November 16, 2016 • Volume 38 • Issue 14 • $1.50
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Gamecock football welcomes Western Carolina to Williams-Brice Stadium looking to get bowl eligible Publication mailed from Columbia on Monday, November 14
2 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
Contact Us: 326 Rutland Drive N.W. PO Box 456 Aiken, SC, 29801 To subscribe/questions: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506
November 16, 2016
Upcoming events: Colleton County Annual Pep Rally Party When: Tuesday, November 22 Time: 6 PM - 8 PM Where: Walterboro Elks Lodge #1988 PO Box 202; 236 Milestone Ln, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488 Come out and bring a tailgate dish to share. There will be music and a special guest!!! Looking ahead: Clemson parking information General Public Parking: From Anderson, SC: Take Hwy 76 towards Clemson and turn left onto Perimeter Rd. The C-1/R-5 parking lot is located off of Perimeter Rd. near the SC Botanical Gardens. Free parking/no shuttle service. From Greenville, SC: Take Hwy 123 to the Hwy 93 exit. Turn left off the exit towards campus. Just past the President’s house on Hwy 93 turn right into Douthit Hills. Free parking/no shuttle service. From Seneca, SC: Take Hwy 123 and turn right onto Hwy 93 towards campus. Before crossing the bridge turn right into the University Beach Recreation Area. $20/car and includes shuttle service to and from the Athletic District. Handicap Parking: Simply display your placard from your vehicle and the state highway
patrol and other law enforcement officers will direct you onto campus towards the Hendrix Center. Handicap Parking is available at the Hendrix Student Center lot located at the intersection of McMillan and Cherry Rd. With your state issued handicap parking placard or license tag you can park in this parking lot for free. Upon entry into the lot a uniformed officer will verify your handicap parking placard and give you two wristbands (one for the person the pass is assigned to and one for an assistant). The wristbands will serve as your ticket to use the handicap accessible shuttles to and from Gate 1 of Memorial Stadium. Shuttle service begins 3 hours prior to all home games. RV Parking Overnight RV Parking is available at Campus Beach Recreation Area. A shuttle service is provided to and from the stadium for all those parking at the Campus Beach & Recreation Area. There are 63 RV sites for those wanting to camp the Friday before and stay Saturday night after the game. RVers can reserve sites on a single game basis. Once the RV sites are full, limited overflow parking is available, but not until gates open on Saturday. Water is available for RVs upon arrival, but NO power is provided - RVs must be self contained. 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.
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.
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
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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
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4 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
Gamecocks’ three-game win streak snapped by No. 22 Florida BY KYLE HECK Reporter
GAINESVILLE - After enjoying five straight games at home, the South Carolina football team traveled down to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Gators, and in the end the Gamecocks couldn’t overcome a slow start as they fell to Florida, 20-7, on Saturday, Nov. 12. The No. 22 Gators (7-2, 5-2 SEC) got out to a 14-0 lead by halftime before the South Carolina defense was able to limit them from there. It took the Gamecocks (5-5, 3-5 SEC) a while to get settled into their first road game in a month and a half. “We just never got over the hump as far as things we needed to do to convert in the game,” South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp said. “We didn’t handle the moment very well early in the game as a football team, and that was very evident. Just give (Florida head coach) Jim (McElwain) and his staff and his football team credit.” After the Gamecocks went three-andout on their first drive of the afternoon, Florida was able to get into the end zone on its first drive. The Gators had good field position near midfield thanks to a good punt return by Antonio Callaway, and after picking up a first down in Gamecock territory, quarterback Austin Appleby kept the ball and rumbled 33 yards down to the six-yard line. On the very next play, Appleby found tight end C’yontai Lewis for a six-yard touchdown pass that gave Florida a 7-0 lead over South Carolina with 11:17 left in the first quarter. The pass capped off a four play, 56-yard drive that took 1:49 off the clock. After that touchdown, the Gators would have two drives that would end in fumbles recovered by the Gamecocks, but South Carolina was not able to take advantage of the turnovers. Early in the second quarter, Florida would get another opportunity to score after a 32-yard run by tailback Jordan Scarlett. Three plays later, Appleby would cap off a four-play, 76-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Ahmad Fulwood. The drive that took 1:54 off the game clock gave Florida a 14-0 lead with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half. The lead would remain 14-0 at halftime,
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
thanks to the South Carolina defense continuing to be opportunistic. Callaway had a long punt return for a touchdown late in the half, but it was called back because of a penalty. Shortly thereafter, T.J. Holloman intercepted a tipped pass to keep the Gators from having a chance to add to their lead. The Gamecocks had three turnovers forced in the opening half of play. However, another good punt return by Callaway would set the Gators up at midfield on their second possession of the second half. The Gamecock defense did a good job of not allowing Florida near the red zone, but placekicker Eddy Pineiro was still able to boom through a 55-yard field goal that gave the Gators a 17-0 lead with 7:28 left in the third quarter. The Gators would add another field
goal on their next drive with the big play on that drive being a 30-yard hookup between Appleby and Fulwood. Pineiro would nail a 36-yard field goal that put Florida up, 20-0. The Gamecocks would finally put together something on offense around midway through the fourth quarter, and it resulted in a beautiful, 11-play, 80-yard drive that took 5:08. South Carolina used a good mix of run and pass plays on the drive, and it was highlighted by a 19-yard pass reception by Rod Talley on fourth down that put the Gamecocks at the oneyard line. Two plays later, David Williams plunged into the end zone to make it 20-7 Florida with just under six minutes to play in the game. Florida held a 372-256 advantage in total yards on the day, but the Gamecocks
did a great job on defense in the second half, holding the Gators to just 115 yards. Appleby completed 17-of-21 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns and an interception to lead the Florida offense while Scarlett finished with 134 rushing yards on 20 carries. For the Gamecocks, Jake Bentley completed 18-of-33 passes for 213 yards and an interception. The freshman particularly turned it up in the fourth quarter when the offense started to click. Williams was the leading rusher with 20 yards and a touchdown on seven carries while Hayden Hurst led the receiving corps with 63 yards on three catches. The Gamecocks return home to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, for the home finale against Western Carolina. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
Spurs & Feathers • 5
November 16, 2016
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6 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
Despite poor start, Gamecocks fight through until end against Florida BY KYLE HECK Reporter
GAINESVILLE - South Carolina found itself down by a score of 20-0 at Florida late in the third quarter in a hostile environment. Then, in the fourth quarter, Gamecock quarterback Jake Bentley threw his first career interception and it quickly looked like things could get out of hand in “The Swamp” on Saturday, Nov. 12. However, South Carolina forced a three and out after the interception, and the offense went on an 11-play, 80-yard drive to get on the scoreboard. While the Gamecocks still lost the game, it was a good sign by many that the team never gave up, no matter how dire the circumstances. “When we came in at halftime, (we) just talked to some of the younger guys and let them know that ‘this is another game,’” linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams said of the second half. “I feel like we came out better in the second half, and we did a better job of playing Gamecock football.” Head coach Will Muschamp and his team and staff have a motto of “Effort, Toughness, Discipline” that they preach all the time. That applies at any point, even when it seems like there’s nothing you can do to change the outcome. “ETD” helps the Gamecocks to finish strong, and it allowed them to make things interesting in the fourth quarter against Florida. “I like the way we are finishing,” tight end Hayden Hurst said. “It doesn’t matter how many points we get down or how flat we are in the first half, there is always a lot of effort out of these guys.” What makes the Gamecocks’ fight even more impressive is the fact that they are one of the youngest teams in the country with nearly 68 percent of the roster made up of freshmen and sophomores. That’s why it’s special to realize that with a win over Western Carolina in the home finale on Saturday, Nov. 19, South Carolina could become bowl eligible after enduring a three-win campaign last season. “Our guys fought their butts off to put themselves back in the game,” Muschamp said. “Extremely proud of that. We have a bunch of young players who are going to continue to improve.” One of the main goals of the season was to done all season long. get the seniors to a bowl game, and the fight “I want to commend all of our guys for not the team showed during the loss to Florida giving up,” senior offensive tackle Mason has been something the Gamecocks have Zandi said. “It’s really easy to get down 20-
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
0 on the road and get frustrated and hang your head, but none of our guys did that. They fought their (butts) off the entire time, and I definitely appreciate that. Coming
from a fifth-year senior, seeing freshmen and sophomores out there fighting as hard as they could, I really appreciate the guys for that.”
Spurs & Feathers • 7
November 16, 2016
PHOTO BY BRIAN HAND
Greenville Gamecock Club chapter president Kemper Kenan (left) and vice president T. Wayne Poole (right) presented Frank Martin (middle) and South Carolina men’s basketball with a $6,000 check for their use in the Frank McGuire Club at the Colonial Life Arena on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Gamecock Club Advisory Board meeting.
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November 16, 2016
Holbrook believes Gamecocks are shaping up to be very versatile
BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor
one inning in the fall, he might have had the cleanest 12 or 13 innings that we’ve had of any of our pitchers. It’s going to be a tough South Carolina baseball head coach Chad call on my part. I wish I could throw them Holbrook knows he has a lot of talent in both. That’s a nice problem to have. I’m not place at South Carolina, but he also knows going to lose much sleep over that decision.” he has a grouping of players that are versaAll of the above is not even mentioning antile. other one of those versatile student-athletes “It’s shaping up to be a pretty versatile on Holbrook’s squad in junior right-handed team,” Holbrook said during a fall recap mepitcher Tyler Johnson, who did a little bit dia availability at Founders Park on Thursof everything last year for South Carolina day, Nov. 10. before spending this past summer with the After the fall it’s pretty easy to see that USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. Holbrook definitely does have a versatile “The model that all of our young pitchers group this should watch is Tyler Johnson,” Holbrook year with said. “The way that he works, what he does numerous in the weight room, his preparation, how position committed to being the best pitcher that he players can be. And it’s not just pitcher. He’s comable to play mitted to just being the best person he can be multiple in all walks of life. That’s who Tyler is. He’s spots to go a versatile guy that I can put in a number of along with All Gamecock baseball different spots. We’ll see how that unfolds.” a number coverage sponsored by In addition to the pitchers mentioned of pitchers DiPrato’s above, Holbrook also knows that he has that would some veterans in the bullpen that will make be comfortable in a number of roles. the Gamecocks extremely formidable. “From a team standpoint, I’m as excited “I love the way (senior right-handed as I possibly can be about our team because pitcher) Reed Scott’s thrown, I love the way they’re fun to be around,” Holbrook said. (senior left-handed pitcher) Josh Reagan’s “They work extremely hard, they’re good thrown,” Holbrook said. “We have some kids, they’ve got great character and I know other guys that have a chance to contribute. they’re going to put the investment in to have I love the fact that the back of our bullpen a successful season both individually and as is very old, mature, veteran leadership-type a team.” guys that know what it’s like to get the final Holbrook pointed out numerous times durouts of the game. I hope with Tyler leading ing South Carolina’s fall scrimmages that the way that will be one of the strong points sophomore Chris Cullen, sophomore TJ of our team.” Hopkins, junior Madison Stokes and junior All-in-all, Holbrook knows his team is in Matt Williams were the standouts during the a strong spot right now, particularly when it fall as far as position players. comes to injuries. “We had some other guys play well too, but “The good news is that I expect them all to those guys really kind of stood out as far as be 100 percent healthy, ready to go in JanuPHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE ary,” Holbrook said. the imprint they left on the fall and the way they played,” Holbrook said. There is a lot to do before then for GameThe one that may have shined above all level, he led our team in extra-base hits. He has been who would be South Carolina’s cock baseball, but Holbrook once again and is a perfect example of the versatility is much more physical, strong, confident, all Opening Day starter in 2017 with both junior points out “the fall was productive in my Holbrook noted is Cullen. Not only an elite those impressive words. He’s much improved right-handed pitchers Wil Crowe and Clarke eyes.” catcher, Holbrook fully believes with the in those areas. We thought when we recruit- Schmidt back for the Gamecocks. “I’m certainly encouraged by what I got a Gamecocks having so much depth at catcher ed him that he had a chance to be special, Holbrook said neither did anything to show chance to see and our coaches what we got that on Cullen’s days off at the spot during and I said last year and other coaches said that they did not deserve the ball on Opening a chance to observe over the course of the the 2017 season that he could man first base. last year, that kid is going to play in the big Day during the fall. fall,” Holbrook said. “We’ve certainly got “Offensively he stood out,” Holbrook said. leagues. He showed me this fall that he cer“The good thing is I’ve got two pretty good a lot of areas to work on and we’ve got im“He led our team in hitting even though tainly has the ability to do that. He’s really ones right there,” Holbrook said of Crowe provements to be made, and certainly these stats aren’t the end all, be all in the fall, but made some strides.” and Schmidt. “(Sophomore right-handed couple of months that are in front of us are if you did have a batting average he was at One of the big questions all of the fall and pitcher) Adam Hill wants to be in that concritical to how we start our season in Februthe top of the list. He swung the bat at a high really since the last pitch of the 2016 season versation too, and he certainly outside of ary.”
Spurs & Feathers • 9
November 16, 2016
Unique bond allowing South Carolina defensive backs to shine BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor
Just mere minutes after Chris Moody intercepted a pass in the final seconds of South Carolina’s 31-21 win over Missouri at WilliamsBrice Stadium, first-year head coach Will Muschamp was quick to point out how happy he was Moody decided to stay with the Gamecocks. “I’m glad he did,” Muschamp said. So are Gamecocks everywhere after a performance against Missouri where the senior defensive back racked up a team-best 11 tackles to go along with his vital interception in the closing seconds of the game. For his part, Moody is just as thankful as well that he decided to don the garnet and black for one more year and not transfer as he thought he would before Muschamp even took over at South Carolina. “I am beyond thankful, actually,” Moody, who was injured early in the Florida game with a bone bruise according to Muschamp, said. “It’s a great situation. It was a great decision to come back. I’m still with all my buddies, so I couldn’t be happier right now.” The McDonough, Georgia native was not with the team during winter workouts and joined the team during spring practice. He knew at the time wherever he went he would have to learn a new system, so he decided it would be best to remain among friends. “The thought process was anywhere I went, I was going to have to fight to play,” Moody said. “It was all really my teammates and my family.” One of those teammates was fellow defensive back and Georgia native D.J. Smith. “We obviously knew he had some talent,” Smith said. “Y’all see that now. We pretty much just told him, ‘just stay one year, stay with your family. You’re going to have a good time obviously. You’re going to play.’ He was worried about probably just getting to play, but we knew he had that ability. It was a good decision by him, and he’s been playing well.” On the year, Moody is among the top-6 in total tackles for the Gamecocks with 43. Moody also has one fumble recovery to go along with his interception he picked up in the win over Missouri. “Chris is extremely bright,” Muschamp said. “He’s extremely intelligent, and he is very adaptable to different coverages and how we switch and do things. He’s a good communicator. He comes out and has a very good work ethic in my opinion in how he’s approached things.
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
He’s really blended in with what we want to do and how we want to do things. He’s bought into that. I didn’t know at first if he would, especially being a guy that was thinking about transferring. We tested him early and he responded very well. He had a good summer.” Moody says that he feels like that what the coaching staff is preaching is what has led him to a strong senior season so far. “Playing faster and urgent,” Moody said. “That’s what they preach around here is to be urgent, so that’s what I’ve been working on.” Smith agrees with Moody, pointing out that the work of Muschamp and defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson have allowed all of the defensive backs to grow. “I feel like we’ve bonded real well with
them,” the junior from Marietta, Georgia said. “They’re some younger coaches, especially T-Rob. I feel like he’s just one of us, just a older body.” Muschamp muses that Robinson has a unique ability to relate to his players, while also still maintaining that coach and player relationship. “I think that some people have a (ability), and it’s a skill, to motivate players, to also develop a respect and friendship, but there’s always that line of being a coach and a player,” Muschamp said. “He has as good an ability as anybody I’ve worked with who can do that and can manage that line and manage the players still understanding when it’s time to lock in and be serious and when it’s time to enjoy a meeting setting, on the field setting, or a laugh or two. At the end of
the day, we spend a lot of time together with our players. You have to be able to enjoy that time and he does a fantastic job, in my opinion, of that. That’s why he has such a close relationship with his players as the players see him making a difference for them as players, as people, but he’s also able to do it in a father-like, brotherlike way. That’s hard to do. It’s hard to have that personality to handle those situations.” That straightforward approach is what resonates with players like Moody and Smith. “We know if we’re playing bad he’s going to let us know,” Smith said. “I think the fact that they don’t sugarcoat anything, I think that’s what has kept us going. We know what we need to improve on, and they tell us straight up, so I feel like they connect with us real well.”
10 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
Young talent has Hurst excited for future of Gamecock football BY KYLE HECK Reporter
Hayden Hurst is listed as a sophomore on the South Carolina football roster, but he is not your prototypical sophomore at 23 years old. Out of high school, Hurst elected to go the professional baseball route before walking on to the Gamecocks before last season. Now on scholarship and one of the best offensive weapons on the team, Hurst, while older than the rest of them, has been impressed with his fellow sophomores and freshmen who have performed so well for South Carolina this year. That young stardom has been particularly apparent in recent weeks with the emergence of freshman quarterback Jake Bentley and freshman tailback Rico Dowdle. With Bentley, Hurst said the young player has given South Carolina a boost in confidence and energy since taking over the starting quarterback job. “He’s just instilled such a confidence in the offense with the way that he carries himself,” Hurst said of Bentley. “When he steps on the field, he expects us to go down and score every single time.” Dowdle is a bit of a different story as he was injured for the first half of the season. However, Hurst found out about his capabilities way back in the winter when he used one of his trademark juke moves on one of the linebackers in a player-run practice. “I kind of stood back and told (quarterback) Perry (Orth), ‘He’s going to be special,’” Hurst recalled after seeing Dowdle’s move. With Dowdle now the Gamecocks’ second-leading rusher, Hurst is looking forward to what he can do the rest of the season. The tight end described Dowdle as an electric player who can “score from anywhere on the field.” That’s why it was disappointing for Hurst to see Dowdle go down with a preseason injury, but he knew what would happen when the young player returned. “I was sitting back like, ‘Man, when this kid gets healthy, he’s going to add a huge dimension to our offense,’” Hurst said. “So it’s been really nice having him back.” Along with Bentley and Dowdle, some of the other young playmakers on the
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
South Carolina offense include fellow freshmen Bryan Edwards, Brandon McIlwain and A.J. Turner and sophomores K.C. Crosby and Deebo Samuel. All of
that young talent has the future of Gamecock football looking pretty bright at the moment. “It’s very exciting,” Hurst said. “Myself
being a sophomore, seeing these younger guys coming along quick, there is just going to be a lot of special things going on around here for a long time.”
Spurs & Feathers • 11
November 16, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
2016
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 09/01/16...........at Vanderbilt# ....................... Nashville, Tenn....................W, 13-10
STANDINGS
SEC East
SEC
W-L
HOME
ROAD
NEU PF PA STRK
09/10/16...........at Mississippi State#............ Starkville, Miss...................... L, 27-14
Florida
5-2
7-2
5-0
1-2
1-0
236
120
W1
09/17/16........ East Carolina....................Columbia, S.C............... W, 20-15
Tennessee
3-3
7-3
5-1
1-2
1-0
338
269
W2
Georgia
4-4
6-4
2-2
3-1
1-1
226
240
W2
Kentucky
4-4
5-5
4-2
1-3
0-0
282
323
L2
10/01/16........ Texas A&M#.....................Columbia, S.C................ L, 24-13
South Carolina 3-5
5-5
4-2
1-3
0-0
180
211
L1
10/09/16........ Georgia#..........................Columbia, S.C................ L, 28-14
Missouri
1-5
3-7
3-3
0-4
0-0
312
291
W1
Vanderbilt
1-5
4-6
2-2
2-4
0-0
199
220
L2
10/29/16........ Tennessee#......................Columbia, S.C............... W, 24-21
SEC West
SEC
11/05/16........ Missouri#.........................Columbia, S.C............... W, 31-21
Alabama Auburn
09/24/16...........at Kentucky#.......................... Lexington, Ky........................ L, 17-10
10/22/16........ Massachusetts.................Columbia, S.C............... W, 34-28
11/12/16...........at Florida#............................... Gainesville, Fla........................L, 20-7 11/19/16........ Western Carolina.............Columbia, S.C................... 4 p.m. 11/26/16...........at Clemson.............................. Clemson, S.C.................................TBA Bold=Home Game #=SEC
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA STRK
7-0
10-0
5-0
4-0
1-0
412
122
W10
5-2
7-3
5-2
2-1
0-0
320
157
L1
LSU
4-2
6-3
5-1
1-1
0-1
247
125
W1
Texas A&M
4-3
7-3
4-1
2-2
1-0
363
222
L2
Arkansas
2-4
6-4
5-2
1-1
0-1
288
299
L1
Ole Miss
2-4
5-5
4-2
1-2
0-1
354
315
W2
Mississippi State 2-4
4-6
3-2
1-4
0-0
281
319
L1
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12 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Twitter: @ColaTipOffClub 2016-17 Columbia Tip-Off Club Meeting Schedule Dec. 6- Season Tip-Off Reception at Thirsty Fellow, 6PM Jan. 14- Ole Miss, Breakfast at Capital City Club, 9AM Jan. 24- Auburn, Luncheon at Capital City Club, Noon Feb. 4- Georgia, Brunch at Capital City Club, 10 AM Feb. 15- Arkansas, Luncheon at Capital City Club, Noon TBD- Women’s Basketball Event
The Columbia Tip-Off Club has supported the South Carolina men’s and women’s basketball programs since the Frank McGuire era. With the tremendous support of Gamecock men’s coach Frank Martin and women’s coach Dawn Staley, the Club seeks to develop, promote and grow fan interest in both basketball programs through Club membership.
The Tip-Off Club offers three membership levels: Individual ($125), Spur ($375/3 attendees) and Garnet and Black ($1,000/8 attendees). These membership levels permit access to all Club meetings for the season. Attendees will hear from the Gamecock head coaches, as well as from opposing team coaches, in a relaxed and intimate environment. For questions, please email the Columbia Tip-Off Club at columbiatipoffclub@gmail.com, or send us a tweet @ColaTipOffClub. We look forward to seeing you there! Go Gamecocks! The Columbia Tip-Off Club is a non-profit booster group of South Carolina men’s and women’s basketball fans. The Club works closely with the coaching staffs to provide fan support, behind the scenes access and an opportunity to further enhance collegiate basketball relationships and experiences.
Please Check: Full Name Street Address City Home Phone
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Individual ($125)
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Zip 8 ttendees at a reserved table with company logo displaed at all meetings ** all additional attendees are $25 per meeting
Please mail bottom portion and payment to: Columbia Tip-Off Club PO Box 3616 Irmo, SC 29063 AS14-1505750-1A
Spurs & Feathers • 13
November 16, 2016
Moore: The lasting impact a coach has is far beyond football
Pregame, in-game festivities at college football games are the norm across the country. Saturday in the swamp, there was a laundry list of activities awaiting the Muschamp-led Gamecocks. Those activities were woven together with “twilight zoneesque” type storylines with overlapping connection. The swamps been pretty empty this Langston Moore season. Since Contributing Sept. 17 the Writer Gators have only played two games at home. Scheduling issues and hurricanes were to blame for the rearrangement of some of these activities, but the coexistence of all these events happening Saturday were very odd. For the Gamecocks seeing your ex-head coach serve as cheerleader for the opposition is one. Just months removed from our sideline, Spurrier waltzed the field recently named after him, inciting the crowd to “cheer for the Gators.” It was less than a year ago players on the Gamecocks sideline called him “coach.” The man who took the baton as the HBC at “the real USC” ten years ago, led the Gamecocks to some of the best years in program history. Seeing him in his unfamiliar garnet and black regalia on the opponent’s sideline so quickly, muddles your feelings. But knowing the history of the HBC and his allegiance to the Gators, this is completely understandable. Easily digestible… “no.” Senior Day is emotional for players and families. You are emotional, nostalgic, the complete opposite focus needed to play a football game. One of my favorite Lou Holtz-ism: “I hate Senior Day. By the time you look up and the seniors wipe their tears the opposing teams already scored.” The Gators conducted Senior Day on the list of activities Saturday at the swamp. Strange I’m sure to the 18-plus gator seniors honored, who just 24 months ago called Will Muschamp their coach. Hearing these players recall why they came to UF, many remarked that Will Muschamp and his staff were the
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
deciding factor. This is a great sign for the future of Gamecock Nation because it shows the deep bonds these coaches have built, even after leaving that institution. Many from that staff are on our sideline now and we couldn’t be more excited for the future and “what could be” here at South Carolina. There were a total of 30 scholarship Gators that committed to play for UF while Muschamp was the head coach. Ten of them were starters for the Gators defense. A defense that Muschamp laid the foundation for ranks tops in the country. That same staff that recruited and developed a pair of top ten NFL corner prospects has worked its magic on our defensive backs here at Carolina already (Gamecocks lead the SEC in interceptions). The Florida Gators continue to win games the way Muschamp and this staff built that team years prior. Even though this Florida program was known for the “fun and gun” under Steve Spurrier, as of late the Gators
win with special teams and defense. The impact Muschamp has had on that program is still apparent with this formula. It’s also apparent the impact he’s making right now with our program, being on the verge of bowl contention with a sixth win still very much a possibility. “Before the game, they’re your enemy. Anyone who’s not a Gator to me is an enemy…” Joey Ivie, Florida Sr. DT Everyone wants to win on Senior Day and end their career on a high-note. The mixed bag of emotions of “wanting to win,” playing at home for the first time in close to a month, and “wanting to impress your old coach” was hanging in the atmosphere. As senior linebacker Daniel Mcmillian said, “I want to show him how much improved.” The swirl of emotion for players on both squads towards their ex-leaders entangled emotions. The same player that said the
above quote also professed his “love” for muschamp via social media earlier in the week. The point is, these players and coaches all have emotional investments in each other. The football field just happens to be where all this collides, literally and figuratively. One illuminating example of this was postgame in the tunnel on the way to the visiting locker room. There stood a familiar smile greeting all the Gamecock players in Jerri Spurrier, the wife of Steve Spurrier. She hugged and kissed “her” former Gamecocks just like she did years prior at South Carolina. With coach Spurrier not far away, standing in the wings doing what the HBC does, shaking hands and telling ol’ football tales. The lasting impact these coaches have had on these programs and players is far beyond football. Even though they represent different universities now, these coaches have impacted each school and these young men for a lifetime.
14 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
RECRUITING ROUND-UP By Phil Kornblut
WR Chad Terrell of Dallas, GA, who announced a commitment to South Carolina last Friday night before his last regular season home game, said he made up his mind about two weeks ago between the Gamecocks and the Oregon Ducks. It’s no coincidence that about three weeks ago freshman Jake Bentley emerged as the Gamecocks starting quarterback for now and the future. Terrell said that development played no small part in his decision. “Jake Bentley was honestly a huge factor for me, too,” said Terrell who actually met Bentley on a junior day visit last year before Bentley decided to graduate early and enroll with the 2016 class. “I saw the last two games and saw how he’s definitely going to develop Phil Kornblut more and more. I just Contributing feel comfortably havWriter ing him as the quarterback there for the future.” The decision for Terrell came down to the Gamecocks and Oregon and he took an official visit to Eugene in September. “They both have similar attributes that I really like,” he said. “South Carolina, I feel like they are bringing in a really good recruiting class this year and I feel like in the next few years the future is really bright. I like the academics because what I want to major in is going to be along the lines of marketing and business and the business program at South Carolina is among the tops in the country. Academically and on the field it suits me in both areas really good, plus it’s somewhat close to home.” Terrell said he is looking to take his official visit with the Gamecocks November 19th. He currently is second in the state of Georgia this season for receiving yards. He’s USC’s 22nd commitment for the class and the third at receiver. USC has moved to the pole position with DB Keisean Nixon of Arizona Western JC and he has set his official visit with the Gamecocks for November 19th. “South Carolina is the favorite for sure,” Nixon said. “I’m just liking the program and Will Muschamp is a big plus because he develops a lot of first rounders. The South Carolina visit is going to be big for me. I’m excited. My boys are Jamarcus King and Steven Montac and we’re going to take over the SEC with our secondary.” Nixon
has set December 17th for his decision but he did not discount the idea of committing to the Gamecocks on his visit. “I don’t know,” he said. “Anything can happen.” Nixon also is scheduled for an official visit to Missouri November 26th and he continues to talk with Mississippi State. Longtime USC commitment QB Jay Urich of Wren was surprised last weekend when he received an offer from Tennessee. But as flattered and appreciative as he was by the attention from the Vols, Urich said the offer in no way affects his commitment to the Gamecocks. “All I know right now is I’m fully committed to South Carolina,” Urich said. “I am fully committed to South Carolina.” Urich said he’s not yet set up his official visit with USC but it will come in December and January. Jake Bentley is entrenching himself as USC’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future and Urich clearly understands the situation he will step into when he gets to USC next summer. He will not be an early enrollee. “I’m going to go in and compete, that’s the way it has been and always will be,” Urich said. “Going in there and doing what I do and competing and having fun with those guys and being able to help each other and grow from Jake. We all have a great relationship in that room right now. I’ve already been in there and it’s a great atmosphere in that room. Great atmosphere in there to learn, plus with Coach Roper, it’s a great opportunity.” Urich was chosen for the Touchstone Energy North-South Game in December. DL Tyrone Truesdell of Augusta has had a top group of USC, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, Auburn and Ole Miss. That group remains intact along with the additions of Georgia Tech, West Virginia and Mississippi State. Truesdell said he continues to get a strong recruiting push from USC. He visited for the East Carolina game in September and was back for a visit for the Georgia game last month. Truesdell has also been to Georgia and Florida for games this season. He has an official visit to Louisville set for January 13th. He said he will also set visits with Ole Miss and Florida. As for an official visit to USC, Truesdell said since Columbia is so close to home, he doesn’t feel the need to schedule an official visit. He said Florida stands out the most with him right now. DL Romello Martin of Brooklyn doesn’t have any dates set but he is basically set on the five schools he will officially visit later this winter. Martin said USC, Florida,
Ole Miss, Miami and Louisville stand to get his visits at this point. Besides the five schools he’s looking at for official visits, Martin said Penn State is another program that has worked its way back into the picture with him. He said there’s no leader at this point. OL Jerry Drake Jr. of Palm Beach Gardens, FL has taken official visits to USC and Tennessee and said as of now no others are scheduled. He’s still looking at Oklahoma, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Pitt and West Virginia for potential official visits. Oklahoma is possible for November 12th but “nothing is set in stone.” Drake visited USC officially for the Texas A&M game. Since his visit, Drake said Will Muschamp and Shawn Elliott have been in daily contact. Drake is not naming a favorite now but he said a decision could be coming sooner than expected, possibly within the next couple of weeks. USC commitment DB Hamsah Nasirildeen took an official visit to Florida State for the Clemson game but told the FSU 247 site he’s still committed firmly to the Gamecocks. Ben Lippen QB Ben McClure last week clarified that he has not yet been offered a preferred walk-on opportunity at USC but it is something being discussed. McClure has offers from Virginia Tech and Western Carolina and will visit Blacksburg November 12th. RB Jaylond Adams (5-10 170) of Adamsville, AL visited USC unofficially Saturday for the Missouri game. His offers include South Alabama and several FCS programs. He said the Gamecocks are interested and will be down to see him in December. DB Tyler Banks of Winder, GA was at USC for the Tennessee game. Banks camped at USC last summer. This season he’s also been to Clemson, Georgia Tech and Auburn for games. He’s not received any FBS offers at this point. The season is over for USC commitment Wando WR Ortre Smith. He suffered an ankle injury a couple of weeks back and had season ending surgery. This season Smith had 33 catches for 398 yards and 2 touchdowns according to statistics compiled by the Sports Report. He is a finalist for Mr. Football and was chosen for the Shrine Bowl and the Army All American Game. Smith has said he plans to enroll in January at USC. 2018 Recruiting:
RB Caleb Johnson of Cordova, TN picked up his first offer Saturday and it came from USC. USC running backs coach Bobby Bentley made the offer to Johnson who is in the running for Mr. Football in his state. “I was excited to have Coach Bentley offer me,” Johnson said. “He said he liked my tape and was coming to see me in December. He liked my vision and my footwork. He said I can flat out play ball. And he was very impressed with my skill set level. Coach also said I should fit nicely in the offensive scheme.” Johnson said he’s also drawing interest from Memphis and Kentucky. He was at Kentucky Saturday for the Georgia game. This season Johnson has rushed for 2083 yards and 24 touchdowns. QB Jarren Williams of Lawrenceville, GA has been committed to Kentucky since June but of course the offers continue to roll in including one from USC last week. Williams also has offers from Florida State, Louisville, Houston, Maryland, West Virginia, Colorado, Colorado State and South Florida. Williams visited USC for the Tennessee game and had the chance to talk with quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Kurt Roper. “He said that they are really high on me and feel that my ability to make every throw from the pocket and my athleticism are a perfect fit in what they are trying to do offensively. They want to build a relationship so I can learn more about the school, coaching staff, community, and what South Carolina can offer academically.” Williams also has been to Kentucky several times along with Florida State, Louisville, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. USC offered QB Artur Sitkowski of Matawan, NJ in the summer and he still considers USC a school on his consideration list. “Yes they are definitely in the mix. I like South Carolina a lot. I haven’t visited a lot of places this season due to my season but I visited South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, Miami, Pitt, Rutgers and Maryland this summer and spring.” One place Sitkowski has visited this season is Rutgers. Some of his other offers are Florida, Miami, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Boston College and Ole Miss. USC offered DB Christopher Smith of Hapeville, GA and he visited for the Missouri game. “It was great. The fans are great and the team balled out, lots of big time plays were made. I was excited when CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Spurs & Feathers • 15
November 16, 2016
Basketball News: South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin added another big piece to his program last Thursday with a commitment from 6-10 stretch forward Felipe Haase of Chile. He joins 7-1 Jason Cudd and 6-7 Ibrahim Doumbia as early signees for the Gamecocks. “It’s been a longtime dream of mine to play NCAA college basketball,” Haase said in a statement released by his school, Miami Christian. “I’m very fortunate to be in this position.” Haase took official visits to USC, Purdue, Missouri and Pittsburgh. USC got the final official visit last weekend and he left there highly impressed with Martin, the school and the program according to his AAU coach Art
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
Alvarez. “This is one of the toughest decisions I have ever been around,” Alvarez said. “Our program has sent over 150 kids to division one programs for over a decade plus. It came down to a pro and con analysis on each program. While Felipe had great visits at the other schools, he felt a special bond with Frank Martin. He also felt he can come in and play right away as a freshman for the Gamecocks.” Haase is considered a skilled power forward with small forward skills according to Alvarez. “He has great footwork, he can throw his back towards the basket, he can face up,” Alvarez said. “The two things that set him apart that I have people telling me he’s a pro are his great passing ability and his intelligence for the game. He’s just a very skilled, intelligent basketball player. Frank has told me that’s what he needs, he doesn’t have a player like that.” On Monday, Nov. 14, 6-3 David Beatty of Philadelphia will make his decision. He’s considering USC, Georgetown and Indiana. Also Monday, Nov. 14, 6-10 Nicolas Claxton of Greenville is to announce from USC, Georgia, Florida State, Baylor and NC State. The Gamecocks also will sign previous commitments 7-1 Jason Cudd of Socastee and 6-7 Ibrahim Doumbia of Miami. The USC women signed 6-1 Elisia Grissett of Durham, NC, 6-2 LaDazhia Williams of Bradenton, FL, 5-11 Bianca Jackson of Montgomery, AL and 5-9 Haley Troup of Gadsden, AL. Grissett posted 22.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 3.0 blocks per game as a junior. Williams averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a junior. Jackson averaged 22 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists
last season. And Troup averaged 17.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season. Baseball News: TheBigSpur reported Spartanburg Methodist right-handed pitchers Ridge Chapman, Gage Hinson and Hunter Lomas
committed to USC last week. Chapman is a starting pitcher and was 7-3 with a 4.41 ERA last season. Hinson was 1-1 with 1 save and a 4.95 ERA in 10 appearances. And Lomas was 1-0 with 4 saves and a 2.05 ERA. Each will be a sophomore at SMC this season.
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Coach Muschamp and T-Rob told me I was offered. I’m looking forward to building that relationship with those two. They said they liked my physicality and technique. They think I would be a perfect fit for the defense since they run lots of man and my style fits that technique.” Smith also has been to Auburn, Georgia and Georgia Tech. His other offers included Auburn, Wisconsin, South Florida, Southern Cal, Wake Forest, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. DE Xavier Thomas of Wilson was back at USC for the Missouri game. He also visited USC earlier in the season. He has also been to Clemson, Georgia and Alabama this season. USC recently offered OL Maxwell Iyama (6-5 265) of Murfreesboro, TN. Iyama has visited Tennessee and Louisville this season. He also has offers from Eastern Kentucky and Illinois State. LB Dax Hollifield of Shelby, NC was back at USC for the Tennessee game. He was at North Carolina this past weekend. Hollifield has offers from USC, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky. OL Bailey Ottaway of Flowery Branch, GA said he’s being scouted by USC, Clemson and Georgia State He visited USC for the Georgia game and has also been to Auburn and Georgia. He’s not been offered but feels Georgia State is strongly interested. WR Diondre Champaigne of Jones JC, MS and Fort Dorchester, a one-time USC commitment, said Mississippi State and Southern Miss have been showing interest. He said he’s also talking with USC receivers coach Bryan McClendon. TE Jacob Warren of Knoxville visited USC for the Tennessee game and remains in contact with the Gamecocks. He has not been offered. USC offered ATH Courtney McKinney of Biscoe, NC. He just recently committed to Appalachian State. 2019 OL Michael Tarquin of Ocala, FL said he’s been in recent contact with USC. He has not yet picked up any offers. 2020 QB Luke Doty of Myrtle Beach visited USC for the Tennessee game.
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16 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 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
Coaches/Staff
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
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 16, 2016
Western Carolina Catamounts # Name Pos. 1 Steffon Hill WR 2 Connell Young RB 3 Fred Payne DB 4 A.J. Newman LB 5 Terryon Robinson WR 6 C.J. Goodman WR 7 Corey Holloway RB 8 Spearman Robinson WR 9 John Brannon III DB 10 Nolan Beasley QB 11 Jordan Mathis WR 12 Tyrie Adams QB 13 D’Andre Belton DB 14 Wes Holcombe QB 15 Michael Helms Jr. TE 16 Skyler Matheson RB 17 Tra Hardy DB 18 Bryce Wilson DB 19 Devarius Cortner DB 20 Donnavan Spencer RB 21 Detrez Newsome RB 22 Mikey White DB 24 Jay Gibbs DE 25 Shamon Elliott DB 26 Trey Morgan DB 27 Tyson Dickson LB 28 Terrance Wilson DB 29 Marvin Tillman DB 30 Michael Murphy DB 31 Darius Means WR 32 Chris Seaborn LB 33 ColemanCunningham LB 34 Andrew Askew WR 35 Keion Crossen DB 37 Tra’von Ricketts DE 38 Bobby Gibbs DB 39 Shane Samuels DB 41 Tyler Mitchell WR 42 Hunter Jacobs WR 43 Kendall White LB 44 Aubry Payne TE 45 James Foushee RB 46 Austin Phillips TE 47 Myreon Bennett DE
Ht. 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-1 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-1 6-2 5-9 6-2 5-9 6-1 5-10 6-5 5-10 5-7 5-7 5-10 5-11 6-4 5-9 6-1 6-3
Wt. 195 200 200 210 190 185 210 215 185 185 200 180 200 195 230 220 185 170 190 190 210 185 250 190 180 220 180 190 180 160 215 200 200 180 245 195 160 175 190 220 255 205 220 250
Yr. SR FR SR JR RS JR RS SR RS SO RS SR FR FR RS SO RS FR RS SO JR RS SR RS FR JR RS FR FR FR JR SO RS FR FR SR SR RS SO SO FR RS SO JR RS SR FR JR RS FR RS SO RS JR RS FR RS JR JR FR RS SO FR RS FR
Football Roster
Hometown/Previous School Hendersonville, N.C./East Henderson HS Greensboro, N.C./Dudley HS Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville HS Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove HS Decatur, Ga./Decatur HS Mableton, Ga./Pebblebrook HS Atlanta, Ga./Eagle’s Landing HS Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood HS Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg HS Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg HS Marietta, Ga./Marietta HS St. Petersburg, Fla./Dixie M. Hollins HS Ridgeway, S.C./Fairfield Central HS Rabun Gap, Ga./Rabun County HS Hickory, N.C./Freedom HS Robbinsville, N.C./Robbinsville HS Vidalia, Ga./Vidalia HS Atlanta, Ga./Carver HS Nashville, Tenn./East Nashville Magnet HS Charlotte, N.C./Vance HS Raeford, N.C./Hoke County HS Johnson City, Tenn./Science Hill HS Charlotte, N.C./Butler HS Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford HS North Augusta, S.C./North Augusta HS Ellenwood, Ga./Cedar Grove HS Suwanee, Ga./Buford HS/Univ. of Buffalo Bridgeport, Conn./Southern Durham (N.C.) Spartanburg, S.C./Spartanburg HS Charlotte, N.C./Olympic HS Atlanta, Ga./B.E.S.T. Academy Cornelia, Ga./Habersham Central HS LaGrange, Ga./LaGrange HS Garysburg, N.C./Northampton County HS Pilot Mountain, N.C./Mallard Creek HS Randleman, N.C./Randleman HS Duncan, S.C./Byrnes HS Shelby, N.C./Thomas Jefferson Academy Hampstead, N.C./Topsail HS Jacksonville, N.C./White Oak HS Locust Grove, Ga./Locust Grove HS Sanford, N.C./Lee County HS/Guilford Newland, N.C./Avery County HS Augusta, Ga./Evans HS
Coaches/Support Staff Mark Speir - Head Football Coach Brad Glenn - Associate Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Mark Rhea - Assistant Head Coach / Recruiting Coordinator / Defensive Line John Holt - Assistant Coach / Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Line Tyler Carlton - Assistant Coach / Wide Receivers Chris Collins - Assistant Coach / Linebackers Blake Gideon - Assistant Coach / Safeties Pat Mills - Assistant Coach / Special Teams Coordinator / Tight Ends Jason Nichols - Assistant Coach / Running Backs Zac Etheridge - Defensive Assistant / Cornerbacks Daniel Gibson - Director of Football Operations Brian Volz - Defensive Quality Control Jake Thornton - Offensive Quality Control
# Name Pos. 48 Mitchell Chancey LB 49 Fred Mooring DT 50 Walker Lanning OL 51 Matthew Bair OL 52 Trey Fisher OL 53 Michael Minder DB 56 Jerod Walls LB 57 Avery Worsham DE 58 Daniel Riddle LB 59 Chandler Addertion LS 60 Zachary Greene DE 62 Ethan James OL 63 Zach Weeks OL 64 Charles McDonough LS 65 Kaleb Spry OL 66 Wyatt Burnette OL 68 Tanner Poindexter OL 69 Chase Stehling OL 71 Matt DeGraffinreed OL/DL 72 Andrew Miles OL 73 Austin Jacobs OL 75 Nathan Dalton OL 76 Sean Biette OL 78 Sheldon Kinard DT 79 Bailey Byrum OL 80 Charles Johnson WR 81 Jacob Robinson WR 82 Tyler Sexton TE 83 Ian Berryman P 84 Logan Howard K 85 Randall Emerson TE 86 Tyran Reynolds WR 87 Destry Barnwell P 88 Brad Swan Jr. WR 89 Lavell Ellerbe WR 90 Tashion Singleton DT 91 Tyler Junius DT 92 Andrew Mayton DE 94 Jake Helms DT 95 Daniel Nash DE 96 Tahjai Watt DE 97 Ezavian Dunn DT 98 Holden Edwards DT 99 Christian Stewart K
Ht. 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-2 6-1 6-7 5-8 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-2 5-11
Wt. 220 265 295 260 240 180 210 240 225 210 245 280 285 185 295 280 290 295 280 310 275 315 285 260 315 170 180 260 205 190 210 200 190 180 195 260 285 250 265 245 215 285 300 195
Yr. SO SR RS FR FR RS FR RS FR RS FR SR RS JR RS SR RS SO SR RS SO FR RS SO FR RS JR RS SO RS SR RS SO RS JR RS SO RS SO RS JR FR RS FR RS FR SR RS SO SO RS SO RS SO JR RS FR FR GS JR RS JR FR SR RS JR JR FR FR
Hometown/Previous School Asheville, N.C./Erwin HS Snellville, Ga./Shiloh HS Hendersonville, N.C./Christ School Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna HS Sylva, N.C./Smoky Mountain HS Shelby, N.C./Thomas Jefferson Academy Lexington, N.C./Central Davidson HS Indian Trail, N.C./Porter Ridge HS Raleigh, N.C./Athens Drive HS Graham, N.C./Southern Alamance HS Randleman, N.C./Randleman HS Hudson, N.C./South Caldwell HS Bryson City, N.C./Swain County HS Kernersville, N.C./East Forsyth HS Kannapolis, N.C./A.L. Brown HS Franklin, N.C./Franklin HS Pfafftown, N.C./Ronald Reagan HS Lincolnton, N.C./North Lincoln HS Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook HS Flowery Branch, Ga./Flowery Branch HS Four Oaks, N.C./Cleveland HS East Flat Rock, N.C./East Henderson HS Raleigh, N.C./Cardinal Gibbons HS Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg HS Sweetwater, Tenn./Sweetwater HS Wake Forest, N.C./Heritage HS Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day School Flat Rock, N.C./East Henderson HS Marietta, Ga./Fellowship Christian School Kernersville, N.C./East Forsyth HS Wilmington, N.C./Hoggard HS Crystal River, Fla./Crystal River HS Charlotte, N.C./Hough HS Dallas, Ga./North Paulding HS Rockingham, N.C./Richmond Senior HS Charlotte, N.C./Appalachian State Winder, Ga./Winder-Barrow HS Midway, N.C./North Davidson HS Mooresville, N.C./Lake Norman HS Holly Springs, N.C./Holly Springs HS Charlotte, N.C./North Mecklenburg HS Durham, N.C./Carrboro HS Mount Ulla, N.C./South Iredell HS Dallas, N.C./North Gaston HS
18 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
Depth Charts for November 19 WR: WR: WR: -OR- LT: LG: OC: RG: RT: TE: QB: -OR- -OR- RB: -OR-
Offense
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.
South Carolina 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.
Defense
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
12 Tyrie Adams 6-2, 180, RFr. 6 C.J. Goodman 5-11, 185, Sr. 21 Detrez Newsome 5-10, 210, Jr. 7 Corey Holloway 5-10, 210, So. 8 Spearman Robinson 6-4, 215, Sr. 11 Jordan Mathis 5-10, 200, So. 5 Terryon Robinson 5-11, 190, Jr. 81 Jacob Robinson 5-11, 180, RFr. 6 C.J. Goodman 5-11, 185, Sr. 81 Jacob Robinson 5-11, 180, RFr. 15 Michael Helms Jr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 44 Aubry Payne 6-4, 255, Fr. 63 Zach Weeks 6-3, 285, So. 71 Matt DeGraffenreed 6-2, 280, Sr. 68 Tanner Poindexter 6-3, 290, Jr. 72 Andrew Miles 6-4, 310, So. 62 Ethan James 6-2, 280, Sr. 65 Kaleb Spry 6-2, 295, So. 50 Walker Lanning 6-3, 295, RFr. 76 Sean Biette 6-2, 285, So. 75 Nathan Dalton 6-7, 315, So. 69 Chase Stehling 6-4, 295, 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.
Western Carolina
Offense QB: RB: WR: WR: WR: TE: LT: LG: C: RG: RT:
6-3, 270, Sr. 6-4, 240, Fr. 6-4, 265, RFr. 6-2, 310, Jr. 6-2, 265, Fr. 6-2, 295, Sr. 6-5, 300, Jr. 6-3, 275, Jr. 6-6, 245, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-1, 220, Sr. 6-0, 230, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-0, 230, Jr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-11, 190, So. 5-11, 195, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 6-2, 200, Sr. 5-11, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 6-2, 180, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 5-10, 190, So.
Defense
St. Petersburg, Fla. Mableton, Ga. Raeford, N.C. Atlanta, Ga. Greenwood, S.C. Marietta, Ga. Decatur, Ga. Davidson, N.C. Mableton, Ga. Davidson, N.C. Hickory, N.C. Locust Grove, Ga. Bryson City, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. Pfafftown, N.C. Flowery Branch, Ga. Hudson, N.C. Kannapolis, N.C. Hendersonville, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. East Flat Rock, N.C. Lincolnton, N.C.
DE: DT: DT: DE: MLB: WLB: SLB: CB: FS: -OR- SS: CB:
57 Avery Worsham 6-1, 240, Sr. 96 Tahjai Watt 6-5, 215, Jr. 97 Ezavian Dunn 6-2, 285, Jr. 94 Jake Helms 6-2, 265, Fr. 91 Tyler Junius 6-0, 295, Jr. 90 Tashion Singleton 6-3, 260, Sr. 95 Daniel Nash 6-4, 245, Sr. 24 Jay Gibbs 6-3, 250, RFr. 27 Tyson Dickson 6-1, 220, Sr. 58 Daniel Riddle 6-1, 225, Jr. 4 A.J. Newman 6-1, 210, Jr. 33 Coleman Cunningham 5-9, 200, Sr. 43 Kendall White 5-11, 220, Jr. 32 Chris Seaborn 6-2, 215, Jr. 26 Trey Morgan 6-0, 180, Sr. 9 John Brannon III 6-2, 185, Fr. 3 Fred Payne 5-10, 200, Sr. 28 Terrance Wilson 5-9, 180, So. 22 Mikey White 6-1, 185, So. 29 Marvin Tillman 6-1, 190, So. 25 Shamon Elliott 6-0, 190, Fr. 35 Keion Crossen 5-10, 180, Jr. 17 Tra Hardy 5-11, 185, Jr.
Indian Trail, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Durham, N.C. Mooresville, N.C. Winder, Ga. Charlotte, N.C. Holly Springs, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Ellenwood, Ga. Raleigh, N.C. Ellenwood, Ga. Cornelia, Ga. Jacksonville, N.C. Atlanta, Ga. North Augusta, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Gainesville, Ga. Suwanee, Ga. Johnson City, Tenn. Bridgeport, Conn. Fayetteville, N.C. Garysburg, N.C. Vidalia, Ga.
K: P: LS: KOR: PR: H:
Specialists
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.
Specialists
PK: 84 Logan Howard 6-0, 190, So. Kernersville, N.C. 99 Christian Stewart 5-11, 195, Fr. Dallas, N.C. H: 83 Ian Berryman 6-0, 205, So. Marietta, Ga. 87 Destry Barnwell 6-0, 190, Jr. Charlotte, N.C. KO: 84 Logan Howard 6-0, 190, So. Kernersville, N.C. 99 Christian Stewart 5-11, 195, Fr. Dallas, N.C. P: 83 Ian Berryman 6-0, 205, So. Marietta, Ga. 87 Destry Barnwell 6-0, 190, Jr. Charlotte, N.C. LS: 59 Chandler Addertion 6-3, 210, Sr. Graham, N.C. 62 Ethan James 6-2, 280, Sr. Hudson, N.C. KR: 21 Detrez Newsome 5-10, 210, Jr. Raeford, N.C. 7 Corey Holloway 5-10, 210, So. Atlanta, Ga. -and- 2 Connell Young 6-0, 200, Fr. Greensboro, N.C. PR: 2 Connell Young 6-0, 200, Fr. Greensboro, N.C. 6 C.J. Goodman 5-11, 185, Sr. Mableton, Ga.
*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.
Spurs & Feathers • 19
November 16, 2016
Transitioning from highlight reels to news reels BY BRAD MULLER South Carolina Director of Content
that when I go to school, make sure to take advantage of your opportunity.” A native of Ellenwood, Ga., AllenWilliams noted that he voted in the recent election via absentee ballot. Although he is young, he understands the gravity of the recent election cycle and appreciates the need for accuracy in reporting. “There is a lot of hearsay,” Allen-Williams said. “But it’s an election. It’s a very different election than what we’ve had in the past. I do my own research outside of watching TV. A lot of people said a lot of false things about both candidates. For me to be a proper citizen and a proper voter, I need to be informed on those things. In the media, there are a lot of biases, going both ways. The biggest thing in journalism is that you have to be objective. You should just report facts. If we had more journalists like that, it would be a lot easier for citizens to get information. I do think there are a lot of good journalists out there.” As he juggles football and academics, Allen-Williams is not shy about passing along advice to his fellow student-athletes. “I tell the freshmen that academics are very important,” Allen-Williams said. “You don’t want to get a degree in something you’re not going to be able to use somewhere down the line. With upperclassmen, I tell them to make sure they take the right classes and to make sure you get the major that you want to do because this is going to set you up for the rest of your life.” He wisely does not discuss his own political leanings, but he used his analytical skills to speculate on which of his teammates would be a good candidate for public office in the future. “On our team, the one most likely to be-
come president would be Elliott Fry,” AllenWilliams laughed. “He’s a very likeable person. He’s very charismatic. If Elliott ran for president, I’d vote for him. His campaign slogan should be ‘If you want the right guy, pick Fry.’ ” While Allen-Williams is focused on try-
ing to keep the Gamecock football team on the winning path, he is also excited to talk about improving himself for his future off the field. “I have to be more vocal and enunciate more,” Allen-Williams said of his on-camera presence. “I know I can do it one day.”
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Whenever his days on the gridiron are over, South Carolina junior linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams has aspirations of being on television. While it’s not uncommon for former student-athletes to try their hand in front of the camera, talking sports, Allen-Williams has a different goal. “I want to be a political correspondent one day,” Allen-Williams said. “My grandfather and I used to watch the news together growing up. I just always had a fond passion for journalism. “My grandfather (Bert Allen) was in the military for 25 years. Every day, we’d watch the news. Growing up, I would talk to him about the news. That made me very interested in politics. That made me interested in knowing everything that is going on in our world.” While shedding blockers and learning coverages are challenges with his current passion in football, Allen-Williams knows there are other challenges ahead of him. “When you look at athletes on television, you always think of them as being sports analysts,” Allen-Williams said. “When I came here, that is something I talked to my academic advisors about. I want to break the mold that athletes only go into sports. That’s just a passion of mine. “I could change people’s minds by being a political correspondent. You don’t see a lot of athletes becoming political correspondents. Football will only last for so long. At the end of the day, whether it’s after my senior year, or 10 years from now, football is definitely going to end. I’m definitely excited to be one of the first athletes that is a political correspondent, or the first athlete on CNN.” As the son of former NFL defensive lineman George Williams, Bryson Allen-Williams listened when his father told him that someday, he will have to be ready for life without football. “My dad had a big impact on me,” AllenWilliams said. “He just talked to me about some of things you go through. My first two years here weren’t as positive as I wanted them to be, but he told me to focus and that God has a plan for me. My family has a lot of faith. At the end of the day, things that happen are meant to happen. I’m just happy that I’ve been able to step up my play this year. “Not everybody is going to make it to the NFL. We have a lot of guys who come back and tell us how only a small percentage of us are going to make it to the league. My father played in the league for a little bit. He didn’t get his degree. That’s the one of the things he tells me all the time. He told me
1421 Atlas Road I 776-4466 I www.jeffersmcgill.com I Serving the Midlands for over 50 years
20 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
Legendary Fan has lifetime of memories with the Gamecocks BY KYLE HECK Reporter
Ike Cogburn didn’t grow up in Columbia, but he had an older brother who owned a restaurant in town and was also a huge South Carolina Gamecocks fan. After trying a few things after leaving school, Cogburn decided to head to Columbia to help his brother with Cogburn’s Grill, which later changed to Cogburn’s Restaurant. The restaurant was originally on Sumter Street, and it was a popular hangout for both politicians and Gamecock football players. “We got close with some of the players, and they would just come and eat with us a lot,” Cogburn said. “Got to know a lot of them as individuals.” Of course, that was many years ago, and something like that probably wouldn’t be able to happen today. “Back then you didn’t have to be quite as careful as you do now,” Cogburn said. “Now you can’t even give them a CocaCola.” However, that was how Cogburn first became a Gamecock fan, and he hasn’t looked back since. Cogburn’s family has been involved with the Gamecock Club through the restaurant way back when it used to be the “Buck-A-Month” Club, and Cogburn himself has been a member of the Gamecock Club for 57 years. Because of that service to the University, Cogburn received the opportunity to be the Legendary Fan of the Game prior to the football team taking on Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 5. He learned about the honor about a week beforehand, and it was something he greatly enjoyed. “It was very exciting, and a good feeling,” Cogburn said. Cogburn’s son-in-law, Bruce, is the one that nominated him, and he was joined by several family members. Cogburn was particularly pleased to see the reaction of his great-granddaughter, Caroline. “She was excited,” Cogburn said. “She enjoyed it on that field. She’s been to games before, but she enjoyed it more than anyone.” After his brother retired in 1973, Cogburn ran Cogburn’s Restaurant until it closed nearly 30 years later. During that time, Cogburn grew closer and closer to the University and developed many lasting
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
memories with family and friends. He used to go on motorhome trips with around 10 other people to football games, where they had good times and interesting experiences. Cogburn remembers a time in Kentucky after a South Carolina win where they were playing Gamecock music and blowing the horn, that is until a police officer knocked on their window and told them if they blew the horn one more time, they would get arrested. “Great experiences,” Cogburn said of the road trips. “We laughed about those a lot.” Cogburn’s wife, Frances, has always enjoyed the games as well.
“She’s been a fan of every sport,” Cogburn said. “She was raised up with seven boys, so she was really supportive.” Cogburn had the unique opportunity to watch Gamecock great Steve Wadiak play for a short while, and he was one of Cogburn’s favorite players to watch, saying there “was just something about him.” Over the years, Cogburn and his family have also enjoyed going to basketball games, and especially baseball games. One of the things Cogburn enjoys most about going to Gamecock athletic events is the sense of family he finds there. “You see people you haven’t seen in years
at the games,” Cogburn said. “Just meet a lot of people throughout the whole state and other states.” One of the most exciting games Cogburn has ever witnessed came in the annual rivalry game between South Carolina and Clemson in 1975. It was a game the Gamecocks dominated, 56-20, which is still the most points the Gamecocks have ever scored against their rival. “Scored every time they had the ball on offense,” Cogburn said of the Gamecocks. “And they had one (touchdown) called back. That was quite an experience there. We couldn’t do anything wrong.”
Spurs & Feathers • 21
November 16, 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-Western Carolina television The South Carolina-Western Carolina game will be televised on the SEC Network Alternate channel.. Please check local listings.
CITY
2016-17 RADIO AFFILIATES CALL LETTERS
FREQUENCY
FOOTBALL
ABBEVILLE WZLA-FM 92.9 JOHNSTON/AIKEN WKSX-FM 92.7 ALLENDALE WDOG-FM 93.5 CAMDEN WPUB-FM 102.7 CAMDEN WCAM-AM 1590 CHARLESTON WWIK-FM 98.9 CHESTERFIELD WVDZ-FM 107.3 COLUMBIA WNKT-FM 107.5 FLORENCE WFRK-FM 93.5 FLORENCE WHYM-AM 1260 GAFFNEY WZZQ-FM 104.3 GAFFNEY WZZQ-AM 1500 GREENVILLE WROO-FM 104.9 HILTON HEAD WVSC-FM 106.5 HILTON HEAD WVSC-FM 99.1 LAKE CITY WHYM-AM 1260 MYRTLE BEACH WJXY-FM 93.9 MYRTLE BEACH WJXY-FM 93.7 NEWBERRY WKDK-AM 1240 ROCK HILL WRHM-FM 107.1 SENECA WSNW-AM 1150 SENECA WSNW-FM 94.1 SPARTANBURG WSPG-AM 1240 SUMTER WIBZ-FM 95.5 UNION WBCU-AM 1460
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
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22 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
Frank Martin testing his team with tough opening stretch to season BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor
It’s by design. South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin and his coaching staff put together a regular-season schedule that opens with three games in five days on purpose, but that does not make it any easier, particularly with the quality of teams getting set to visit the Colonial Life Arena during the tough opening stretch. “When we put the schedule together that had a lot to do with it,” Martin said during a media availability before the start of the All Gamecock basketball regular-season coverage sponsored by on Wednesday, Yesterdays Nov. 9, at the Colonial Life Arena. “You’ve got to throw stuff at your team. You’ve got to challenge the mettle of your team.” Martin does not say these words meaning senior standouts like Sindarius Thornwell and Duane Notice, but rather the plethora of newcomers that are having to get used to what it’s like to be a Gamecock. “We need to find that out, so that’s why you do this,” Martin said. “You’ve got to put them on the spot, and it’s good for them. Pressure is a good thing.” By that Martin does not necessarily mean the pressure of winning or losing, but rather the pressure of being a part of a team during a regular-season game. “It’s the pressure that everyone has to do their job because we have a responsibility to each other,” Martin said. “When you put that kind of pressure on people, you learn about people. We’re going to find out a lot about our young guys and how they learn, how they react, how they embrace success, how they embrace lack of success - hopefully we don’t have to deal with that - but all that’s part of it.” Thornwell finished South Carolina’s 10789 exhibition win over Newberry with 34 points and 11 rebounds, and like his head coach he knows in many ways it’s a good thing to have so many games so quick with a lot of newcomers, but also very tough. tough when you’ve got freshmen working “When they’re all tough, it’s kind of their way in and getting used to things,”
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
Thornwell said. “It’s good for them to get them in the flow of things early, but it’s
kind of tough because there is so many games in a quick turn.”
Spurs & Feathers • 23
November 16, 2016
Win No. 200 at Carolina for Smith comes in big NCAA-opening win BY WILLIE SMITH Contributor
COLUMBIA – Shelley Smith got a bucket full of water doused on her head following South Carolina’s 7-0 win over Alabama State in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championships. Smith’s players wanted to celebrate their coach’s 200th win at USC. When the 2016 season is complete, Smith hopes to add several more victories into that column. “Coming off the season we had and our performance at the (Southeastern Conference) Tournament I felt good about coming back home,” said Smith. “We’ve had great success here this season. Our team was excited to be playing in the postseason.” The Gamecocks proved that by putting on a dominating display against an Alabama State team competing in its first NCAA postseason tournament. SEC Player of the Year Savannah McCaskill got the team off to a quick start with a goal at the 8:13 mark. That was all it took to get USC going as it added five goals before the end of the opening period. The Gamecocks out-shot Alabama State 15-1 in the first 45 minutes. While six people scored in the first period, McCaskill and Chelsea Drennan led the charge with three assists each to go with their goals. At the end of the game USC held a 29-1 advantage in shots attempted. “It is always key, no matter who we play, whether it’s a number one seed, a number three seed or someone who isn’t necessarily seeded to come out strong,” said USC senior forward Sophie Groff. “We have said that throughout the entire year. Whenever we’re in a huddle, one of the first things we say is score early and often.” Groff scored a goal in each half, while chipping in an assist. McCaskill and Chelsea Drennan each scored a goal and had three assists in the contest. Possibly the most important thing for Smith was the ability to empty the bench in an attempt to keep the squad fresh for what she hopes will be a deep playoff run. “That’s what they’ve done all year, come out and put a lot of pressure on teams,” Smith said of the duo. “We knew we had to come out and play quickly. Chelsea, every game she has been in, she runs the entire match. Savannah, the same thing. She showed how dangerous
she is. She will find the back of the net. “Both of them have been great leaders for us throughout the season. I look forward to seeing what they do as we make a run.” Other Gamecocks scoring goals were Daija Griffin, Elexa Bahr and Clare Studebaker. The win improved the Gamecocks to 19-1-1, while Alabama State dropped to 11-10-1. Hornets coach Jodie Smith came away from the encounter impressed with USC. “South Carolina was what we thought they would be,” he said. “They were very dynamic going forward and hard in the back. It was a great experience for us, but I think they played exactly how we thought they would. They’re a great team and I expect to see them on down the line.” South Carolina will face Colorado (15-5-1) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The match is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, at Stone Stadium. The Buffaloes, listed at No. 20 in the current NSCAA poll, will be one of four ranked teams in action in Columbia this week. No. 4 BYU and No. 25 Oklahoma will battle one another at Stone Stadium at 4 p.m. Thursday, and the winner of the match will advance to Saturday’s third round to face the winner of Colorado and third-ranked South Carolina at 7 p.m. Thursday will mark the first meeting between Colorado and Carolina. (South Carolina Athletics Media Relations contributed to this report)
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
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November 16, 2016
Former sportscaster Britt Roper enjoys unique perspectives on sports BY BRAD MULLER South Carolina Director of Content When it comes to sports, Britt Roper knows her stuff. Before she became the wife of South Carolina co-offensive coordinator Kurt Roper, Britt was a television sportscaster. Her life has somewhat come full-circle as the former pioneer in the local broadcast industry found her way back to Columbia when Kurt signed on as a member of head coach Will Muschamp’s staff with the Gamecock football team. “I was the first female sports reporter in Columbia,” Roper said. “I came here in January of 1999. Actually, I think I may have been the first female sports reporter in almost every market I went to in my career. I believe I was the first one in Knoxville and the first in Memphis when I left here to go there in 2000.” After graduating from the University of North Carolina in 1995, Britt Roper started out in High Point, N.C., with her first on-air job coming later in Knoxville, Tenn., in 1997. Working with the ABC affiliate there is where she first met Kurt, who was a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee. She was hired in Columbia a couple of years later, initially as a weekend sports anchor. “Times have changed now,” Roper said. “You turn on the TV now, and they’re (female sportscasters) everywhere. Back then, it was a different time.” As a former reporter and wife of a college coach, she understands the stress and feelings associated with two sides of a story. “I don’t get mad when reporters criticize coaches,” Roper said. “They get paid to do a job. The toughest part for me when I first became a coach’s wife was the criticism of the players because they’re like your kids. They’re doing the best they can. There were times early on that I needed to check myself and keep my mouth shut.” “Her understanding of sports, the time commitment and the ups and downs of it helps her understand the pressure that goes along with it,” Kurt Roper added. “She can talk about different situations and have a real idea of what we’re going through because she has been through it.” As an aspiring journalist, Roper was not one to keep quiet about what she wanted to do. Having an athletics background, Roper knew she wanted to work in sports by the time she entered college. “In high school, I played volleyball, basketball and softball.” Roper said. “When I went to college, I knew I wanted to do broadcasting,
but I only wanted to do sports. I wasn’t good enough to play sports in college, so I wanted to do something where I could be around sports. I told my professors that I’m not going to do it if all I’m going to do is news stories. My professors were great.” While at North Carolina she had the opportunity to cover great sports stories with the Tar Heel student-athletes, including Marion Jones in track and field and basketball. She also served as the p.a. announcer for home volleyball and softball games. “I grew up in North Carolina, where basketball is the sport,” Roper said. “So I was really big into basketball. That was what I was looking forward to reporting on. Then I got the job in Tennessee, and I started really falling in love with football.” Roper understands the significance of breaking down barriers, but she thought she was treated fairly, for the most part. She also understood that she had a responsibility to do her job well. “I was proud of myself because I was doing what I wanted to do, and that I was doing something that hadn’t been done before,” Roper said. “It was significant to be the first female sportscaster in different places, but I also felt like there was a burden because you have to prove that you know what you are talking about. Nowadays, it drives me a crazy if I hear a guy saying things that are inaccurate. I know if it were me, and I was saying something that was inaccurate, it would be viewed differently than if a guy said it. “The people I worked with were super sup-
portive. The people I was around never made me feel any different than any of the other guys.” As female sportscasters have become more common now, Roper is glad to see more opportunities for women in the industry. “I’m sure they always feel like they have to prove themselves, but it’s not such an odd thing anymore,” Roper said. “You have so many former athletes who are doing it now, and they obviously know their stuff. Now you have a woman in professional baseball with Jessica Mendoza. She’s really a pioneer for baseball. But it’s great that now you have women doing play by play for sports like football, too.” While she loves being a wife and mother to her two children, Reese and Luke, Roper has many fond memories of her days on camera. “It was never a job to me,” Roper said. “You get to go to a ballpark for four hours of your work day. You get to see some great things. I had a chance to cover national championship games (football) with Tennessee. I am not a NASCAR fan, but to go to the Daytona 500 was pretty special. I thought covering the Master’s was pretty special, too. Britt and Kurt were married in February of 2002, and she decided to leave sportscasting to prevent a conflict of interest. “I don’t miss it too much anymore,” Roper said. “It’s hard to have a family and be a mom in that role because you do work a lot of nights and weekends.” Roper does admit that there are times when the sports journalist inside her comes back out.
“Absolutely,” Roper laughed. “I think I’ve gotten better. I try to be the supportive wife. There are always things that will stick in my head, so I have to wait for the right moment where I might say ‘that play on third and four in the fourth quarter.’ I can tell him (Kurt) every single thing about it, and he’ll know what I’m talking about. He usually has a good answer.” “It’s still quite often,” Kurt Roper chuckled. “When I ask her, she gives me her complete opinion. She doesn’t try to soften the blow or anything like that. So what I’ve learned over the years is to be careful of what I ask, because I’m going to get what she really believes.” But when it comes down to it, Kurt knows that Britt has his back. “One of the funny things about this profession is all the rumors that go along with it,” Kurt said. “Part of those rumors are started with criticism of coaching. We always have a good time talking about different things because she always has an understanding of sports. At this point, she is more of a coachsupporter as opposed to a media person, if that makes sense. She understands the difficult things about the job (coaching) that aren’t always seen. She’s very supportive.” Britt Roper said that moving for new jobs is the toughest part of being the wife of a coach, and she’s hoping her family’s current life in Columbia will keep them in one place for a while. “That’s our prayer,” Roper said. “We moved three years straight now. Even my daughter started praying for that.”
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November 16, 2016
Top-10 battle at OSU begins tough opening stretch for the Gamecocks BY KYLE HECK Reporter
Not many teams in the country have a stretch to open the season like the South Carolina women’s basketball team. Starting with the season opener at Ohio State, the Gamecocks face three preseason top-10 teams in the first six games of the year. While it will be a tough test to start the season, it will be something that the Gamecocks quickly get used to. After returning to Columbia for three games after the Ohio State contest, South Carolina turns around and travels to Springfield, Massachusetts All Gamecock basketball for a neutral coverage sponsored by court game Yesterdays against Louisville. Four days after that game, the Gamecocks go to Texas in an installment of the SEC/ Big 12 Challenge. Three days later, the team is in Durham to tangle with Duke. However, if any team can handle that stretch, it would be the Gamecocks, who are once again expected to battle for an SEC and National Championship. South Carolina is coming off a season where it compiled a 33-2 record and went perfect during SEC play to capture its third-straight regular season SEC Championship and second-straight SEC Tournament Championship. The Gamecocks’ only two losses came against National Champion Connecticut and Syracuse in the Sweet Sixteen. They were perfect during the tough nonconference portion of the schedule, and hope to do something similar this season. “We get a chance to test the pulse of our team (and) the identity of the team,” Staley said. “(Ohio State is) very similar to what we’ll face throughout this first part of the nonconference season.” The Gamecocks are incorporating several new players into the fold this season. It will obviously take some time for the incoming players to gel with the returners, but with so many difficult games to start the year, that process will undoubtedly be hurried up. There are several new freshmen, but two transfers, Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray, are also new to the team. They’ve played in big
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games before, which could make the transition easier. As of now, Staley isn’t exactly sure what kind of team she has, but that will quickly change over the course of the next month. “It’s a different challenge,” Staley said. “I’d say it’s early, we can figure out who we are as a team. It forces you to have a certain
level of confidence, and also it measures where you are.” South Carolina was fortunate last season in that its nonconference matchups against Ohio State, Duke and Connecticut were all at Colonial Life Arena. This year, all three games are on the road for the Gamecocks.
It’s difficult, but it’s also extremely beneficial for the Gamecocks and the exposure the team and the rest of women’s college basketball gets with the top-10 battles. “Ohio State (and others) did it to us last year, and I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” Staley said. “It’s great for women’s basketball.”
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November 16, 2016
The view from the Florida locker room BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor
5, 3-5 SEC) did not include a victory over Florida (7-2, 5-2 SEC) this year though as the Gators led from start-to-finish in the game GAINESVILLE - Florida head coach Jim that put them one win away from clinching McElwain knows it was a big win for his team their second-straight SEC East crown. because of what Will Muschamp is doing Entering this year’s matchup between South right now with a young Gamecock football Carolina and Florida the storylines were vast team. in Muschamp not only bringing his current “You can tell how hard he (Will Muschamp) Gamecock football team to Ben Hill Griffin has gotten that team to play,” McElwain said Stadium, but also the fact that the Gamecocks after Florida’s 20-7 win over South Carolina would be facing the Gators in front of the foron Saturday, Nov. 12. “My hat is off to those mer Head Ball Coach and playing on a field guys in what they’re doing. They’re doing a named after him at Steve Spurrier-Florida fantastic job and doing it with a young quarField. terback as well. They (South Carolina) have a After the game though, Florida redshirt bright road ahead of them.” senior quarterback Austin Appleby, who finThat bright future for South Carolina (5ished his day passing for 201 yards and two
touchdowns, said that was the last thing on his mind. It was probably easier for him though in the fact he never suited up for Muschamp. “I don’t really know about Coach Muschamp other than I came here for a recruiting visit and got a chance to meet him,” Appleby said. “That was back when it was (Jeff) Driskel’s first year. We actually roomed together back in the Urban Meyer days, to show how old we are. Our locker room is 100 percent behind Coach Mac, and what he is doing for our program. We are behind his message and his vision 100 percent. For us it was just another game, another big game because it was the next game.” The other big thing on the day for the Florida players was that it was Senior Day
and most of the Gator seniors were playing against the man they decided to come play for at Florida in Muschamp. Once again though, for senior defensive lineman Joey Ivie it was not about that, but rather showing that they deserved to still be atop the leaderboard in the SEC East. “I’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this program,” Ivie said. “I feel like personally I’ve been through a lot, so it meant a lot for me to walk out with my brother and see my family out there. It was definitely very motivational and emotional to see all my other teammates who were seniors as well. The whole week we rallied around each other. I felt like we came together and played like we were supposed to play.”
November 16, 2016
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South Carolina/Florida postgame notes and quotes SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
GENERAL NOTES • Florida defeated South Carolina 20-7. The Gamecocks are now 5-5 and 3-5 in the SEC with Florida 7-2 and 5-2 in conference play. • Captains for South Carolina were: Zack Bailey, Darius English, Hayden Hurst and Jonathan Walton. • Attendance at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was 89,614. • The Gamecocks have had eight players start all 10 games this year: OG Zack Bailey, DE Darius English, OG Cory Helms, TE Hayden Hurst, CB Chris Lammons, DE Marquavius Lewis, DT Taylor Stallworth, OT Mason Zandi. OFFENSIVE NOTES • Freshman quarterback Jake Bentley finished the afternoon 18-for-33 in the air for 213 passing yards and an interception. • Sophomore tight end Hayden Hurst had three receptions for 63 yards and now has 38 receptions for 489 yards on the year, surpassing Jared Cook for the school record number of receptions by a tight end. Cook logged 37 receptions for 573 yards in 2008. • Sophomore wide receiver Deebo Samuel caught 4 passes for 53 yards. He had 33 receptions for 457 yards in the last five contests. • Junior running back David Williams scored in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run. Williams has three rushing touchdowns for the season. • Junior running back Rod Talley caught the first two passes of his career in the fourth quarter and finished with a pair of receptions for 16 yards. DEFENSIVE NOTES • Senior defensive lineman Darius English was credited with a half a sack in the fourth quarter and now has eight sacks for the season. • English has at least a half a sack in eight of 10 games this year. English also finished the game with a career-high 10 tackles. English’s previous high was eight at Kentucky on September 24, 2016. • Sophomore defensive back Steven Montac tallied a careerhigh nine tackles. Montac’s previous high was six vs. East Carolina on September 17, 2016. • Junior linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams forced his first fumble of the season in the first quarter. Jamarcus King recovered the fumble; his first fumble recovery for the year. AllenWilliams also recovered a fumble in the second quarter. • Senior linebacker T.J. Holloman’s second quarter interception was his third of the season and the eighth of his career. • The Gamecock defense has limited opponents to 28 points or less in all 10 games this year. The Gamecocks are one of only six Division I teams that has held every opponent below 30 points. • The defense has forced at least three turnovers in each of the last four games. South Carolina is 4-1 on the year when forcing three or more turnovers. SPECIAL TEAM NOTES • Senior placekicker Elliott Fry has now made 145 consecutive PAT kicks, that is second-most all-time in SEC history. Fry is South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer with 337 points and is three points shy of Caleb Sturgis (Florida, 2008-12) for 15th-alltime in SEC history. • Senior punter Sean Kelly punted seven times for 316 yards for
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
an average of 45.1 including a 61-yard punt in the game. South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp Opening Statement: “Give Jim McElwain and the University of Florida’s football team credit. They certainly responded off of last week’s game as I knew those guys in that locker room would. They came out and played very well defensively during the game. Defensively for us, extremely disappointed. We continued to struggle with some things in the run game, we had guys miss tackles, some missed leverages. We had three third downs in the first half that we didn’t convert, which is critical in order to get off the field in those situations As poorly as things have gone, it’s a 14-point game at halftime and you’ve got every opportunity in the world to capitalize on some things but we never got over the hump. Our guys fought their butts off to put themselves back in the game, but we didn’t handle the moment very well early in the game as a football team and that was very evident.” On poor field position throughout the game: “Well we have to get faster as a team, that’s something I’ve said all season. Coverage speed is really hurting us on special teams. Antonio (Callaway) is a really good player, especially with the ball in his hands, but that is a major issue for our football team. We have to improve our team speed.” Category 1st Downs Total Yards
SC UF 15 18 256 372
Passing 213 201 Rushing 43 171 Penalties-Yards 2-10 10-80 3rd Down Conversions 3-13 4-10 4th Down Conversions 1-2 0-0 Turnovers 2 3 Time of Possession 28:55 31:05 Passing Leaders South Carolina COM Bentley 18 Florida COM Appleby 17
ATT 33 ATT 21
YDS TD 213 0 YDS TD 201 2
INT 1 INT 1
Rushing Leaders South Carolina CAR YDS AVG TD LG Williams 7 20 2.9 1 9 Dowdle 9 18 2.0 0 9 Florida CAR YDS AVG TD LG Scarlett 20 134 6.7 0 32 Appleby 6 34 5.7 0 33 Receiving Leaders South Carolina REC YDS AVG TD LG Samuel 4 53 13.3 0 29 Hurst 3 63 21.0 0 47 Florida REC YDS AVG TD LG Callaway 4 48 12.0 0 19 Lewis 4 38 9.5 1 12
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November 16, 2016
Gunter: Thornwell knowledge big for the Gamecocks One of the first elite players that South Carolina basketball coach Frank Martin targeted upon his arrival in Columbia was Lancaster native, Sindarius Thornwell. The 6-foot-5 wing spent his senior year at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, however was viewed as a player that could help Martin bring success to the morbid program and lead the turnaround. Heading into his senior year, Thornwell has Bill Gunter done just that, beContributing ing a key cog in Writer last year’s success and expected to once again lead the Gamecocks on the floor this coming season. Fans may only see the development and growth of Thornwell on the court but there has always been a great deal in learning how to prepare for a game. Recently, Thornwell talked about where he has grown the most during his time on campus. “I have grown preparing for games, taking that part far more serous,” Thornwell said. “I always thought coming in I could just go out and I would just be able to play. I didn’t think I needed to watch film or study the scouting reports. Now I take it more serous watching film, spending extra hours figuring out where I am going to get my shots at and what the other teams run and what my matchups are like. So my preparation has grown more as a player.” Another aspect of Thornwell’s game that has gone underappreciated by Gamecock fans has been his versatility during his first three years. When Tyrone Johnson went down with an injury, it was Thornwell who needed to step into the point guard role more often. Thornwell has always been counted on to play in the post from time to time and that is something that has helped prepare him for so interchangeable it makes it hard for the this season and the different roles that Martin opponent, but makes it easier for me that may ask him to play. we cannot have to waste practice reps with “At one point in time during my career, I certain lineups because you can put him anyhave played just about every where and he knows what to do,” position here,” Thornwell Martin said. said. “It is nothing new. I This season, Martin plans to know everything; I know put that versatility and knowlwhere everybody is supposed edge of Thornwell’s to use. In to be because I know every talking about how Thornwell position.” can impact the team, Martin Martin agreed that Thornreferenced one of his former and well’s knowledge is a plus for favorite players, Jacob Pullen, the team and how it helps in All Gamecock basketball who was instrumental in helping practice. coverage sponsored by build the Kansas State program. “When you have someone Yesterdays “Sin is going to play every-
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
where, he is going to play some power forward if need be,” Martin said. “I haven’t had a guy that completely understands everything we do since I had Jacob Pullen at Kansas State. He knows every defensive concept from all five spots. If I told him to play center, he would understand everything he is supposed to do at the center spot.” It is that type of buy-in from Thornwell on the Gamecock program and his acceptance over his first three years that has Martin so happy. The Gamecock coach has bonded with his first big recruit and believes Thornwell is on the verge of a big season for the Gamecocks. “He (Thornwell) has his arms completely
around our program and what we are about,” Martin said. “That is why he is playing as well as he is. That’s why I think he is going to have the season he is going to have.” As most final seasons do for players, this one is likely to fly by for Thornwell. Having embraced the program and been willing to play whatever position necessary, Thornwell hopes that when it all comes to an end, Gamecock fans will remember him fondly for his work ethic both on and off the court. “I hope so,” he said. “I hope when I’m done here I have left a strong enough mark on the program and the school that people will talk about me as a good player and a good person and compare me to some guys.”
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November 16, 2016
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
Looking ahead to Western Carolina BY KYLE HECK Reporter
nents don’t have to throw the ball a whole lot, the Catamounts’ pass defense has been respectable this season. South Carolina will return to WilliamsWestern Carolina is led on offense by Brice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, for tailback Detrez Newsome, who can literally Senior Day and a matchup against FCS op- score from anywhere on the field. He’s also ponent Western Carolina. While the Game- the starting kick returner, and a threat out cocks certainly have more talent than the of the backfield in the receiving game and Catamounts, Western Carolina does have a averages more than a touchdown per game. few players that have the ability to impact Tyrie Adams has started most of the any game. games at quarterback, and while he’s One area South Carolina will hope to take shown some flashes, he does struggle with advantage of is the run game, something interceptions. His favorite target is leading the Catamounts have struggled to defend receiver Terryon Robinson, who also leads all season long. While it probably has the Catamounts in receiving touchdowns something to do with the fact that oppoas well. Receiver Spearman Robinson is
another big play threat. The Robinson duo and Newsome have accounted for the vast majority of the Catamounts’ touchdowns through the air. On defense, linebacker Tyson Dickson is the Catamounts’ leading tackler while safety Fred Payne isn’t far behind, and has also shown a knack to force turnovers. Trey Morgan, Marvin Tillman and Keion Crossen round out a talented group of secondary players. Western Carolina has struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. However, defensive ends Avery Worsham, Jay Gibbs and Tahjai Watt have shown some ability to get into the backfield
and cause some trouble every now and then. On special teams, the Catamounts rely on placekicker Logan Howard, who has hit a 50-yard field goal on the year, but has also missed a couple of chip shots and, overall, hasn’t received very many opportunities to kick field goals this season. This meeting will be the fifth between the two schools, but first since the 1989 season. The Gamecocks have won all four previous games against the Catamounts. Kickoff between South Carolina and Western Carolina is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. The game can be seen on the SEC Network alternate channel.
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November 16, 2016
Girardeau: ‘Win this week and the Gamecocks are bowl eligible’ The home field advantage is not always a given. It helps most of the time, particularly for a good team. The South Carolina men’s basketball team used it well to open the season at the Colonial Life Arena with a nine-point win over Louisiana Tech. The Gamecocks did not play that well, but were good enough to hold off the pesky Bulldogs. A feat which would not have happened a few short years ago. This was the type of game that South Carolina would find a way to lose as opposed to finding a way to win. Get a good lead, only to see it disappear and end on the short end of the score. Ed Girardeau The men’s Contributing basketball team, Editor through hard work and the addition of better basketball players has reached a point where they win more of these games than they lose, evidenced by winning 25 games last year. Coach Frank Martin was clear after the game that we will have to get better to beat some teams on the schedule this year and that starts with good practice, which had not happened the past few days and the result was a lackluster performance. However, it was a win. The women’s program doesn’t lose at home unless your name is UConn. It wasn’t always that way, but through tough practice and the adding of what can only be described now as great talent, they rarely lose anywhere. The women open at Ohio State and have their home opener next weekend and open ranked in the preseason in the Top 5 in the country and the odds on favorite to repeat as SEC champions again. Which leads us to football. After the win over Tennessee, head coach Will Muschamp said that South Carolina played much better at home, “a different team,” and that he needed to fix that. He repeated that on Saturday after the loss to Florida. For whatever reason, South Carolina reverted back to their earlier play in the first of the game with the Gators and played poorly; on both sides of the football and on special teams. Suddenly, an offense that had shown
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so much promise the three weeks previous was going three and out almost every series and the defense couldn’t tackle again. Once again, an opposing quarterback who was starting in place of the regular starter due to injury, looked like an All American with two touchdown passes and some long runs. On top of that the punt cover team, which was on the field a lot, looked as if they had never seen anybody that fast before and struggled mightily. If it wasn’t for two lost fumbles by Florida, along with a punt return for touchdown called back due to holding and an ensuing interception, the score would have been much, much worse. But the game was a synopsis of the season. The Gamecocks started slowly and came on late. Just when it looked like the offense was hopeless and would be shut out, the offense marched down the field and on fourth down
Bentley hit Rod Talley, who was playing due to an injury to Rico Dowdle, and Talley made a strong run to the one-yard line. David Williams finished it with a one-yard plunge for the Gamecocks only score. The defense then held the Gators and forced a punt and the offense was able to get to the red zone. This time on fourth down, Bentley was under a heavy rush and put the ball in the end zone and Hayden Hurst was unable to bring it in as the ball went off his fingertips. Granted the Gamecocks even if they had scored would have had to recover an onsides kick and then score a touchdown in less than a minute, but at least rather than playing dead, USC picked themselves up in the fourth quarter and made a game of it in winning the second half, 7-6. There’s no moral victory here, but at least when faced with what appeared to be an impossible situation, this young team did not
quit and made some plays. Too little, too late, but better than folding the tent and losing 400 or some such rout. If there was anything that Saturday night showed us in college football, it was that nothing is guaranteed. No matter how good or how bad you’ve played in the past, anything is possible if you just believe in yourself and go out and make some plays. The #2, #3, and #4 teams in the country, all undefeated and all favored to win by double digits, all went down. Two of them at home. Needless to say, one of them was our dear friends from the north of the state and though I longed for South Carolina to have that honor, the luck ran out and Pittsburgh who was an underdog of three touchdowns, somehow found a way to win. Huh? Who would have thought that? The fact is, South Carolina is not far from being in a position to do that. I shouldn’t have been too surprised with the play in the first half. USC played like we had true freshmen starting at quarterback for the first time on the road and at running back and wide receiver. Bentley, though I hoped he would not throw an interception in his career, now has one, not to mention a lost fumble. Heck, Connor Shaw even had an interception his last year at Carolina, so it happens. Might as well get it out of the way, just like Edwards and Hurst dropping the passes. It happens, but I wouldn’t trade any of them at this point. These guys are going to be good not only next year and years to come, but for the rest of the season. The Gamecocks finish the SEC portion of the season at 3-5. That’s two games better than last year. I think they will have learned a lot from this game and it will propel them to finish the season starting with Senior Day at Williams-Brice next Saturday and then on the road at Clemson for Thanksgiving weekend. Win this week and the Gamecocks are bowl eligible. Win one more game after that and USC will tie the record of seven wins for any coach’s first year in the Gamecocks football program. Who knows? Maybe a record can be achieved with eight wins. We sit on the doorstep of some history. It’s been the rollercoaster ride we expected but let’s hope the end of the ride is the best yet. There’s no place like home and it will be great to be there next Saturday to try and get that sixth win. It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!
32 • Spurs & Feathers
November 16, 2016
South Carolina moves forward with the state-of-the-art Football Operations Center BY BRAD MULLER South Carolina Director of Content South Carolina is in the process of building a new $50 million Football Operations Center as part of the Expanding Our Vision Capital Initiative. The state-of-the-art facility will give the coaches and studentathletes the ability to train and compete at the highest level. “The Football Operations Center puts us at the forefront of facilities in college football,” said South Carolina Head Football Coach Will Muschamp. “We are currently in the bottom half of the SEC in terms of football facilities. The Football Operations Center shows a commitment from the University to future student-athletes, as well as the student-athletes we currently have on campus.” The Football Operations Center received its final state approval on November 7 from the State Fiscal Accountability Authority. The project earlier had been approved by
the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, the Joint Bond Review Committee and the Committee on Higher Education. The new center eliminates the current fractured alignment of football facilities within the football stadium and elsewhere. The proposed facility will be located adjacent to the Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Football Facility and will feature coaches’ offices, locker room, meeting rooms, weight room, training room, dining room, players’ lounge and equipment room; all in one location. “For our players, it’s a one-stop shop,” Muschamp said. “It’s going to be just fabulous for us as a staff. Right now, our practice situation is phenomenal. We’ve got the nicest (indoor facility) I’ve ever been around and two grass practice fields with plenty of work space outside of that. To get this facility done, I’m really excited.” “Perception is reality to these recruits,” said Director of Strength and Conditioning for South Carolina Football Jeff Dillman.
“I tell them all the time that we’ve got a 12,000 square foot weight room right now, and we’re going to double that size when we have the facility built. It’s going to be beautiful, but it’s not just what it looks like; it’s how you use it. You’ve got to stay on track with all of these other programs around the country because they’re building all of these new facilities. That’s one of the things you hear about from these recruits.” With hefty demands on the student-athletes’ time for athletics as well as academics, the Football Operations Center centralizes all football activities to maximize preparations and allows for a more efficient way for student-athletes and coaches to conduct their daily responsibilities. “Our in-state rivals are building a brandnew football operations facility,” Muschamp said. “It all goes back to recruiting. It’s about the bells and whistles that impresses a student-athlete when they come on our campus. To win the battles on the field, you have to win the battles in recruiting.”
More than half of the football programs in the SEC already have a consolidated football facility to base all of their operations, and South Carolina looks to not only keep up, but move ahead of the pack. Not only will the facility enhance the studentathlete’s ability to train and compete at the highest level, but it will also serve as a showcase for recruits and their parents, while continuing to provide peace of mind to donors that their contributions are being reinvested for the good of the studentathletes. “I think it’s going to be a game-changer for us as far as the student-athletes on our campus presently, but also in the recruiting process,” Muschamp said. “We all like shiny and new. It will be, and we’ve been able to put our hands on it with the architects and get exactly what we want. We’re really excited about that process.” Construction for the Football Operations Center is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2017 with a completion date slated for 2018.