your belief in your preparation,
photo by jenny dilworth
teammates and execution are what wins you the game. Not listening to anyone outside of the locker room or trying to find reassurance there. Most will tell you how it will go, and how it can’t be done and tell you all the ways it can’t happen instead of the ways it can. Lucky for us as fans, these group of players don’t need us to believe, they do. You’ve heard this cliche plenty: “Life’s a game of inches.” We all know this is true for the gridiron too. But just like the difference between winning and losing a game is in the “inches,” it’s the same with your mind. The difference in those inches starts between the ears. Controlling the beliefs and expectations that swim around in our minds, and choosing what we trust to be true, determines if you’ll be successful or not. Believing you can win and fighting for those inches is the difference. Just like the difference between an incomplete pass and
a touchdown are inches. The 12-plus inches between your mind and your heart probably matter even more. At times when your brain wants to act all logical and say things like “you can’t win these last 5 games, not with all those freshmen” (Gamecocks lead the nation in freshmen starters). Your illogical “heart” has to take over your being and ignore your brain. Ignore reason, stats, trends and just go do it, plain and simple. Thinking of all the accomplishments man has made over history, those great feats weren’t achieved by faulty beliefs. Like space travel, we didn’t accomplish flying to the moon by believing “we won’t make it.” Sure there were a lot of scientist with facts and numbers saying “it won’t happen,” but some brave soul fought for the “inches” and ignored “facts”and trusted in his heart. That belief became contagious and soon the fact
finders didn’t believe in facts and believed in what could be possible. With belief comes confidence and after Saturday’s win the confidence is at an all time high this year. Those of us outside of the locker room might have doubted but we now have to reappraise what is possible if we continue to work and believe. This Gamecock team has the heart to achieve what most doubt could be accomplished given our circumstance. A freshman QB throwing to a freshman WR, or handing off to a freshman running back and expecting to win doesn’t seem logical. Winning against Tennessee after losing ¼ of our defensive backs during the game didn’t seem believable. But the hollow ground between these players ears and the inches that separate their mind and heart are stronger than our collective doubt in what could be.
Spurs & Feathers • 11
November 2, 2016
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Justin Smoak by brian hand Executive Editor
It was always his dream. “I grew up a Gamecock fan, and something that I always wanted to do was go to South Carolina to play baseball and to be able to do that, be on good teams and be known nationally (is special),” South Carolina baseball great Justin Smoak said. Having just finished his seventh season in the big leagues, Smoak not only lived out his dream of playing at South Carolina, but he put together one of the best three-year runs in South Carolina history from 2006-08. After an impressive prep career that included high school All-American honors, his efforts over that three-year span are why, later, you don’t expect to be put in the Hall not even a decade after last suiting up for the of Fame that quickly, but it’s definitely an Gamecocks, Smoak entered the University honor, and something that I will cherish the of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame rest of my life.” during an induction ceremoSmoak was a two-time Allny at The Zone at WilliamsAmerica selection (2007-08) Brice Stadium on Thursday, while playing for legendary Oct. 20. head coach Ray Tanner at “I was really excited honSouth Carolina. estly,” Smoak said of learnDuring his time at South ing that he had been elected Carolina, Smoak never All Gamecock baseball to the University of South missed a start at first base for coverage sponsored by Carolina Athletics Hall of the Gamecocks, logging 195 DiPrato’s Fame. “Only nine years consecutive starts while also
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setting school records for home runs (62), RBIs (207), walks (151) and total bases (485). One of only seven players in SEC history to hit 60 or more home runs, Smoak is still fifth in the SEC record books for most career home runs. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft by the Texas Rangers, Smoak made his Major League debut with the Rangers on April 23, 2010. That same season he was traded to the Seattle Mariners. After being a part of the Mariners organization until 2014, Smoak moved on to play with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015.
Over the past couple of years, Smoak has seen action regularly for the Blue Jays, even becoming the first Blue Jay to hit a grand slam against the New York Yankees at their home field at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 8, 2015. That grand slam would be a part of a career-best 59 RBIs to go along with 18 home runs in the 2015 season for Smoak. In helping lead Toronto to the playoffs this year, Smoak had 24 extra-base hits during the 2016 regular-season, including 14 home runs in 126 games for the Blue Jays. Smoak recently helped Toronto advance all the way to the American League Championship Series, and he has hit 106 home runs in his major league career overall. His success in the big leagues follows his dream of playing at South Carolina, which he remembers the most for “just being on really good teams.” “We had a chance every year to get to Omaha,” Smoak said. “Coach Tanner did an unbelievable job with that.” On top of all of that, what Smoak really thinks back on is the special bond that he built up through a band of brotherhood with his Gamecock teammates over his time in the garnet and black. “In college, you have fraternities and sororities, but baseball is its own fraternity,” Smoak said.
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12 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Sidney Rice by brian hand Executive Editor Coming out of Gaffney High School, Sidney Rice was one of the most coveted players in the entire country. Rice ultimately made the decision to attend the University of South Carolina, and over a decade later, he is incredibly thankful he made the choice to be a Gamecock. “I ended up in the right place,” Rice said. “I was right where I was supposed to be, and I’m very happy with that.” A two-sport star at Gaffney High School, Rice chose the Gamecocks after a prep career where he was named the High School Sports Report Offensive Player of the Year in football and the South Carolina Class AAAA Basketball Player of the Year. Rice had to sit out all of the 2004 season due to injury, but when the wide receiver did hit the field for the Gamecocks in Steve Spurrier’s first year in charge of the program in 2005, he made an immediate impact, garnering Freshman AllAmerica honors after leading the Gamecocks with 70 catches for 1,143 yards and 13 touchdowns. Rice followed that up in his sophomore year with 72 catches for 1,090 yards and 10
touchdowns. Having had the redshirt season in 2004, Rice would depart South Carolina after just two seasons on the field for the NFL where he was a second round selection (44th overall) of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft. A two-time first-team All-SEC selection, Rice in total caught 142 passes, including 23 touchdowns, in his two-year career with the Gamecocks. In South Carolina’s 45-6 win over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 23, 2006, Rice hauled in a school-record five touchdown passes from Gamecock quarterback Syvelle Newton. Rice’s impressive two-year career finished with the legend having averaged 15.7 yards per catch on 2,233 total yards receiving. Despite those gaudy numbers in donning the garnet and black, Rice was still surprised when he learned that he would be inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame at The Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 20. “I was kind of in shock,” Rice said of hearing the news. “It wasn’t something that I was expecting at all, and it totally hit me from left field when I heard about it. I’m obviously super excited and super grateful for the opportunity to even have the opportunity to attend the Uni-
versity of South Carolina, let alone live out my dream and play football and be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I am very, very grateful to be a part of their history.” Rice knows his numbers place him among the elite in Gamecock and college football history, but to him it was just all one tremendous experience. “I had the best years of my life there,” Rice said. “I wasn’t there to set records, although they came with it, but the people that I encountered, the relationships that I made and being able to play in front of those fans, it was awesome just the support that we had. We could go out there and have fun, and regardless of what happened, those fans would be there the next week hoping for the same thing they hoped for the week before.” Due to injuries, Rice stepped away from the
NFL at the age of 27 in 2014, but that was not before he put together an impressive professional career that included stops with both the Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. The 2009 Pro Bowl selection concluded his career with 3,592 yards receiving on 243 receptions. Rice had 30 receiving touchdowns in an NFL career that included him being a member of Seattle’s Super Bowl championship-winning team for the 2013 season. Rice currently spends most of his time in Seattle, and since his retirement he has taken that same passion he played with on the football field into the business world and into his charity and community service efforts. “I currently have five Wingstop restaurants here in the Seattle area, two coffee shops currently, a print and design company and a couple different other investments in real estate and a little technology stuff, so I’m pretty much in everything,” Rice, who also lives in Miami some of the year, said. “I’ve been blessed to be able to meet a lot of people and come across a lot of different things, and the opportunities have presented themselves and I have been able to do well with it so far. The plan is to sustain and continue to grow and be as successful as possible.”
Junior Gamecock Club Halloween Party a real treat by brian hand Executive Editor
tunity to see the animals at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, while also obtaining candy and other various treats from stations scattered throughFor Jordan Wilson-Talmadge and the South out the zoo. Carolina beach volleyball team it was as much In addition, the Gamecock Club hosted a hot of a treat for them as it was for the children in dog dinner at the Ndoki Lodge where when attendance at the annual Junior Gamecock Club walking in you were treated to South Carolina Halloween Party at Riverbanks Zoo and Garstudent-athletes and cheerleaders helping to den on Monday, Oct. 24. hand out candy and interact with the children. “It’s a treat coming out and seeing all of Once inside the children were also given the the costumes and interacting with the kids,” chance to dance with Cocky along with the dinWilson-Talmadge said. “It’s cool to see all of ner. Cocky also took the time to take photos and the families that support our programs, and it’s interact with fans young and old at the Ndoki cool to hang out with the kids and have fun with Lodge. them.” The Junior Gamecock Club Halloween Party The 2016 edition of the Junior Gamecock also always includes Gamecock coaches and Club Halloween Party once again presented the administrators walking around with their famiunique opportunity to enjoy being a Gamecock lies and enjoying the yearly event. while also taking part in “Boo at the Zoo” at Gamecock Club Executive Director Patrick Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. McFarland and his family As one would expect among always attend the yearly event, a large grouping of younger and overall he was just pleased Gamecocks some of the most that Gamecocks young and old popular costumes on display at were having a blast. the event included South Caro“We say this every year, but lina football uniforms for the this is definitely one of our faAll Gamecock boys and cheerleader outfits for vorite events of the year where that a lot of our student-athletes are out here, and beach volleyball coverage we see a lot of families and a the girls. they enjoy it just as much as some of our Junior sponsored by James W. The special evening garnered lot of kids come out,” McFarGamecocks.” Smith Real Estate Co. those in attendance the opporland said. “The neat thing is The annual Junior Gamecock Club Halloween
photo by brian hand
Party is just one of the perks available for members. To learn more about joining the Junior Gamecock Club, please visit http://thegamecockclub.com/donate/.
Spurs & Feathers • 13
November 2, 2016
Gamecock Radio/Television Information
The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 25 affiliate stations for the 2016 football season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts. The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www.GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista. Wild Wing Café, which is South Carolina’s home for the best wings south of Buffalo, has 12 locations in the Palmetto State. Inside the Roost South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour-long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff. South Carolina-Missouri television The South Carolina-Missouri game will be televised by the SEC Network.
2016-17 RADIO AFFILIATES
City
Call Letters
Frequency
Football
Abbeville WZLA-FM 92.9 johnston/Aiken WKSX-FM 92.7 Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5 Camden WPUB-FM 102.7 Camden WCAM-AM 1590 Charleston WWIK-FM 98.9 Chesterfield WVDZ-FM 107.3 Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5 Florence WFRK-FM 93.5 Florence WHYM-AM 1260 Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3 Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500 Greenville WROO-FM 104.9 Hilton Head WVSC-FM 106.5 Hilton Head WVSC-FM 99.1 Lake City WHYM-AM 1260 Myrtle Beach WJXY-FM 93.9 Myrtle Beach WJXY-FM 93.7 Newberry WKDK-AM 1240 Rock Hill WRHM-FM 107.1 Seneca WSNW-AM 1150 Seneca WSNW-FM 94.1 Spartanburg WSPG-AM 1240 Sumter WIBZ-FM 95.5 Union WBCU-AM 1460
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14 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
Recruiting Round-up By Phil Kornblut
DB Naytron Culpepper of Miami did not commit to USC during his official visit last weekend but he certainly saw enough to be convinced he could thrive in the program. Culpepper was hosted by a couple of his south Florida friends Rashad Fenton and Chris Lammons and they made him feel right at home. “They showed a lot of love and I was excited about it,” Culpepper said. “What stood out was how coach T-Rob (Travaris Robinson) was rotating the defensive backs and making sure everybody got playing time. It was a good SEC atmosphere and I’m hoping to play for the Gamecocks, hopefully.” Culpepper said Will Muschamp and Robinson definitely want him in the program but they did not exert any pressure on him to commit during the visit. Phil Kornblut “They want me to come Contributing but they are not forcing Writer me, they are not trying to rush me to commit to the school,” he said. “They are trying to make sure it’s the right fit for me. I’m not ready to make a final decision because I still have other visits coming up and making sure whoever I choose is going to be great for me.” This was Culpepper’s first official visit and he will visit Michigan State in November for the Ohio State game. He also plans to visit Maryland and Mississippi State. Though he didn’t commit, Culpepper left USC with the Gamecocks as his favorite. “It was a ten,” Culpepper said of the overall visit. “They made sure they showed love and they communicated with me well and I liked it a lot, especially the atmosphere.” USC last Wednesday night offered DB Keisean Nixon of Arizona Western JC. Nixon said he received a phone call from USC secondary coach and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson with the offer. “I think it’s big for me,” Nixon said. “It was one of the offers I wanted and hopefully I’ll set up a visit soon. I know about T-Rob’s background but I don’t really know too much. I’m from the West Coast, so I don’t really know a lot about South Carolina. I know the corner, Jamarcus (King) that goes there and he’s talked to me a lot.” Nixon also is considering offers from Missouri, Oregon and Mississippi State at this point and he’s set an official visit to Mizzou for November 25th. He feels USC “most likely” will get an official visit as well and he’s unsure about the others. “I’m looking for early playing time and the loyalty of the coaches,” Nixon said of what he’s looking for in his eventual choice. Nixon signed with Oregon State out of high school in Compton, CA but did not qualify. He’s in his second season
at Arizona Western and will have three years to play two at the next level. He plans to announce his choice December 17th and sign that day as a mid-year enrollee. This season Nixon has 5 interceptions with 4 passes broken up and 4 blocks. He also has 36 tackles and has averaged 26 yards per kickoff return and 9 yards per punt return. OL Jerry Drake Jr. of Palm Beach Gardens, FL has taken two official visits and is not close on making his decision. He is graduating early so the decision will need to come by early December. And he’s planning more official visits before making that decision. Drake has taken official visits to USC and Tennessee and came away favorably impressed with each. “Both are great schools,” Drake said. “At South Carolina I saw everything. I didn’t see anything I thought was bad. I really like Coach (Shawn) Elliott and how enthusiastic he is, how he gets everybody hyped before the game. He’s a great dude. I think Coach Elliott is an awesome coach and knows what he’s talking about. I talk to the Gamecocks’ offensive coaches, Coach Muschamp, Coach Elliott, we talk on a regular basis. They always say how much I can affect the program. I really liked what they had to offer.” Drake said he will also set official visits with Mississippi State and Oklahoma. All four schools, he said, are on him hard and he does not have a favorite. OL K’Rojhn Calbert (6-7 290) of McMinnville, TN made an unofficial visit to USC for the Texas A&M and will return to Columbia this weekend for an official visit. “I like South Carolina a lot,” Calbert said. “It has a pretty good atmosphere and nice people. The improvement since Coach Muschamp got there has gone up. I like that and that the offensive line has improved as well. I really liked the campus there and Coach Elliott.” Calbert said along with USC he’s most interested in Tennessee, Missouri, Florida, Mississippi State, LSU and Louisville. Tennessee offered earlier this week. USC and Oregon are the final two for WR Chad Terrell of Dallas, GA who dropped NC State from his list. Terrell hopes to visit USC for a game this season, but does not know which one yet. He has taken an official visit to Oregon. He plans to make a decision before the end of the season. 2018 prospects: DE Xavier Thomas of Wilson last Saturday visited Alabama. Thomas also has USC, Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State and Georgia on his short list. Muschamp and defensive line coach Lance Thompson were at his game last Thursday night along with Florida State defensive line coach Brad Lawing. Thomas said the Gamecocks have worked him the hardest but they’ve always had his heart. “I grew up a Gamecock fan,” he said. “They’ve got the new coaching
staff and stuff. I believe they are going to bring in some good recruiting classes and get the Gamecocks back on track. They tell me I can come there and be the face of the defense and potentially be the face of the program if I keep working hard. Coach Muschamp likes to compare me to Dante Fowler Jr. He coached him at Florida.” Thomas plans to return to USC this season. He’s not sure when he’ll go back to Columbia but he knows he’ll be at Clemson for the USC game. He has also been to Georgia this season for a game. He does not claim a favorite at this point. WR Jordyn Adams of Blythewood, who also is a highly touted baseball prospect, attended his first USC game of the season as a recruit last Saturday. Adams, the son of former USC and current East Carolina defensive line coach Deke Adams, has offers from USC, Ole Miss, East Carolina, Southern Miss, North Carolina, Maryland, Tulane and Kentucky. Adams also has been to games at North Carolina and East Carolina and is planning to go to Clemson for the Syracuse game. Adams plays quarterback for the Bengals but he’s being recruited as a receiver. From USC he has been in touch with Will Muschamp and receivers coach Brian McClendon and they have given him a strong message. “They said I’ve had a chance to play right away and make a big impact on the team and program,” Jordan said. “They have been showing me how much they really want me.” Clemson offered Adams earlier this week. He said all the offering schools will allow him to play baseball as well. Adams said there is no favorite for him at this point. DL Josh Belk of Lewisville made a return visit to USC last Saturday for the Massachusetts game. Belk has made several trips to USC and the Gamecocks have done their best to show him their serious interest every time he visits there. “The coaches showed a lot of love as usual,” Belk said. “I watched the Gamecocks play pretty hard. They don’t take plays off. They just keep going to the whistle blows.” Belk also got the chance to talk again with USC head coach Will Muschamp whose message to him remains about the same. “He said keep up the good work and keep pushing hard,” Belk said. “Basically saying they wanted me to play down there and all that.” Belk has also been to Clemson this season and the Tigers remain strong with him largely due to their recent history of success on the defensive line. Belk said of all the schools recruiting him, USC is on him the hardest right now and he might return this Saturday night for the Tennessee game. He just picked up an offer from Florida to go along with other offers from Auburn, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, NC State, Florida State, LSU and North Carolina. Belk does not claim an individual leader at this point. “Clemson and USC are about tied.” This season Belk has around 45
tackles, 6 sacks and he’s blocked five point after attempts. USC last week offered WR Bryce Thompson of Ben Lippen. He’s currently committed to Virginia Tech. WR Tykee Ogle-Kellogg (6-5 190) of Alcoa, TN visited USC last Saturday for the Massachusetts game and was offered by the Gamecocks earlier this week. “It’s a huge relief, first SEC offer, and it feels great. They just said that they loved my height and speed and my blocking ability. They said I fit in perfectly. My top choice is Louisville as of right now but if I keep getting SEC offers, my top choices will shift.” LB Chandler Tindall of Spring Valley plans to be at USC Saturday for the Tennessee game. He’s been to two other USC home games this season. And he’s going to Clemson November 5th for the Syracuse game. USC offered QB Justin Fields of Kennesaw, GA. Some of his other offers include North Carolina, Tennessee, Penn State, Nebraska, TCU, Virginia, Indiana, Louisville, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Arizona, Georgia Tech and Iowa State. RB Kavosiey Smoke of Wetumpka, AL was offered by USC last week. LB Kyle Wright of Ben Lippen was at USC Saturday. He also has visited Clemson and Notre Dame and will visit East Carolina this Saturday. Basketball News: 6-4 Clyde Trapp Jr. of Lower Richland made an official visit to USC last weekend and according to his coach had a very good time. But the Gamecocks, and the others on his short list, apparently have some work to do to catch up with Charlotte in this recruiting race. “You know, I do think he likes Charlotte but he hasn’t solidified that,” said Lower Richland coach Caleb Gaither. “He does like them. They’ve been in the picture for a while now. They’ve been to the school pretty much every week. He’s not set in stone which school he’s going to. He’s still taking in all in. Carolina made some strides this weekend.” The Gamecocks offered Trapp earlier this month and Gaither said Frank Martin and others made him feel very comfortable on his visit. “He connected with a few of the players and he liked what he heard from the coaching staff,” the coach said. “Of course, with them being right down the street from his home, that’s a plus. He came away impressed and really enjoyed it.” Martin laid out for Trapp his vision of how he would be used in the program and according to Gaither, Martin sees Trapp as a combo guard who could play the one, two or three. “They really like his vision,” he said. “He’s a nice size guard and has a frame where he can bulk up and put on some muscle. But standing 6-4, 6-5 they really like him at the point position and the shooting guard as well. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22
Spurs & Feathers • 15
November 2, 2016
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: David Seawell by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
twins Annette and Lee. “The kids are already swinging the clubs, but I will not push them into golf,” Seawell said. “I will ask them to find something that they love and work hard to try to be
great at whatever they choose. If they like golf, I will enjoy that. I will enjoy whatever they select. I will absolutely have to send them to South Carolina. There won’t be a lot of choices with that.”
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about. I was fortunate I was with some amazing people who are lifelong friends.” Seawell began his collegiate career as With his father and two older brothers South Carolina was entering the Southhaving played golf for the Gamecocks, eastern Conference, which he said helped 2016 University of South Carolina Athelevate all of the programs at the school. letics Hall of Fame class member David “Ever since then, they have committed to Seawell never had a doubt he would do the having the finest athletics department in same. the country,” Seawell said. “Watching the “Is there any other choice,” Seawell facilities grow, it’s amazing some of the laughed. “I am the sixth member of my things they have now versus what we had, family to go to South Carolina. My dad but what we had back then was still bet(Jackie), who is in the South Carolina Golf ter than anyone else. So we’ve always had Hall of Fame and my two older brothers good facilities. (Jay and Daniel) played golf at South Caro- “We had a place to practice out by the lina. If I didn’t play golf at South Carolina, football practice fields, but you had to it would have been tough to go home for make sure you picked up all of your golf Christmas. balls when you left so one of the football “My dad won a conference championship players didn’t’ turn an ankle. You didn’t back in the 1960s and my brothers were want to get yelled at for that.” very accomplished at Carolina as well. My Seawell’s success continued after graduabrother, Jay, is a golf coach at Alabama. tion on the professional tour. He has won two national championships. “I played a total of seven years profesBeing the baby of the family, I had some sionally,” Seawell said. “My first few good people to follow.” years out of college, I played on the Nike Seawell didn’t just follow in his family’s Tour, which is the Web.com now. In 1999, footsteps during his playing days at South I played on the PGA Tour. I played a few Carolina from 1992-1996. A three-time All more years on the mini-tours after that. American, as well as three-time All-SEC “The PGA Tour was a great experience. selection for the Gamecocks, while rankGetting to travel the world and play with ing tied for first in school history with 14 some of the greatest golfers in the world top-5 finishes, Seawell led the Gamecocks was special. It was challenging. Each level to the NCAA regionals in 1993 and 1996, that you get higher, you realize there are advancing to the NCAA championships bigger, stronger, faster people out there. in ‘96. He also qualified for the NCAA Carl Paulson helped me out tremendously. Championships as an individual in 1994 It was a great experience.” and 1995. Overall, he put together a reThe 42-year-old Seawell now works in sume that would make for a fun round real estate development in Aiken and said table discussion as to who had the best his time at South Carolina prepared him career on the links, but Seawell prefers to well for life after college. remain humble and is proud that he was “With all of the mentors I had here, that surrounded by great coaches and teamreally prepared me for professional golf mates. and business,” Seawell said. “Hard work “I started out with Carl Paulson, who was is always going to go a long way. Through a senior when I was a freshman,” Seawell that you hope to achieve success. In busisaid. “He’s now in the hall of fame. I had ness today, it goes back to hard work. some great teammates. I played for Steve Everybody at the college level is driven to Liebler who is in the South Carolina Athbe great at what they do. You want to be letics Hall of Fame, and later by Puggy better than you were the day before. Those Blackmon who is in the are some of the things that Golf Coaches’ (Associawere ingrained in me.” tion of America) Hall of Seawell doesn’t play as Fame. Ultimately, it’s the much golf as he once did, comradery you had with but he and his wife, AshAll Gamecock golf coverage ley, enjoy chasing around your teammates that is always something you think sponsored by Jeffers-McGill his children; six year old
16 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks # Name Pos. 1 Deebo Samuel WR 3 K.C. Crosby TE 3 Chris Lammons DB 4 Jake Bentley QB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 5 Darius English DL 5 Terry Googer WR 6 Chris Moody LB 7 Korey Banks WR 7 Jamarcus King DB 8 Randrecous Davis WR 8 Marquavius Lewis DL 9 Jerad Washington WR 9 Sherrod Pittman LB 10 Perry Orth QB 10 Skai Moore LB 11 Brandon McIlwain QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 13 Sean Kelly P 13 Jalen Dread LB 14 Jamari Smith WR 15 Matrick Belton WR 16 Rashad Fenton DB 16 Bailey Hart QB 17 Chaz Elder DB 18 Danny Gordon QB 18 Keir Thomas DL 19 Lorenzo Nunez WR 20 Joseph Charlton K/P 21 Antoine Wilder DB 22 Steven Montac DB 22 Montray Feaster WR 23 Rico Dowdle RB 23 Larenz Bryant LB 24 D.J. Smith DB 24 Garrett Frederick WR 25 A.J. Turner RB 26 Jasper Sasser DB 27 Ty’Son Williams RB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 30 Shannon James DB 30 Darius Paulk RB 31 Chris Smith DB 32 Brett Shore LB 32 Rod Talley RB 33 David Williams RB 34 Mon Denson RB 34 Scott Grant DB 35 Daniel Fennell DL 36 C.J. Freeman RB 36 Morgan Vest DB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 39 Rivers Bedenbaugh TE 40 Jacob August TE 40 Jason Senn DB 41 Tyler Ragsdale LB
Hgt. 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-6 6-4 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-3 5-8 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-4 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-5 5-10 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-7 5-8 5-10 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-11 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-6 5-8 6-0
Coaches/Staff
Wgt. 205 227 190 223 230 245 220 220 180 180 181 270 175 225 200 220 205 230 215 190 220 210 215 190 175 200 210 265 205 185 185 190 205 211 225 195 180 195 210 220 230 170 160 205 180 210 205 220 215 185 235 200 190 170 256 248 195 220
Cl. RS SO RS SO JR FR JR RS SR RS SO RS SR FR JR FR SR RS FR RS FR RS SR SR FR RS SR RS SO RS SR SO RS JR RS SR SO FR RS SR RS SO FR SO RS FR RS FR SO FR FR SR JR FR RS FR RS JR SO SR SR RS SR RS SR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR RS FR RS SO RS FR FR FR RS JR RS JR RS SO RS FR RS FR
Football Roster
Hometown/High School/Last College Inman, S.C./Chapman Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Lauderhill, Fla./Plantation Opelika, Ala./Opelika Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy McDonough, Ga./Henry County Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Mobile, Ala./Blount Atlanta, Ga./Mays Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood/Hutchinson Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Ponte Vedra, Fla./Florida State College Cooper City, Fla./University Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Oakland, Fla./West Orange/FAU/Tallahassee Foley, Ala./Foley Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Miami, Fla./Miami Carol City Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando Union City, Ga./Banneker Worthington, Ohio/Miami (Ohio) Miami, Fla./Miami Central Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison Columbia, S.C./A.C. Flora Riverdale, Ga./Hapeville Charter Covington, Ga./Newton/Coffeyville C.C. Union, S.C./Union County Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Plano, Texas/Plano Clifton, Va./Centreville Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Sumter, S.C./Crestwood/North Carolina Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Texas/Prince of Peace Christian Florence, S.C./South Florence Columbia, S.C./North Greenville Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork/Tyler JC Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter LaGrange, Ga./LaGrange Laurens, S.C./Laurens Loganville, Ga./Grayson Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford Leander, Texas/Rouse Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Leesville, S.C./Lexington/Georgia Southern Columbia, S.C./Fork Union Military Beaufort, S.C./Beaufort Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando
Will Muschamp - Head Coach Bobby Bentley - Running Backs Shawn Elliott - Offensive Line Coleman Hutzler - Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Bryan McClendon - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Mike Peterson - Outside Linebackers Travaris Robinson - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Kurt Roper - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Lance Thompson - Asst. Head Coach - Defense/Defensive Line Pat Washington - Tight Ends Jeff Dillman - Director of Strength & Conditioning Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Robbie Liles - Director of Player Personnel Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Andre Goodman - Director of Football Development Larry Waters - Director of Football Equipment Operations Clyde Wrenn - Director of High School Relations
# Name Pos. 42 Alexander Woznick PK 42 Jordan Diggs DB 43 Benji Russell DB 44 T.J. Brunson LB 44 Adrian McGee RB 45 Spencer Eason-Riddle LB 45 Ben Asbury LS 46 Trey Mitchell LB 46 Harrison Freeman LS 47 Drew Williams LS 48 Nick McGriff LS 48 Dexter Wideman DL 49 Boosie Whitlow DL 50 Griffin Gentry DL 50 Sadarius Hutcherson OL 51 Cory Helms OL 52 Jajuan Blankenship DL 55 Christian Pellage OL 57 Hassan Belton LB 59 Logan Crane LS 60 Chandler Farrell OL 61 Cameron Johnson OL 61 Javion Duncan DL 63 Blake Camper OL 65 Pika Leota OL 66 Will Putnam OL 67 Ryan Green OL 69 D.J. Park OL 70 Alan Knott OL 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OL 75 Darius Whitfield OL 77 Malik Young OL 78 Zack Bailey OL 79 Trey Derouen OL 80 Shemar Glenn WR 81 Hayden Hurst TE 82 Evan Hinson TE 83 Chavis Dawkins WR 84 Kyle Markway TE 85 Devin Dingle WR 85 Michael Almond K/P 86 Robert Tucker III TE 87 Kiel Pollard TE 88 Javon Charleston WR 89 Bryan Edwards WR 90 Wyman Baxley LS 90 Taylor Stallworth DL 91 Shameik Blackshear DL 92 D.J. Wonnum DL 93 Ulric Jones DL 94 Kelsey Griffin DL 95 Dante Sawyer DL 96 Aaron Thompson DL 97 Kobe Smith DL 98 Stephon Taylor DL 99 Abu Lamin DL
Hgt. 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-8 6-0 6-8 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-9 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4
Wgt. 160 205 200 225 185 226 210 210 235 215 225 280 240 246 273 310 265 305 215 245 280 300 260 300 315 282 265 330 290 325 315 286 300 315 310 175 250 238 200 245 180 222 238 230 195 210 195 310 265 240 300 295 275 271 305 293 310
Cl. FR RS SR RS JR FR FR FR RS SO FR FR SR RS SO RS FR SO FR FR RS JR FR SO SO RS FR FR FR RS SO SO FR FR SO RS JR RS JR RS SO RS SR FR RS SO SO RS FR RS FR SO FR FR SO RS FR RS FR FR FR RS FR FR FR JR RS FR FR RS JR SR JR FR FR FR RS SR
Hometown/High School/Last College Greenville, S.C./Eastside Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast Greer, S.C./Greer Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Atlanta, Ga./Berry College Lexington, S.C./Lexington Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Saluda, S.C./Saluda/Camden Military Opelika, Ala./Opelika Birmingham, Ala./Homewood Huntingdon,Tenn./Huntingdon Alpharetta, Ga./Milton/Wake Forest Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna Brooksville, Fla./Nature Coast Tech Blythewood, S.C./Western Carolina Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth Summerville, S.C./Summerville Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County Simpsonville, S.C./Woodmont/Citadel Virginia Beach, Va./Frank W. Cox Asheville, N.C./Asheville Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge James Island, S.C./James Island/Presbyterian Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Chapin, S.C./Chapin Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Summerville, S.C./Summerville Lilburn, Ga./Parkview Union, S.C./Union County/USC-Union Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School Deltona, Fla./Deltona Duncan, S.C./Byrnes St. Louis, Mo./St. John Vianney Summerville, S.C./Cane Bay North Augusta, S.C./Westminster Atlanta, Ga./B.E.S.T. Academy Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County Gurnee, Ill./Warren Conway, S.C./Conway Athens, Ga./Athens Academy Mobile, Ala./Murphy Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Oxford, Ala./Butler (Community College Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Suwanee, Ga./East Mississippi C.C. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer New Orleans, La./McDonogh 35 Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott
Jessica Jackson - Director of On-Campus Recruiting Kristin Sheetz - Director of External Communications Ellis Johnson - Analyst Kyle Krantz - Analyst Demarco McNeil - Analyst Scott Spurrier - Analyst Seth Strickland - Analyst Brian Turk - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Offense Shaq Wilson - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Defense Omar Young - Analyst David Feeley - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Corey Jenkins - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Roy Upchurch - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Cedric Williams - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Shuler Hayes - Assistant Director of Football Equipment Operations Kim Fields - Assistant to Head Football Coach Charity Grady - Coordinator of Offensive Operations Carina Hargreaves - Coordinator of Defensive Operations
Spurs & Feathers • 17
November 2, 2016
Missouri Tigers
# Name Pos. 1 Chris Black WR 1 Anthony Hines DB 2 TJ Warren DB 2 Marvin Zanders QB 3 Luke Jackson PK 3 Drew Lock QB 3 Ronnell Perkins S 4 Brandon Lee LB 4 Ryan Williams RB 5 John Gibson DB 5 Alex Ross RB 6 J’Mon Moore WR 6 Tavon Ross DB 7 Nate Brown WR 7 Cam Hilton S 7 Jack Lowary QB 8 Justin Smith WR 8 Thomas Wilson S 9 Oke Akushe DB 9 Dimetrios Mason WR 9 Hayden Rymer QB 10 Jason Reese TE 11 Kendall Blanton TE 11 Aarion Penton DB 12 Johnathon Johnson WR 12 Dominic Nelson S 13 Spencer Williams DL 13 Micah Wilson QB 14 Greg Taylor S 14 Ray Wingo WR 15 Keyon Dilosa WR 15 Grant Jones LB 16 Brock Bondurant S 16 Damarea Crockett RB 16 Marcell Frazier DL 17 DeMarkus Acy DB 17 DeSean Blair WR 18 Dominic Collins WR 18 Josh Moore DL 19 Kaleb Prewett S 19 Shaun Rupert DB 20 Miles Eaddy RB 21 Christian Holmes DB 21 Ish Witter RB 22 Dawson Downing DB 22 Anthony Sherrils DB 24 Terez Hall LB 24 Cameren Rivers S 25 Donavin Newsom LB 26 Jake Brents WR 26 Corey Fatony P 28 Logan Cheadle DB 28 Steven Spadarotto WR 29 Trey Baldwin LB
Ht. 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-7 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-5 6-6 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-3 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-11 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-3 5-11 5-10 6-2 6-2
Wt. 190 200 210 200 195 220 200 225 185 195 220 205 205 210 190 220 210 195 185 185 210 250 260 195 185 200 250 205 200 185 205 225 210 220 260 190 190 180 255 210 195 225 190 200 220 205 225 200 240 210 205 180 185 235
Yr. SR JR FR SO JR SO FR SO FR SR SR JR SO JR SO JR FR JR JR FR FR JR SO SR FR JR SO FR SO SO SO SO SR FR JR FR SO JR SO JR JR FR FR JR FR JR SO JR SR SR SO JR SO FR
Football Roster
Hometown Jacksonville, FL South San Francisco, CA Conyers, GA Jacksonville, FL Pensacola, FL Lee’s Summit, MO St. Louis, Mo. Indianapolis, IN Lee’s Summit, MO Missouri City, TX Jenks, OK Missouri City, TX Cochran, GA Suwanee, GA St. Louis, Mo. Huntington Beach, CA Dublin, GA Suwanee, GA St. Louis, Mo. Loganville, GA Windermere, FL Euless, TX Blue Springs, MO St. Louis, Mo. Memphis, TN Florissant, MO Jacksonville, FL Tulsa, OK East Saint Louis, IL St. Louis, Mo. Round Rock, TX Columbia, MO Memphis, MO Little Rock, AR Portland, OR Dallas, TX Jacksonville, FL Fullerton, CA Olathe, KS Blue Springs, MO Montgomery, AL Plantation, FL Atlanta, GA Tampa, FL Mission, KS Kansas City, MO Lithonia, GA St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. Springfield, MO Franklin, TN Lee’s Summit, MO Santa Maria, CA Houston, TX
# Name Pos. 29 Nate Strong RB 30 Michael Scherer LB 31 Finis Stribling IV DB 32 Tanner Hull LB 34 Joey Burkett LB 36 Daniel Ellinger WR 38 Eric Beisel LB 43 Jerney Jones DB 45 Franklin Agbasimere LB 46 Jacob Trump LB 47 Cale Garrett LB 48 Roderick Winters LB 49 Markell Utsey DL 50 Darvis Holmes OL 51 Ed Cruz DL 52 Eddie Serrano DL 54 Trystan Castillo OL 55 Jordan Harold DL 56 Samson Bailey OL 57 Alec Abeln OL 61 Adam Roland DL 62 Thomas Grossman OL 65 Tanner Owen OL 66 Adam Ploudre OL 67 Jonah Dubinski OL 69 AJ Harris OL 71 Kevin Pendleton OL 72 Kyle Mitchell OL 75 Tre’Vour Simms OL 76 Tyler Howell OL 77 Paul Adams OL 78 Michael Stannard OL 79 Terry Beckner Jr. DL 80 Sean Culkin TE 81 AlbertOkwuegbunam TE 81 Harley Whitehouse LS 84 Emanuel Hall WR 85 Richaud Floyd WR 86 Jake Hurrell LS 87 Eric Laurent WR 88 Nate Howard DL 89 Tyler Hanneke DL 89 Brendan Scales TE 91 Turner Adams PK 91 Charles Harris DE 92 Nick Bartolotta PK 93 Andrew Carr PK 93 Tre Williams DL 94 Tyrell Jacobs DL 95 Rickey Hatley DL 96 A.J. Logan DL 97 Josh Augusta DL 98 Tucker McCann PK 99 Ben Tesson PK
Ht. 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-4 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-8 6-6 6-2 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-3 5-6 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-1
Wt. 210 235 190 215 225 200 230 185 235 230 230 225 290 340 230 250 320 265 295 305 320 280 280 315 290 310 335 330 350 320 315 290 290 250 255 225 205 185 230 210 240 270 250 205 260 185 190 250 280 320 325 355 195 200
Yr. SO SR SO SR JR FR JR FR FR SO FR SO FR FR JR JR FR JR SO JR SO SO FR JR FR FR SO SO FR JR SO SR SO SR FR FR SO FR SR SR SO SR FR JR JR JR SO FR FR SR JR SR FR FR
Hometown East Saint Louis, IL St. Louis, Mo. Thompsons Station, TN Kansas City, MO Jefferson City, MO Jefferson City, MO Fenton, MO Republic, MO Lagos, Nigeria Kahoka, MO Kearney, MO Arlington, TX Little Rock, AR Hinesville, GA Park Hills, MO Niles, IL Webb City, MO St. Louis, Mo. Lamar, MO St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. Kearney, MO Ballwin, MO Columbia, MO Stilwell, KS Lee’s Summit, MO Fair Oaks, CA East Saint Louis, IL Bonner Springs, KS Nashville, TN Columbia, MO East Saint Louis, IL Indian Rocks Beach, FL Springfield, IL St. Louis, Mo. Franklin, TN Gulfport, MS St. Charles, MO Ballwin, MO St. Louis, Mo. St. Charles, MO Wildwood, MO Springfield, MO Kansas City, MO St. Louis, Mo. Cameron, MO Columbia, MO Kenner, LA Atlanta, TX Columbia, MO Peoria, IL O’Fallon, IL Fenton, MOSprings
Coaches/Staff Barry Odom Head Coach Andy Hill Associate Head Coach / Wide Receivers Cornell Ford Assistant Head Coach / Running Backs DeMontie Cross Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Josh Heupel Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Ryan Walters Co-Defensive Coordinator / Safeties Greg Brown Defensive Backs Glen Elarbee Offensive Line Joe Jon Finley Tight Ends Jackie Shipp Defensive Line Mike McHugh Director of Football Operations A.J. Ofodile Director of Recruiting Kendall Bradley Offensive Analyst Joey Halzle Offensive Analyst
Sam Carter Defensive Analyst Adam Hicks Defensive Analyst Jonathan Rutledge Special Teams Analyst AustynCarta-Samuels Recruiting Coordinator Kyle Morris Recruiting Graphic Design Michael Egnew Recruiting Graduate Assistant Mike Lackey Recruiting Graduate Assistant Maurice Woodley Recruiting Graduate Assistant Jessica Laday Senior Communications Coordinator Morris Berger Administrative Graduate Assistant Jon Cooper Offensive Graduate Assistant Brody Eldridge Offensive Graduate Assistant Cliff Odom Defensive Graduate Assistant Neal Renna Defensive Graduate Assistant
18 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
Depth Charts for November 5 South Carolina OFFENSE WR: WR: WR: -OR- LT: LG: OC: RG: RT: TE: QB: -OR- -OR- RB: -OR-
1 Deebo Samuel 83 Chavis Dawkins 14 Jamari Smith 7 Korey Banks 89 Bryan Edwards 5 Terry Googer 8 Randrecous Davis 74 Mason Zandi 77 Malik Young 78 Zack Bailey 70 Alan Knott 51 Cory Helms 70 Alan Knott 72 Donell Stanley 69 D.J. Park 69 D.J. Park 63 Blake Camper 81 Hayden Hurst 3 K.C. Crosby 4 Jake Bentley 11 Brandon McIlwain 10 Perry Orth 25 A.J. Turner 33 David Williams 32 Rod Talley
6-0, 205, So. 6-2, 200, Fr. 5-10, 210, Jr. 5-11, 180, Fr. 6-3, 210, Fr. 6-4, 220, So. 5-10, 181, Fr. 6-9, 315, Sr. 6-3, 300, So. 6-6, 315, So. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 310, Jr. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 325, So. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-8, 300, So. 6-5, 250, So. 6-1, 227, So. 6-3, 223, Fr. 6-0, 205, Fr. 6-1, 200, Sr. 5-10, 195, RFr. 6-1, 220, Jr. 5-10, 205, Jr.
DEFENSE Inman, S.C. Duncan, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Tyrone, Ga. Conway, S.C. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta, Ga. Chapin, S.C. Pelzer, S.C. Summerville, S.C. Tyrone, Ga. Alpharetta, Ga. Tyrone, Ga. Floydale, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Virginia Beach, Va. Jacksonville, Fla. Bamberg, S.C. Opelika, Ala. Newtown, Pa. Ponte Verda, Fla. Clifton, Va. Philadelphia, Pa. Laurens, S.C.
OFFENSE LT: LG: C: RG: RT: TE: -OR- QB: TB: -OR- WR: -OR- WR: -OR- -OR-
76 Tyler Howell 6-8, 320, Jr. Bonner Springs, Kan. 72 Kyle Mitchell 6-5, 330, So. Fair Oaks, Calif. 71 Kevin Pendleton 6-4, 335, So. Lee’s Summit, Mo. 54 Trystan Castillo 6-4, 320, Fr. Webb City, Mo. 56 Samson Bailey 6-4, 295, So. Lamar, Mo. 78 Michael Stannard 6-2, 290, Sr. Columbia, Mo. 67 Jonah Dubinski 6-2, 290, RFr. Columbia, Mo. 57 Alec Abeln 6-3, 305, Jr. St. Louis, Mo. 66 Adam Ploudre 6-4, 315, Jr. Ballwin, Mo. 77 Paul Adams 6-6, 315, So. Nashville, Tenn. 75 Tre’Vour Simms 6-5, 350, Fr. East St. Louis, Ill. 80 Sean Culkin 6-6, 250, Sr. Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. 10 Jason Reese 6-5, 250, Jr. Euless, Texas 11 Kendall Blanton 6-6, 260, So. Blue Springs, Mo. 3 Drew Lock 6-4, 220, So. Lee’s Summit, Mo. 2 Marvin Zanders 6-1, 200, So. Jacksonville, Fla. 21 Ish Witter 5-10, 200, Jr. Tampa, Fla. 16 Damarea Crockett 5-11, 220, Fr. Little Rock, Ark. 6 J’Mon Moore 6-3, 205, Jr. Missouri City, Texas 87 Eric Laurent 6-2, 210, Sr. Ballwin, Mo. 18 Dominic Collins 6-2, 180, Jr. Fullerton, Calif. 12 Johnathon Johnson 5-10, 185, RFr. Memphis, Tenn. 1 Chris Black 6-0, 190, Sr. Jacksonville, Fla. 14 Ray Wingo 5-11, 185, So. St. Louis, Mo.
DE: 8 Marquavius Lewis 92 D.J. Wonnum -OR- 91 Shameik Blackshear DT: 90 Taylor Stallworth 18 Keir Thomas DT: 94 Kelsey Griffin 93 Ulric Jones DE: 95 Dante Sawyer 5 Darius English SLB: 11 T.J. Holloman -OR- 6 Chris Moody MLB: 28 Jonathan Walton -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman WLB: 4 B. Allen-Williams -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman CB: 16 Rashad Fenton 22 Steven Montac S: 24 D.J. Smith 42 Jordan Diggs S: 17 Chaz Elder 22 Steven Montac CB: 3 Chris Lammons 7 Jamarcus King N: 42 Jordan Diggs 16 Rashad Fenton
6-3, 270, Sr. 6-4, 240, Fr. 6-4, 265, RFr. 6-2, 310, Jr. 6-2, 265, Fr. 6-2, 295, Sr. 6-5, 300, Jr. 6-3, 275, Jr. 6-6, 245, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-1, 220, Sr. 6-0, 230, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-0, 230, Jr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-11, 190, So. 5-11, 195, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 6-2, 200, Sr. 5-11, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 6-2, 180, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 5-10, 190, So.
Greenwood, S.C. Stone Mountain, Ga. Bluffton, S.C. Mobile, Ala. Miami, Fla. Buford, Ga. Oxford, Ala. Suwanee, Ga. Powder Springs, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. McDonough, Ga. Daphne, Ala. Stone Mountain, Ga. Ellenwood, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. Miami, Fla. Covington, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Union City, Ga. Covington, Ga. Lauderhill, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Fort Myers, Fla. Miami, Fla.
SPECIALISTS K: P: LS: KOR: PR: H:
29 Elliott Fry 20 Joseph Charlton 13 Sean Kelly 20 Joseph Charlton 47 Drew Williams 48 Nick McGriff 25 A.J. Turner 16 Rashad Fenton 16 Rashad Fenton 3 Chris Lammons 13 Sean Kelly
6-0, 170, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 5-10, 190, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 6-2, 215, Sr. 6-0, 225, So. 5-10, 195, RFr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 5-10, 189, Jr.
Frisco, Texas Columbia, S.C. Oakland, Fla. Columbia, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Gainesville, Fla. Clifton, Va. Miami, Fla. Miami, Fla. Lauderhill, Fla. Oakland, Fla.
Missouri WR: -OR-
84 Emanuel Hall 9 Dimetrios Mason
6-3, 205, So. 6-0, 185, Fr.
Franklin, Tenn. Loganville, Ga.
DEFENSE DE: DT: -OR- DT: DE: LB: LB: LB: CB: -OR- CB: SS:
55 Jordan Harold 16 Marcell Frazier 95 Rickey Hatley 79 Terry Beckner Jr. 96 A.J. Logan 97 Josh Augusta 91 Charles Harris 13 Spencer Williams 25 Donavin Newsom 24 Terez Hall 30 Michael Scherer 34 Joey Burkett 47 Cale Garrett 4 Brandon Lee 5 John Gibson 17 DeMarkus Acy 11 Aarion Penton 28 Logan Cheadle 3 Ronnell Perkins
6-2, 265, Jr. 6-5, 260, Jr. 6-4, 320, Sr. 6-4, 290, So. 6-2, 325, Jr. 6-4, 355, Sr. 6-3, 260, Jr. 6-3, 250, So. 6-2, 240, Sr. 6-2, 225, So. 6-3, 235, Sr. 6-2, 225, Jr. 6-3, 230, Fr. 6-2, 225, So. 6-0, 195, Sr. 6-2, 190, Fr. 5-10, 195, Sr. 5-10, 180, Jr. 6-0, 200, RFr.
St. Louis, Mo. Portland, Ore. Atlanta, Texas East St. Louis, Ill. Columbia, Mo. Peoria, Ill. Kansas City, Mo. Jacksonville, Fla. St. Louis, Mo. Lithonia, Ga. St. Louis, Mo. Jefferson City, Mo. Kearney, Mo. Indianapolis, Ind. Missouri City, Texas Dallas, Texas St. Louis, Mo. Lee’s Summit, Mo. St. Louis, Mo.
-OR- FS: -OR-
22 Anthony Sherrils 7 Cam Hilton 8 Thomas Wilson
6-0, 205, Jr. 6-0, 190, So. 5-10, 195, Jr.
Kansas City, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. Suwanee, Ga.
SPECIAL TEAMS PK: 98 Tucker McCann 6-0, 195, Fr. 91 Turner Adams 6-0, 205, Jr. H: 26 Jake Brents 6-3, 210, Sr. LS: 86 Jake Hurrell 6-3, 230, Sr. KR: 5 Alex Ross 6-1, 220, Sr. 14 Greg Taylor 5-10, 200, So. 16 Damarea Crockett 5-11, 220, Fr. P: 26 Corey Fatony 5-11, 205, So. PR: 12 Johnathon Johnson 5-10, 185, RFr. -AND- 1 Chris Black 6-0, 190, Sr.
*These depth charts are taken from the listings from each team’s previous game. Spurs & Feathers goes to print shortly after the conclusion of each game. Please visit www.spursandfeathers.com over the course of the week for updated depth charts.
O’Fallon, Ill. Springfield, Mo. Springfield, Mo. St. Charles, Mo. Jenks, Okla. East St. Louis, Ill. Little Rock, Ark. Franklin, Tenn. Memphis, Tenn. Jacksonville, Fla.
Spurs & Feathers • 19
November 2, 2016
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Bo Davies by brian hand Executive Editor
and black paved the way for Davies to join the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in the induction It is not something he thought about ceremony at The Zone at Williams-Brice when he was lining up for the GameStadium on Thursday, Oct. 20. cocks as a defensive back, but it still “It truly is an honor,” Davies said. means a great deal to Bo Davies to see “What makes this extra special is that his name in Williams-Brice Stadium. I will be going in the same class that “It’s hard to believe because it’s been a Jimmy Mitchell and Coach Carlen are while with the name up in the stadium,” in. Jimmy Mitchell was in my incomDavies said. “I would have thought that ing freshmen class and coach Carlen by now there would be a new record in coached the West Virginia team we place.” played in the Peach Bowl in 1969. You A member of Paul Dietzel’s 1969 ACC add that to the long list of greats that Championship team, Davies (1969-71) to are already in the Hall, and it is a dream this day still has his name in plain sight come true for me.” printed on one of the ramps on the south Davies relished his time at South Caroside of Williams-Brice Stadium. lina that came to a close by him suiting Davies’ name is there because he still up for legendary head coach Paul “Bear” holds the school record for most interBryant in the Coaches All-America ceptions in a career with 14. game following his senior year. He was His tremendous career in the garnet drafted in the fifth round of the 1972
means a great deal to Davies. “That’s just neat to know that we’re both in there and to have that commonality outside of being athletes at USC, we also now have the Hall of Fame experience together too,” Davies said. In fact, having his family, friends and teammates there in support of his now induction into the Hall of Fame on Oct. NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. 20 is what really excites Davies the “I enjoyed the whole time,” Davies said most. of being at the University of South Caro- “To have family and friends to share it, it’s really going to be just a nice event,” lina. “I enjoyed the team. I enjoyed the school. I met my wife there. It’s all good Davies said. “It will make it extra special for me.” and positive thoughts. It was a great And once again being back at the time. I would do it again.” Just a couple of years ago, Davies was school he loves for the ceremony makes attending the University of South Caro- it that much more special as well. “I still love Carolina, and every time lina Athletics Hall of Fame in support of that I am back, it just feels as comforthis son-in-law, Gamecock baseball legable as an old pair of shoes,” Davies end Landon Powell. The fact that he is said. now joining Powell in the Hall of Fame
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Billy Laval
by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
Billy Laval had a reputation as an innovator. As one of nine members of the 2016 University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame class sponsored by the Association of Lettermen, Laval coached football (1928-34), baseball (1928-34) and men’s basketball (1932-33) at South Carolina. “It’s been a long time coming, but it feels great,” said Laval’s 74 year old grandson, Harry Laval. “He’s in a bunch of other hall of fames. Carolina is the last one, but it’s the best one. It’s a great honor. If he were here, he would be so honored.” Laval had previously been inducted into the (state) South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1961 and the Furman University Hall of Fame in 1981. He had coached baseball at Erskine College as an 18 year old. He coached football for 13 years at Furman before his days at South Carolina, and he also coached at Emory & Henry as well as Newberry College later in his career. Laval was the first football coach in South Carolina history to produce sevenconsecutive winning seasons, a feat only matched by Steve Spurrier (2008-14). He was asked to coach the basketball team for the 1932-33 season and won the Southern Conference championship that year. In baseball, Laval holds the best career winning percentage out of the 13 head coaches that have coached more than 50 games for the Gamecocks, as his teams from 1928-
‘They’ll pay tomorrow.’ He was a pretty quiet person. “When we were kids, he would hit balls
1934 went 89-33-1 for a .728 mark. “Believe it or not, his biggest love was baseball,” Harry Laval said. “I remember one time when Ty Cobb came to the house.” Laval died in 1957 at the age of 72, and many of the great stories of his tactics are lost to time or can only be found by dusting off old newspaper articles. Whether it was putting multiple players in motion before the snap of the football (which was legal in those days), his reputation of being superstitious, or his fascination with uniform colors and design, Laval would have made for great television and social media coverage in today’s world. “He was amazing for his time,” Harry Laval said. “I loved him. He was quite an individual. He kept up with every school that he coached, even after he left.” For those that knew him, the best way to describe Laval was that he could flat out coach. That meant teaching and good communication skills. “He was a disciplinarian,” Harry Laval said. “I remember one night, his team was getting beat. He got so disgusted, he sat in the stands with the family and just said
to me and my sister,. He would tell you how to catch it, and how to block it by using your body.”
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20 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Ryan Bordenick by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
being responsible, being accountable, make sure you are doing the right thing, and getting to classes. It’s preparing you for Ryan Bordenick put up a lot of great num- everyday life. Not just the education part of bers as a member of the South Carolina it, but knowing what you have to do to get baseball program from 1995-1998, but as a things done.” member of the 2016 class for the University Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Bordenick grew of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame up in Mauldin, S.C., and one of his influsponsored by the Association of Letterences in coming to South Carolina came men, he would rather talk about all of the indirectly from South Carolina’s legendpeople who helped him along the way. ary former groundskeeper Sarge Frye. A “I was speechless,” Bordenick said when member of the Frye family was his Little he was told the news. “It was a very humLeague coordinator in Bordenick’s homebling and exciting moment. I get chills town. every time I hear ‘2001’ because it brings “With everybody in the Upstate wanting me back to the good old days of playing at to talk about Clemson, he sort of introCarolina. duced me to Carolina,” Bordenick said. “I “Baseball is a team sport, and you always got older and wiser and Jerry Frye, Sarge’s think of your teammates first. I couldn’t son, was in charge of the Little League prohave done what I did without guys like gram years ago. He had mentioned some Derick Urquhart, Adam Everett, and the things about Carolina to me. That sort of guys who played around me. You can’t be opened up the door for me to check it out.” successful unless you have successful guys Bordenick earned first-team All-America with you as well.” honors as a designated hitter/catcher in With success on and off the baseball field, 1997 and second-team honors in 1998. He Bordenick appreciates all that South Caro- was also a first-team All-SEC selection. lina provided for him. Bordenick posted a career-best .419 batting “I had an opportunity to average in 1997 and drove play pro ball,” Bordenick in 87 runs that season with said. “I tell everybody to13 home runs. He holds the day, if I tried to play pro highest career batting averball coming out of high age for any four-year player school, I wouldn’t have been in Gamecock history (.357) as successful as I was, and while totaling 211 career All Gamecock baseball not just on the athletics side. base hits. coverage sponsored by College is about preparing “The single season batting DiPrato’s yourself, time management, average of .419 and the four-
course of my four years of going to Carolina, playing baseball, being successful and being able to contribute to the team as well as the university, are all great memories. “I still tell kids today, don’t just go to a university for athletics. Go for the enjoyment of the entire process. My closest friends in the world to this day are still my college friends. There’s a bond that goes beyond family.” year career record are the two I’m probBordenick was drafted by the Milwaukee ably the happiest about,” Bordenick said. Brewers after his South Carolina career “They’re records I hope somebody breaks and played six years professionally before some day because it means that someone else is being successful. Being recognized hanging up his spikes to start a family. “My last three years, I was playing in an for that, and knowing all of the hard work I independent league in northern Pennsylput in, it really means a lot.” vania, and was coaching one season,” BorBordenick’s time with the Gamecocks was somewhat unique in that he played his denick said. “That’s where I met my wife, first two years for head coach June Raines, Ann. So I settled down after my playing and he was coached by Ray Tanner for his and coaching career and stared working for NVR, Inc., or Ryan Homes, which is a final two seasons. home building company. I’ve been doing “We had to adjust to that transition bethat for the last 12 years.” cause there were different ways of doing Bordenick comes back to Columbia for things,” Bordenick said. “We joke around the alumni baseball game on a regular banow with Coach Tanner and tell him that he really lightened up on the players com- sis and enjoys catching a game whenever possible. He’s also still proud of the Gamepared to the first few years with us when he came in. They had different mentalities, cock Baseball program, then and now. “I still tell people that Sarge Frye Field but both were great coaches. I think I fit was the best playing surface in the counwell with each of the two, and I benefitted try,” Bordenick said. “The new stadium is from it.” absolutely amazing. It’s a great opportunity Whether it was on the field or off the for the athletes coming in there now. If you field, Bordenick still carries many fond don’t want to play at Carolina, then you’ve thoughts of his time as a Gamecock. got something wrong with you.” “There was such a great atmosphere and environment there,” Bordenick said. “All of Ryan and Ann have two sons, R.J (9) and the close friends that I acquired during the Ian (5).
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Jim Carlen by brian hand Executive Editor
Tech (1970-74) before taking over the helm of Gamecock football. Carlen’s honoring in the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame His love for the University of South Carolina was marks his second honor from his stops as the twono secret, and that is why the honor of Jim Carlen time Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in being elected to the University of South Carolina 1970 and 1973 is also in the Texas Tech Athletics Athletics Hall of Fame means so much to the CarHall of Honor. len family. Despite his success at West Virginia and Texas “He loved Carolina,” Jamie Carlen, son of the Tech, it was the Palmetto State that became home legendary South Carolina head football coach and Stadium before a crowd of 104,213. for him though after his arrival at South Carolina athletics director Jim Carlen, said. “I would have During the same 1980 season a player that Carlen in 1975. loved if Dad would have been alive because I know recruited would go on to win the Heisman Trophy “He loved the players, he loved the coaches, he he would have been very excited just to be in the in George Rogers. The No. 1 NFL Draft pick in loved the people,” Jamie Carlen said. “He really USC Athletics Hall of Fame.” 1981, Rogers would be one of three first-round liked Columbia and the University of South CaroJim Carlen concluded his legendary coaching choices in the NFL Draft to play under Carlen at lina.” career at South Carolina in 1981. During his time at South Carolina, joining Rick Sanford and Willie A true family man who treated his players, the helm of Gamecock football, he led the GameScott. A native of Cookeville, Tennessee, Jim Car- coaches and staff as part of his own family, Jamie cocks to 45 wins and three bowl game appearances len played college football for another legendary Carlen points out that his love of his Gamecock (Gator, Hall of Fame and Tangerine). His team head coach in Bobby Dodd at Georgia Tech. family is what his father, who passed away in July picked up one of the most impressive victories in Jim Carlen closed out his own legendary head of 2012 at the age of 79, would have said at the school history when the Gamecocks bested No. coaching career having won 107 games. Carlen podium. 17 Michigan, 17-14, on Sept. 27, 1980, at Michigan coached at West Virginia (1966-69) and Texas “If he got up to speak, surely he would have said,
‘listen, I didn’t do anything. It was all the people around me. I just kind of managed,’ ” Jamie Carlen said. “He would have said that ‘it was an honor for him, but it would have really been about his coaches and his players.’ He would have said, ‘you surround yourself with good people and good things happen.’ The coaching staff and the players were all one big family. I know growing up around it, it was a different feel, and I’ve been around enough other football now to know it was different.” Jamie Carlen and the family brought a large grouping to the induction ceremony at The Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 20, of children, grandchildren and husbands and wives to honor the man that meant so much to his own family and the Gamecock family. They know Jim Carlen would have relished the opportunity to be there himself because it would have given him another chance to see his coaches and players. “He was excited about South Carolina,” Jamie Carlen said.
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November 2, 2016
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Shonda Cole For Shonda Cole, it’s all about family. The former South Carolina volleyball All-American and current Gamecock assistant coach is one of nine members of the 2016 University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame class sponsored by the Association of Lettermen. Growing up in King’s Mountain, N.C., where she is already a member of her high school’s hall of fame, Cole always kept family in mind, even if it meant going out of state for college. “When I was being recruited, one of the most important things to me was the feeling of family,” Cole said. “I’m super-close with my family. I knew I wanted to go to a place that felt like home and where I knew they would take care of me, from coaching staff to teammates to support staff. My family is my rock. Anytime I had any issues, my parents and my sister were only a phone call away. I also relied on my teammates. We never sugar-coated things. “Coming back now, all those years later as a coach, it still feels like family. It still feels like home.” Cole became the first Gamecock volleyball player to earn All-America honors after taking honorable mention in 2006. She was also named First Team All-SEC that year, as well as Second Team AllSEC in both 2004 and 2005. Cole finished her career ranked first all-time in points per set, kills per set, and attacks and still holds South Carolina’s career record for all three. “I’ve never been the type of person who cares about stats and awards,” Cole said. “To be honest, the best memory was beating Florida my senior year. All-Conference honors and things like that are great, but we hadn’t beat them in years, so finally, we beat them in four sets here. That was one of the highlights of my playing career. “Just being with my teammates and developing those friendships that are like a sisterhood are my best memories. Playing in front of our fans was huge for me too. There a lot of great memories, mostly due to the coaches and my teammates. They made it fun for me for those four years. Even when I was training with the national team, everyone was supportive.”
Prior to returning to South Carolina as a coach, Cole had a successful professional career overseas, playing one season in Spain (2007-08), six seasons in Puerto Rico (2009-14) and a half season in France (2013). She won a league championship with Pinkin de Corozal in 2010 and was named finals MVP after leading Indias de Mayaguez to the league title in 2013. Cole also previously coached high school volleyball in the offseason for four years at Greenville (S.C.) High School and trained with the USA Volleyball National A2 Team in 2005 and 2006, participating in the 2005 Pan American Games and World Grand Prix. “Experiencing diversity and seeing how people live in other countries was one of career at her alma mater is pretty special “I know I want to be involved with volthe best things about playing overseas,” as well. leyball, no matter what. I would definitely Cole said. “Expanding my horizons be“I would love to be a head coach somelike to be involved with South Carolina yond South Carolina and North Carolina day, but I’m open to anything,” Cole said. Athletics. This is home for me.” was important. Each experience was different. Being able to pick up the different styles of play was a learning experience and it was fun. It helped shape me into the woman that I am now. I obviously grew up at South Carolina. It helps me to know as a coach that there’s not one set way to do things and that people learn differently.” Now 31 and in her third year on the coaching staff at South Carolina, Cole said making the transition from player to coach wasn’t easy at first. “I had to learn patience,” Cole laughed. “When I first got here as a volunteer assistant, I was still in player-mode. Part of my Partner With An Award Winning, responsibility as a volunteer was to play Established and Respected South Carolina and practice with the girls, and I found myself reacting to these girls as if I was a Swimming Pool Company With Endless Referrals teammate, instead of a coach. As a coach, of Satisfied Customers. I have to break it down for them. So I have to be patient and explain why we do some Owned O w and things.” operated ope by Still, she enjoys a good relationship with Bill Bill Muller, USC the student-athletes, and they enjoy teasing team tea captain her about her “stardom.” for fo ‘66, ‘67, ‘68 fo “They refer to me as the Shonda Cole, so Swim Sw Teams. now that there is going to be ‘hall of fame’ attached to my name, I’m sure they’re going to throw that in there too,” Cole said. Since 1972 Si “They tease me about stuff like that every 7433 1/2 Broad River Road South Carolina’s Largest and Oldest day. That’s not too bad though.” Irmo, SC 29063 Pool Builder! Cole and her teammates from her playing 732-3636 ext 10 or “0” days at South Carolina are still close, and being able to build the next phase of her info@aquarianpools.com
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22 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
Class of 2016 Hall of Fame Profile: Jimmy Mitchell
by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
Mitchell averaged 16.4 yards per reception on 90 catches. “Gosh, I’m just so proud,” Mitchell said of A Hall of Fame career is not made up of just hearing he was named to the Hall of Fame. “It one play, but it is amazing how one play can is so good to get in with so many of my teambe the quick reference guide for a great player. mates and friends such as Jeff Grantz, Tommy Such is the case with former Gamecock football Suggs, Fred Zeigler, Dave DeCamilla, and my student-athlete Jimmy Mitchell (1969-1971) who roommate Dickie Harris. Being in their ‘club’ is is one of nine members of the 2016 University a thrill for me and my family.” of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame class Mitchell, now 66, lives in Columbia where he sponsored by the Association of Lettermen. owns the construction company Mitchell BuildAs a sophomore in October of 1969, Mitchell’s ers Incorporated. As he thinks about his time 72-yard punt return for a touchdown lifted on campus, it’s the people, rather than the plays, South Carolina over North Carolina State and that make up his best memories. kept the Gamecocks undefeated in the ACC. “I can always talk about the plays and the “That sort of secured the ACC Championgames, but for me, football became something ship,” Mitchell said. “It was going down else,” Mitchell said. “It was about friendships between us and them. That was probably my and brotherhood. To this day, we’re still tosingle biggest thrill as far as one play. We actu- gether. We have about 15 of us that meet every ally put in a special punt return that week. I was Wednesday night. We’re in each other’s wedsupposed to catch the ball, fake outside and then dings. We celebrated when we had the birth of it was supposed to be a middle run with a break our children. We coached little league together. to the right return. Believe it or not I took about That’s the most important thing I got out of three steps to the right after catching the ball, playing football at the University of South Carothen cut back up the middle, and it was wide lina.” open. The only guy left on the right side line Born in Spartanburg, S.C., he lived in Atlanta was the punter, and he didn’t have much of a for a short time as a child before later movchance. That was a great thrill to be able to con- ing to Greensboro, N.C., where he attended tribute to that 1969 team.” high school. Mitchell was recruited by several Mitchell was a first-team All-ACC receiver, schools, but South Carolina was the right fit. and he keyed many Gamecock victories with “I didn’t want to be too far away from my partouchdown catches or punt returns. He earned ents so they could come to the games,” Mitchell honorable mention All-America honors in both said. “They came to every game I ever played. 1970 and 1971, and ended his career as the I wasn’t going to be a running back in college, Gamecocks’ second all-time leading receiver in so I knew I would be a wide receiver. I figured catches, yards and touchdowns. For his career, that I needed to go to a school that threw the ball
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 They see him with the ball in his hands at certain times, kind of a facilitator making plays. I think the biggest thing they like about him is his vision and ability to pass the ball. He likes Coach Martin a lot. He likes that Coach Martin is straight up and always honest with him. He likes the coaching staff as a whole.” Trapp will take an official visit to Charlotte this weekend and Georgia Tech the following weekend. He has also been to Rice. USC is going up against several traditional basketball powers but will get the chance to impress 6-3 David Beatty of Philadelphia when he and his mom come in for an official visit. He has taken an official visit to Georgetown and is scheduled to visit Indiana November 4th. He also has Connecticut, Maryland, Texas Tech, Michigan, Michigan State, New Mexico State, Virginia and Syracuse on his list. But he likes Frank Martin and is interested in what the Gamecocks have to show him. Beatty averaged over 21 points per game last season and views himself as a scorer first. He sees a good fit in Martin’s offensive scheme. “From what I’ve seen they let their guards go and make plays for the team and let them do what they have to do to
make something happen,” Beatty said. “That kind of fits my game. I’m just a playmaker with the ball in my hands or when I’m on the court I’m going to make something happen.” Beatty has an aunt and cousins living in South Carolina and he also is friends with Gamecock freshman Sedee Keita. He said the Gamecocks have been recruiting him since last summer. Gamecock coaches have been up to see him twice in the last month. The five official visits are in the books and all of the in home visits by the contenders, minus one, are complete. Now, 6-10 Nick Claxton of Legacy Charter in Greenville is focusing on the biggest decision of his young life, one he will reveal at his school at 4:00 PM on Monday, November 14th. Claxton took official visits, in order, to Florida State, USC, Georgia, Baylor and NC State and all five schools are still in the mix. “He enjoyed all of his visits,” said Claxton’s father Charles, a former 7-0 center for Georgia who played briefly in the NBA with Boston. “This is the last week schools can contact him. He’s going to pray about it and narrow it down to one.” Frank Martin from USC, Mark Fox from Georgia and Mark Gottfried from NC State have been in this week as well as a Baylor assistant. Florida State is due in on Saturday.
a little bit, and Tommy Suggs was a sophomore then, so I knew the future was bright for the passing game at Carolina. As a sophomore, I played behind another hall of famer in Fred Zeigler in 1969.” Being part of that ACC Championship team is still a great source of pride for Mitchell and his teammates. “Ken Wheat (1969-71) is one of my best friends, and he just donated to the university to name the indoor practice field after the 1969 team,” Mitchell said. “He was gracious enough to donate on our behalf. We all got together again for that. 1969 was a special year.” After his playing days were over, Mitchell helped coach wide receivers on the freshman team while he finished up his coursework and earned his degree. “Jeff Grantz was a freshman that year, and I coached him and his receiver corps,” Mitchell said. “To this day, Jeff and I are still very close friends. Our sons are close friends, and our wives are close.” Seeing how the game has changed now with the various spread offenses, Mitchell admits he would love to be a wide receiver in the game of college football today.
“I’d love to play now with how much they throw the ball,” Mitchell said. “I’m probably not fast enough to play the wide out. I’d probably have to be a slot receiver and try to catch something across the middle. It would be great to play now, but it was so good back then with Tommy Suggs throwing. I led the nation with 22 yards per catch one year and made All-ACC. There were some big plays that year.” With an enduring affection for his alma mater, Mitchell feels like his time at South Carolina prepared him well for his life after college, and he looks forward to sharing his entrance into the Hall of Fame with his teammates. “The thing about football is you learn so much about brotherhood and teamwork, it really helps you in the business world,” Mitchell said prior to the ceremony. “I’m going to see a lot of good friends that weekend. I know Dickie Harris, my good friend, is coming down from British Columbia up in Canada. A lot of my teammates will be there. Bo Davies is going into the Hall of Fame with me. We were freshmen together. To this day, we’re still just as close as can be. We see each other about four times per year.” Mitchell and the rest of this year’s Hall of Fame class were honored and inducted on Thursday evening, October 20, at the Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium, and recognized at the South Carolina-UMass football game on Saturday, October 22. “I’m a little bit anxious and maybe a little nervous about the whole Hall of Fame thing, but I’m looking forward to it,” Mitchell said. If he treats it like a punt return, he’ll be just fine.
Martin was joined by his assistants Matt Figger and Perry Clark. “It went well,” Claxton said of the in-home with the Gamecocks. “They’ve done an excellent job. They’ve done all they can do. Frank has always believed in Nicholas. He’s been recruiting him 2-3 years. He told him if he comes to South Carolina they’ll put him in good position to move on, and his goal is to get to the NBA. And being a South Carolina kid, his name in state will go a long way and he’ll have a lot of opportunities in South Carolina.” All the material is now in front of the Claxtons who are letting their son make his own decision. He will weigh the facts, the pros and cons, and then contact the coaches on November 13th with the decision he will reveal the next day. “It will come down to the fact all five schools are great and he’ll pick the school I think where he’s just comfortable in the system,” Mr. Claxton said. “I think he would get along well with all the coaches, and the environment with all five he’d be comfortable. It’s all on Nicholas. We’re hands off on that decision. It’s about being comfortable and the right fit for him. Honestly, I don’t think he knows right now. We really haven’t sat down. We’ll do that next week and go over pros and cons.” 2018 6-7 Zion Williamson of Spartanburg
visited NC State Friday and Duke Saturday. Williamson has been planning to visit USC but has not gotten there this fall. He will reschedule with the Gamecocks. He has been to Clemson this fall. USC coach Frank Martin was in for a visit last week. USC last week became the latest major basketball program to offer 2019 6-7 Christian Brown of AC Flora. The Gamecocks join the likes of Clemson, Kansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oklahoma State, Auburn, Florida State, Florida and Wake Forest. “I think it’s great to get offered by my home team,” Brown said. “Always been a fan since my uncle (RB Mike Davis) was there. I think Coach Martin is very passionate about his team and helping his players on and off the court. I like how Coach Martin wants to start recruiting more in state and helping the players stay involved with the university after they graduate.” Brown got the chance to see Martin and his team in action last Monday when he went over to the university to watch practice. “It was an eye opener and intense,” he said. “I hope to catch a few basketball games this season as well.” Brown recently visited Kentucky for its “March Madness” presentation and is also planning to visit Georgia Tech in the near future.
Spurs & Feathers • 23
November 2, 2016
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24 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
This Legendary South Carolina fan is ‘100 percent Gamecock’ by kyle heck Reporter
cock Club and has been in it ever since, a stretch that spans a whopping 64 years. Because of that dedication to the UniIt is something of a common occurrence versity, Arthur was joined by several to hear people say that the Gamecocks are members of his family and was honored “part of my life,” and for Arthur Fleming, as the Legendary Fan of the Game for that saying is nothing short of the truth. the Gamecocks’ contest against MassaArthur, a Columbia native, attended chusetts on Saturday, Oct. 22. Arthur’s the University of South Carolina nearly son, David, was the one who nominated 70 years ago, and immediately fell in Arthur for the award, and it was an emolove with the Gamecocks. Arthur left tional moment for the 87-year-old longthe school early to get into the family time Gamecock fan. David clearly saw business, trucking, and later was drafted how much it meant for his father to be into the Army. After getting out of the recognized. military in 1952, he joined the Game“It was just great to see him recognized
for all those years,” David said. Arthur was joined by nine family members, and the love for the Gamecocks runs deep in the family. David’s middle son currently attends the University, and the two attend every home game. From the time he joined the Gamecock Club in 1952, Arthur never missed a home game until 2008, when health issues forced him to stop the streak. The University of South Carolina is obviously a very important thing in Arthur’s life, and he’s been all over the southeast traveling to games to watch South Caroli-
na play for many years. David remembers hearing his father reminisce about the days long ago when South Carolina and Clemson used to play on a Thursday. “The one thing he always talked about his favorite thing being growing up was that he loved Big Thursday,” David said. “He wished that could’ve continued. Thursday, during the fair week, playing Clemson, (it was special).” Arthur’s wife, Gwen, hit the nail on the head when describing her husband and his dedication to South Carolina. “He’s 100 percent Gamecock,” Gwen said.
Spurs & Feathers • 25
November 2, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
2017 Softball Schedule South Carolina head softball coach Beverly Smith has put together the toughest test yet for her Gamecocks in 2017, as her 56-game schedule was released this past week. The Gamecocks are slated to have 33 games against teams that played in the 2016 NCAA Tournament, facing at least one foe from that list in all but one weekend of the season. That includes 18 games against teams in last year’s Super Regionals and 15 against Women’s College World Series teams, as the Gamecocks face six of the eight who advanced to Oklahoma City last season. Opening the year at home, the Garnet and Black bring in familiar foes for the Carolina Classic over Feb. 10-12, including last year’s Big South Tournament champs Longwood as well as Mid-American Tournament finalist Ohio. The next weekend, the Gamecocks open their trip to the Lone Star State by facing the Texas Longhorns as part of the event in Austin. Two games each against Indiana and Louisiana Tech round out that weekend trip. The next week sees the Gamecocks travel to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Wed., Feb. 22 before hosting the Gamecock Invitational against the College of Charleston and North Dakota State, who captured the 2016 Summit League title. The final event before Southeastern Conference play begins will be the best prep for that grind, as the Gamecocks fly to Fullerton, Calif., for the Judi Garman Classic. The three-day, fivegame tourney pits the Gamecocks against four NCAA Touranment teams, including WCWS participant UCLA on Sunday. The SEC slate, always tough, is made tougher by the appearance of four WCWS teams, five who made Super Regionals and seven who played in the NCAA Tournament. That includes trips to Tennessee (March 10-12), Alabama (March 24-26) and Georgia (April 28-30) and visits from Florida (March 17-19), Texas A&M (April 1-3), Auburn (April 21-23) and LSU (May 5-7). Only A&M was not a national seed in the 2016 tourney of that slate. The Gamecocks also face Mississippi State (April 7-9) in a road series, taking on a team that finished 39th in the final RPI from the NCAA and a program that has earned 11 NCAA Tournament bids, including four straight from 2012-15. The non-conference schedule also includes visits to Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field for WCWS participant and the team that eliminated the Gamecocks from last year’s tourney, Florida State (April 14-15) and a host of in-state rivals, including defending Atlantic Sun Tourney champ USC Upstate (March 15). Season tickets for Gamecock Softball’s 32 home games are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under. That includes general-admission tickets to every game of the home tournaments. More details on season tickets will be released on a future date. (story by South Carolina Athletics Media Relations) Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result 02/10/17 vs. Ohio vs. Presbyterian 02/11/17 vs. Longwood 02/12/17 vs. Presbyterian vs. Charlotte Texas Tournament 02/17/17 at Texas vs. Indiana 02/18/17 vs. Indiana vs. Louisiana Tech 02/19/17 vs. Louisiana Tech 02/22/17 at North Carolina Gamecock Invitational 02/24/17 vs. North Dakota State 02/25/17 vs. North Dakota State vs. College of Charleston 02/26/17 vs. College of Charleston 02/28/17 vs. Winthrop vs. Winthrop Judi Garman Classic 03/04/17 vs. Northwestern 03/05/17 vs. Arizona State vs. Indiana 03/06/17 vs. UCLA vs. Long Beach State 03/08/17 vs. Virginia Tech 03/10/17 at Tennessee * 03/11/17 at Tennessee * 03/12/17 at Tennessee *
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Fullerton, Calif. Fullerton, Calif. Fullerton, Calif. Fullerton, Calif. Fullerton, Calif. Columbia, S.C. Knoxville, Tenn. Knoxville, Tenn. Knoxville, Tenn.
8:30 PM ET 8:30 PM ET 11:00 PM ET 2:30 PM ET 5:00 PM ET 6:00 PM ET TBA TBA TBA
photo by allen sharpe
Date
Opponent / Event
Location
Time / Result
03/15/17 vs. USC Upstate Columbia, S.C. 6:00 PM ET 03/17/17 vs. Florida * Columbia, S.C. 6:00 PM ET 03/18/17 vs. Florida * Columbia, S.C. 2:00 PM ET 03/19/17 vs. Florida * Columbia, S.C. 1:00 PM ET 03/24/17 at Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA 03/25/17 at Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA 03/26/17 at Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA 03/28/17 vs. Furman Columbia, S.C. 6:00 PM ET 04/01/17 vs. Texas A&M * Columbia, S.C. TBA 04/02/17 vs. Texas A&M * Columbia, S.C. TBA 04/03/17 vs. Texas A&M * Columbia, S.C. TBA 04/05/17 vs. Georgia Southern Columbia, S.C. 6:00 PM ET 04/07/17 at Mississippi State * Starkville, Miss. TBA 04/08/17 at Mississippi State * Starkville, Miss. TBA 04/09/17 at Mississippi State * Starkville, Miss. TBA 04/11/17 at Coastal Carolina Conway, S.C. 5:00 PM ET 04/13/17 vs. Mercer Columbia, S.C. 5:00 PM ET 04/14/17 vs. Florida State Columbia, S.C. 6:00 PM ET 04/15/17 vs. Florida State Columbia, S.C. 1:00 PM ET 04/18/17 vs. Charleston Southern Columbia, S.C. 5:00 PM ET vs. Charleston Southern Columbia, S.C. 7:30 PM ET 04/21/17 vs. Auburn * Columbia, S.C. 6:00 PM ET 04/22/17 vs. Auburn * Columbia, S.C. 2:00 PM ET 04/23/17 vs. Auburn * Columbia, S.C. 1:00 PM ET 04/28/17 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. TBA 04/29/17 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. TBA 04/30/17 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. TBA 05/05/17 vs. LSU * Columbia, S.C. 6:00 PM ET 05/06/17 vs. LSU * Columbia, S.C. 2:00 PM ET 05/07/17 vs. LSU * Columbia, S.C. 1:00 PM ET 05/10/17 SEC Tournament Knoxville, Tenn. TBA 05/11/17 SEC Tournament Knoxville, Tenn. TBA 05/12/17 SEC Tournament Knoxville, Tenn. TBA 05/13/17 SEC Tournament Knoxville, Tenn. TBA 05/19/17 NCAA Regionals Campus Sites TBA 05/20/17 NCAA Regionals Campus Sites TBA 05/21/17 NCAA Regionals Campus Sites TBA 05/26/17 NCAA Super Regionals Campus Sites TBA 05/27/17 NCAA Super Regionals Campus Sites TBA 05/28/17 NCAA Super Regionals Campus Sites TBA 06/01/17 vs. Women’s College World Series (Oklahoma City, Okla.) TBA 06/02/17 Women’s College World Series Oklahoma City, Okla. TBA 06/03/17 Women’s College World Series Oklahoma City, Okla. TBA 06/04/17 Women’s College World Series Oklahoma City, Okla. TBA 06/05/17 Women’s College World Series Oklahoma City, Okla. TBA 06/06/17 Women’s College World Series Oklahoma City, Okla. TBA 06/07/17 Women’s College World Series Oklahoma City, Okla. TBA
All times are Eastern (As of Oct. 26, 2016) * Denotes Southeastern Conference game Home games in bold
26 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
AS14-1497445-1B
Spurs & Feathers • 27
November 2, 2016
Gamecocks ready for challenging and exciting nonconference schedule by kyle heck Reporter
but in the end it wasn’t enough as they barely missed out on the NCAA Tournament. This season, South Carolina has again put NASHVILLE - South Carolina men’s basket- together a tough nonconference schedule that ball head coach Frank Martin will be the first to features games against Michigan, Seton Hall, tell you that the Gamecocks play in an incredSyracuse and Memphis. The Gamecocks’ ibly tough league in the SEC. From a national schedule reflects a larger trend in the SEC of perspective, the league is underrated, but Mar- league teams going out of their way to play big tin points out that if you ask any coach in the name opponents from other conferences. SEC, some of whom have had For example, Florida, who’s great success in other leagues, done a great job of scheduling they’ll tell you that the SEC is a tough in the past, have games hard one to get through. against Duke and then OklaFor Martin, he always tries to homa in the annual SEC/Big 12 challenge his team with a tough Challenge. nonconference schedule to help “It definitely prepares us a lot with the strength of schedule and for league play,” Florida guard NCAA Tournament resumé. The All Gamecock basketball Kasey Hill said. “We get a feel coverage sponsored by for some great competition. Gamecocks thought they had a Yesterdays challenging schedule last year, We’re definitely going to be up
and ready for those games. We never really get a chance to play against Duke or Oklahoma so it’s going to be really fun. Looking forward to those games.” The same holds true for the Gamecocks. The marquee games not only help the team from a postseason standpoint, but it creates excitement among the players, particularly when they have ties to the schools they’ll be playing against. “It’s fun,” Gamecock guard Sindarius Thornwell said. “The Syracuse game is big. Syracuse recruited me and everything, but it’s going to be fun playing against a historic team that’s always been big. I think my favorite game of the season is going to be playing against Seton Hall in the (Madison Square) Garden. Not because of Seton Hall, but because of playing in the Garden. Every kid growing up, their goal is to play in the NBA and their goal is to play in the Garden. For me, it’s not guaranteed I’ll play in the NBA
one day, but it’s guaranteed I’ll get a chance to play in the Garden, so that’s something that’s big for me.” Another team that faces a challenging nonconference schedule is LSU. The Tigers face Wichita State and Wake Forest, and have a possible matchup against perennial national power Louisville in a tournament. The coaches and players in the league want to show they can compete with anyone, and the experience also helps everyone get ready for the rigors of SEC and postseason play. “Our league has done a good job of getting into the Big 12 Challenge,” LSU head coach Johnny Jones said. “We’re at Texas, we’ve got Houston coming to us, we’re at Wake Forest, all of those games will be very challenging for us. Plus going out in the Bahamas and playing. (But) It’s not just playing those schedules, it’s that you’ve got to win those games as well.”
28 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
South Carolina/Tennessee postgame notes and quotes south carolina athletics media relations
On his thoughts on South Carolina’s rushing attack on Saturday “I thought Rico (Dowdle) made some tough runs. He made the one bounce-out run on our sideline, and that’s a big-time SEC back making that run. A.J. (Turner) got in there late, and David (Williams) did some nice things. It all works hand-in-hand. We ask our tight ends to block in the run game as well. It all works hand-in-hand, and we ask the quarterback to make the correct read. I’m proud of all of those guys.”
GENERAL NOTES • South Carolina’s captains for the game were #90 Taylor Stallworth, #51 Cory Helms, #1 Deebo Samuel and #4 Bryson Allen-Williams. • The announced attendance for the game was 78,696. • With the win, South Carolina snaps a seven-game losing streak to ranked opponents. The team’s last win over a top-25 team was against No. 6 Georgia on Sept. 13, 2014. • Will Muschamp is now 5-0 as a head coach facing Tennessee. This is Butch Jones’ first loss to South Carolina at Tennessee. • The win for South Carolina snaps a three-game losing streak in the all-time series, with each of the last five meetings decided by one possession. The Gamecocks have won four of the last five meetings at home. OFFENSIVE NOTES • Jake Bentley earned his second consecutive start at quarterback and had an efficient day as a runner and passer. He picked up a number of key third down conversions on the ground, and finished the night 15-of-20 for 167 yards and two touchdowns through the air. • Rico Dowdle earned the start at tailback and opened South Carolina’s scoring with a rushing touchdown. It is his thirdstraight game with a rushing touchdown, all since returning from a preseason injury in week five. The freshman cracked the century mark for the first time in his young career after a 40 yard run in the third quarter, his longest run of the year and the team’s second-longest so far this season. His 127 total yards are the most by any Gamecock runner this season. • Bryan Edwards’ 17-yard touchdown catch gives him two this season, coming in consecutive games. The freshman had four total grabs on the night, totaling 41 yards. • K.C. Crosby’s 35-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the longest of the sophomore tight end’s career. His previous long was 28 against Texas A&M. • Deebo Samuel continued to pace the Carolina receiving corps, hauling in eight catches for 83 yards on the night. He now has 16 catches for 191 yards over the last two games. • South Carolina held a commanding 35:54 to 24:06 advantage in time of possession, by far its largest margin in any game so far this season. DEFENSIVE NOTES • Jonathan Walton pulled down Josh Dobbs on a 2nd-and-2 play in the second quarter, good for a loss of 15 yards. It was the senior linebacker’s second career sack, and first of 2016. He finished the game with four tackles (two for loss). • Jamarcus King’s interception off Dobbs in the second quarter set up a South Carolina touchdown drive. It was King’s second interception of the season, the first coming against East Carolina on Sept. 17. He would come up big again in the fourth quarter, leaping to take away a deep pass from the Volunteers as the visitors were driving with less than four minutes to play. The junior cornerback also added five tackles. • Darius English and Rashad Fenton buttoned up Tennessee on 4th-and-2 late in the second quarter to turn the ball over on downs and snuff out a potential scoring drive. It was Fenton’s first career tackle behind the line of scrimmage, but for English it moved him to 6.5 sacks this season. The senior now has a sack in all but two of the team’s eight games this season, and he also fell on a fourth-quarter fumble that led to the game-winning touchdown drive.
photo by jenny dilworth
• The Gamecock defense held Tennessee to just 93 yards on 38 plays (2.44 per play) in the first half, and 297 for the game. The Volunteers came into Saturday averaging almost 394 yards per game. SPECIAL TEAM NOTES • Senior place kicker Elliott Fry’s 28-yard field goal in the third quarter moved him up to 16th in SEC history for career scoring with 329 points. He passed Alabama’s Michael Proctor, who had 326 points for the Tide from 1992-95. He is now one point away from tying Collin Mackie for the South Carolina career scoring record. • Sean Kelly punted the ball nine times for an average of 42.8 yards in the game. He had three punts of 50 yards or more and put two punts inside the Tennessee 20-yard line. South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp Opening Statement: “What a great win for our football team and our program. Our fan base was amazing, and it was an electric atmosphere. We felt the energy coming up during the Gamecock Walk, and we appreciate that. We’re a different team at home in terms of how ours guys approach and play. Our fan base has a tremendous effect on us and how we go about our business. I’m proud of our players, and I told them after the game to continue to invest and have some belief. Some good things are going to happen, and I told them to continue to do the things we’re asking them to do. They continue to do that, and our guys played their guts out tonight. We have to enjoy tonight and put this one behind us and get ready for a game against Missouri. I’m very pleased with our guys’ efforts, and they have continued to fight. It says a lot about our players and about our staff. Our staff sticks together, and I’m glad to be a part of it.” On the poise of freshman quarterback Jake Bentley and how he handled himself in the win over Tennessee “I thought he did a nice job. I don’t know what his numbers were exactly, but he was accurate with the ball. He threw the ball in some tight coverage, and our guys made some plays too so you have to give them credit. There’s no question, in that environment it says a lot about his preparation and what he puts into it.”
On defensive back Jamarcus King’s potential moving forward “Jamarcus is instinctive and he has length and all the physical attributes we like. He’s been a very coachable guy since he’s been here. He’s a guy that goes out and works and listens. He’s correctable, and when you correct him he doesn’t take it personal. He tries to learn and listen. Coach Travaris Robinson does a really good job with those guys. He does a great job teaching fundamentals, technique and all the things you need to teach. Jamarcus is going to benefit moving forward getting in the weight room. That’s something we need to continue to work on, and he will.” On being able to close out and win a close game against Tennessee after losing some tight games against them in the past “We had a really good week, probably our best week of preparation. I told our guys early in the week that this game was going to come down to the fourth quarter. I felt that way all along. We’re going to have to finish, and the word of the week was finish. You have to learn to finish against an opponent. You need to learn to make plays in these games. The effort and mental urgency our guys had were outstanding all week and you saw a product of that on game day.” Category 1st Downs Total Yards Passing Rushing Penalties-Yards 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Turnovers Time of Possession
UT SC 16 19 297 325 161 167 136 158 9-87 7-77 5-14 5-16 0-1 1-1 3 0 24:06 35:54
Passing Leaders Tennessee COM Dobbs 12 South Carolina COM Bentley 15
ATT 26 ATT 20
YDS 161 YDS 167
TD 1 TD 2
INT 2 INT 0
Rushing Leaders Tennessee CAR Kelly 14 Dobbs 12 South Carolina CAR Dowdle 27 Turner 7
YDS 94 27 YDS 127 28
AVG 6.7 2.3 AVG 4.7 4.0
TD 0 0 TD 1 0
LG 34 31 LG 40 9
Receiving Leaders Tennessee REC Malone 4 Jennings 3 South Carolina REC Samuel 8 Edwards 4
YDS 42 54 YDS 83 41
AVG 10.5 18.0 AVG 10.4 10.3
TD 0 1 TD 0 1
LG 18 25 LG 22 17
Spurs & Feathers • 29
November 2, 2016
Looking ahead to Missouri by kyle heck Reporter
struggles last season. Lock’s favorite target has been receiver J’Mon Moore, who ranks among the SEC On Saturday, Nov. 5, South Carolina will wel- leaders in receiving yards and touchdowns. come in Missouri to Williams-Brice Stadium Dimetrios Mason and Emanuel Hall are two in the annual “Battle of the Columbias.” So far other wideouts who have impressed this season out in Columbia, Missouri, the Tigers have had as well. an up and down season, but they will bring a The Tigers have a dynamic, two-headed two-game winning streak against the Gamerushing attack that has been able to take some cocks into Columbia, South Carolina. pressure off Lock and make the Tigers a balBarry Odom is in his first year as Missouri’s anced offensive attack. Freshman Damarea head coach after leading the Tigers’ defense Crockett has burst onto the scene to be one of last year as defensive coordinator. Missouri has the league’s most promising offensive stars. struggled thus far on defense, but the offensive Veteran Ish Witter has had an impressive seafirepower has eased some of the pain on the son so far as well, and the touches are split pretdefensive side of the ball. ty evenly between the two tailbacks. Backup One of the biggest reasons for the offensive quarterback Marvin Zanders has been used in success has been quarterback Drew Lock. The the run game as well, and has shown the ability south carolina athletics media relations sophomore has proved to be one of the best to make big plays. quarterbacks in the SEC, and has improved As mentioned, the Tigers have struggled as a tremendously after enduring some freshman unit on defense, but as always, they have play- makers along the defensive line. In particular,
redshirt junior Charles Harris is once again a force and leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Missouri also has some talented linebackers in Donavin Newsom and Cale Garrett. In the secondary, the Tigers are led by cornerbacks Aarion Penton and John Gibson with both players battling each other for the team lead in interceptions and pass breakups. The Tigers will bring a freshman kicker into Williams-Brice Stadium in Tucker McCann. He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities yet, but has shown he can be accurate on field goals approaching 50 yards. Return specialist Johnathon Johnson has a punt return touchdown on the year, so the Gamecocks need to be on the watch for him. This will be the first visit to Williams-Brice for Missouri since 2014, when they upset the Gamecocks by a score of 21-20. This year’s meeting is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. and can be seen on the SEC Network.
For Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray, the wait is almost over by kyle heck Reporter
As the South Carolina women’s basketball team went through a 33-2 season last year where it won the SEC regular-season and tournament championship and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, there were two players on the sideline who were looking on with envy. All Gamecock basketball Kaela Davis coverage sponsored by and Allisha Yesterdays Gray, who both transferred from ACC schools, were forced to sit out a year due to NCAA rules. They were allowed to practice, but when it came to game days, there wasn’t much they could do. “I would say traveling, because you watch your teammates leave and you’re sitting left at home by yourself and lonely,” Gray said of the toughest part about sitting out. “Just having to watch is so very, very difficult,” Davis added. “I’ve never really been in a position where I’ve had to just sit back and watch. I’ve always kind of been in the forefront and been able to step up.” Both Davis and Gray were star players at Georgia Tech and North Carolina, respectively, before deciding to transfer to head coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks. After more than a
day in practice, coach Staley definitely forces game, game, game style of play, so I think I’ll be good and ready to go.” When asked what they’ve improved on over the year away from game action, both players said they’ve become better shooters, which is scary for opponents seeing as Davis and Gray were high-efficiency shooters at their former schools. That shooting ability should open up the entire floor for South Carolina. In the past, opponents have entered games against the Gamecocks focused on stopping Wilson and Coates in the post and daring the team to beat them from the outside. Because of that, Davis and Gray will likely have a lot of open shots to begin the season. “We’re ready for it,” Davis said. “That’s something that we’ve definitely prepared for. We know how big (A’ja and Alaina) were last year, and we know people are going to be looking for that same exact thing this year. We’ve just been photo of davis by allen sharpe focusing on knocking down shots and being able to make plays outside of them.” With both players coming into the program at year and a half, the two players’ wait is almost consecutive SEC regular season title and will the same time, they were able to lean on each over as South Carolina officially opens the once again be national title contenders. season with an exhibition against Benedict on “It’s fun,” Davis said of playing for the Game- other a bit during the tough times. Luckily for Monday, Nov. 7. cocks. “If I had one word to give it, it’s definite- them, the times of sitting on the bench and “It’s a big sigh of relief that when the team ly fun. To have such high-caliber people around looking on are over. “Just to have someone that feels your struggle takes the court, I get to take the court and not be you, it makes everyone’s job a lot easier.” a little bit, and we did a lot of game day workon the bench with a sweatsuit on,” Gray said. While they haven’t played an actual game in Davis shared those sentiments, and is also a while, both players feel like they’ll be ready to outs and things like that, so to have someone excited to play with the talented roster that go as soon as the season tips off this year. Staley to kind of go through that process with you, it was fun,” Davis said. “Everything is a lot betSouth Carolina has. All-Americans A’ja Wilson treats practice like games, so Davis and Gray ter when you get to experience it with someone and Alaina Coates anchor the team, and South are used to the pressures that come with that. Carolina was recently voted to win its fourth“I think I’ll be ready to go,” Gray said. “Every else.”
30 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
Gunter: Keep an eye on Chris Silva Frank Martin kicks off his fifth season in Columbia this coming weekend (November 6th) when South Carolina hosts Newberry on Sunday at 4 p.m. in an exhibition game (Free to the public). I have been outspoken in my interest and excitement for this coming year because of the roster that Martin has recruited and built. One of the reasons for my anticipation is that with all the talk surrounding seniors Sindarius Thornwell and Duane Notice along with the expected improvement of sophomore Perry Dozier Jr., I start Bill Gunter to think that Contributing maybe the most Writer important piece of the roster is the development of sophomore forward Chris Silva. For starters, the Gamecocks have not had many players on their roster over the last 15 years like the 6-foot-9 Silva who maybe contains as much potential as anyone on the current team. Silva was fun to watch last year because of his ability to rebound and block shots and when given the opportunity, to put down a vicious slam every now and then. At least through the early part of practice, Martin has seen Silva take hold of that potential for Gamecock fans to see an increase in those impressive rebounds and highlight reel dunks. “I will say this,” Martin said at SEC Media Days. “In our practice, he is offensive rebounding better than anybody I have ever had. He has also had some dunks that I have never coached anyone, make in practice.” The key for Silva as most Gamecock fans know will be staying out of foul trouble. Last the court in helping others may be just as season, Silva committed a whopping 100 vital. With the losses of seniors Laimonas fouls in 425 minutes of game action. That Chatkevicius, Mindaugas Kacinas and Miwill certainly have to change this coming chael Carrera, Silva now becomes the veteran season. However, according to Martin, his of the frontcourt. young player is already ahead of the learning Certainly Silva will need to up his averages curve starting his second season. of five points and five rebounds per game “I think Chris Silva is going but he will also need to help to take a huge step forward,” guide the freshmen through he said. “His understanding of their first year of life in college what we are trying to do and basketball. who he is in our structure, he is Personally, I think Martin in a much better place on day upgraded his roster with early one as compared to day one signings of Sedee Keita and last year.” the late additions of Khadim All Gamecock basketball Gueye to go along with Maik As important as Silva is gocoverage sponsored by Kostar. The Gamecocks have ing to be on the court for the Yesterdays Gamecocks, his presence off had quality post players but
photo by jenny dilworth
the level of athletic ability that is now on the roster not just from Silva but the incoming freshman changes the dynamics of the team. According to Martin though, even with their limited experience, each player should be able to impact this year’s team in some fashion. “I think they are going to be fine. They are young, they are going to be nervous, it is what it is,” Martin said regarding his freshmen frontcourt players. “I think those young guys are all going to be extremely valuable to us. They all bring something positive to the team which is so important.” Regardless of sport, each season we (or I) tend to get excited about one particular player and what he could develop into as that season wears on. For this coming season there is go-
ing to be a lot of talk about Thornwell, Notice and of course Dozier but for me, the player I am most interested to see is Silva. Martin is not one to throw around great praise before the start of the season and while I do not think he has placed great expectations on Silva, I feel that he is expecting him to be a leader and major contributor in 2016. There is no doubt that with the young freshmen, he will need to be, especially in the early part of the schedule as the Gamecocks deal with strong competition. With all that said, keep an eye on the frontcourt of the Gamecocks this coming season but especially Chris Silva as he could be the key to a big season for the team and become one of the more talked about players in the SEC.
Spurs & Feathers • 31
November 2, 2016
Girardeau: ‘We’ll look back and enjoy this one in the years to come’ History tells us that over time certain moments are bigger than others. Pundits will tell us at the time that this is bigger than that. Sometimes that is true, sometimes it’s not. Saturday’s win over #18 Tennessee will fall into the category of memorable. Time will tell as to how big it was in terms of the rest of the season, but for this night, anybody who was in attendance will not soon forget. I say that not to “overhype” the win. It stands alone. Not only is it the first win over a ranked opponent since Carolina beat #6 Georgia at Williams-Brice in 2014 and the first win over a ranked opponent while Ed Girardeau not being ranked Contributing since 2009 against Editor #15 Clemson, it’s a signature win for Coach Will Muschamp’s program. If there was any doubt that inserting Jake Bentley into the lineup and losing his redshirt was not a good idea, this win washes that away. Bentley playing in only his second college football game was huge in getting the win. Two touchdown passes and no turnovers would be good enough, but the clutch plays running and picking up the first downs on several occasions were just as big. It’s still early, but the kid is clutch. So why would this win be more memorable than other wins of the past? Looking back will tell us why some wins are just that big. I start with a win that was before I was born. In 1957, South Carolina went to Texas and beat the #20 Longhorns. I obviously don’t remember that, but I have heard about that win from more than one person and the King Dixon kickoff return for a touchdown. I feel like I was there. That win catapulted the Gamecocks to a 5-5 record that season and to one of the best seasons ever for that time in 1958 when USC went 7-3. For memorable wins that I remember, Jim Carlen’s first year as head coach had a signature win over #18 Baylor in Columbia. I was 15 at the time and remember well the excitement of beating a ranked opponent for the first time since 1971. That 1975 team went 7-5, going to the Tangerine Bowl. While I was in school at USC, beating #13 Clemson in 1979 was big. That led to the 1980 season and George Rogers’ run to the Heisman. The win at #17 Michigan in 1980 really got the momentum going for the prestigious award. The win over #12 Georgia in 1984 really was the win that led to the run to 10 wins that season. Nobody picked Carolina to win
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
that game, but a big pass from Mike Hold to Ira Hillary got that night going and the “Fire Ant” defense was born. What a year that was. The 1987 win over #8 Clemson, the “Rodney” game, was the signature first win of the Todd Ellis years. Carolina, with Ellis at quarterback had come so close to ranked teams like Georgia and Nebraska over the course of two seasons, finally got the big one and set off a celebration that lasted deep into the night. I mentioned a couple of weeks ago the win in Steve Tanneyhill’s freshman year over #15 Mississippi State. The other memorable win of that season was over #16 Tennessee, 2423, when the Vols were stopped going for two late in the game to preserve the win. The win that stands out as the first big win of the Lou Holtz era was in 2000. After going 0-11 the year before Carolina got the first win in the first game of that season against New Mexico State, but it was the win against #9 Georgia that led to a season of 8-4 and a win
in the Outback Bowl. The Steve Spurrier era was loaded with memorable games. The first year 2005 had wins at #23 Tennessee and then a win over #12 Florida at home. Those games stand alone. The signature win that really jumped South Carolina into the national spotlight was a Thursday night game in Williams-Brice in 2009 when #4 Ole Miss came to Columbia and the stadium was electric and the Gamecocks won, 16-10. The 2010 season ended with the SEC East championship and then three straight 11-2 seasons followed that, but it can be traced back to that win in 2009 over the Rebels. Those are just a few, but each one I know that I can remember like it was yesterday. I wasn’t there in 1957, but even that one stands out in my mind. Now we add a new one over #18 Tennessee. Will this lead to a bowl trip this year? Time will tell, but the path just got a little more
realistic. The team will have to work hard and not have a letdown against Missouri. I don’t need to remind anyone that just as we owed the Vols something for the three losses in the last three years, the last two years have brought very tough losses to Missouri, especially the loss of two years ago that sent that team on a spiral downward. The next “biggest” game is next week. It’s a 4 o’clock start and the fans will need to be just as excited and loud as this past Saturday. A season that only a couple of weeks ago looked to be resigned to mediocre at best now has a new shine to it. Winning breeds confidence and there will be more opportunities for even bigger wins down the road. It starts against the Tigers of Missouri this week. But rest assured we’ll look back and enjoy this one in the years to come. It will be even sweeter with a few more wins added this season. It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!
32 • Spurs & Feathers
November 2, 2016
Bring the noise: Fan group making huge impact at games
by kyle heck Reporter
As soon as Stone Stadium comes into sight during a women’s soccer game, it’s the first thing you hear, and it sounds like you’ve been taken into a professional soccer game. Drums constantly beating, vuvuzelas roaring and chants ring through the air as the Gamecocks run up and down the field. It’s a new phenomenon that’s taken place this year thanks to a group of five Gamecock fans who also happen to love all things soccer. Jon White, Justin Lewis, Alex Dingman, Caleb Roberts and Luke Manning have gathered on the ledge next to the brand new soccer facility for most of the season, creating lots of noise and chanting the South Carolina team on. It doesn’t come in spurts either. From the time the whistle blows until the clock hits zero, the group that calls themselves the “Gravediggers” chant and drum, chant and drum, until they can barely speak. Why don’t the Gravediggers take any breaks during the game? Well, they have a motto that they go by. “The (Gamecocks) run for 90 minutes, we drum for 90 minutes,” Dingman said. It all started last year, when Dingman and Lewis grew tired of traveling outside of the state to watch soccer games. The avid soccer fans decided to start attending women’s soccer games at Stone Stadium. At first, they sat in the stands like the rest of the fans. However, there was a big rule change that took effect this season that changed everything. Starting with the 2016-17 season, artificial noisemakers were allowed into soccer stadiums, and vuvuzelas quickly became popular at “The Graveyard,” the popular nickname for Stone Stadium. “When they came in with vuvuzelas, we were like, ‘How far can we push this thing?,’” Dingman recalled. Pretty far, actually. Dingman and Lewis started recruiting the other three friends, and since Roberts didn’t have a vuvuzela to blow, his attention went to an overturned trash can nearby while watching a game. He found a couple of iron bars, started banging on the trash can, and the Gravediggers were officially born. South Carolina’s 2-0 victory over Ole Miss that sealed an undefeated regularseason on Thursday, Oct. 27, was the first time that the Gravediggers brought an ac-
photo by allen sharpe
tual drum into the stadium. They may have received some funny looks from security, but they were able to set up the drum to cap off the regular-season with a bang, literally. As for the chants, the group took popular soccer chants that are used in professional stadiums around the world and added a unique Gamecock twist to them. “We wanted to bring that (professional) atmosphere from a supporter section to the Gamecocks,” Roberts said. The movement has been a wild success that the players, coaches and fans have taken notice of. The Gravediggers are continuously praised by fans, and after a win over Georgia earlier in the season, head coach Shelley Smith and her staff sent the Gravediggers a letter thanking them for their support, and also included hats and shirts. The five fans wrote their group name on the bills of their hats, and when former star goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo recently came into town, she signed the hats and let the group hold the bronze medal she won while with Canada at the Olympics this past summer. “When we walk out of the stadium, we feel like we’re part of the team,” Dingman
said. “All the parents are like, ‘You guys did so great.’” It wasn’t until the Gravediggers received the gifts and letter from the Gamecock coaching staff that they realized how important what they were doing was to the team. “When we got that, it was just like, ‘Wow, we’re really making a difference,’” Dingman said. It just so happens that the season the Gravediggers formed happens to coincide with the Gamecocks making a historic run. With the victory over the Rebels, South Carolina finished up an undefeated regularseason that included a regular-season SEC Championship. The Gamecocks are the first ever SEC team to finish the year with an overall undefeated regular-season record. After playing to a draw in the season opener at Oklahoma, the Gamecocks reeled off 17 straight wins to cap off the regular- season, and the team is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. “The players have just done an amazing job,” Lewis said. “They’re playing so well.” “You can’t ask for a better season,” Roberts added.
While the Gravediggers make it as hard as possible on the opposing team during the game, they still make sure to be respectful. They don’t want to create any tension, and after the games the group walks over to applaud the opponent’s effort. Most of the group is from the Columbia area, but Roberts drives all the way from Hartsville to be at the home games. Only one person out of the group attended the University (Manning, a 2014 graduate), but it doesn’t matter. They all love not only the sport of soccer, but the Gamecock women’s soccer team. With the regular-season over, the Gravediggers have officially turned their attention to the NCAA Tournament. With South Carolina having such a great season so far, the Gamecocks will likely host several postseason games at Stone Stadium. That is something the avid fans are definitely looking forward to, and there is no question you’ll see them banging and chanting away on the sideline, doing their best to urge on the Gamecocks. After all, they now have a reputation to live up to, and they all have the same mindset. “If you come to The Graveyard, it’s not going to be easy.”