November 19, 2014 • Volume 36 • Issue 22 • $1.50
SWAMPED
with emotion!
2 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
What’s Inside? - Table of Contents
Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
Contact Us: 301 Greystone Blvd. Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 335-1399 To subscribe: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Ellen Priest Publisher Aiken Communications, Inc. Tim O’Briant General Manager tobriant@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1400 Ext. 500 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Dee Taylor Advertising Director (803) 644-2371 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Reporters Kyle Heck and Collyn Taylor Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Mary Watson Graphic Designer Cover Design: Tim O’Briant (photo by Allen Sharpe) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 26 times annually. The frequency is monthly from December to July and weekly from the third Wednesday in August to the fourth Wednesday in November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes three slick-paper magazine issues — one in January, one in July and one in August. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC Postmaster: Send changes to SPURS & FEATHERS, PO Box 456, Aiken, SC, 29802.
photo by travis bell/sideline carolina
South Carolina’s Dylan Thompson is hugged by his father, Danny, following the Gamecocks’ thrilling overtime win at Florida.
Gamecocks able to ‘shake it off’ against Florida..............3 Dozier, Silva sign with the Gamecocks...............................4 Defense steps up big against Florida..................................5 Gamecock women down Southern Cal.............................7 Gamecock men start year with win over UNF.................8 Alex English returns for basketball telecasts.................10 Previewing South Alabama.................................................11 Strong fall for Gamecock women’s tennis......................12 Women’s soccer downs Clemson in PKs.........................13 Recruiting Roundup...............................................................14 South Carolina roster.............................................................16 South Alabama roster............................................................17 View from Florida locker room...........................................18 ‘Power of the mo’ for men’s tennis....................................19 Antonelli analyst on SEC Network+ broadcasts...........20 Vincent working hard to stay consistent........................21 Langston Moore column......................................................22 Glenn Snyder column............................................................23 Depth charts.............................................................................24 Radio/television.......................................................................25 Baseball schedule....................................................................27 Donor Appreciation Day.......................................................28 Inside the Chart........................................................................30 Unique views from Ed Girardeau.......................................31
submitted photo
Members of the Gamecock Cruisers will be featured in an upcoming SEC Network ad that will air starting next year.
November 19, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 3
Gamecocks able to ‘shake it off’ in thrilling overtime win by Kyle heck Reporter
After being stunned by fourth quarter comebacks for most of the season it was South Carolina’s turn to return the favor against Florida. Down seven points with less than a minute to play in regulation, the Gamecocks got a touchdown with 12 seconds left to tie the game. After a Florida made field goal in overtime, senior quarterback Dylan Thompson capped off the amazing comeback with a four-yard touchdown run in overtime and South Carolina defeated the Gators, 23-20, in Gainesville, Fla. “It was a wonderful win for the Gamecocks,” head coach Steve Spurrier said. “It was a good win for our team and the best defensive game we’ve played all year.” For the Gamecocks (5-5, 3-5 SEC) it was just the second time they have ever won in Gainesville. It also snapped a four-game SEC losing streak. One thing that the Gamecocks have not struggled with this year is starting strong and they continued that in the thrilling win over Florida. An eight-play, 85-yard drive by the Gamecocks to open the game ended with a 20-yard touchdown run by junior tailback Brandon Wilds. South Carolina completed both of its third down conversions on the drive, one of them being the touchdown run. After a three and out by Florida, the Gamecocks kept up their offensive momentum on their next possession. A seven-yard completion to tight end Rory Anderson on second down brought up a third and two. After Wilds was held to a one-yard gain, South Carolina elected to go for it on fourth down. Wilds was stopped short, but a facemask penalty gave the Gamecocks a first down in Florida territory. However, the drive stopped at the 20 and South Carolina was forced to settle with a 31-yard field goal by Elliott Fry that put the Gamecocks up 10-0, which would be the score at the end of the first quarter. Florida managed to get points on the board in the second quarter. A 16-yard run by Harris gave the Gators great field position. However, the Gamecocks defense stiffened up and held Florida to a 34-yard field goal. The two teams traded a couple of punts before Florida struck again. Tyler Hull was forced to punt from his endzone and the Gators found themselves with the ball at midfield. A big pass interference call on Chris Lammons put Florida deep into South Carolina territory. Three plays later, Harris found Demarcus Robinson in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 10. It would stay that way until Florida found
Thompson pitched it to Davis, who fumbled the ball, but was able to recover it in the endzone for the game-tying touchdown with 12 seconds left. Florida had the ball first in overtime and South Carolina did not allow the Gators to get a first down. However, a 35-yard field goal gave Florida the three point lead. Needing a touchdown to win, Spurrier went to the run game. Four straight run plays had South Carolina up to the 11-yard line. Thompson then hit wide receiver Pharoh Cooper for a five-yard gain. A two-yard run by Wilds set the Gamecocks up with a first and goal at the four. On a zone read play, Thompson kept the ball, ran to the left and walked into the endzone untouched for the game-winning touchdown. “I wanted to showcase my speed,” Thompson joked about his decision to keep the ball. It capped an amazing comeback for South Carolina, who had developed a reputation for giving up fourth quarter leads coming into Gainesville. This time, it was the Gamecocks that stole victory away. “For our guys to come back like this, I’m photo by allen sharpe really proud of them,” Spurrier said. “We could’ve put our heads between our legs and said ‘we just can’t quite win this one,’ (but) its offense again midway through the just under seven minutes left in the game, guys kept hustling.” third quarter, thanks to a big third down still down by a touchdown. Thompson completed 22-of-41 passes conversion. On third and 12, Harris found It looked like Florida was going to close wide receiver Latroy Pittman for a 32-yard the door on South Carolina’s upset bid when for 206 yards and no interceptions. Davis finished with 56 yards on 15 carries, while completion to the Gamecocks 25. Shortly they lined up for a 32-yard field goal with Wilds finished with 37 yards on 12. Cooper thereafter, tailback Matt Jones plunged into three and a half minutes left in the game. was once again the team’s leading receiver the endzone from a yard out to give the Ga- However, senior defensive back Brison with four grabs for 40 yards. tors a 17-10 lead. Williams got his hands up in time to block The Gamecock defense held Florida to278 For the majority of the remaining time in the kick. After Florida fell on the ball, the regulation, the Gamecocks’ special teams Gamecocks found themselves with the ball yards of offense, including just 60 through the air. and defense made big plays when it matat their 41-yard line with an opportunity to “Anytime your guys play close to where tered most. Florida was driving into South tie the game. we think they should all the time it’s Carolina territory after a Shaq Roland fumBut after South Carolina got the ball ble was recovered by the Gators. However, across midfield due to another pass interfer- validating,” defensive coordinator Lorenzo spur Jordan Diggs forced and recovered a ence call on Florida, Thompson threw four Ward said. “You want it for the kids.” fumble on Harris to give the offense the ball straight incomplete passes and the Gators back. had the ball yet again. The Gamecocks got the ball back to midThe Gamecock defense made yet another field where they faced yet another fourth stand, forcing Florida into a three and out. down. They elected to go for the fourth With less than a minute to play, reserve and two, but Wilds was stopped short once wide receiver Carlton Heard made the play again and South Carolina turned it over of his life, blocking the punt. Jasper Sasser on downs with 11:29 left in the game. The fell on it for the Gamecocks and they had defense stepped up yet again, however, and the ball at the Florida 34-yard line with 39 forced Florida to punt the ball. seconds left in regulation. “I told every defensive starter and every“Once I got out there, I had a feeling I was one that played a bunch (on defense) they’re going to come free because two guys were getting a game ball,” Spurrier said. “Coach on the left side of me and another guy was Ward, coach (Deke) Adams, all of them. We right and it was a straight (angle),” Heard really stopped the run well and by far our said. “So I just ran through unblocked and best defensive game.” just dove and hoped I got it.” The ensuing Gator punt pinned the GameOn the first play from scrimmage on the cock offense on the goal line, however, and final scoring drive of regulation, Thompson South Carolina was not able to get anything found Davis on the swing pass for a gain of going and was forced to punt the ball again 27-yards. A few plays later, on second and and give Florida the ball near midfield with goal, the Gamecocks went to the option.
4 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
Dozier ‘blessed to be a part’ of progression of Gamecock basketball by Brian Hand Executive Editor
The decision sent shockwaves throughout the college basketball world, but to PJ Dozier the choice was simple. South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin has the Gamecocks going in the right direction and to Dozier staying home and wearing the garnet and black just like his father, Perry, his uncle, Terry, and his sister, Asia, was too good of an opportunity to pass up. That’s why Dozier announced his decision to become a Gamecock during a special ceremony where he was joined on stage by his father and his mother at Spring Valley High School on Wednesday, Nov. 12. “South Carolina wouldn’t be in the mix if I didn’t feel like they had the coaches and the players to (turn things around),” Dozier relayed. “I’m definitely excited to play along with them and try to keep this thing going … they’ve been doing a great job progressing in the program and getting better each year. I’m just blessed to All Gamecock basketball be a part of coverage sponsored by that.” Yesterdays Dozier, a
photo by brian hand
6-foot-6 combo guard, is rated 21st overall in the ESPN 100, 26th in the 247Sports’ composite rankings and 34th in the Rivals.com rankings. The decision to play basketball at the University of South Carolina for Dozier was not based on his family lineage at South Carolina. “Didn’t play any factor,” Dozier said. “It’s good to say I’m able to do that. It’s a blessing
that my family has been through there and set their mark there.” Despite this, Dozier is quick to note that Asia was one of the best recruiters the Gamecocks had in a decision that he had just finally made two days before the announcement. “That’s one of the biggest supporters that I had,” Dozier remarked. “I went to her for any questions. Her going through the process already, she was definitely good support.”
Dozier is now happy to be done with his long recruiting process so he can focus on having a great senior season and becoming a better basketball player. “I’m feeling good,” Dozier noted. “It’s a load off my shoulders. Just really happy on how me and my family went through the process with this decision. I have no regrets. I’m feeling good … now I can focus on the things ahead of me.”
Noted as one of the top points guard in the nation and a guard that has a great feel for the game ... Rated the No. 21 prospect in the ESPN 100 and the No. 2 point guard ... Rated as the No. 26 prospect overall and the top prospect in the state according to 247sports.com ... Participated in the NBA Top 100 Camp ... Also participated in the 2012 USA Basketball fall minicamp and was invited to the U-18 US National Team training camp ... Father, Perry (1986-88), and uncle, Terry (1986-89), both played basketball at South Carolina ... Sister, Asia, plays for the Gamecock women’s basketball team.
guys have opened the door for local kids to believe in what we do and for P.J. to believe in what those guys did and believe in what we did makes me extremely excited. A 6-7 guard, who is a point guard, who knows how to play off the ball. He has the ability, just like Chris (Silva) to be a tremendous defender. We are super excited for what those two guys will bring to the table. They complement our team in ways that we need and we are lucky to have both of them.”
pect in the ESPN 100 ... A four-star prospect according to 247sports.com, and the No. 4 prospect in the state ... Rated as the No. 21 power forward by 247sports.com ... Averaged 8.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game during junior season in 2013-14 ... Originally from Gabon.
Dozier, Silva sign with Gamecocks
south carolina athletics media relations
University of South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin announced on Thursday the signing of P.J. Dozier (G 6-6 - 185 - Columbia, S.C. - Spring Valley High School) and Chris Silva (F - 6-8 - 205 - Roselle, N.J. - Roselle Catholic High School) to National Letters of Intent. The duo will join the Gamecocks for the 2015-16 campaign and both will have four years of eligibility beginning next fall. Below is a brief capsule and quote from Martin on each signee. P.J. Dozier - G - 6-7 - 185 - Columbia, S.C. - Spring Valley High School
Martin on Dozier: “I couldn’t be happier that P.J. Dozier has decided to stay home. Sindarius Thornwell, Marcus Stroman and Justin McKie, those
Chris Silva - F - 6-9 - 205 - Roselle, N.J. Roselle Catholic High School Noted as an explosive athlete, good shot blocker and rebounder ... A four-star prospect according to ESPN.com ... Rated the No. 5 prospect in the state and the 96th overall pros-
Martin on Silva: “Chris Silva is a 6-9 forward from New Jersey, who is an unbelievable athlete and fearless in how strong he plays. He can step out and shoot the basketball and block shots with the best of them. Chris is a tremendous young man who is fully committed to the Gamecocks. I couldn’t be more excited to add him to our front line, and add his athleticism, toughness and shot-blocking ability.”
Spurs & Feathers • 5
November 19, 2014
Defense steps up big in victory over Florida by Collyn Taylor Reporter
of them.” It was a day for career-highs for the defense. A defense that had been sputtering along Sophomore linebackers Skai Moore and throughout the season saw a shining moJonathan Walton tallied 12 tackles on the ment in hostile territory when the Gameday, both career-highs for each player. It cocks beat the Florida Gators, 23-20, in was also the season high for the team and overtime. the most number of tackles in a game since Defensively, South Carolina was able to Kaiwan Lewis’s 12-tackle day at Georgia in stifle a vaunted running attack, only allow2013. ing 200 yards on the ground and only 278 Another sophomore, spur linebacker Jortotal yards in total. dan Diggs, forced a fumble and then hauled The 278 yards allowed was the least in the same fumble. amount of yards the defense has given up all Younger players got in on the defensive efyear. fort too. Freshmen Bryson Allen-Williams “It was a good win for our team and the and David Johnson both had impressive debest defensive game we’ve played all year,” fensive performances as well. head coach Steve Spurrier said. “The defenAllen-Williams had 2.5 tackles for loss sive coaches were great. We really stopped and recorded his first half-sack of his career the runs well and really thought it was our in the first quarter. Johnson recorded his best defensive game. career-high for tackles in a Although we had some game with five, surpassing very undisciplined plays, his previous total of three somehow it all worked out. against Auburn. Sometimes you just have Veterans also had a big to say, ‘it was meant to be’ role in the comeback win in Gamecock defense and today was meant to be. the Swamp. Senior defenKeenanSuggs For our guys to come back sive tackle J.T. Surratt had Players of the Week like this, I’m really proud four tackles, two of which
were solo and one of which was for a loss. “I can’t give the defense enough praise. I’m proud of everybody,” senior defensive tackle J.T. Surratt said. “Everybody came to play today and showed this week that the effort was what was called for. I’m proud of everybody.” When the defense saw its lead vanish when Florida scored 17 unanswered points they didn’t give up. “Our mentality was to never give up,” Surratt said. “When there’s time on the clock there’s always a chance. The defense, we stepped up big. Everybody just came together and we got it done.” When Florida drove the ball deep into their territory late the game, the South Carolina defense bent but didn’t break. They were able to tackle quarterback Treon Harris for a loss on third down to force an eventual blocked field goal. The defense was able to keep the Gators’ lead small, giving the offense to tie the game up with less than 17 seconds left. When their backs were up against the wall they were able to stand tall and keep the game alive for the Gamecocks. “It’s a relief that we got that win,” Surratt said. “It’s not enough that we got one win.
photo by jenny dilworth
We want to keep getting better and get more wins.” After seeing that 10-point lead evaporate in the first half, the Gamecocks fell behind 17-10 early in the second half, but the defense did not allow any more points until the first possession of overtime. “We’re showing everybody that we’re not as bad as they think we are and that we’re getting better,” Surratt said. “It showed today that we can be better and that things are going to be better.”
6 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
South Carolina-Florida postgame notes/quotes South Carolina Athletics Media RElations
Bryson Allen-Williams recorded his first half-sack of his career in the third quarter. Williams finished with a career-high 2.5 tackles for loss. GENERAL NOTES • Sophomore spur Jordan Diggs caused and recovered the • South Carolina defeated Florida 23-20 in overtime. The first fumble of his career in the fourth quarter. Gamecocks improved to 5-5 and 3-5 in the SEC with Florida SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES dropping to 5-4 and 4-4 in league play. • Sophomore placekicker Elliott Fry tallied five points with • Captains for South Carolina were senior spur Sharrod Go- an extra point and a 31-yard field goal in the first quarter and lightly, senior quarterback Dylan Thompson, senior offensive an extra point in the fourth quarter. He now has 181 career guard A.J. Cann and senior defensive tackle J.T. Surratt. points and is one shy of Spencer Lanning (2007-10) at 182 for • South Carolina’s win is the fourth win in the last five 10th all-time in South Carolina history. meetings with the Gators. It marked South Carolina’s second • Senior punter Tyler Hull’s 54-yard punt in the second win in school history in Gainesville, the previous win was quarter was his longest punt of the season besting the previNov. 13, 2010, a 36-14 victory. Head coach Steve Spurrier is ous high of 53 yards vs. East Carolina on Sept. 6. now 5-5 against his alma mater. • Senior Brison Williams blocked Florida’s 32-yard field • South Carolina is now 2-3 all-time in overtime including goal attempt in the 4th Quarter. It was the first blocked field a 1-1 mark this year. South Carolina’s previous overtime win goal since J.T. Surratt at Vanderbilt earlier this year, Sept. 20, last year, 27-24 on Oct. 26, 2013 at Missouri. 2014. OFFENSIVE NOTES • Junior wide receiver Carlton Heard blocked a punt in the • Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson was 22-for-41 for 4th quarter, the first blocked punt by a Gamecock player since 206 passing yards. He now has 2,794 passing yards on the Devin Taylor at NC State on Sept. 3, 2009. year and is 68 shy of Stephen Garcia’s mark of 2,862 in 2009 for fifth-most in a season in school history. Thompson’s Team Totals SC UF 4-yard touchdown run in overtime was his third touchdown FIRST DOWNS 19 15 run of the season and the eighth of his career. It was his first Rushing 8 10 touchdown run since Sept. 13, 2014 vs. Georgia. Passing 8 2 • Junior tailback Brandon Wilds 20-yard touchdown run in Penalty 3 3 the first quarter was his fourth touchdown run of the season. NET YARDS RUSHING 95 218 He has scored on three touchdown runs in the last two games. Rushing Attempts 38 49 • Junior tailback Mike Davis moved into 10th all-time in Average Per Rush 2.5 4.4 school history in career rushing. He now has 2,333 rushing Rushing Touchdowns 3 1 yards in his career. Davis carried 15 times for 56 yards. He Yards Gained Rushing 119 250 is 39 yards shy of Kevin Long (1973-76) for ninth all-time in Yards Lost Rushing 24 32 school history at 2,372. NET YARDS PASSING 206 60 DEFENSIVE NOTES Completions-Attempts-Int 22-42-0 5-11-0 • South Carolina allowed a season-low 278 yards this year. Average Per Attempt 4.9 5.5 The previous low was 280 by Missouri on Sept. 27. Average Per Completion 9.4 12.0 • Sophomore linebackers Skai Moore and Jonathan Walton Passing Touchdowns 0 1 were both credited for a career-high 12 tackles. That is the TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 301 278 most tackles by a Gamecock player in a game this season and Total offense plays 80 60 the most since Kaiwan Lewis had 12 last year at Georgia, Average Gain Per Play 3.8 4.6 Sept. 7, 2013. Fumbles: Number-Lost 3-1 3-1 Walton has Penalties: Number-Yards 6-67 10-75 23 tackles in PUNTS-YARDS 5-202 7-218 the last two Average Yards Per Punt 40.4 31.1 games as he Net Yards Per Punt 39.6 29.9 tallied 11 vs. Inside 20 1 3 Tennessee on 50+ Yards 1 0 Nov. 1. Touchbacks 0 0 •Freshman Fair catch 1 2 defensive KICKOFFS-YARDS 4-186 4-260 lineman Average Yards Per Kickoff 46.5 65.0 David JohnNet Yards Per Kickoff 39.5 44.5 son had a Touchbacks 0 2 career-high Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 2-9-0 3-4-0 five tackles Average Per Return 4.5 1.3 besting his Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 2-32-0 4-28-0 previous high Average Per Return 16.0 7.0 of three from Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 earlier this Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 year at AuMiscellaneous Yards 0 -26 burn. Possession Time 31:42 28:18 • Freshman 1st Quarter 11:22 3:38
2nd Quarter 6:24 8:36 3rd Quarter 5:56 9:04 4th Quarter 8:00 7:00 OT Quarter 0:00 0:00 Third-Down Conversions 8 of 17 3 of 14 Fourth-Down Conversions 0 of 3 0 of 0 Red-Zone Scores-Chances 3-4 3-4 Touchdowns 2-4 2-4 Field goals 1-4 1-4 Sacks By: Number-Yards 1-5 2-15 PAT Kicks 2-2 2-2 Field Goals 1-2 2-3 Points off turnovers 0 0 PASSING LEADERS South Carolina COM ATT YDS TD INT Dylan Thompson 22 41 206 0 0 Pharoh Cooper 0 1 0 0 0 Florida COM ATT YDS TD INT Treon Harris 5 11 60 1 0 RUSHING LEADERS South Carolina CAR YDS AVG TD LG Mike Davis 15 56 3.7 1 10 Brandon Wilds 12 34 2.8 1 20 Florida CAR YDS AVG TD LG Treon Harris 20 111 5.6 0 22 Matt Jones 18 63 3.5 1 11 RECEIVING LEADERS South Carolina REC YDS AVG TD LG Pharoh Cooper 4 40 10.0 0 30 Jerell Adams 4 23 5.8 0 9 Florida REC YDS AVG TD LG Demarcus Robinson 3 20 6.7 1 11 Latroy Pittman Jr. 1 32 32.0 0 32 Head Coach Steve Spurrier Opening Statement: “It looked like we had outplayed the team two weeks ago, but they beat us. I feel for him (Will Muschamp), but it was a wonderful week for the Gamecocks. It was a good win for our team and the best defensive game we’ve played all year. The defensive coaches were great; we really stopped the runs well and really thought it was our best defensive game. Although we had some very undisciplined plays, somehow it all worked out. Sometimes you just have to say, “it was meant to be,” and today was meant to be. For our guys to come back like this, I’m really proud of them.” Senior QB Dylan Thompson On his emotions after earning the victory: “I was so excited I think I threw the ball into the upper deck. You realize that you’ve been putting in these long days day in and day out. We almost win so many times. Finally, when we look like our backs are against the wall, we just keep competing, come back and show up. The end of that game was just an amazing feeling, the excitement of the team, I’m just thankful to be on this team and to be a part of a group of guys like this.” Junior WR Carlton Heard On blocking the punt: “That was the first time that we actually sent everybody to block. When we first went out there, he [Steve Spurrier] told us that this was our chance to make a play and to block the punt. Once I got out there, I had a feeling that I was going to come free because two guys were on the left side of me and there was another guy on the right. It was a straight run, I ran threw unblocked and just hoped that I got it. It happened at the blink of an eye.”
Spurs & Feathers • 7
November 19, 2014
Gamecocks start season with win over Southern Cal by collyn taylor Reporter
game-high tying 18 points. “We started her out of position and probably didn’t allow her to make the adjustment,” head The No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said. “Someone of her team knew coming into the season that the road caliber should make better decisions with the to a Final Four would be a long one. basketball, but Tiff is going to be Tiff. I can deal And after one game they are sure about that. with her turnovers, but she makes up for them The Gamecocks defeated the Southern Caliin other ways.” fornia Trojans, 70-61, in their first game of the The second half was much of the same with season on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Colonial Life South Carolina holding on to the lead while the Arena. Trojans kept it close. South Carolina started off slow, letting the The game was back and forth until the final Trojans jump out to a quick 7-2 lead early on, five minutes when South Carolina started to but the Gamecocks would storm back to take pull ahead. They were able to capitalize on a the lead heading into the locker room up 27-24. couple of missed shots by the Trojans, coming “We went into the locker room knowing that down the floor and hitting two threes on the folwe weren’t going to blow a team out in 20 min- lowing possessions. utes,” junior guard Tiffany Mitchell said. “We Junior guard Tina Roy helped the Gamecocks’ knew it was going to be hardcause, hitting three of her five fought and down to the wire. 3-pointers and running the We just needed to be prepared point for a lot of the night along for that.” with fellow guard Khadijah Their slow start was partially Sessions. attributed to the 12 turnovers, Roy played 25 minutes four of which were by Mitchcompared to Sessions’ 19, but ell, in the first half, leading to Staley said that while both of Southern Cal getting 10 points them will get a lot of minutes All Gamecock basketball on the floor, Sessions is her off them. coverage sponsored by Mitchell finished with six starting point guard. Yesterdays turnovers, but she also had a “Tina’s one that has been
practicing pretty well, but Khadijah’s done some great things for us,” Staley said. “She’s our point guard and if we need Tiffany to spot at that position we’re OK, but it’s safe to say that Khadijah Sessions won’t be playing a lot of off-guard.” Defensively, the Gamecocks were able to hold the Trojans to 61 points and helped keep the lead for almost 29 minutes of the game. Sophomore forward Alaina Coates was big on the glass with 13 rebounds. Veteran leadership was a big factor in tonight’s game. After fighting off the initial nerves of the first game, returning players helped to right the ship and lead the team to a victory. Captain Aleighsa Welch finished her night with 10 points and seven rebounds. She helped score points and coach the freshman through the game. Top-overall recruit A’ja Wilson got her first start as a Gamecock, but only scored four points and five rebounds in 16 minutes. Staley said that was expected and she’s glad that the newcomers are surrounded by veteran leadership like Welch, Coates and Mitchell. “It’ll take some time for them to make that adjustment,” she said. “Fortunately for them, we have players that have been in situations like this and if we need them we’ll call their number and they came through for us.” The game, much like last year’s Gamecock
photo by allen sharpe
win over Southern Cal in Los Angeles, was a physical one. There were a combined 41 fouls in the game and each team shot over 20 free throws. Staley said that was expected. Overall the team is happy to start 1-0 in a 2014-15 season that many predict them to reach the Final Four and compete for a national title. The team knows that the lessons they learned in the season opener will help them reach that ultimate goal in March and April. “They played very similar to how they played when we played them in L.A,” Staley said. “Sometimes it takes you a little bit to make that adjustment. For us, we’re not playing for November. We’re playing for March and April. The things that we’re doing out there, we’re just preparing our team for different situations.”
8 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
‘Good first step’: Gamecocks open year with resounding win by Brian hand Executive Editor
South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin was not pleased with the way his team practiced in their final week leading up to the regular-season opener against North Florida at the Colonial Life Arena on Friday, Nov. 14. He was pleased though with the Gamecocks picking up a dominating 81-56 victory over North Florida in the opener before a solid crowd of 10,473. “I told our team, ‘good opening win, but we didn’t play maturely in the second half,’” Martin said after the Gamecock victory. The Gamecocks may not have performed exactly to expectations during the week leading in and even in the game, but Martin was encouraged by the performance nevertheless. “For two years, we’ve scraped and fought to win games like this by 10, 12 points in the second half,” Martin expounded. “This team has a chance to be a good basketball team. I like this team. We’ve got real good guys in that locker room. Unfortunately, it’s early in the year and we didn’t handle the game the right way. We came out to play it the right way and then we allowed the habits that we created during the week in practice to surface once the score got tilted one way. You respect the game, you respect your team and you respect how you play and you play it for 40 minutes. We’ll learn. This is a good team. They care. They’ll figure it out.” South Carolina opened the game by doubling up North Florida, 12-6, over the course of the first four minutes of the contest. Demetrius Henry dunked the first points of the year for the Gamecocks off an assist by Duane Notice. Just over three minutes later, South Carolina had pushed its lead to double digits at 20-8 with 12:53 left in the first half. With 11:21 left in the first stanza the Gamecock lead was 15 at 25-10 after Notice knocked down a All Gamecock basketball 3-pointer. coverage sponsored by The Yesterdays Gamecocks
The Ospreys shot just 34 percent (18-for-53) as a team. South Carolina was 19-for-26 (73.1 percent) from the free throw line, while North Florida was 10-of-16 (62.5 percent). The Gamecocks controlled the game in the paint, outscoring the Ospreys, 42-14. The Gamecocks out-rebounded North Florida, 42-28. South Carolina picked up 10 offensive rebounds in the contest. South Carolina dished out 19 assists on its 29 made field goals in the game. In a balanced effort all the way around, 10 Gamecocks scored in the game. Three Gamecocks concluded their efforts in double figures with Henry and Johnson leading the way with 12 points each. Johnson also had four assists. Stroman led the Gamecocks in assists with six. Laimonas Chatkevicius was the final Gamecock in double figures with 11 points. Mindaugas Kacinas led all in the game with 11 rebounds. He just missed on a doubledouble as he also had nine points. Dallas Moore was the top performer for North Florida in its losing effort with a game-high 21 points. After the game, Henry like Martin was happy with the way things went, but realizes there is a long way to go in the 2014-15 season. “It’s just the first step,” Henry commented. “We’ve got to keep building. It’s definitely a good first step. We’ve just got to build off of it.” South Carolina now just has a few days to prepare for visiting Baylor at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The game is a 12 p.m. start as it is part of “ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.” After such a big crowd in the opening win over North Florida, Johnson is excited photo by allen sharpe for the opportunity against a strong Baylor program. Johnson finished the season-opening win over North Florida with 12 points and four assists. “First we just have to thank the fans,” Johnson said after the win over North Florwould keep pushing and after a Marcus The second half would see the Gamecocks ida. “I don’t know how many people were Stroman floater in the paint the Gamecock continue to extend their lead over the first 11 here, but probably at least 10,000 so we want to thank them first. They had the gym lead would be 20 points at 36-16 with 5:08 and a half minutes of the frame with South rocking tonight so we were excited about it, remaining until intermission. Carolina owning a 29-point lead at 68-39 but coming into [Tuesday’s] game we have South Carolina would enter the halftime with 9:24 left in the game. things we have to work on. They are a much break with a 48-27 lead over North Florida. The Gamecocks would continue to keep better, stronger team. We have a bitter taste The Gamecocks shot 53.1 percent (17-ofthe lead over 20 points for the rest of the in our mouth from last year going there [to 32) from the field as a team in the inaugural game en route to the 25-point win. Baylor] and losing. We want to come in tohalf of play. North Florida in turn shot 40 South Carolina finished its resounding morrow, Sunday and Monday and prepare percent (10-for-25) from the floor as a team season-opening victory shooting 50.9 perto get another shot at it.” in the opening half. cent (29-for-57) from the field as a team.
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November 19, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
2014
football Schedule 08/28/14 ..........vs. #21 Texas A&M # ........... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 52-28 09/06/14 ..........vs. East Carolina .................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 33-23 09/13/14 ..........vs. #6 Georgia # ................... Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 38-35 09/20/14 ..........at Vanderbilt # ...................... Nashville, Tenn. ..................W, 48-34 09/27/14 ..........vs. Missouri # ......................... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 21-20 10/04/14 ..........at Kentucky # ........................ Lexington, Ky. ...................... L, 45-38 10/18/14 ..........vs. Furman ............................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 41-10
Standings SEC East
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA
STRK
Missouri
5-1 141 118 8-2 293 201 W4
Georgia
6-2 310 195 8-2 421 216 W2
Florida
4-4 199 206 5-4 264 206 L1
South Carolina
3-5 272 294 5-5 346 327 W1
Tennessee
2-4 159 171 5-5 286 241 W2
Kentucky
2-6 183 300 5-6 310 331 L5
Vanderbilt
0-6 85
208 3-7 189 324 L1
SEC West
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA
STRK
Alabama
6-1 211 110 9-1 337 145 W5
11/01/14 ..........vs. Tennessee # ..................... Columbia, S.C. ............L, 45-42 (OT)
Mississippi State
5-1 202 149 9-1 378 202 L1
Ole Miss
4-2 171
11/15/14 ..........at Florida # ............................. Gainesville, Fla. ........ W, 23-20 (OT)
Auburn
4-3 231 207 7-3 355 251 L2
10/25/14 ..........at Auburn # ........................... Auburn, Ala. ......................... L, 42-35
11/22/14 ..........vs. South Alabama .............. Columbia, S.C. .............. 12 p.m. EST 11/29/14 ..........at Clemson ............................ Clemson, S.C. ...............................TBA
88 8-2 334 119 W1
Texas A&M
3-4 206 270 7-4 396 305 L1
LSU
3-4 130 149 7-4 308 180 L2
Arkansas
1-5 121 156 5-5 340 222 W1
10 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
Alex English returns for basketball telecasts by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
the helm. “Of all the coaches they’ve had here in the last number of years, I think he is the one guy that Nobody played more minutes or hit more shots can really pull this thing together,” English said. in a South Carolina men’s basketball uniform “You have to be a father, but you also have to be than Alex English. The former All-American a boss. He’s got those things going for him. He’s under legendary coach Frank McGuire went very knowledgeable about the game.” on to star in the NBA and was inducted into English averaged a double-double with 22.6 the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. points and 10.3 rebounds per game as a senior After working as an NBA assistant coach and in 1976, and he is one of only five Gamecocks to broadcast analyst, English will be seen at his have his jersey retired, but he knew it wouldn’t alma mater serving as the television analyst for be easy to make it to the next level. South Carolina’s home games aired on SEC “It means a lot to be recognized,” English said. Network+, the digital broadcast platform of the “There wasn’t any guarantee that I would make new network. it in the NBA though. I was 6’8” and only 190 “When I did it with the Denver Nuggets, I was pounds. That made me work hard. My determidoing it from the perspective of a player,” Engnation was what propelled me the most. I wasn’t lish said of his previous broadcast work. “Now going to fail.” I’ve added the coaching aspect, and I’m looking English would not fail and was drafted by the forward to seeing and talking about the game in Milwaukee Bucks. He is quick to point out that a different way. I’m excited about it.” the league was a lot different back then, espeNearly 40 years after graduating from South cially for rookies. Carolina, English still ranks second in career “I got a phone call telling me they were going scoring (1,972 points), number one in field goals to draft me in the second round, and that was it,” made (855), and third in career rebounds (1,064). English said. “No fanfare. I think my signing Stepping into the Carolina Coliseum, which bonus was $5,000 and another $5,000 if I made is now a practice facility for the Gamecocks, the team. I didn’t have a guaranteed contract. brings back a lot of memories. It’s a different league now. The players today are “It was great going in there and seeing the certainly talented, but I think when I played they hardwood floors,” English said. “When I played were a bit rougher. You can’t hand-check a guy here, we had the tartan floor that didn’t make today. I would like to think I gave everybody any sound. It was always packed though. One fits, but that’s not the truth. There were a lot of of my fondest memories was of the band. They guys who were really tough defenders.” were always rocking. They always had lots of He soon became an offensive force with his rhythm. Lots of big games there and stars came shooting and driving skills. He spent 10 of his through there when I played. The toughest guy 15 NBA seasons with the Denver Nuggets and I ever played against was Larry Kenon from while Julius Erving, Larry Bird and Magic Memphis. They called him `Dr. K.’ Adrian Johnson grabbed most of the headlines in that Dantley and Toby Knight played with Notre era, English was the league’s leading scorer Dame and they were really good, and Larry Fo- throughout the 1980s with 19,682 points. He was gle from Canisius was a great offensive player.” an eight-time NBA All-Star and was the first Having played for Frank McGuire in what player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in was the most successful era of Gamecock men’s eight consecutive seasons. The Nuggets would basketball, the 60 year old English also has fond later retire his jersey as well. memories of his former coach. In addition to being dominant on the basket“He was a professional,” English said of Mcball floor, he also established himself as one of Guire. “He treated us like professionals, and he basketball’s most respected players and earned expected us to be professional. He was a player’s the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship coach. He didn’t get too wound up, but he exAward for community service in 1988. Three pected you to come to play on game night. He years earlier, he convinced NBA players to dotaught me some great life lessons too; even the nate their shares from the All-Star game to the simple things. He always told famine relief fund, Interaction us to take care of people like Ethiopia. He was consistent, the bell man and the bus boy but not flamboyant during his and people like that. He always playing days. That consistency told us to make them feel well carries over to his willingness and to tip those guys because to continue to give back today. if you took care of them, they “I just came back from Uruwould take care of you.” guay after doing a clinic for Turning his attention to the underprivileged kids,” English All Gamecock basketball said. “After the (South CaroliSouth Carolina basketball procoverage sponsored by gram of today, he likes what na) game on November 14, I’m Yesterdays he sees with Frank Martin at heading to Chile to do another
clinic for wheelchair basketball.” As he makes his debut broadcasting games on SEC Network+, English is excited to see Frank Martin and the Gamecocks create a new era of excitement for South Carolina basketball. “I was recently at practice and listened as a player and a coach, and Frank Martin’s plan is very good,” English said. “Coaching is not easy.” English will serve as the color analyst alongside play-by-play man Andy Demetra on the
SEC Network+ broadcasts on the following dates: Dec. 21 - South Carolina vs. Coker Dec. 30 - South Carolina vs. North Carolina A&T To view SEC Network+ broadcasts go to www.secnetwork.com and create a login by identifying your cable or satellite provider. If your provider does not carry SEC Network+, please contact your provider to let them know of your interest.
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November 19, 2014
Previewing the South Alabama football team by kyle heck Reporter
When South Alabama rolls into WilliamsBrice stadium on Saturday it won’t be the first time that the Jaguars have faced a powerful FBS opponent. Earlier this season, South Alabama hosted current No. 1 Mississippi State. While they lost 35-3, the Jaguars passed for 288 yards and forced the Bulldogs into two turnovers and six punts. That came a year after South Alabama lost by just seven at Tennessee. That’s good performances by a team that has only been playing football since 2009. After a two-win season in 2012, the Jaguars bounced back last year to win six games and come within a win of the Sun Belt Conference title. While South Alabama isn’t going to win the Sun Belt title this season, they are still a force to be reckoned with, having a host of experienced players. On the most recent depth chart, the Jaguars have seniors starting at 17 of the 22 positions. Senior Brandon Bridge is a big 6-5, 235-pound quarterback who had passed for 1,457 yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with just four interceptions heading into South Alabama’s 10th game of the season.
Senior tailback Kendall Houston is coming off of a junior season in which he had 66 carries for 209 yards but also recorded six rushing touchdowns. While his touchdown rate has dropped this year, his yards per carry has jumped to over five and his big 230-pound
State game. This comes after a junior season in which Smith totaled 940 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The South Alabama defense has steadily improved over the years. They showed promise against Mississippi State by allowing just 35 points-the Bulldogs are averaging a shade under 40-but the Jaguars did give up more than 500 yards of offense. South Alabama lost a lot of production on its defense from last year, particularly in the sack department, but counter with nine senior starters this year. Senior defensive end Theo Rich has done his best to fill the void on the defensive line this year. Rich has 32 tackles, 10 of them for loss, to go along with seven sacks and four quarterback hurries. Free safety Terrell Brigham was the teams’ leading tackler going into the Texas State game with 71 stops to go with seven pass photo by allen sharpe breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. frame still allows him to be a fierce goal line This will obviously be the Gamecock’s first presence. game against South Alabama but in their The Jaguars also have a talented senior only other game against a non power-five wide receiver to complement Bridge. Shava- conference opponent this year they cruised rez Smith had 531 yards and six of the teams’ to a 41-10 win over Furman. They’ll hope to 10 touchdown receptions going into the Texas continue that trend against the Jaguars.
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November 19, 2014
South Carolina women’s tennis looking ‘to achieve some big things this year’ by kyle heck Reporter
opmental time and we were working hard on some things and seeing what we can bring to the table for a variety of these matches.” The South Carolina women’s tennis team In the fall, Epley usually gives live match wrapped up its fall season with the Kitty Haraction to players that don’t have many opporrison Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. tunities to do so once the spring rolls around. It turned out to be a good way to end the sea- Epley said he wanted to see how his players son as the Gamecocks won four matches on the performed so he knows who will be able to final day. handle the pressure during the spring. The double tandem of freshman Hadley Berg “I think we proved in the last tournament and senior Meghan Belvins defeated the duo that we’re going to be a very competitive team from Wake Forest to go along with singles wins given health and everybody being able to play,” by sophomores Caroline Dailey, Brigit Folland Epley said. “We saw a lot of positive things and freshman Megen Cochran. moving forward.” In college tennis, the fall is really about teams The Gamecocks had a successful year last figuring out what they have before the pivotal year given the way that things started. After spring portion of their season. winning its SEC opener against Missouri, So for head coach Kevin Epley, the past three South Carolina lost the next six league matches. months have given him a great opportunity to However, the team rebounded to win five of its see what his freshmen are made of. final six matches to conclude a 17-11, 6-7 SEC “We really wanted to give some of the fresh- season. The Gamecocks lost in the SEC quarmen who have really been working hard opterfinals against top-seeded Alabama. portunities to show what they can do in match They then made their 20th straight NCAA play,” Epley said. “The fall is generally a devel- tournament appearance where they made it to
Photo by Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA
the second round before losing to Duke. This year, Epley hopes his team can take that next step and start defeating the top teams in the SEC. They came close to knocking off Alabama in the SEC tournament last year, but the Crimson Tide were able to hold on for the 4-2 win. “What we’re really looking to do is knock off one of these top teams,” Epley said. “Really turning the corner and saying, ‘hey, let’s get
this done’ at that moment rather than being on the brink of a major upset and kind of fading away.” The next two months for the Gamecocks are going to be of utmost importance. It’s now up to the players to continue to work on their game over the holidays and not get out of shape, which can undoubtedly be hard to do once Thanksgiving arrives. Epley said that as soon as the players get back next semester it will be time to face live competition. “If they come back out of shape it takes a full six weeks to get back in shape and you lose that month and the confidence and everything else that goes along with it,” Epley said. “It’s very important that, if we’re truly a goal-oriented team, we keep our eye on the prize.” One thing that continues to improve is the chemistry of the team. Epley said that for the last two seasons he’s been in Columbia the chemistry has gotten better each year. “I think everybody is on the same page and goal-oriented and wants to achieve some big things this year,” Epley said.
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November 19, 2014
Survive and advance: Gamecocks down Clemson in PKs by Collyn taylor Reporter
Senior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo stared down the Clemson attacker, waiting for the shot to come off her foot. She knew the stakes: save it and advance. The ball came towards her, she dove, the ball bouncing off her hands, winning the game and sending the Gamecocks into the second round of the NCAA Tournament. When her teammates saw that ball being saved, they screamed and sprinted to D’Angelo to celebrate. “It was a whole lot of excitement,” D’Angelo said. “My team has saved my butt a lot of times and it was my turn to come up big for them. As soon as I went, I knew I was saving it. It was just like ‘oh my gosh I did it, we did it.’ It was a huge honor.” The Gamecocks women’s soccer team defeated their archrivals Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 4-3, in penalty kicks on Friday, Nov. 14. The eventual game-winning kick was put in by junior midfielder Bay Daniel who put one past the Clemson keeper to give the Gamecocks their fourth penalty make of the night. “Coming up, you have to block everything out. It was better for me because [D’Angelo] had already saved one and done her job. You have to go up there and finish it off. I knew that if I did it, it would help finish it off. That was nice,” Daniel said. After a week of hearing the words “revenge game,” the Gamecocks were able to avenge their early-season loss in an intense game in which no team really had the upper hand until those final two saves. The early loss during the regular-season came after Clemson scored on a set piece on a goal D’Angelo said she shouldn’t have let in, but, after the first round NCAA Tournament win it was all in the past for her. “It was a great to them that I am the goalkeeper that people say I am and to show that I can make big-time saves when I need to,” D’Angelo said. “That goal was totally my fault and to come up big in the PKs was huge.” In the first half, both teams came out a little different with the Gamecocks pressing offensively, leaving the Tigers to stay defensive for the first 20 minutes. The tide of the game switched a bit in the middle of the first half when Clemson was able to mount some offensive pressure. But, like they have all season, the seniorled back line was able to maintain a clean sheet for the entire game, only giving up one shot on goal that was quickly swept up by D’Angleo. Offensively, the Gamecocks were led in the first half by forwards Raina Johnson and Sophie Groff along with defender Taylor Leach, all of which had one shot.
Photo by Allen Sharpe
Smith said that she knew that this was going to be a fight with two top-notch defenses on the pitch. “Someone was going to have to get a break there. I thought we had times where it looked like we were in pretty good positions. Credit to Clemson’s defense and they have a tremendous goalkeeper as well. It’s difficult to score against, but I thought we maintained a lot of the possession.” The game wasn’t much different in the second half. Both teams had their chances, but nothing was able to find the back of the net. South Carolina’s best chance came on a counter attack, but they were judged to be offsides. The stalemate continued until the end of regulation when the Gamecocks and Tigers headed into overtime, only the third time in the series history. As expected, it was a defensive clinic with both teams clamping down on the other’s attack. The Gamecocks outshot their in-state rival four shots to two in regulation. The first overtime was no different than the first 90 minutes of the game. Clemson was able muster a couple chances against a staunch Gamecock back line, but nothing was going in for either team. The story of the second overtime was the same as every other stanza of the game: no
goals on little chances. So, after 110 minutes of soccer, it came down to five penalty kicks. D’Angelo saved two kicks in dramatic fashion. On the last kick, the ball bounded off her hands and back into the field of play, ending the game. “She’s been tremendous for this team her entire career and a real mainstay in goal,” Smith said. “What a great way to finish her career at Stone Stadium. It gives everyone a lot of confidence in that situation.” The game was a physical one with both teams committing 16 fouls, but, after the first game, that was expected. “Clemson versus South Carolina is all about emotion and I think we kept our cool,” Daniel said. “It got heated sometimes and with that rivalry you couldn’t really help it. I felt like everyone kept their cool and when the game got heated we got together and played the game.” The Gamecocks now move on to the second round of the tournament. Smith and the team are eager to get a shot at the Sweet Sixteen now, a level they have only reached once before. “We talked about going into this game and making a run because that’s something that we’ve been able to do,” Smith said. “We’ve played very well given the circumstances.
This team, they don’t give up. They have a lot more to play for and to show the country that they deserve to be nationally ranked.” South Carolina will next face off against Seattle in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Please check www.spursandfeathers.com and www.gamecocksonline.com over the course of the week for further information.
14 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
Recruiting Round-up By Phil Kornblut
WR Christian Owens (6-5 210) of Griffin, GA last Wednesday ended his commitment to Georgia that dated back to 2013 and is now likely to land at USC. In announcing his decommitment from the Bulldogs, Owens originally stated he was committing to USC, but he soon backed off of that and considers the Gamecocks as his favorites right now. He will make an official visit for the South Alabama game. “I’m not officially committed to South Carolina at the moment but they are at the top,” Owens said. “I respect UGA. They were great to me. We just had a couple of situations where we couldn’t see eye to eye on some things and I had to do what’s best for my family and what’s best for me.” Owens had offers from USC, Clemson, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Vanderbilt and Tennessee before he committed to Georgia. After deciding to decommit, Owens said he quietly reached out to other schools and the Gamecocks responded with strong interest. He said the fact he hasn’t gone public with a commitment to them right now is not an issue. “I talked to coach Spurrier Jr. over the internet and we are on the same page,” Owens said. “I want a chance to get on campus and see it for myself and meet the coaching staff. I’ve never been Phil Kornblut to South Carolina. I’ll Contributing most likely commit on Writer the visit.” Owens also plans to enroll in January. This season he has 5 touchdown catches. As a junior he had 23 catches for 600 yards and 3 touchdowns. USC had to battle to get a commitment from DE Arden Key (6-6 225) of Atlanta back in June. The Gamecocks are going to have to battle to keep him. Key, who has 16.5 sacks this season, remains committed but he will take four other official visits. “Nothing really bothers me about South Carolina,” Key said. “I’m looking to make sure I haven’t missed anything.” Key said LSU is the strongest competition for USC right now and he was in Baton Rouge Saturday night. He was at Louisville for the Florida State game and is going to try to get to the Auburn at Georgia game. Key hasn’t been to USC this season. He is hoping to get to Columbia for the South Alabama game. And he’s like to hear more from the coaches. “I don’t feel like I’m getting enough communication.” He did see his recruiter Lorenzo Ward when
he visited during the Gamecocks’ off week. Key hasn’t yet scheduled his official visit with the Gamecocks. He has scheduled an official to LSU for January 23rd and Georgia January 30th. He said he will also set a date with Miami and is looking at Oregon and Ole Miss for his fifth visit. But as for now, the commitment to USC remains in place. “I still feel good about South Carolina,” Key said. “I’m committed but also looking around.” Key and his teammate and fellow Gamecock commitment DB Antoine Wilder visited Alabama last Tuesday. First and foremost on Wilder’s mind right now, however, is USC, though Wilder said he’d feel better if all doubt about Steve Spurrier’s coaching future would be cleared up. “Only concern I’ve got with South Carolina is is Steve Spurrier leaving,” Wilder said adding that he’s heard the talk from recruiters, fans and thru the Internet. “At his press conference, he said he’s not going nowhere. I believe Steve. I believe in what he stands for. I believe everything he says. If Steve says something, he means that, so I really believe he’s going to stay. But if he leaves, that’s going to be like, wow, you’re going to leave?” Wilder said he’s solid with his commitment unless he’s blown away by another school on an official visit. “In 2015 I really believe we’re going to shock the world. I’m really just focused on South Carolina to be honest with you. When I had my knee (injury) they didn’t back off. They were loyal to me.” He has set his official visit with USC for January 23rd. The week before that he’s going to visit Tennessee State. USC lost a linebacker from its 2015 class when Davon Durant decommitted and committed to Arizona State. Seeking to fill that spot, the Gamecocks have offered LB Daniel Fennell (6-3 217) of Loganville, GA and have re-established communication with former target Amonte Caban of Smith Station, AL who is a Louisville commitment. Fennell has 22 offers but is mostly focused on USC, Michigan State, Missouri, Duke, Georgia Tech and Wisconsin. USC recruiter GA Mangus contacted Fennell’s coach Mickey Conn about a week ago and then reached out to Fennell with the offer who was excited to land it. “They are in the SEC,” he said. “This year is not one of their better years but they have been a contending team.” Fennell has scheduled an official visit with the Gamecocks for November 21st. He also plans to take official visits to Michigan State and Duke. As a junior Fennell had 111 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He plays the weak line-
backer but could play in the middle in college. Caban said he was contacted by USC linebackers coach Kirk Botkin this week. “We were just talking and he was telling me how they still want me and he wants me to keep in touch with them,” Caban said. “I like Louisville a lot but I’m just going to let everything play out.” Caban is looking at taking an official visit to USC November 21st. He is going to Louisville in January and also wants to visit Oklahoma. Georgia also is in the mix. He went to Athens for the Vanderbilt game and the Bulldogs want him to come back for an official. This season Caban had 157 total tackles with 11 sacks. Juniors: USC has have offered OL Sean Pollard of Southern Pines, NC and he’s been in touch with offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. “Coach Elliott and I talk some too but it’s been hard lately with how busy they are and how busy I am. I really like coach (Elliott) and we have good conversations. He makes me laugh.” Pollards’ other offers include Clemson, Duke, East Carolina, North Carolina, NC State, Wake Forest, Miami and Penn State. He visited USC his sophomore season but has not made it back to Columbia this year. There is a possibility that he could return in the spring. Pollard does not have any favorites and did not indicate a time frame for a decision. DB James Valdez of Lake Marion did not make it to USC for the Tennessee game but is planning to be in for the South Alabama game. He’s also thinking about going to Clemson for the USC game. “I don’t really have any favorites. Right now, I am just exploring my options. I lot of the other schools that have offered me have a lot to offer so we’ll see what happens.” Valdez has visited USC twice this season. His offers are from USC, Tennessee, NC State, SC State and Wake Forest. TE Isaac Nauta of Buford, GA has set December 15th for his announcement date. He’s deciding between USC, Florida State, Ole Miss and Georgia. Nauta was at USC for the Georgia game and he’s planning a return trip for the South Alabama game. He also saw the Gamecocks at Auburn. USC recruiter GA Mangus is keeping in touch with Nauta and trying to sell him on the Gamecocks’ heavy use of the tight end. “He sent me some stats on the tight ends that 75 % of their plays are with two tight ends and 91% are with one tight end in the game,” Nauta said. “He’s just showing me that they always have a tight end on the field.” Nauta is going to try to make the Auburn-Georgia and
Mississippi State-Ole Miss games. He’s also visited Florida State, his rumored favorite. “I’ve been there twice and I’ve expressed that I like them a lot, but I haven’t decided yet and don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’m wide open. I’m trying to narrow down the pros and cons between the four and then it’s just a gut feeling.” OL John Simpson of Fort Dorchester took in USC’s game with Tennessee along with his freshman teammate QB Dakerion Joyner who already holds a USC offer. USC was the first to offer Simpson and he’s gotten plenty of exposure to the program. He camped there last summer and went to two games earlier in the season. He knows the Gamecocks are not having the kind of season expected of them but said that’s not impacting his view of the program. “It doesn’t really change how I feel about Carolina,” Simpson said. “Wherever I go, I want to make it a better place to watch football. I don’t really care about who’s winning. It’s mostly about academics.” Simpson will not be back for USC’s final home game later this month. He will go to Clemson for the Georgia State and USC games. The Tigers are his other offer along with USC. He was at Clemson a couple of weeks back. He’s also now drawing interest from Alabama. Simpson now has USC and Clemson even at the top of his list. “I’m stuck in between the two,” he said. Simpson won’t make a decision until after his senior season or as late as the 2016 Signing Day. USC commit WR Kyle Davis of Lawrenceville, GA called his commitment “very strong” but he does plan to take other visits. Several schools remain in touch with Davis though he said Georgia hasn’t contacted him since offering. Davis plans to take other visits but isn’t sure where he will go at this point. Alabama has offered Goose Creek DE Jayvon Kinlaw. He also has offers from USC, Clemson, Florida and East Carolina. USC last week offered 2017 RB Anthony McFarland Jr. of Maryland. Baseball News: LHP Hank Nichols (6-5 195) of JL Mann committed last Saturday to USC for the 2015 class. He’s the 16th reported commitment for the class. Nichols originally committed to The Citadel in December of 2012. USC also gained a commitment from 2017 prospect Carmen Mlodzinski (6-2 190) of Hilton Head. He is a righthanded pitcher and a shortstop. He’s the 5th commitment for USC’s 2017 class.
November 19, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 15
16 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
South Carolina Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Damiere Byrd WR 1 Rico McWilliams CB 3 Nick Jones WR 3 Chris Lammons CB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 4 Shaq Roland WR 5 Darius English DE 5 Brendan Nosovitch QB 6 Connor Mitch QB 6 Chris Moody SS 7 Shon Carson TB 7 Wesley Green CB 8 Shamier Jeffery WR 8 Kaiwan Lewis LB 9 Deebo Samuel WR 9 Sharrod Golightly SPR 10 Skai Moore LB 10 Perry Orth QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 11 Pharoh Cooper WR 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 12 Brison Williams SS 13 Tyler Hull P 13 Grant Davitte QB 14 Shaq Davidson WR 14 Ali Groves CB 15 Austin Hails QB 16 Zack Cimaglia K/P 17 Chaz Elder FS 17 Dylan Thompson QB 18 Cedrick Cooper DE 18 Patrick Fish P 19 Terry Googer WR 19 Landon Ard PK 20 T.J. Gurley SS 21 Marcquis Roberts LB 21 Andrew Bunch WR 22 Brandon Wilds TB 22 Jamari Smith CB 23 Larenz Bryant SPR 24 D.J. Smith DB 25 Kadetrix Marcus FS 26 Jasper Sasser FS 28 Mike Davis TB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 29 Matrick Belton WR 30 Darius Paulk FB 30 Sidney Rhodes CB 31 Al Harris Jr. CB 31 Jordan Diaz FB 32 Rod Talley TB 33 David Williams TB 34 Jonas Price K/P 34 Mason Harris DE
Hgt. 5-9 5-11 5-7 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-2 6-3 5-11 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-4 5-9 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-0 5-9 6-0 6-0 6-4 5-8 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-3
Wgt. 170 184 168 172 231 176 241 221 211 210 201 176 198 228 192 187 213 204 234 201 189 208 207 180 170 187 220 170 195 218 225 194 210 178 194 216 173 222 197 220 189 194 203 223 228 165 215 199 182 162 236 201 214 165 235
Cl. SR RS SO RS SR FR FR JR RS SO RS SO RS FR RS SO RS JR FR RS JR JR FR RS SR SO RS SO RS SO SO FR SR RS SR RS FR FR RS FR RS JR RS SO RS SO RS SR RS JR RS SR FR RS JR JR RS SO RS SO RS JR SO SO FR SR RS FR JR SO SO RS SO RS SO RS SR FR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS JR
Hometown/High School/Last College Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy Moore, S.C./Byrnes Sunrise, Fla./Plantation Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Lexington, S.C./Lexington Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield McDonough, Ga./Henry County Scranton, S.C./Lake City Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County Pleasantville, N.J./St. Joseph Inman, S.C./Chapman Decatur, Ga./Southwest DeKalb Cooper City, Fla./University Ponde Verda, Fla./Ponte Verda/Florida State College Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Havelock, NC./Havelock Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Warner Robins, Ga./Northside/Fork Union Military Mount Airy, N.C./Mount Airy/Guilford College Columbia, S.C./Irmo Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park/North Carolina A&T Union City, Ga./Banneker Boiling Springs, S.C./Boiling Springs Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Shelby, N.C./Burns Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Cairo, Ga./Cairo Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Bishop England/Presbyterian Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Atlanta, Ga./Stephenson Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Tx./Prince of Peace Christian Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast/North Greenville Easley, S.C./Wren/Western Carolina Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter Cockeysville, Md./St. Paul’s Fort Oglethorpe, Ga./Ridgeland
Coaches Steve Spurrier - Head Coach Deke Adams - Defensive Line Kirk Botkin - Linebackers/Spurs Grady Brown - Secondary/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator Shawn Elliott - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive LIne G.A. Mangus - Quarterbacks/Tight Ends Joe Robinson - Special Teams Coordinator Everette Sands - Running Backs Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Steve Spurrier Jr. - Co-Offensive Coord/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator Lorenzo Ward - Defensive Coordinator Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Robbie Liles - Director - Recruiting Operations Patrick Shine - Administrative Coordinator - Recruiting Scott Spurrier - Quality Control Coordinator (Offense) Shaq Wilson - Quality Control Coordinator (Defense)
# Name Pos. 35 Shannon James DB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 40 Jacob August TE 41 Kyle Morini LB 41 Connor McLaurin FB 42 Jordan Diggs SPR 43 Benjamin Russell DB 43 Garrison Gist FB 44 Gerald Turner FB 44 Gerald Dixon DE 45 Brandon Sturdivant FB 46 Cedrick Malone SPR 47 Drew Williams LS 48 Nick McGriff TE 49 Garrett Shank SS 49 Devin Potter TB 50 A.J. Cann OG 51 Cody Waldrop OC 51 Devin Washington DE 52 Phillip Dukes DT 53 Corey Robinson OT 54 Clayton Stadnik OC 55 David Johnson DE 55 Na’Ty Rodgers OT 58 Ryland Culbertson LS 59 Coleman Harley LS 65 Brock Stadnik OG 69 D.J. Park OT 70 Alan Knott OC 71 Brandon Shell OT 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OT 75 Will Sport OG 76 Mike Matulis OT 77 Malik Young OL 80 K.J. Brent WR 81 Rory Anderson TE 82 Caleb Hines WR 83 Carlton Heard WR 84 Matthew Harvey WR 85 Kane Whitehurst WR 86 Kevin Crosby TE 87 Sean Odom WR 88 Drew Owens TE 89 Jerell Adams TE 90 Cody Gibson TE 90 Taylor Stallworth DT 91 Blake McClain DE 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. DT 93 Deon Green DT 94 Kelsey Griffin DT 95 Michael Washington DE 97 J.T. Surratt DT 99 Abu Lamin DT
Hgt. 5-7 5-11 6-6 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-8 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-9 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-5 5-11 6-0 6-8 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-4
Wgt. 153 170 247 221 243 217 175 260 250 274 218 201 201 220 203 203 311 309 221 323 344 273 275 280 267 246 287 328 280 333 346 301 291 307 318 192 227 160 188 22 8 169 230 190 238 242 278 293 265 323 289 310 237 310 302
Cl. RS SO RS FR FR RS SR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS JR RS FR RS SO RS SO RS SO SO FR RS SO RS SO RS SR RS SO RS FR RS JR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS SR RS JR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS JR FR RS SO RS JR RS JR FR RS JR SR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR FR SO RS JR JR RS SR FR FR RS JR RS SO SO RS JR RS SR RS SO
Hometown/High School/Last College Florence, S.C./South Florence Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman/Fork Union Warner Robins, Ga./White Knoll/Gray Military Raleigh, N.C./Garner Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./Northwesterm Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford/York Tech Camden, S.C./Camden/Coastal Carolina Irmo, S.C/Dutch Fork Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Marietta, Ga./Lassiter Granite Falls, N.C./South Caldwell Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Seffner, Fla./Armwood Orlando, Fla./Jones Manning, S.C./Manning Havelock, N.C./Havelock Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Waldorf, Md./McDonough Laurens, S.C./Laurens Academy Aiken, S.C./South Aiken Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Irmo, S.C./Chapin Milton, Fla./Pace Boynton Beach, Fla./Park Vista Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Cornelius, N.C./Hough Athens, Ga./Clarke Central/Gardner-Webb Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill Duluth, Ga./Chattahoochee/Arkansas Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg Prep Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell Pinewood, S.C./Scott’s Branch Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln Mobile, Ala./Murphy Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern Windermere, Fla./Olympia Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Allendale, S.C./Allendale-Fairfax/S.C. State Winston-Salem, N.C./Parkland Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott C.C.
Spurs & Feathers • 17
November 19, 2014
South Alabama Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Anthony Harris CB 1 Shavarez Smith WR 2 Terrance Timmons RB 3 Nigel Green S 3 Chris Lewis WR 4 Malcolm Buggs CB 4 Marvin Shinn WR 5 Jeremé Jones WR 6 Maleki Harris ILB 6 Hunter Vaughn QB 7 Brandon Bridge QB 7 Devon Earl CB 8 Jay Jones RB 8 Chris Wilkerson S 9 Jeremy Reaves CB 10 Braedon Bowman TE 10 Terrance Slaughter S 11 Matt Floyd QB 11 Davin Hawkins ILB 12 Rush Hendricks TE 12 Bryson Johnson DL 13 Quinton Dent CB 13 Wes Saxton TE 14 Antonio Carter CB 14 Claude Garrett WR 15 Cameron Broadnax WR 16 Trey Fetner QB 16 Montell Garner CB 17 Sam Jallah CB 17 Tony Ray Parnell WR 18 Terrell Brigham S 18 Danny Woodson II WR 19 Dallas Davis QB 19 Steffon Fuller S 20 Steven Fuller ILB 20 Nathan Sassaman WR 21 Cordivido Grice ILB 21 Deonta Moore RB 22 Qudarius Ford CB 22 Jarrius Hackworth TE 23 Roman Buchanan S 24 T.J. Glover WR 24 Darian Mills CB 25 Blake Dees ILB 26 Antonio London CB 26 Christian Pearsall WR 27 Edward Todd WR 28 Xavier Johnson RB 28 Chason Milner ILB 29 Caleb Butler DE/OLB 29 Kendall Houston RB 30 Mike Dumas S 31 Margo Reed CB 32 Raymone Wiggins S 33 Berron Tyson RB 34 Desmond LaVelle ILB 35 E.J. May CB 36 DeMarrionBuford-HughesTE
Ht. 6-1 6-1 5-7 6-1 5-7 5-9 6-2 5-8 6-1 6-2 6-5 5-10 5-9 6-1 5-11 6-4 5-9 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-4 5-8 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 5-9 5-7 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-4 5-10 6-0 5-10 5-9 6-2 6-2 5-9 5-11 6-0 6-0 5-11 5-8 5-11 6-3 6-4 5-10 6-1 5-7 6-1 5-8 5-11 5-10 6-5
Wt. 195 210 180 170 170 190 210 165 210 195 235 185 195 180 180 220 200 205 230 235 305 165 235 190 210 195 225 185 190 155 195 200 200 200 200 180 220 185 170 210 210 175 170 245 190 195 170 175 230 250 230 170 165 200 175 230 180 225
Yr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Sr. So. Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Sr. R-Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. R-Fr. Fr. So. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. R-Fr. Sr. Jr. Jr.
Hometown/Previous School Miami, Fla. / El Camino (Calif.) CC McDonough, Ga. / Dean (Mass.) CC Mobile, Ala. / Davidson HS Flowood, Miss. / Mississippi Gulf Coast CC Mobile, Ala. / McGill-Toolen HS Opelika, Ala. / Opelika HS Mobile, Ala. / Alabama Mobile, Ala. / McGill-Toolen HS Cordova, Ala. / Cordova HS Robertsdale, Ala. / Butler (Kan.) CC Mississauga, Ontario, Canada / Alcorn State Hoover, Ala. / Hoover HS Horn Lake, Miss. / Northeast Mississippi CC Bessemer, Ala. / Bessemer City HS Pensacola, Fla. / Pensacola Catholic HS Mesa, Ariz. / Scottsdale (Ariz.) CC Fairfield, Ala. / Savannah State Milton, Fla. / South Florida Gadsden, Ala. / Etowah HS Jay, Fla. / Jay HS Champlin, Minn. /North Dakota State Haines City, Fla. / Laney (Calif.) CC Hueytown, Ala. / Itawamba (Miss.) CC Columbus, Ga. / Fort Scott (Kan.) CC Calumet City, Ill. / North Dakota State Hueytown, Ala. / Hueytown HS Woodland, Ala. / Woodland HS Dallas, Texas / Navarro (Texas) JC Maitland, Fla. / Wekiva HS Davenport, Fla. / Laney (Calif.) CC Waynesboro, Ga. / Burke County HS Mobile, Ala. / Alabama Panama City, Fla. / Rutherford HS Preston, Miss. / East Central (Miss.) CC Preston, Miss. / East Central (Miss.) CC Colorado Springs, Colo. / Classical Academy Pensacola, Fla. / Pensacola HS Owens Cross Roads, Ala. / Huntsville HS Cantonment, Fla. / Tate HS Mobile, Ala. / Alma Bryant HS Enterprise, Ala. / Daleville HS Tampa, Fla. / Plant HS Winter Haven, Fla. / Winter Haven HS Spanish Fort, Ala. / Texas Tech Pelham, Ala. / Pelham HS Mobile, Ala. / UMS-Wright HS Wetumpka, Ala. / Prattville Christian Tampa, Fla. / Chamberlain HS Spanish Fort, Ala. / Spanish Fort HS Enterprise, Ala. / Enterprise HS Mobile, Ala. / Arkansas State Cape Coral, Fla. / Island Coast HS Mobile, Ala. / LeFlore HS Mobile, Ala. / Memphis Mobile, Ala. / Baker HS Decatur, Ala. / Northwest Mississippi CC Mobile, Ala. / McGill-Toolen HS Mobile, Ala. / Mississippi College
Coaches Joey Jones Head Coach Mike Adams Inside Linebackers Tim Bowens Wide Receivers Robby Brown Running Backs Robert Matthews Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Travis Pearson Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Freddie Roach Defensive Ends/Outside Linebackers Chase Smith Offensive Line Brian Turner Defensive Tackles/Recruiting Coordinator John Turner Tight Ends Justin Schwind Strength & Conditioning Coach Brendt Bedsole Director of Operations Mark Hewes Director of Player Personnel Sam Ogden Director of Football Video Jeff Bailey Equipment Operations Manager
# Name Pos. 37 Wade Forde DE/OLB 39 Brandon McKee P/PK 39 Carlos Robinson ILB 40 Jimmie Gipson III DE/OLB 41 Alex Hopson LS 42 Grant Powell ILB 42 Cole Travis PK 43 Marcus Jackson CB 44 Ryan Onkka TE 45 Grant McLaurin PK 46 Zac Henry PK 46 Ridge James DE/OLB 48 Jaylan Daniels OLB/S 49 Demarius Rancifer ILB 50 Luke Lanier ILB 50 Jared Maldonado OL 51 Daniel Aust OL 52 Akeem Lewis DE/OLB 53 Steve McKenzie OL 55 Chris May OL 56 Corbin Finlayson OL 56 DeMarion Harper DL 58 Noah Fisher OL 59 Andrew Philon ILB 61 Austin Cole LS 65 Harrison Louden OL 66 Joseph Scelfo OL 67 Jesse Kelley DL 68 Shane Doty OL 69 John Dombrowski OL 70 Noah Armstrong OL 72 Drew Dearman OL 73 Shaun Artz OL 74 Steven Foster OL 75 Clay Machen OL 76 Ucambre Williams OL 77 Melvin Meggs OL 78 Tre Alford DL 79 Caleb Cochran OL 81 John Johnson WR 83 Sam Harris WR 84 Caleb Hayman TE 84 BJ Shaw DL 85 Daylan Abrams WR 86 Jake Howton WR 86 Will Thompson DE 87 Corliss Waitman P 90 Hunter Hall DL 91 Alvin Arnold DE/OLB 91 ConnerKammerlocher PK 93 Theo Rich DE 94 Dondre Chanet DL 95 Brad Murry DL 96 Jacob Chaffin DL 97 Kelan James DL 97 Aleem Sunanon PK 98 Jerome McClain DL
Ht. 6-3 6-1 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-1 5-7 6-4 6-0 5-11 6-5 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-4 6-3 6-1 5-10 6-4 6-5 6-7 6-3 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-3 5-10 6-2 5-10 5-7 6-3 5-10 5-9 6-1 6-3 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-9 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-0 5-7 6-3
Wt. 210 185 200 255 230 215 200 180 245 165 190 255 205 205 215 310 280 250 320 290 300 285 265 225 205 290 300 275 305 275 300 315 295 310 310 295 300 295 280 205 165 220 310 160 195 265 185 295 215 180 260 305 310 285 255 170 290
Yr. R-Fr. So. R-Fr. Jr. So. So. Fr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Sr. R-Fr. So. Sr. Sr. So. R-Fr. Sr. Sr. So. So. Sr. Sr. R-Fr. Sr. So. Fr. R-Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. So. R-Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. R-Fr. So. So. Sr.
Hometown/Previous School Ocala, Fla. / Vanguard HS Cumming, Ga. / South Forsyth HS Enterprise, Ala. / Enterprise HS Coldwater, Miss. / East Mississippi CC Pell City, Ala. / Pell City HS Germantown, Tenn. / Christian Brothers Mobile, Ala. / Saraland HS Cincinnati, Ohio / Winton Woods HS Pensacola, Fla. / Washington HS Hattiesburg, Miss. / Jones County (Miss.) JC North East, Pa. / Erie (N.Y.) CC Richardson, Texas / Bakersfield (Calif.) CC Vienna, Ga. / Dooly County HS Pensacola, Fla. / Pearl River (Miss.) CC Thomasville, Ala. / Thomasville HS Davie, Fla. / Nassau (N.Y.) CC Hoover, Ala. / Hoover HS Abbeville, La. / Los Angeles Harbor CC Lithonia, Ga. / Stephenson HS Tuscumbia, Ala. / Deshler HS Jupiter Farms, Fla. / Palm Beach Gardens HS McComb, Miss. / Fort Scott (Kan.) CC Decatur, Ga. / Decatur HS Silas, Ala. / Southern Choctaw HS Dallas, Ga. / South Paulding HS Mobile, Ala. / McGill-Toolen HS Bogart, Ga. / North Oconee HS Birmingham, Ala. / Huffman HS Annandale, Va. / Fork Union (Va.) Military Mandeville, La. / Mandeville HS Moulton, Ala. / Lawrence County HS Vestavia Hills, Ala. / Vestavia Hills HS Buford, Ga. / Buford HS Demopolis, Ala. / Demopolis HS Auburn, Ala. / Auburn HS Phenix City, Ala. / Central HS Petal, Miss. / Petal HS Tuscaloosa, Ala. / Hillcrest HS Dozier, Ala. / Straughn HS Bella Vista, Ark. / Shiloh Christian HS Spanish Fort, Ala. / Spanish Fort HS Braselton, Ga. / Gainesville HS Hoover, Ala. / Eastern Arizona CC Pensacola, Fla. / West Florida HS Cordova, Ala. / Cordova HS Huntsville, Ala. / Buckhorn HS Milton, Fla. / Milton HS Summerdale, Ala. / Foley HS Hollywood, Fla. / Hollywood Hills HS Fort Myers, Fla. / South Fort Myers HS Portal, Ga. / Itawamba (Miss.) CC Lafayette, La. / Hutchinson (Kan.) CC Montgomery, Ala. / St. James School Birmingham, Ala. / Spain Park HS Mobile, Ala. / Belhaven (Miss.) Orlando, Fla. / Olympia HS Pensacola, Fla. / Northwest Mississippi CC
18 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
The view from the Florida locker room by collyn taylor Reporter
kicked it out the other way, but we didn’t,” Muschamp said. “As far as the protection was concerned, they came free and we didn’t Head coach of the Florida Gators Will get the ball off quicker. That’s a situation Muschamp knew that he was in for a tough where that shouldn’t happen.” game when the Gamecocks came into the The Florida defense was able to keep a swamp in a pivotal SEC East matchup. highly-ranked South Carolina offense at And after two special teams plays that bay, only allowing 23 points, the secondhelped decide the game, it was Dylan least amount of points the Gamecocks have Thompson running the ball into the endzone scored all season. on a read option to give the Gamecocks a 23- “We had every opportunity to win, settle 20 win in overtime. down defensively. As the game went on, we The first special teams play that helped played pretty well against a good offensive changed the tide of the game was a blocked football team,” Muschamp said. field goal. Florida had driven the ball deep Offensively, they fared well against the deinto enemy territory before Gator quarterfense somewhat, but the Gamecocks stifled back Treon Harris was dragged down for a the Gator rushing attack to only 218 yards on loss to bring the field goal units on for both the ground. Harris led the team in rushing teams. with 111 yards, but it wasn’t enough to win The Gamecocks blocked the ensuing field the game. goal, getting the ball back and keeping the With good performances on both side Gator lead at three. of the ball, the two special teams plays by But the biggest special teams play came South Carolina proved to be the deciding late in the fourth quarter when the Gamefactor at the end of the day. cocks blocked a punt, giving them the ball at “We were able to run the football, but the Florida 34-yard line with 39 seconds left. couldn’t get much generated in the passing “We were in a look where we should’ve game,” Muschamp said. “Treon Harris had a
the timeout for our defensive possession or a different situation. We liked the look and we thought it was protected, but they came off the head of the slot, which we didn’t think they would do, and they blocked it.” That proved to be a great break for the Gamecocks, coming through the line and blocking the punt. The ensuing drive resulted in a tie game after an option play to Mike Davis. The Gators now fall to 5-4 on the season and 4-4 in the SEC. Muschamp said before the game that this was the game where the Gators could prove themselves to the rest of the SEC. They still have to win another game to become bowl eligible. photos by allen sharpe They face Eastern Kentucky and Florida hard time with some ball handling, but when State to end the season. you have two blocked kicks at a critical “I don’t know what else to say. When point in the game it will cost you the football you’ve got 40 seconds to go, just get the ball game.” off,” Muschamp said. “We had an operation On the blocked punt, Muschamp took a de- time issue with the field goal, with a low lay of game call, opting out of using his final kick it doesn’t matter what the operation timeout to stop the clock. time is. I’m very disappointed to lose that “We had one timeout left and I wanted to football game. Our guys fought and played save it,” Muschamp said. “We wanted to see hard and we put ourselves in a position to get it done and we didn’t.” their look number one and I wanted to hold
Spurs & Feathers • 19
November 19, 2014
‘The power of the mo’: Gamecock men’s tennis closes fall with tons of momentum by kyle heck Reporter If you’ve seen the South Carolina men’s tennis team in action this fall and were wondering what was going on with all the moustaches flying around just know that it’s for a good cause. The entire team is participating in Movember, an international awareness campaign that focuses on men’s health issues, particularly prostate cancer. Head coach Josh Goffi was made aware of the campaign by his brother-in-law, who has participated in Movember at his advertising firm for the past six years. Goffi has wanted to bring Movember to his tennis team for some time and his chance finally came this fall. Goffi was excited about the opportunity because he knows that he and his team have the ability to share the cause with a great number of people. “The awareness is picking up, so we need to join it,” Goffi said. “It’s also given the guys an understanding that, ‘hey, we have a voice (and) in this community, we’re a pretty big deal and we need to be able to reach out to as many people as possible.’” Movember is also something that can be applied to the season so far for the Gamecocks. After ending the fall on a strong note at the Bulldog Scramble in Athens, Ga., South Carolina has plenty of momentum going into their break. The Gamecocks swept the singles action on the final day of the Bulldog Scramble and the doubles tandem of seniors Kyle Koch and Thiago Pinheiro capped off a perfect weekend with another win. Several players finished the fall season on winning streaks. Pinheiro ended on a fourmatch winning streak while Koch and freshman Harrison O’Keefe won their last three matches. Sophomores Andrew Schafer and Sam Swank both won their final two matches. The promising cap to the fall season is good news for Goffi, particularly because it showed that his players are getting more and more prepared for the pivotal spring season. For the freshman, it was all about getting prepared and adjusted to college tennis, which is a lot different than what they played before. “What was shown throughout the year was that there were a lot of lessons taught to the freshmen and sophomores about what it actually means to compete the right way and what we expect out of you as a Gamecock,” Goffi said. “College tennis is a completely different scenario than junior tennis or even pro tennis in that it takes a lot of emotion and there are no
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Pinheiro and the Gamecocks had a great fall. free points. It’s kind of a wake-up call for the freshmen to kind of understand that there’s an entire other side to the game that you have to bring every day.” Another thing that Goffi wants his players to understand is that the next two months are very important. While there are no organized team activities going on, the players must continue to work on their game throughout the holidays. That means participating in optional tournaments and continuing to work on fundamentals. “This is where teams win championships,” Goffi said. “It’s where the best teams excel. Without a coach there, (the players) have to do it on their own so they take a lot of the coaching tools that have been given to them and they try to apply it themselves and that’s where they lock it in. If they don’t go out and play, then they actually go backward a ton.” Goffi said that is what happened a little bit last year because of guys not being able to play during the winter due to injuries. That caused the team to get off to a slow start in January, something that Goffi does not want to happen this year. “We’re putting together a tentative schedule for each guy where they can go out and they can play all of these optional tournaments and try to consolidate a lot of the efforts,” Goffi said. “If they don’t, then a lot of the work we’ve done is lost, but if they do, then we’re going to be real tough come January.”
20 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
Antonelli named analyst for South Carolina SEC Network + broadcasts south carolina athletics media relations
of her usual broadcasting fee, South Carolina will donate its funding to INNERSOLE, and the charity will begin discussions to work The South Carolina Athletics Department with Pinckney Elementary School, Antonelli’s announced today a three-way partnership that hometown elementary school in Mt. Pleasant, adds national television analyst Debbie AnS.C. tonelli to its five remaining women’s basketball South Carolina women’s basketball season broadcasts on SEC Network +. Gamecocks’ tickets are available starting at $100 for a Famhead coach Dawn Staley’s charity INNERily Four-Pack of four general admission tickets. SOLE rounds out the trio working together on Single-game tickets are also on sale now and the project. are $7 for adults and $4 for youth (17 and un“We wanted to bring first-class talent to our der). Visit www.GameocksOnline.com/tickets digital broadcasts, and Debbie has been a great or call 1-800-4SC-FANS to purchase tickets. ambassador for our program About SEC Network + throughout the years,” Staley SEC Network + is the digital said. “I’m thrilled that she platform of the SEC Network is willing to be part of the available to most subscribers games and that she is also of the national television nethelping us expand INNERwork. SEC Network + (digital/ SOLE’s efforts into her area online), is available to customas well.” ers of one of the following: Antonelli is set to join South AT&T U-verse, Charter, ComAll Gamecock basketball cast, Cox, DISH, Google Fiber, Carolina radio announcer coverage sponsored by Brad Muller on the SEC Suddenlink, and members of Yesterdays Network + broadcasts. In lieu the NCTC, NRTC and NTTC.
south carolina athletics media relations
Dawn Staley talks with Debbie Antonelli at SEC Media Days in Charlotte in October. You can contact your cable/satellite provider and get a username and password which will allow you to access the content on computers, tablets, mobile phones and other consumer devices like Xbox. About INNERSOLE INNERSOLE is a sole movement. A movement that effectively changes the negative impact on poverty in our children. A sole movement that allows a common bond of
compassion and humanity that unites us by the gift of giving and the responsibility of shaping an enduring imprint. INNERSOLE, a fund of the Central Carolina Community Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization recognized by the IRS. All donations made are tax deductible. For more information about INNERSOLE, log on to www.innersole.org or on social media at @innersoleorg on Twitter and INNERSOLEORG on Instagram.
November 19, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 21
Julia Vincent working hard to stay consistent by collyn taylor Reporter
That performance has helped get the Gamecock women’s swimming and diving team off to a 5-1 record and its best start over their At the top of the diving board, freshman Ju- first six meets in five years. lia Vincent stands waiting to dive. She takes “I’m really proud of the women’s side,” she a deep breath and dives in with little to no said. “I’m just trying to be consistent and water splashing as she enters the pool. hopefully that’s paying off for the team. I’m Coming from Gauteng, South Africa, Vin- trying to rank high in any meet that I dive cent has already competed in the 2010 and in.” 2012 World Junior Diving Championships, Vincent attributes part of that success to the the 2013 World Diving Championships and team’s personality. Between races, the swimthe 2014 Diving World Cup. mers and divers are laughing and joking, And with that experience has come conenjoying their time at the meet. sistency. The sight of Vincent on the diving She said a big focus of hers is to keep the board has been a normal one this year for the team in high spirits and make sure they’re freshman, who says that she is focused on be- always happy. ing very consistent with her diving. “We try [to be happy],” Vincent said, laugh“I was happy that I could be consistent; ing. “We try to always be happy.” that’s my goal,” Vincent said. “I’ve been She didn’t cite anyone in particular who working to be very consistent in practice and was the “class clown.” She said they all conI was happy that the majority of my dives tribute to the laughter and the team chemiswere pretty consistent.” try. She stressed consistency and consistent she For the swimming and diving team, the has been. In the three meets she’s been in chemistry will come in handy when they this year, she has finished in the top four in travel to Blacksburg, Va. to compete in the all of them, including a first place finish in Virginia Tech Invitational against six other compete against top-notch competition. women’s three-meter diving against Georgia teams. Vincent hopes that they can build “It shows how close we are,” Vincent said. Tech and Notre Dame. each other up to go into Blacksburg, Va. and “We try to make it as fun as we can. I know
south carolina athletics media relations
it can be quite intense during the meet, so we try to have fun, support everyone and make sure everyone has their spirits up.”
22 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
‘We’ve got to keep grinding through it’
“It’s tough, but you’ve got to grind through it” - Lorenzo Ward With each passing week the Gamecocks have had opportunities to pull out victories,but haven’t closed the deal when the clock ended. With equal blame to go around coaches and players have a similar saying that pops up from time to time, but was echoed again after a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee two weeks ago. “It’s tough, but you’ve got to grind through it.” These are the words repeatedly said Langston Moore following the Contributing lose before the Writer bye week by Lorenzo Ward, a man who like coach Spurrier and all coaches gets bombarded with the question “what do you do...” after repeated losses. The grind sounds like some sort of mid-evil torture machine that someone must go through to see improvement or change, especially when all of the Gamecocks fans, players, coaches are scrambling to find the right “answer” not only to the questions posed by the media, but by the inconsistent play (by coaches and players alike). “The grind” is no more than state of mind and approach than the actual physical connotation this word brings. Being able to continue to show up with the effort and desire one would be expected to have at the beginning of the season when everything is in front of you is the mindset the “grind” engenders. Attention to details, urgency, and utter importance of
each snap, going after it as if you had everything to play for not the other way around is the grind. This gives way to constant improvement even when things don’t seem to be making headway in the win/loss department. Champions continue to prepare and “grind” for it physically and mentally deep into the season even when there list of expectations (goals) don’t seem attainable anymore. This eastern philosophy is one that was made famous in the Toyota corporation years ago called “kaizen.” “Kaizen refers to activities that continually improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers” Just replace “CEO” with head coach and “ assembly line workers” with any player position you would like because in essence that’s the structure of any team, business, or sports, but the genius of the “kaizen” principles is it’s based on the ideas of continuous improvement, improvement so small that literally they (team or organization) only look for a minimum of 1% improvement. This improvement is applied to everyone from the CEO to the janitor in the corporation. This idea is something that is executed every day by everyone creating a culture of continued small improvements that yield larger results in overall improvement aka Wins! Below are some tenements of the “kaizen” philosophy, all a part of “the grind” coach Ward was referring to. “Throw out all your old fixed ideas on how to do things” What’s worked in the past for us won’t be here now, the players and coaches have had to find new ways to win and practice those new ways of winning games. For example, my “what got you here, won’t get you there “ article a few weeks back. The team found a way to make plays as timed ticked away in “The Swamp” in all three phases, finding ways to keep themselves in the game. “No Blame” Everyone wears the garnet and black with the block C so everyone takes part in the blame just like everyone takes part in the winning. Many were worried that there would be a riff between the offense and defense, but this team has stuck to this mantra. On Saturday there were multiple opportunities to blame someone else, but the team keep together and finished together. “Don’t wait for perfection; 50% improvement now is fine” We would definitely take that in all three phases now. Heck, even in the win column (winning half of the last games we lost we would be bowl eligible now), but making the necessary moves personnel wise and scheme wise against the Gators proved to be enough improvement for now (Skai Moore & Jona-
photo by allen sharpe
than Walton led the team in tackles against Florida after making moves to different linebacker positions). No need to wait until next year or for the next recruiting class, small improvements now give us the best chance to beat any of our remaining opponents. “Corect mistakes as soon as they are found” Coach Ward moving up to the box was an attempt to correct mistakes after the Kentucky game. Against Florida he moved back to the sideline and moved Deke Adams up into the box. Shawn Elliott substitutes Offensive Linemen mid-series to negate the strengths teams my have on us. The point being is, find it and correct it immediately. The Gamecocks have been attempting to not let bad things linger all season. The way we won Saturday is a big indicator that we’ve taken accountability for past mistakes and tried not to let them happen again. “Improvement is not made in the boardroom” Or meeting room. You can only go over concepts, “x’s & o’s,” so many times until that means nothing on the field. Nothing compares to experience and doing it in live action. That’s why reps and practice count, but quality reps count even more, but doing it during the game and having the team see that the actual “grind” is what makes improvement not endless chalk talk sessions or players only meetings gets results. “We can’t give up on the kids and can’t give up on the system” So why is this the chosen path to take for the 2014 Gamecocks to right the wrongs of the season? Why not the drastic move of replacing all the starters or starting some quarterback that we’ve been hiding on the bench all season or run more and be more physical during practice? Those things might be the answer in other instances, but it’s not the answer to the
questions our play has posed this season. Our entire squad coaches and players alike needed something to find sturdy footing on. In “The Swamp” the Gamecocks found another way to win games they haven’t been accustomed to this season. Blocking a field goal as well as a punt with under six minutes to go when they could’ve folded up. The entire team played its respective parts to aid each other in winning a game that might have slipped away before. We’ve had glimpses and flashes in all three phases of the days gone by of the past 11-win seasons, but this past Saturday the Gamecocks hopefully found something to cement into their psyche to make it stick when it’s crunch time. Physically pounding the “rock” on offense and being stout on defense regardless of who led and did it late in the game when we’ve faltered before. “We’re going through this for a reason” Lorenzo Ward The Gamecock win this past Saturday in the muck gives way to another “kaizen” principle: “the changes can be documented, recorded for analysis.” Getting a win this big on the road is documented and on tape for the team to refer to as they finish out the season. To coach Ward’s point, this win showed that the grind hasn’t been in vain, that we continue to do things the right way and wins will come. That enduring all those other moments of doubt and uncertainty in losing all added to us winning long term. Finishing out this season we can’t abandon “the grind” and what it has taught us. We must continue living this ideology and just like coach Ward says “we’ve got to keep grinding through it.” Follow Langston Moore on Twitter at: @reMovetheChains #justachicken #eat2win #yoby
Spurs & Feathers • 23
November 19, 2014
Beating the Gators was unquestionably a team victory
I have written a lot of words this seasaying the defeats have been “team” son to describe what this South Carolina losses. Well beating the Gators was unfootball team isn’t, but especially after questionably a “team” victory – offense, this past Saturday, the word that fits is defense and especially the special teams. “capable.” The Gamecocks were capable I’m really happy for the defensive playof winning four of the five games they’ve ers and coaches. The “D” forced seven lost; they simply couldn’t play fourthpunts, and held the Gators to 278 yards of quarter SEC football. total offense on 60 plays, a number defenI think as Gamecock fans, disappointed sive coordinators say means you’re in the as we are that they didn’t win those games game. The biggest number of all, UF was we need to understand the significant dif- just 3-of-14 on third down conversions. ference between “capable” and the words I lot of fans believe winning is about that described USC’s program for decades players and coaches, but chemistry and - “no chance.” leadership are important elements as well. As I have said repeatedly, one single The defense has struggled because of the play on either side of the ball could have talent lost last season; talent not as good been the difference in all those games, but as thought this season, and I believe, leadfootball mirrors life, someership. times the ball just doesn’t I can’t look at the defense bounce your way. and say there is one player Beating Florida in “The who has played head and Swamp” was the shot for shoulders above the others. the psyche that everyone There is no Stephon Gilmore, – fans, players, coaches no D.J. Swearinger, no Jade– needed. Missouri, last veon Clowney, no one who season, will forever be my can say, “I’m the man, follow number one miraculous me.” This year’s defense has Glenn Snyder comeback game, but this really had to embrace the Inside one ranks in my top five. concept of playing as a unit, Look Coach Spurrier has been and with their limitations, it’s
been a challenge they haven’t always met. Against the Gators, however, they had a good plan, played with a high level of intensity and most importantly, made big plays when the team needed them most. I’m really happy for Coach Joe Robinson and the special teams. A friend asked me before the game, “when are special teams going to do something special?” How special is blocking a punt with 39 seconds left to give the offense a chance to tie the game? I was really proud of Landon Ard. He lost his kickoff job for the Kentucky game because he wasn’t kicking them deep enough, got it back during the open date, and then against the Gators was instructed to pooch his kicks. Given their experience at Vanderbilt, the coaches were not going to give Andre Debose, the Florida record holder with four kickoffs returned for a touchdown, a chance to make it number five, and Landon did a great job squibbing the ball. The same goes for Tyler Hull. Only one of his six punts was returned, for just six yards. It was a terrific all-around performance by the special teams. I’m not the historian the HBC thinks I am, but I can’t recall a game when the Cocks blocked a punt and a field goal in the same game.
I am especially happy for quarterback Dylan Thompson and the entire offense. While scoring at a record-setting pace, the offense hasn’t been able to deliver in the clutch in a number of games. Against the Gators they were magnificent. It doesn’t get much better than scoring the tying TD with only 39 seconds to work with and then scoring the winning touchdown in overtime. I think it was very appropriate that Dylan scored the winner. He has played well this season, no question, but he really hasn’t had that “lead my team to victory” moment in SEC play until this past Saturday. I believe what all this does is give the Gamecocks the confidence that they can finish this season with a 7-5 record and keep their bowl streak alive. I have always said that my favorite Sundays mornings are when Carolina has won and Clemson has lost. Without QB Deshaun Watson, the Tiger offense is a better match for USC’s defense, and that alone will give the Gamecocks the edge. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but South Alabama should be a tune up for the season finally. It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!
24 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
Depth Charts for November 22 OFFENSE WR: 1 Damiere Byrd -OR- 4 Shaq Roland WR: 11 Pharoh Cooper 80 K.J. Brent 85 Kane Whitehurst WR: 3 Nick Jones 8 Shamier Jeffery 83 Carlton Heard LT: 53 Corey Robinson 74 Mason Zandi LG: 50 A.J. Cann 65 Brock Stadnik C: 54 Clayton Stadnik -OR- 70 Alan Knott RG: 75 Will Sport 76 Mike Matulis RT: 71 Brandon Shell 74 Mason Zandi 69 D.J. Park TE: 81 Rory Anderson -OR- 89 Jerell Adams -OR- 90 Cody Gibson QB: 17 Dylan Thompson 10 Perry Orth -OR- 6 Connor Mitch FB: 41 Connor McLaurin 31 Jordan Diaz TB: 28 Mike Davis
5-9, 170, Sr. 6-1, 176, Jr. 5-11, 201, So. 6-4, 192, Jr. 5-11, 169, Jr. 5-7, 168, Sr. 6-1, 198, Jr. 6-0, 188, Jr. 6-8, 344, Sr. 6-9, 301, So. 6-4, 311, Sr. 6-5, 287, So. 6-3, 273, So. 6-4, 280, RFr. 6-5, 291, Jr. 6-5, 307, Jr. 6-6, 333, Jr. 6-9, 301, So. 6-4, 328, Fr. 6-5, 227, Sr. 6-6, 242, Jr. 6-7, 278, Sr. 6-3, 218, Sr. 6-1, 204, So. 6-3, 211, RFr. 6-0, 243, Sr. 6-1, 236, Sr. 5-9, 223, Jr.
OFFENSE Z: 1 Shavarez Smith 6-1, 210, Sr. 14 Claude Garrett 6-2, 210, Jr. TE: 13 Wes Saxton 6-4, 235, Sr. 10 Braedon Bowman 6-4, 220, Jr. LT: 76 Ucambre Williams 6-3, 295, Sr. 75 Clay Machen 6-4, 310, So. LG: 72 Drew Dearman 6-3, 315, Sr. 68 Shane Doty 6-4, 305, Sr. C: 66 Joseph Scelfo 6-1, 300, So. 65 Harrison Louden 6-3, 290, RFr. RG: 77 Melvin Meggs 6-3, 300, Sr. 74 Steven Foster 6-4, 310, So. RT: 55 Chris May 6-5, 290, Jr. 69 John Dombrowski 6-5, 275, So. A: 5 Jereme Jones 5-8, 165, Sr. 15 Cameron Broadnax 6-2, 195, So. X: 18 Danny Woodson II 6-1, 200, Jr. 86 Jake Howton 6-1, 195, Sr. QB: 7 Brandon Bridge 6-5, 235, Sr. 11 Matt Floyd 6-2, 205, Jr. 6 Hunter Vaughn 6-2, 195, So. RB: 29 Kendall Houston 5-10, 230, Sr. 8 Xavier Johnson 5-11, 170, RFr. 2 Terrance Timmons 5-7, 180, Jr.
Sicklerville, N.J. Lexington, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Waxhaw, N.C. Duluth, Ga. Moore, S.C. St. Matthews, S.C. Athens, Ga. Havelock, N.C. Irmo, S.C. Bamberg, S.C. Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Tyrone, Ga. Milton, Fla. Boynton Beach, Fla. Goose Creek, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Powder Springs, Ga. Pinewood, S.C. Tallahassee, Fla. BoilingSprings,S.C. Ponte Vedra, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, N.J. Atlanta, Ga.
-OR-
South Carolina
22 Brandon Wilds 33 David Williams 7 Shon Carson
6-2, 230, Jr. 6-1, 222, RFr. 5-8, 201, Jr.
Blythewood, S.C. Philadelphia, Pa. Scranton, S.C.
DEFENSE DE: 44 Gerald Dixon 6-2, 274, So. 34 Mason Harris 6-3, 235, Jr. DT: 97 J.T. Surratt 6-2, 310, Sr. 93 Deon Green 6-4, 289, So. 90 Taylor Stallworth 6-2, 293, Fr. DT: 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. 6-3, 323, Jr. 52 Phillip Dukes 6-3, 323, Jr. DE: 55 David Johnson 6-1, 275, RFr. -OR- 5 Darius English 6-6, 241, So. 4 Bryson Allen-Williams 6-1, 231, Fr. MLB: 21 Marcquis Roberts 6-1, 216, So. 11 T.J. Holloman 6-2, 234, So. 8 Kaiwan Lewis 6-0, 228, Jr. WLB: 10 Skai Moore 6-2, 213, So. -OR- 28 Jonathan Walton 6-0, 228, So. SPUR: 9 Sharrod Golightly 5-10, 187, Sr. 42 Jordan Diggs 6-0, 217, So. 23 Larenz Bryant 6-0, 220, So. CB: 3 Chris Lammons 5-10, 172, Fr. 31 Al Harris Jr. 5-11, 162, Fr. SS: 20 T.J. Gurley 5-10, 194, Jr. 25 Kadetrix Marcus 6-1, 194, Sr. FS: 6 Chris Moody 6-1, 210, So. 17 Chaz Elder 6-2, 195, So.
Rock Hill, S.C. FortOglethorpe,Ga. Winston-Salem,N.C. Windermere, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Rock Hill, S.C. Manning, S.C. Lithonia, Ga. Powder Springs, Ga. Ellenwood, Ga. PowderSprings,Ga. StoneMountain, Ga. Mays Landing, N.J. Cooper City, Fla. Daphne, Ala. Decatur, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Sunrise, Fla. FortLauderdale,Fla. Cairo, Ga. StoneMountain,Ga. McDonough, Ga. Union City, Ga.
South Alabama
McDonough, Ga. Calumet City, Ill. Hueytown, Ala. Mesa, Ariz. Phenix City, Ala. Auburn, Ala. Vestavia Hills, Ala. Annandale, Va. Bogart, Ga. Mobile, Ala. Petal, Miss. Demopolis, Ala. Tuscumbia, Ala. Mandeville, La. Mobile, Ala. Hueytown, Ala. Mobile, Ala. Cordova, Ala. Mississauga,Ontario Milton, Fla. Robertsdale, Ala. Mobile, Ala. Tampa, Fla. Theodore, Ala.
DEFENSE Jack: 93 Theo Rich 6-2, 260, Sr. 40 Jimmie Gipson III 6-0, 255, Jr. NT: 67 Jesse Kelley 5-10, 275, Sr. 78 Tre Alford 5-10, 295, RFr. DT: 98 Jerome McClain 6-3, 290, Sr. 29 Caleb Butler 6-4, 250, Fr. End: 46 Ridge James 6-5, 255, Sr. 52 Akeem Lewis 6-2, 250, Jr. Sam: 6 Maleki Harris 6-1, 210, Sr. 49 Demarius Rancifer 6-4, 205, Jr. Mike: 11 Davin Hawkins 6-2, 230, Sr. 34 Desmond LaVelle 5-11, 230, Sr. CB: 22 Qudarius Ford 5-9, 170, Sr. 31 Margo Reed 5-7, 165, Jr. FS: 18 Terrell Brigham 6-0, 195, Sr. 9 Jeremy Reaves 5-11, 180, Fr. SS: 23 Roman Buchanan 6-2, 210, So. 19 Steffon Fuller 6-4, 200, Sr. N: 14 Antonio Carter 5-8, 190, Jr. 7 Devon Earl 5-10, 185, So. CB: 16 Montell Garner 6-1, 185, Sr. 15 E.J. May 5-10, 180, Jr.
Portal, Ga. Coldwater, Miss. Birmingham, Ala. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Pensacola, Fla. Enterprise, Ala. Richardson, Texas Abbeville, La. Cordova, Ala. Pensacola, Fla. Gadsden, Ala. Decatur, Ala. Cantonment, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Waynesboro, Ga. Pensacola, Fla. Enterprise, Ala. Scooba, Miss. Columbus, Ga. Hoover, Ala. Dallas, Texas Mobile, Ala.
24 D.J. Smith 5-11, 189, Fr. CB: 12 Brison Williams 5-11, 208, Sr. 1 Rico McWilliams 5-11, 184, So. SPECIALISTS KO: 19 Landon Ard 5-9, 178, Jr. 16 Zach Cimaglia 6-1, 170, So. PK: 29 Elliott Fry 6-0, 165, So. 19 Landon Ard 5-9, 178, Jr. P: 13 Tyler Hull 6-2, 207, Sr. 18 Patrick Fish 6-0, 194, Sr. KR: 7 Shon Carson 5-8, 201, Jr. 11 Pharoh Cooper 5-11, 201, So. PR: 11 Pharoh Cooper 5-11, 201, So. 3 Nick Jones 5-7, 168, Sr. SSN: 58 Ryland Culbertson 6-4, 267, Sr. LSN: 47 Drew Williams 6-2, 201, So. H: 18 Patrick Fish 6-0, 194, Sr. 13 Tyler Hull 6-2, 207, Sr.
SPECIALISTS PK: 97 Aleem Sunanon 45 Grant McLaurin P: 39 Brandon McKee LS: 61 Austin Cole H: 39 Brandon McKee KOR: 2 Terrance Timmons 24 T.J. Glover 8 Xavier Johnson 14 Claude Garrett PR: 24 T.J. Glover 5 Jereme Jones
5-7, 170, So. 6-0, 165, Jr. 6-1, 185, So. 6-4, 205, Sr. 6-1, 185, So. 5-7, 180, Jr. 5-9, 175, Sr. 5-11, 170, RFr. 6-2, 210, Jr. 5-9, 175, Sr. 5-8, 165, Sr.
Marietta, Ga. Warner Robins, Ga. Hampton, Ga. Rock Hill, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Frisco, Texas Rock Hill, S.C. Mount Airy, N.C. Shelby, N.C. Scranton, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Havelock, N.C. Moore, S.C. Laurens, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Shelby, N.C. Mount Airy, N.C.
Orlando, Fla. Hattiesburg, Miss. Cumming, Ga. Dallas, Ga. Cumming, Ga. Theodore, Ala. Tampa, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Calumet City, Ill. Tampa, Fla. Mobile, Ala.
Spurs & Feathers • 25
November 19, 2014
Gamecock Radio/Television Information The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 23 affiliate stations for the 201415 season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter (@GamecockRadio) page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts. The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www.GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista. Inside the Roost South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff. South Carolina-South Alabama television The South Carolina-South Alabama game will be televised by Fox Sports South. Please check local listings.
2014-15 Radio Affiliates
City Call Letters Frequency Football Abbeville WZLA-FM 92.9 X Johnston/Aiken WKSX-FM 92.7 X Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5 X Anderson WRIX-FM 103.1 X Camden WPUB-FM 102.7 X Camden WCAM-AM 1590 X Charleston WWIK-FM 98.9 X Chesterfield WVSZ-FM 107.3 X Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5 X Florence WHYM-AM 1260 X Florence WFRK-FM 95.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500 X Greenville/Spartanburg WROO-FM 104.9 X Hilton Head WVGB-AM 1490 X Hilton Head WVGB-FM 94.5 X Myrtle Beach WSYN-FM 103.1 X Newberry WKDK-AM 1240 X Rock Hill WRHM-FM 107.1 X Seneca WSNW-AM 1150 X Seneca WSNW-FM 94.1 X
26 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 27
November 19, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
2015 Baseball Schedule Date
Opponent / Event
Location
Time / Result
02/13/15 02/14/15 02/15/15 02/17/15 02/20/15 02/21/15 02/22/15 02/24/15 02/27/15 02/28/15 03/01/15 03/03/15 03/06/15 03/07/15 03/08/15 03/10/15 03/11/15 03/13/15 03/14/15 03/15/15 03/17/15 03/20/15 03/21/15 03/22/15 03/24/15 03/27/15 03/28/15 03/29/15 03/31/15 04/03/15 04/04/15 04/05/15 04/07/15 04/08/15 04/10/15 04/11/15 04/12/15 04/14/15 04/17/15 04/18/15 04/19/15 04/21/15 04/24/15 04/25/15 04/26/15 05/01/15 05/02/15 05/03/15 05/06/15 05/08/15 05/09/15 05/10/15 05/12/15 05/14/15 05/15/15 05/16/15 05/19/15 05/20/15 05/21/15 05/22/15 05/23/15 05/24/15
vs. College of Charleston vs. College of Charleston vs. College of Charleston vs. Furman vs. Northeastern vs. Northeastern vs. Northeastern vs. Davidson at Clemson vs. Clemson vs. Clemson vs. Charleston Southern vs. Miami (Oh) vs. Miami (Oh) vs. Miami (Oh) vs. Penn State vs. Penn State vs. Kentucky* vs. Kentucky* vs. Kentucky* vs. Winthrop at Missouri* at Missouri* at Missouri* at Coastal Carolina vs. Georgia* vs. Georgia* vs. Georgia* at The Citadel at Mississippi State* at Mississippi State* at Mississippi State* vs. Appalachian State vs. The Citadel at Florida* at Florida* at Florida* vs. Presbyterian vs. Vanderbilt* vs. Vanderbilt* vs. Vanderbilt* vs. Furman at Tennessee* at Tennessee* at Tennessee* vs. Auburn* vs. Auburn* vs. Auburn* vs. Wofford at Texas A&M* at Texas A&M* at Texas A&M* vs. USC Upstate vs. LSU* vs. LSU* vs. LSU* SEC Tournament SEC Tournament SEC Tournament SEC Tournament SEC Tournament SEC Tournament
Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 2:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Clemson, S.C. 6:30 p.m. ET Greenville, S.C. (Fluor Field) 2:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, Mo. TBA Columbia, Mo. TBA Columbia, Mo. TBA Conway, S.C. TBA Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Charleston, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Starkville, Miss. TBA Starkville, Miss. TBA Starkville, Miss. TBA Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Gainesville, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET Gainesville, Fla. 7:00 p.m. ET Gainesville, Fla. 1:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Greenville, SC (Fluor Field) 7:00 p.m. ET Knoxville, Tenn 6:00 p.m. ET Knoxville, Tenn 4:00 p.m. ET Knoxville, Tenn 2:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 4:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 1:30 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET College Station, Texas 7:35 p.m. ET College Station, Texas 3:05 p.m. ET College Station, Texas 2:05 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m. ET Columbia, S.C. 2:00 p.m. ET Hoover, Ala. TBA Hoover, Ala. TBA Hoover, Ala. TBA Hoover, Ala. TBA Hoover, Ala. TBA Hoover, Ala. TBA
All Gamecock baseball coverage sponsored by DiPrato’s
Photo by Allen Sharpe
05/29/15 NCAA Regionals TBA 05/30/15 NCAA Regionals TBA 05/31/15 NCAA Regionals TBA 06/01/15 NCAA Regionals TBA 06/05/15 NCAA Super Regionals TBA 06/06/15 NCAA Super Regionals TBA 06/07/15 NCAA Super Regionals TBA 06/08/15 NCAA Super Regionals TBA 06/13/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/14/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/15/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/16/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/17/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/18/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/19/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/20/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/21/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/22/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/23/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb. 06/24/15 College World Series Omaha, Neb.
* Denotes Conference event. All home games are bold.
TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA
28 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
Donor Appreciation Day connects the student-athletes with donors by brian hand Executive Editor
Donor Appreciation Day is not just confined to the Gamecock student-athletes signing the thank you cards. The special day The Dodie Anderson Academic Enrichallows South Carolina to maximize its social ment Center is always filled with South Caro- media outlets as student-athletes, coaches, lina student-athletes utilizing one of the best administrators, the Gamecock Club, the Unifacilities in all of college athletics. versity of South Carolina and many others The night of Thursday, Nov. 13 was diftook the time to personally say thank you to ferent than others though as Gamecock donors. student-athletes were taking time away from Gamecock Club Executive Director Patrick their busy schedules to make sure and sign McFarland looks forward to Donor Appreciathank you cards to donors as part of Donor tion Day every year. Appreciation Day on the University of South “It’s very important because it allows our Carolina campus. student-athletes to connect with our donors,” The yearly thank you day to all of the doMcFarland remarked. “To me it’s fantastic to nors at the University of South Carolina is be able to give that personal connection from one of the most popular events on the calenstudent-athlete to donor.” dar for the Gamecock Club. The special thank you cards signed by “Donor Appreciation Day is a campus-wide Gamecock student-athletes will be mailed initiative to thank those who have invested in out over the course of the next few weeks. the University of South Carolina,” Kendall Make sure you are following the GameBelk, Coordinator of Stewardship & Develcock Club on Twitter @TheGamecockClub. opment Communications at South Carolina, You can also like the Gamecock Club on relayed. “This year, Donor Appreciation Day Facebook. To connect with all your favorite was held in conjunction with National Philan- Gamecock athletic teams on social media, thropy Day on Nov. 13. please visit www.gamecocksonline.com/ot/ “Athletics has participated in both Donor connect. Appreciation Day (each fall) and Thank Make sure you are also following Spurs & Alumni for Giving Day (each spring) to show Feathers on Twitter at @SpursFeathers. You our appreciation for our tremendous support- can also like Spurs & Feathers on Facebook. ers. The investments made by our donors To learn more about the Gamecock Club, have allowed us to move forward with facilplease visit www.gamecocksonline.com/ ity projects and give our coaches the ability gamecockclub. Make sure you are also visitto recruit and develop the highest quality stu- ing www.spursandfeathers.com and www. dent-athletes in the nation,” Belk continued. gamecocksonline.com daily.
Spurs & Feathers • 29
November 19, 2014
Upcoming Events: Gamecock Club NYC Gamecocks Game Watching Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: The NYC Gamecock Club home, The Mason Jar, at the intersection of 30th St. and Park Ave. Come out and enjoy Gamecock Football with the best NYC Gamecock fans you will ever meet. Enjoy drink specials, giveaway items, cool raffle items, great food and dozens of TV’s with only Gamecock Football! Wear your gameday gear, take a photo with our inflatable Cocky mascot and be proud to be a Gamecock in NYC! If you are not at Williams-Brice, you want to be here! Charlotte Gamecock Club Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: Icehouse in Southend; 2100 South Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28203 Guaranteed to watch the game, listen to the audio with free parking, free entry and right off the light rail. Come watch the game with plenty of Gamecocks with Gamecock trivia, specials and a revenue share to help the University! DC Gamecocks Game Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecock play football this season
Where: Greene Turtle Ballston: 900 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. or Redline DC: 707 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. Join your fellow Gamecocks at Greene Turtle Ballston for “2001,” “Sandstorm,” the Game-Cocks chant and the other great traditions you miss so much from Columbia. As always, we will host a raffle, provide free Gamecock swag, and offer great food and drink specials. Food: $5.00 Chicken Quesadillas, Hog Hammers, Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fried Pickles. Drinks:$3.00 for 16 oz. Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite Yuengling, Budweiser, Bloody Mary, and Mimosas; $5.00 for Firefly, Fireball, and Jager Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you all there or at our D.C. game watch location, Redline DC. Fairfield County November Meeting When: Tuesday, Nov. 18; 6 p.m. Where: Fairfield Cove Restaurant, 1418 US Hwy. 321, S. Winnsboro, S.C. There will be door prizes and drawing for prizes at the meeting. All Gamecock Club members and fans are invited. For more information call Gene Schofield - 803337-8850 or Chris Blackwelder - 803718-3276.
South Carolina Athletic Events: This Week
Wednesday, Nov. 19 ** Volleyball at Tennessee..........................................................................................................6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 ** Women’s basketball vs. Clemson.............................................................. 7 p.m. ** Men’s basketball vs. Cornell at Charleston Classic................................................7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 ** Equestrian at Oklahoma State............................................................................................2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 ** Football vs. South Alabama..................................................................... 12 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 ** Volleyball at Georgia......................................................................................................... 1:30 p.m. ** Women’s basketball vs. San Diego State................................................. 2 p.m. Swimming & diving at Virginia Tech Invitational (Nov. 20-22) Men’s basketball at Charleston Classic (Nov. 20-23)
Bold................................................................................................................. Home game **For more South Carolina schedule information, visit: www.gamecocksonline. com/calendar/events/ for a complete master calendar.**
The South Alabama Game Site: Williams-Brice Stadium
(check local listings)
Time: 12 p.m. EST
Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network
TV: Fox Sports South
Series: First meeting
30 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014
N
o matter how gruesome the injury October 27, two years to the day after he was looked, or how daunting the odds carted off the field against Tennessee. San seemed, we figured Marcus Lattimore Francisco instead activated him October 29 would overcome. Lattimore’s 23rd birthday. Either way, the timWhat reason had he given us to believe othing seemed storybook. erwise? He was the guy who shrugged off one But football, as we’re reminded time and Georgia defender after another en route to 182 again, is indiscriminately brutal. No one, from rushing yards in his second college game. He the superstar to the last player on the bench, is was the guy who dragged half the Florida despared the risk of a career-ending injury. Two fense into the end zone with him, clinching the days into practice, the soreness in Lattimore’s Gamecocks’ first SEC East title in the Swamp. right knee returned. The comeback abruptly He was the guy who helped lift South Carolina, stopped. The reality that had been whispered a former SEC also-ran, into a new age of com- about for some time came to pass, when Lattipetitiveness, where nothing – conference titles, more announced his retirement from football. top recruits, high rankings, national championThe spirit was willing but the body was not, ships – seemed out of reach. as Lattimore explained in a statement: So when Marcus Lattimore suffered a cata“I have given every ounce of my energy strophic knee injury October 27, 2012 against toward making a full recovery from my knee Tennessee, we all figured he would come back. injury, and I have made a lot of progress. UnWhen doctors said his first priority was not fortunately, getting my knee fully back to the to play football, but to simply walk normally level the NFL demands has proven to be insuragain, we refused to believe it. This was Marmountable,” he wrote. cus Lattimore. He’d find a way to persevere, It was a startling admission from someone just as he did when he rushed for who always seemed so hard to 2,677 yards and 38 touchdowns take down. We tend to view in his USC career. athletes as highly-tuned instruWe read the articles about ments of control, conditioned his rehab. We kept track of through years of weights, his progress. The right side of practice, and film study to bend Lattimore’s Twitter backdrop surroundings to their will. We featured pictures of him pushforget about the absurd amount ing a sled and walking with free of physiological luck involved weights, knee braces in plain in their sport. We can’t conflate sight. Even as one year out of the qualities we give to players football became two, we never on the field – heart, toughness, contemplated the “if” side of the tenacity, resilience – with the equation. qualities they need to overcome The comeback seemed even a serious injury. What’s required more perfect when news trickto break a tackle isn’t the same as led out that Lattimore’s NFL what’s required to recover from Andy Demetra team, the San Francisco 49ers, three torn knee ligaments and a Contributing would activate him the Monday dislocated kneecap. Sometimes, Writer after their bye week. That date: the medical reality is too much.
photo by allen sharpe
Our reaction to retirements can be tricky, especially when they involve a player whose career was cut short by injury. Sometimes the reactions can be so solemn, they border on eulogy. Or we go the other way, immortalizing players too soon. We use hyperbole as a form of compassion: I’m sorry you won’t get to play again, but you were a legend, the best I ever saw. We’ve set an impossible bar against which he has to measure himself for the rest of his career. We’ve reduced him, however subconsciously, to a past tense. At 23 years old, is that really fair? How do you “remember” someone who still has a lot left to give? Perhaps we can frame it down the middle with Lattimore. By all accounts, Marcus Lattimore never needed football to define his success. He plans on returning to South Carolina to complete his degree in public health. He wants to work more with his Marcus Lattimore Foundation/DREAMS, which benefits youth sports programs in South Carolina. Steve Spurrier and USC President
Dr. Harris Pastides have already pitched the idea of an ambassador role for him at the university. Lattimore showed an uncommon grace and humility at South Carolina, and it’s not hard to project those qualities to whatever career he chooses to pursue next. For athletes who devote their lives to a sport, there can be a sense of lost identity in retirement. Lattimore seems well suited to avoid that. His playing days may be over, but based on his retirement statement, he still has plenty to give. DeMaurice Smith, the Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, said he wants players “to get more out of football than football gets out of them.” We hope Marcus Lattimore, in spite of the physical ravages, found as much joy playing football as we found in watching him. We hope the next chapter brings him as much fulfillment as the last one. His knee could never fully heal from that October day in Columbia. But for Marcus Lattimore, there will certainly be a next step.
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November 19, 2014
Unique views sponsored by Unique Expressions
In a season that has been if nothing else A punt by the Gamecocks hit a player for improbable, we can add a different type of im- Florida that the Gators recovered but was an probability to a game: winning when all was indication of things to come. The defense, lost. The Gamecocks have found unusual ways which played pretty darn well, stopped the to lose, so I suppose I shouldn’t be too surhome team and set up a punt. I certainly wasn’t prised that we found an unusual way to win. anticipating another blocked kick, but Carlton Count me as one who pretty much thought it Heard had other ideas. was over as Florida was driving to kick a field Heard blocks it, but the ball hits the punter goal to go up by two scores. Carolina got their in the facemask. A break for the Gators as it hands up and blocked the attempt. Okay, we keeps the ball in front of the punter. If it rolls needed a score. behind him, we pick it up for the score. No Offensively, this was not our finest hour. problem, right? I certainly was not too sure. After coming out and making it look easy in What a way to tie it. Davis, who is going the opening drive and following that up with to walk in, muffs a pitch from Thompson to a decent drive and a field goal, Davis. No need to make this USC led 10-0. Mysteriously, easy, but the Florida defense was an offense, which has been nowhere to be found on the play. pretty good all season, at least It rolled into the endzone and for most of the games, could Davis fell on it for the TD. That not get it going after the first was easy. quarter. Now do we go for two and the Thus, prospects for scoring a win? Thompson was shook up tying touchdown, particularly on the play, so we kick it and tie given our history this year in it up. How many of us thought the fourth quarter were not back to the last time we were in too good. However, in sports, OT? Particularly after Florida Ed Girardeau things seem to have a way of kicked the field goal to go up Contributing evening out and Florida seemed 20-17? Editor to be on the same wavelength. Maybe we learned something
from two weeks ago, but South Carolina saved their best for last and methodically went down the field. Who would have predicted Thompson running it in untouched for the win? Dylan’s throwing of the ball into the stands was pretty appropriate for the occasion. If ever there was a player who deserved something good to happen it has to be Thompson. As for games of the past to compare to this, there are a few that come to mind of games on the road where the Gamecocks snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. At Mississippi in 1974, the Jeff Grantz-led Gamecocks came from behind with less than a minute to play and win 10-7. In 1984, Mike Hold led the Gamecocks back in the fourth quarter on the road against Notre Dame, NC State, and then one for the ages, at Clemson by taking it in on a quarterback keeper to win, 22-21. And then the Brandon Bennett score with two seconds left to beat Georgia in Athens, 23-21, in 1993. Those are three that come to mind and this win will rank right up there with those. So two more regular season games remain. The first is the last home game of the season. This senior class has accomplished great things for the University. Win out and this
group will have the second most wins in a four year history with 41(last year’s had 42) and the most wins in five (last year’s had 49) as three wins would give them 50. They deserve a big send off against South Alabama. I do have a suggestion for the guys on the team. This being the last home game it means the last Gamecock walk into the stadium. I understand wearing the headphones and listening to the music, I really do. I probably would have done the same thing when I was the same age. I have played music since being in college in clubs and at parties and I understand the power of it. However, I learned something along the way. It’s not the music that makes the party it’s the people. “Sandstorm” is a great little song, but imagine its impact without 80,000 people waving white towels over their heads. I don’t think people would use it for their ring tones without the towels. Slide the headphones down and enjoy the walk-in. High five a little kid or two along the way. Enjoy the experience. It takes two minutes to make that walk and when you are older, you will look back and be glad that you soaked it in. Then we will go for six in a row! We were “Swamped with Emotion” this past Saturday and there is more to come!
32 • Spurs & Feathers
November 19, 2014