November 23, 2016 • Volume 38 • Issue 15 • $1.50
Bowl Eligible! ‘It’s big for our program’ Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Please expedite
Gamecocks down Western Carolina on Senior Day for sixth win of 2016 Publication mailed from Columbia on Monday, November 21
2 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
Contact Us: 326 Rutland Drive N.W. PO Box 456 Aiken, SC, 29801 To subscribe/questions: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Kyle Heck Reporter kheck@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com
November 23, 2016
Upcoming events: Union County Gamecock Club Tiger Burn The Annual Union County Gamecock Club Tiger Burn will be held next Monday November 21st at 6 pm at USC Union. Special guests include the “Voice of the Gamecocks” Derek Scott, Gamecock Club Director Patrick McFarland, Cocky, cheerleaders, and other surprise guests. Midway BBQ will cater the event. The menu includes: Country Style Steak or Fried Pork Chop, mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni pie, green beans, and choice of dessert. Tickets are $13 for Adults $10 for children 3-8 and free for children under 3. Tickets can be purchased through Friday by calling 864-426-0464, 864-426-2417 from the USC Union Bookstore, or from Kelly Boyd at Studio 201 on Depot St in Jonesville. Colleton County Annual Pep Rally Party When: Monday, Nov. 21 Time: 6 PM - 8 PM Where: Walterboro Elks Lodge #1988 PO Box 202; 236 Milestone Ln, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488 Come out and bring a tailgate dish to share. There will be music and a special guest!!! The Palmetto Bowl Block Party in Aiken Gamecock Fans - The Palmetto Bowl Block Party presented by Master Chevrolet / Cadillac and SRP Federal Credit Union is coming Friday, November 25th from 6pm - 10pm on Newberry Street in downtown Aiken. Food, family fun and live music featuring the legendary beach music band, The Band Of Gold. Admission is 5 dollars at the gate.
Clemson parking information General Public Parking: From Anderson, SC: Take Hwy 76 towards Clemson and turn left onto Perimeter Rd. The C-1/R-5 parking lot is located off of Perimeter Rd. near the SC Botanical Gardens. Free parking/no shuttle service. From Greenville, SC: Take Hwy 123 to the Hwy 93 exit. Turn left off the exit towards campus. Just past the President’s house on Hwy 93 turn right into Douthit Hills. Free parking/no shuttle service. From Seneca, SC: Take Hwy 123 and turn right onto Hwy 93 towards campus. Before crossing the bridge turn right into the University Beach Recreation Area. $20/ car and includes shuttle service to and from the Athletic District. Handicap Parking: Simply display your placard from your vehicle and the state highway patrol and other law enforcement officers will direct you onto campus towards the Hendrix Center. Handicap Parking is available at the Hendrix Student Center lot located at the intersection of McMillan and Cherry Rd. With your state issued handicap parking placard or license tag you can park in this parking lot for free. Upon entry into the lot a uniformed officer will verify your handicap parking placard and give you two wristbands (one for the person the pass is assigned to and one for an assistant). The wristbands will serve as your ticket to use the handicap accessible shuttles to and from Gate 1 of Memorial Stadium. Shuttle service begins 3 hours prior to all home games. RV Parking Overnight RV Parking is available at Campus Beach Recreation Area. A shuttle service is provided to and from the stadium for all those parking at the Campus Beach & Recreation Area. There are 63 RV sites for those wanting to camp the Friday before and stay Saturday night after the game. RVers can reserve sites on a single game basis. Once the RV sites are full, limited overflow parking is available, but not until gates open on Saturday. Water is available for RVs upon arrival, but NO power is provided RVs must be self contained. Special thanks to Mike McManus and the Gamecock Cruisers, who provide us with this parking information to pass along. For more information on Gamecock Cruisers, visit their website at GamecockCruisers.com.
Please note that we are weekly for the rest of the football season. Please also make sure to email bhand@ spursandfeathers.com whenever you have a meeting for inclusion in our editions and on SpursandFeathers.com. Per our contract with the Gamecock Club, below are our remaining edition dates for the 2016 year.
Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Cover Design Brian Hand (Photo by Allen Sharpe) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 20 times annually. The frequency is monthly in January, April and July. The publication is weekly from September-November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes two slick-paper magazine issues — one in August and one in December. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC Postmaster: Send changes to SPURS & FEATHERS, PO Box 456, Aiken, SC, 29802.
Spurs & Feathers schedule Nov. 30 newspaper
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Spurs & Feathers • 3
November 23, 2016
Gamecock Club Executive Committee a group that truly cares about the Gamecocks BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor
In May of 2016 the Gamecock Club made important changes to their governing structure. The first meeting of the Gamecock Club Executive Committee took place on Friday, May 20, at the 600 Level at WilliamsBrice Stadium. At the time, it was decided that the next meeting of the Gamecock Club Executive Committee would take place on Friday, Nov. 18, just a couple of weeks after the Gamecock Club Advisory Committee met on Friday, Nov. 4. After a great Advisory Board meeting on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Frank McGuire Club at the Colonial Life Arena, the Gamecock Club Executive Committee held their second meeting of the year at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field. Over the course of the meeting the meeting and much more. Gamecock Club Executive Committee was Gamecock Club Executive Director Pattreated to lunch before going over all of the rick McFarland was truly appreciative of things talked about at the Advisory Board the efforts of the group over the course of
PHOTO BY HAYDEN LIPHAM
their over two-hour meeting. “It’s a group of people who genuinely care about the University of South Carolina and Gamecock athletics, and to be able
to take issues and policies and get their input, it means a great deal,” McFarland said. The Gamecock Club has been working hard on making the Advisory Board and the Executive Committee work this way for some time, so after the meeting on Nov. 18, McFarland was just overall thrilled to see it all working out the way that they had planned. “It’s neat to see it finally happen,” McFarland said. “Moving from such a large board of over 80 people, where it was difficult to really accomplish a whole lot, to this group to where you can actually obtain what you go in there for, it’s refreshing.” And as always, McFarland could not have been more thankful that the Executive Committee was so willing to give of their time on a Friday afternoon. “I always says we don’t pay these people a lot, they’re volunteers,” McFarland said. “They’re doing this out of their love for their school and the Gamecocks. We certainly appreciate them taking time out of their lives to do so.”
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4 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
Bowl eligible! Gamecocks down Western Carolina for sixth win BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor
COLUMBIA - True freshman running back Rico Dowdle with 226 yards rushing was the catalyst in a strong offensive day for the Gamecocks in South Carolina’s 44-31 Senior Day win over Western Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. The win over Western Carolina (2-9) cements the Gamecocks (6-5) as bowl eligible with their sixth win on the year. The fact that the Gamecocks were bowl eligible means a ton to South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp and his team, particularly since they have rebounded from a 2-4 start to the year by winning four of their last five to become bowl eligible with one regular-season game to play. “The staff stuck together and these players stuck together and continued to invest in what we were doing and really the second half of the season has been a little bit more of what we want to be,” Muschamp said. South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst said that in getting to this point the Gamecocks have just bought in to what Muschamp and the staff were preaching. “At 2-4, he just preached take it a game at a time, and I think that’s what we’ve done,” Hurst said. “That and just coming out and playing hard in games with effort and toughness as he (Muschamp) preaches every day.” There was a ton of scoring in the first quarter of action with it taking South Carolina only 1:50 into the game to get on the scoreboard first with a 43-yard Rico Dowdle run. On South Carolina’s next offensive possession, Dowdle’s second rushing touchdown of the day on a 2:17 scoring drive pushed the Gamecock lead to 14-0. Western Carolina would cut the Gamecock lead to 14-7 next on a touchdown of their own, but South Carolina would respond quickly on a 100-yard Deebo Samuel kickoff return that garnered the Gamecocks a 21-7 lead. The 100-yard kickoff return was the first for South Carolina since Boo Williams also returned a kickoff 100 yards in 1997. Before that, the last had been a Sterling Sharpe 100-yard kickoff return in 1985. Shortly thereafter a Connell Young 16-yard rushing touchdown for Western Carolina cut the Gamecock lead to 21-14 with 4:08 left in the first quarter. In the opening four minutes of the second quarter, Western Carolina would get closer by Logan Howard kicking a 32-yard field goal to
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
end a 13-play, 56-yard drive that would make the score 21-17 in favor of the Gamecocks. The Gamecocks would pull ahead by 11 points on their next possession with Deebo Samuel finishing off an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown-scoring drive by racing in from two yards out on a jet sweep. The drive lasted 5:11. Western Carolina looked as if they would get some points back on their next possession as a 57-yard completion from quarterback Tyrie Adams to Spearman Robinson gave the Catamounts the football at the Gamecock one-yard line. On the play, South Carolina’s Jamarcus
King was beaten by Robinson down the right sideline, but King’s tackle at the one-yard line saved a touchdown as Western Carolina could not score from the one and the Gamecocks got the football back on the turnover on downs. The Gamecocks would take advantage of Western Carolina’s inability to score by going ahead 35-17 with 14 seconds left in the first half on another two-yard jet sweep touchdown by Samuel that concluded a 10-play, 98-yard touchdown that took only 2:11. South Carolina ended the first half owning a 306-270 advantage in terms of total yards.
Western Carolina held a slight advantage in time of possession in the first half at 15:2814:32. With 7:35 left in the third quarter the Gamecocks would take a 38-17 advantage after a 32-yard field goal by Elliott Fry. The field goal capped off an 11-play, 71-yard drive that lasted 4:34 for the Gamecocks. The Catamounts would score next on a four-yard touchdown run by Young. After a Detrez Newsome rush found the end zone on a two-point conversion the score was then made 38-25 in South Carolina’s favor with 4:52 left in the third quarter. South Carolina would go ahead by 16 with 9:28 to play in the game on a 24-yard field goal by Fry. The Fry field goal was the culmination of a 12-play, 62-yard drive for the Gamecocks that lasted 5:28. The Catamounts would get back to within 10 with 9:13 to play in the game after Newsome’s 93-yard return cut the Gamecock lead to 41-31. Western Carolina tried to pull within one possession, but they missed the two-point conversion attempt to leave the Gamecocks ahead by 10. South Carolina would respond next with Fry connecting on a 32-yard field goal to finish off a five-play, 46-yard drive that put the Gamecocks ahead, 44-31. The scoring drive for South Carolina took 2:50. That would prove to the final score in a game that featured 588 yards of total offense by the Gamecocks. Western Carolina finished with 367 yards of total offense. The Gamecocks held a 36:09-23:51 advantage in terms of time of possession in their win. Dowdle picked up 226 of South Carolina’s 422 yards rushing in the game. He also rushed for two touchdowns. AJ Turner just missed on a 100-yard rushing game of his own for South Carolina with 97 yards rushing. Bentley concluded his day with 154 yards passing. He was 14-for-23 overall in the game. Bryan Edwards and Samuel were Bentley’s top targets in the game with each having four catches. Edwards had four catches for 61 yards, while Samuel had four catches for 56 yards. Samuel had 194 yards in kick returns in the contest to go along with his 61 yards receiving and 27 yards rushing that included two touchdowns. Overall, Samuel had three touchdowns in the Gamecock win. Jonathan Walton led the Gamecock defense in the game with seven total tackles, including three solo stops.
Spurs & Feathers • 5
November 23, 2016
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6 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
Gamecocks best BYU in top-5 showdown to advance to Elite Eight BY WILLIE SMITH Contributor
COLUMBIA - In an evenly matched NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament third round match, national No. 1 seed South Carolina seized its biggest opportunity. The result was a 1-0 victory and the Gamecocks advanced to quarterfinal action. Chelsea Drennan drilled a penalty kick past Brigham Young goalie Hanna Clark at the 68:36 mark to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 victory. “We’re thrilled to be up here after a win and to be moving on,” said South Carolina women’s soccer head coach Shelley Smith. “I am so proud of this team. I feel like it is probably a broken record, but they’ve been just amazing all year. They find a way to win games.” USC was on its heels much of the game as the Cougars opened aggressively, dominating play early. The Gamecocks found their second wind in the final 15 minutes of the first half, managing to fire off 10 first half shots, double the amount of their opponent. Despite several legitimate scoring opportunities, neither team could put the ball in the net. That continued in the second half when BYU upped the heat tripling USC’s shot total 9-3. But, when the opening came, Carolina was ready as Drennan stepped up and drilled the penalty kick into the right side of the net for the game’s only goal. “As soon as the ref signaled there was going to be a PK, I kind of was like ‘I’m taking this,’” said Drennan. “I knew I wanted to take it. “Like a lot of people, you just pick a way to go and just go that way. You try not to change it up. But it was kind of contradicting because when I scored the PK against Florida, I was like I always go to the left side…I had been practicing them a lot and knew I needed to be able to go both ways. I saw their keeper going to the left and that made it a pretty easy slot to the right.” Freshman goalkeeper Mikayla Krzeczowski, bailed the Gamecocks out of several compromising positions around the net as she was credited with three saves. “The back lines did a great job when they were launching balls at us left and right, keeping them wide and out of the back of the net,” said Krzeczowski. “The second half we came out a little stronger, had a little bit of the wind on our side.
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
“We took advantage of that and kept powering away at them.” The win improved South Carolina to 21-1-1, while BYU finished 18-3-1. Although the match pitted a number one seed against a number three seed, the teams finished the regular season ranked third and fourth respectively. The caliber of play by both teams made it apparent the game warranted being played
later in the tournament. “We just played one of the best teams in the country in BYU,” said Smith. “I think that matchup this early is pretty tough. I think they deserve to go on further. But, tonight we were the team that found a way to win and we’ll roll with it.” The loss was tough for the Cougars to handle, but coach Jennifer Rockwood chose to tip her hat to the Gamecocks.
“You always would like a game at this level to be played a little further (down the line),” said Rockwell. “But that isn’t new to our program. We had to play Stanford in the second round last year as a top-10 team. “We don’t have control over that. South Carolina had an amazing season and I think we had our best season as well. We can go out knowing we have a quality program and we wish South Carolina the best.”
November 23, 2016
Spurs & Feathers • 7
Four wins in eight days to start year prepares Gamecocks the right way BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor COLUMBIA - It was a tough opening stretch for South Carolina men’s basketball with four games in eight days to start the regular-season, but the Gamecocks passed with flying colors as they went a perfect 4-0. South Carolina (4-0) closed out the opening stretch of the regular-season with a dominating 92-50 win over SC State (1-2) on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Colonial Life Arena. After the Gamecocks’ fourth win of the year, South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin pointed out that he knows the Gamecocks have “a lot of work to do,” but also that “our room for improvement is through the roof right now.” PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH A lot of that has to do with the fact that Martin knows he has a tremendous grouping of upperclassmen, but at the same time a bevy of newcent (33-for-65) as a team in the contest, while Nov. 23. The game will be televised by ESPNU. a 2 p.m. game on Saturday, Nov. 26. The game comers still trying to getting incorporated into the Gamecock defense limited SC State to just The Gamecocks will then close out the week at the Barclays Center will be streamed live on the system fully. 30.8 percent (16-of-52) shooting as a team. by traveling to Brooklyn to take on Syracuse for ESPN3. “They want to do well, and I know that,” South Carolina out-rebounded SC State, 47Martin said of the newcomers. “I’ve got to help 24, with the Gamecocks plucking 17 rebounds them, and our upperclassmen have been pheon the offensive glass. The Gamecocks had 28 nomenal trying to help those guys.” second-chance points in the game. South Carolina scored 11 of the first 14 points Three Gamecocks ended their efforts in douOfficial Clothier of Todd Ellis, Voice of the Gamecocks in the win over SC State to take an 11-3 lead af- ble figures with Thornwell leading the way with ter a Sindarius Thornwell bucket with 16:25 left 22 points. Kotsar just missed on a double-double in the opening half of action. with a career-best 15 points and eight rebounds. Gameday ¼ The Gamecocks would continue to extend Chris Silva concluded his night with 11 points Zip Pullover by their lead from there with South Carolina ahead and seven rebounds. Southern Tide. by 14 points at 25-11 after a Maik Kotsar layup EJ Eaves was the top scorer for SC State with Available in with nine minutes to play in half No. 1. 18 points. Tashombe Riley was the only other black & garnet. South Carolina would go on to lead by 25 at Bulldog in double figures with 10 points. 50-25 at the halftime break. The Gamecocks South Carolina sophomore guard PJ Dozier were led by Thornwell’s 16 in the first half. At ended the win over SC State with eight points one point, Thornwell scored 12 consecutive and six assists, and after the win over the Bullpoints for South Carolina. dogs he pointed out that the first four games of The Gamecocks finished the first half shootthe year have prepared the Gamecocks the right ing 55.9 percent (19-of-34) as a team from the way for their two tough games in the upcoming field, while South Carolina connected on 42.9 week. Smathers & Branson percent (6-of-14) of their three-point attempts “I think they’ve all prepared us very well,” Limited Edition in the inaugural half of action. The Gamecock Dozier said. “We’ve seen multiple defenses, Belt and Keybob defense limited SC State to just multiple offenses, and I feel like 32.1 percent (9-of-28) shooting in each team had their own unique the first half. way that they played. So just beSouth Carolina opened the ing able to see a lot of different Exclusively at Exclusive second half on a 10-5 run to own things leading into these games a 30-point lead at 60-30 with that we’re about to go into next 16:54 to play in the contest after a week is good for us.” Kotsar layup. The first of the two tough The Gamecocks would then go games for the Gamecocks in 2818 Devine Street • Columbia on to lead by as many as 43 beAll Gamecock basketball the upcoming week is when (803) 771-2700 fore picking up the 42-point win. coverage sponsored by Michigan visits the Colonial Life www.BrittonsOfColumbia.com South Carolina shot 50.8 perYesterdays Arena at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Phone Orders Welcome AS14-1490471-1
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8 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
Win Anyway Foundation has a special night BY JOHN WHITTLE Managing Editor of TheBigSpur.com
Reece Holbrook sat at his table at the Win Anyway Foundation auction watching a video that detailed his battle against cancer, which began when he was just two years old but this year, for the first time, he had a young lady on his arm. Now 14 years old, Sunday, Nov. 13, marked exactly nine years removed of Reece finishing his treatments for Acute Lymphoblastic All Gamecock baseball Leukemia, coverage sponsored by the day he DiPrato’s officially “kicked cancer’s butt,” which was the family’s battle cry throughout the illness. Now, the entire Holbrook family continues their fight through the Reece Holbrook Win Anyway Foundation and entering Sunday night’s auction, they had raised over $1.2 million to support seriously ill children and their families and the facilities that treat them. Chad Holbrook, fifth-year head coach of South Carolina’s baseball team, was floored by the hundreds of people who filled up the Grand Ballroom at the new USC Alumni Center. The community showed up to support the cause, which featured a live and silent auction as well as a performance by Top 40 singer and songwriter Edwin McCain. “They’ve heard kids’ stories; Reece’s story, Bayler Teal’s story, Kaylin Zimm’s story, and they all showed up,” Chad said. “That’s the most moving thing for me. The fact an entire community would come for this cause and bring awareness to a terrible disease that affects our children, that makes it worth it. It’s icing on the cake that we made some money.” Chad also, for the first time publicly, unveiled his plans for the foundation’s next big venture. The “Good Hands House,” which is a working name, is picking up tremendous backing from the community and companies alike. It will be an escape for children stricken with cancer and their families to just be in a fun-filled palace and just try to forget about their worries. A modern-designed, multi-story building designed by Studio 2LR that will even feature slides from floor to floor, there will be every kind of room a child could want in the home of their dreams. There will be a trampoline room, recording studio (sponsored by Vince Gill and Amy Grant), rock climbing wall, an arts and crafts creation station, a movie theater, train station and so much more. “We have some people behind us now,” Chad said. “The ball is rolling, and we’re going to see what we can do.”
Following the event, which wrapped up a little before 10 p.m., one of the guests found Chad and cut him a check for $50,000 to go towards the project. “He was moved by the stories, moved by the project and with people like him, maybe we can
former USC All-American who has pitched in 23 games in Major League Baseball. The top moneygetter was a dinner for 30 people at Founders Park from Halls Chophouse out of Charleston, which was recently named the No. 5 restaurant in the United States by TripAdvisor. During his set, McCain had two people sparring over his impromptu auctioning of his guitar, so he decided to give away two, totaling another $7,200 for the foundation. “It was awesome to have Edwin McCain, and I want to thank him for being here,” Chad said. “He’s a big Gamecock baseball fan. He took time out of his day, and he auctioned off two guitars. I can’t thank him and his band enough. He’s a very philanthropic person, and I’m lucky to call him a friend.” Inching up towards $75,000 in just live auction items, there will still be a lot more added to the total when the silent auction, ticket sales and donation checks are added. When the numbers are tallied, the foundation will likely be near the $1.5 million in funds raised since Win Anyway started in 2012. Former star Whit Merrifield, now with the Kansas City Royals’ big league team, autographed one of his old jerseys that went for $600, which was nearly double the amount that one signed by NL Rookie of the Year Corey Seager and future NBA Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant went for. Chicago Cubs star Anthony Rizzo donated to the cause, as did MLB Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and USA women’s soccer icon Mia Hamm. Former USC stars D.J. Swearinger and Grayson Greiner also had auction items that snatched several hundred dollars. Former Gamecocks supported monetarily, through gifts and with their time. In addition to Roth, former players Drew Meyer, Joel Seddon and Joey Pankake were in attendance shaking hands, signing autographs and supporting their coach. “That’s what it’s all about. Coaching is a special profession, and there’s nothing like the bond between coach and player,” Chad said. “It’s a strong bond, and it lasts a lifetime. I’m lucky and fortunate that I’ve been able to coach some great kids. It’s great to see some of them here today and for an event like this, it makes it even more special.” Seeing his former players and having their support meant so much to Chad, but the night was there to tell stories, celebrate the lives of children who have battled pediatric cancer and raise money to support them and their families. At the end of the video, which began featuring 2-year old Reece still in a diaper, ended with him in his high school football jersey flexing for the camera. His date had to be impressed. PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIN ANYWAY FOUNDATION To donate to the foundation or just to find out get there,” Holbrook said. “We want to do somemore information on the Win Anyway Foundathing that’s one of a kind, a cutting-edge idea. The tion, please visit http://www.winanywayfoundakids deserve something special, and we want to tion.org. You can also like the foundation on be the ones who try to build it.” Facebook at Win Anyway Foundation. The founThere were 10 live auction items that raised a to- dation can also be followed on Twitter @Win_ tal of $67,500 under auctioneer Michael Roth, the Anyway.
Spurs & Feathers • 9
November 23, 2016
#JustAChicken helping to make others the champs of their holidays BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor
The special personalized #JustaChicken books are a deal at a price all Gamecock fans can cherish at $20.01. Gamecock football legend Langston In addition, recently the group behind Moore and the group behind #JustaChick- the book just released the #JustaChicken en want to make this holiday one that all coloring book. The coloring book is availGamecock fans will remember. able for just $12.00. To that end, the group is offering a spe“We’re biased because we think it is the cial deal so that Gamecock fans everybest book in the world, but truly it is just where will receive a gift that they will re- our hope to make it a memorable experimember for a lifetime with a personalized ence that Gamecock fans can cherish,” memorable present this holiday. Moore said. This special personalized #CarolinaMaThe #JustaChicken group has made it de gift as Will Muschamp and the Game- extremely easy for everyone this holiday cock football coaching staff would call it season by providing a link where you can is #JustaChicken, which was written by order the books and tell how to personalformer Gamecock captains in Moore and ize at: http://tinyurl.com/justachickenholiPreston Thorne. The book was illustrated day by renowned Gamecock artist Kev Roche, Once everything is filled out they will who presently works for ESPN. then send you a digital invoice. The books “Just imagine getting this unique gift will be shipped right away, but the last day delivered to your doorstep,” Moore said. for orders to be shipped before Christmas “We just wanted to make the experience as is 12 p.m. on Dec. 19. All orders before memorable as possible for all Gamecock that time will be guaranteed to arrive by fans everywhere this holiday season.” Christmas.
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November 23, 2016
Looking ahead to Clemson
BY KYLE HECK Reporter
talented team. It all starts with quarterback Deshaun Watson on offense. The junior hasn’t had quite the season he had last year, Every year around Thanksgiving, people but he’s still averaging over 300 passing always look forward to great food and great yards per game and well over two touchtimes with family, but in the Palmetto State, down passes per game. there is also something else that’s on the ho- Watson’s favorite target has been Mike rizon when Thanksgiving rolls around - the Williams, who missed most of last year Palmetto Bowl. with a neck injury, but has come back with South Carolina and Clemson have been a bang in the 2016 campaign. Fellow wide annually playing for over 100 years, and the receiver Deon Cain has been a touchdown rivalry has developed into one of the best in machine, while Artavis Scott, Ray-Ray Mcthe nation. The next installment will come Cloud and Hunter Renfrow are other receivon Saturday, Nov. 26, when the Gamecocks ers who have multiple touchdowns on the travel to the Upstate to take on the Tigers. year. Tight end Jordan Leggett is one of the Clemson entered the matchup undefeated best in the country at his position. last season, and while that won’t be the Tailback Wayne Gallman leads the ground case this year, the Tigers still have a very game, and has double-digit touchdowns on
PHOTO BY ALLEN SHARPE
the year. Watson is also a dual-threat while C.J. Fuller and Tavien Feaster also contribute to the cause. While the Tigers have talented running backs, most of the damage on offense comes from Watson and the passing offense. On defense, Clemson once again had to replace several playmakers from last year, but so far, the Tigers have been solid overall on that side of the ball. Linebackers Ben Boulware and Kendall Joseph and safety Van Smith are always around the ball and have combined for more than 250 tackles. Sophomore defensive end Christian Wilkins leads the team in tackles for loss and is a finalist for the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the country. Defensive
tackle Carlos Watkins leads the Tigers in sacks while tackle Dexter Lawrence and end Clelin Ferrell have also wreaked havoc in opposing backfields. Strong safety Jadar Johnson leads the Tigers in interceptions while cornerbacks Cordrea Tankersley and Ryan Carter have been solid so far. On special teams, placekicker Greg Huegel has been very consistent for Clemson while McCloud and and Scott are Clemson’s punt and kick returner, respectively. Clemson leads the overall series with the Gamecocks by a 67-42-4 count, but South Carolina has won five of the last seven meetings with their rivals. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The game can be seen nationally on ESPN.
November 23, 2016
Spurs & Feathers • 11
Gamecocks on becoming bowl eligible: ‘It’s big for our program’ BY BRIAN HAND Executive Editor COLUMBIA -This is something that Will Muschamp is going to remember forever. He knows how much it means in the grand scheme of things the Gamecocks becoming bowl eligible with their sixth victory in South Carolina’s 44-31 win over Western Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19. “You remember certain things in your coaching career, and one of the moments for me was when we were struggling in the middle of the year,” Muschamp said. “(Senior defensive end) Qua (Marquavius) Lewis and I were just talking. Qua went to junior college and came last year. He said, ‘Coach, I’ve never been to a bowl game. I just want to go to a bowl game.’” That thought from Lewis really connected with Muschamp at the time, and was further brought it his mind after South Carolina’s win over Western Carolina. “When you’re able to fulfill something like that for a guy like that who’s given everything to South Carolina and loves this place, loves being a Gamecock, that’s really important,” Muschamp said. “To see the look on his face and a lot of those guys’ faces, especially the seniors, is almost a bit of relief to be able to say we’re going to a bowl game. That’s something of pride. It’s the expectation here, in my opinion.” In addition to all of this it also gives the Gamecocks the bowl practices along with the bowl game itself to prepare for the 2017 season. That’s incredibly important in the continued evolution of Muschamp’s program. Like his head coach, South Carolina senior linebacker TJ Holloman knows becoming bowl eligible means a great deal. “It’s big for our program,” Holloman said. “We’re the building blocks for Coach Muschamp and the new staff and it can only go up from here. That’s been our mentality, and today was a special day for us seniors by being our last home game here, but also a special day for this program, taking it to the next level and starting off being bowl eligible.” South Carolina senior offensive lineman Mason Zandi completely agrees with Holloman. “It’s a huge relief, but our mindset is nextgame mentality,” Zandi said. “It’s even bigger for the program moving forward. To get a bowl game, especially on senior night, just solidifies how much this team fights and this crowd keeps us in the game.”
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
12 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Twitter: @ColaTipOffClub 2016-17 Columbia Tip-Off Club Meeting Schedule Dec. 6- Season Tip-Off Reception at Thirsty Fellow, 6PM Jan. 14- Ole Miss, Breakfast at Capital City Club, 9AM Jan. 24- Auburn, Luncheon at Capital City Club, Noon Feb. 4- Georgia, Brunch at Capital City Club, 10 AM Feb. 15- Arkansas, Luncheon at Capital City Club, Noon TBD- Women’s Basketball Event
The Columbia Tip-Off Club has supported the South Carolina men’s and women’s basketball programs since the Frank McGuire era. With the tremendous support of Gamecock men’s coach Frank Martin and women’s coach Dawn Staley, the Club seeks to develop, promote and grow fan interest in both basketball programs through Club membership.
The Tip-Off Club offers three membership levels: Individual ($125), Spur ($375/3 attendees) and Garnet and Black ($1,000/8 attendees). These membership levels permit access to all Club meetings for the season. Attendees will hear from the Gamecock head coaches, as well as from opposing team coaches, in a relaxed and intimate environment. For questions, please email the Columbia Tip-Off Club at columbiatipoffclub@gmail.com, or send us a tweet @ColaTipOffClub. We look forward to seeing you there! Go Gamecocks! The Columbia Tip-Off Club is a non-profit booster group of South Carolina men’s and women’s basketball fans. The Club works closely with the coaching staffs to provide fan support, behind the scenes access and an opportunity to further enhance collegiate basketball relationships and experiences.
Please Check: Full Name Street Address City Home Phone
State Other
Email Address
o
Individual ($125)
o
Spur ($375) 3 attendees
o
Garnet and Black ($1,000)
Zip 8 ttendees at a reserved table with company logo displaed at all meetings ** all additional attendees are $25 per meeting
Please mail bottom portion and payment to: Columbia Tip-Off Club PO Box 3616 Irmo, SC 29063 AS14-1505750-1A
Spurs & Feathers • 13
November 23, 2016
Both golf programs incredibly thankful for new practice facility
BY KYLE HECK Reporter
Both Bill McDonald and Kalen Anderson have been excellent coaches for the University of South Carolina over the course of their respective tenures. McDonald with the men’s golf team and Anderson with the women’s golf team have helped to make South Carolina one of the best golfing schools in the country. On Friday, Nov. 18, the two coaches received a huge boost to go toward their efforts of continuing to make their programs some of the best in the country when an official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to unveil the new practice facility for both teams. The sprawling facility that was made possible by All Gamecock golf key leadership gifts from coverage sponsored by Jeffers McGill several generous donors is located behind the indoor football practice facility, and it immediately makes the Gamecocks one of the tops in the nation when it comes to golf facilities. “There’s not many programs that have a facility like this right on their campus,” Anderson said. “Both for recruiting and the student-athletes, it’s an incredible opportunity.” When McDonald first stepped onto the course, he couldn’t believe how good the greens were right off the bat. The rest of the facility has to grow in a little bit, but it’s shaping up to be a one of a kind course. “I was kind of shocked, honestly,” junior Keenan Huskey said. “I didn’t think it would be anything like this. Coming out here the first time, the greens were literally perfect. Better than anything we’ve got right now, and that’s just awesome to have.” As Anderson mentioned, the new facility will help immensely with recruiting efforts. Before, the Gamecocks had to travel all over Columbia to get practice time in. Now, they have an excellent facility right in their backyard. “It’s going to help not only our current student-athletes, but the kids that we’re recruiting to show the commitment that we have to men’s and women’s golf here at
PHOTO BY KYLE HECK
Carolina,” McDonald said. Players from both teams have been practicing on the course over the past several weeks, but because it is now the offseason, the players have been coming on their own time. When the spring season starts up in the new year, there will be a huge difference from years past in regard to practice scheduling and other things like that.
Construction for the facility started over the summer, and it was finished rather quickly. While it didn’t take long for it to be completed, the Gamecock student-athletes were ready for the moment they could begin using it. “For our girls and some of the recruiting and things like that, it’s been like, ‘Hey, this is coming’ and they’ve seen diagrams
of it and renderings and they’ve seen the dirt, but to get the grass out here and have them practicing on it, I think it kind of sunk in with them these past couple of weeks,” Anderson said. “They just all agree that they’re feeling very fortunate, and (were thankful for) all the support from coach Tanner and the administration and our donors.”
14 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
RECRUITING ROUND-UP By Phil Kornblut
South Carolina last Monday night gained the signature of 6-3 guard David Beatty of Philadelphia to close out the four-man early recruiting class for Frank Martin. Beatty picked the Gamecocks over Indiana, Georgetown and Maryland. Beatty made his official visit to USC in late October and said afterwards that he “loved it.” He made his official visit to Indiana this past weekend and he went to Georgetown in early October. “I know that Frank Martin is a great coach,” Beatty said last month. “He’s pretty loud and pretty animated. He’s a really cool guy and always wants best for his guys. I know they have other good coaches and really care for their players, not so much about basketball but about becoming better men and being a better Phil Kornblut person. I just know Contributing it’s a great university.” Writer Beatty has family living in South Carolina plus he’s good friends with Gamecock freshman Sedee Keita. Last season Beatty averaged 21 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game. “From what I’ve seen they let their guards go and make plays for the team and let them do what they have to do to make something happen,” Beatty said. “That kind of fits my game. I’m just a playmaker with the ball in my hands or when I’m on the court I’m going to make something happen.” Martin previously signed 7-1 Jason Cudd of Socastee, 6-7 Ibrahim Doumbia of Mali and 6-10 Felipe Haase of Chile this month. Cudd and Doumbia had been committed for a while and Haase jumped in late last week. He chose the Gamecocks over Pitt, Missouri and Purdue. “While Felipe had great visits at the other schools, he felt a special bond with Frank Martin,” said Haase’s AAU coach with the Miami Tropics Art Alvarez. “He also felt he can come in and play right away as a freshman for the Gamecocks. He has great footwork, he can throw his back towards the basket, he can face up. The two things that set him apart that I have people telling me he’s a pro are his great passing ability and is intelligence for the game. He’s just a very skilled, intelligent basketball player. Frank has told me that’s what he needs, he doesn’t have a player like that.” 6-10 Nic Claxton of Greenville’s Legacy Charter School last Monday signed with the Georgia Bulldogs, the school where his
father, 7-1 center Charles Claxton, played his college basketball. The younger Claxton chose the Bulldogs over USC, Florida State, Baylor and NC State. The USC women signed 6-1 Elisia Grissett of Durham, NC, 6-2 LaDazhia Williams of Bradenton, FL, 5-11 Bianca Jackson of Montgomery, AL and 5-9 Haley Troup of Gadsden, AL. Grissett posted 22.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 3.0 blocks per game as a junior. Williams averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game as a junior. Jackson averaged 22 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists last season. And Troup averaged 17.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season.
by Arizona State last Tuesday. USC is his leader going into the visit. Former USC commitment OL TJ Moore of Charlotte is once again considering the Gamecocks. Moore committed to the Gamecocks in August and decommitted in October saying at that time he needed to take a step back and re-evaluate his recruiting. For a while, the relationship between Moore and the Gamecocks cooled off, but as the Gamecock football team has heated up with three straight wins before Saturday, so has the relationship with Moore. He has been keeping in touch with the coaching staff and has scheduled an official visit for January 13th. “I have to talk with Coach Muschamp but I have been talking with the coaching FOOTBALL NEWS: staff frequently,” Moore said. “Nothing’s really changed. They still want me there, Former Clemson cornerback Kaleb they still want me to be a Gamecock and evChalmers (6-0 180) of NW Mississippi JC erything is still the same.” As for his other took an official visit to USC this weekend offers, many schools have been reaching out his coach said last Thursday. Chalmers was to Moore. He said some new schools are in scheduled to arrive in Columbia Friday as the mix that were not there before, includwas another junior college defensive back ing Oregon, Louisville and Virginia Tech. prospect, Keisean Nixon of Arizona WestMoore knows he will take official visits to ern JC. Chalmers is a former Shrine Bowl Louisville and Tennessee. He’s planned to player from Greenwood who signed with take an unofficial visit to Virginia Tech SatClemson in 2015 and redshirted his freshurday for the Georgia Tech game. man season. He was expected to earn playSeveral players from Stockbridge, GA ing time at corner with the Tigers in 2016 were at USC for the Missouri game includbut was dismissed from the team in March ing defensive backs Yusuf Corker and due to legal problems. According to NW Shakur Brown. Both have held USC offers Mississippi coach Benji Parker, Chalmers’ for months and both have the Gamecocks legal problems have been cleared up and he high up on their lists. In fact, Corker said the has been a model student and player for him. Gamecocks are leading for him. Corker has “He’s been a great teammate,” Parker said. visited USC over five times unofficially and “He has led our team the right way. He goes he rated this last visit a 9.5 out of 10. Corker to class, he goes to weights. Everybody on is still talking to coaches at Tennessee, campus loves him. He has a great support Michigan State, Virginia, West Virginia, system at home. To my knowledge, all that Vanderbilt and Kentucky. He has official (legal issues) are all gone away and has not visits planned to Michigan State November been an issue.” USC secondary coach and 19th, Vanderbilt November 26th, and Kendefensive coordinator Travaris Robinson is tucky December 3rd. He said South Carorecruiting Chalmers and Parker said Roblina, Tennessee and West Virginia are reinson likes what Chalmers can bring to the cruiting him the hardest right now. Corker Gamecock secondary. “He said that he’s a is still planning to announce his decision on bigger corner, an in-state guy,” Parker said. his birthday, Dec. 26. “They think a lot of him because they’ve Brown said he also got the chance to walk offered.” Parker said it’s his understanding with defensive coordinator Travaris RobinChalmers made an unofficial visit to Ole son and head coach Will Muschamp during Miss earlier in the week. The Rebels also his visit for the Missouri game. “They have offered. In 11 games this season, with were saying I would be a great asset to them a bowl game to come, Chalmers has 26 tack- and I also would be playing both sides of the les with 1 interceptions and 12 passes broken ball,” said Brown who added that the Gameup. He was named first team all conference. cocks would take a commitment from him Chalmers will graduate in December and whenever he’s ready to give one. Brown will have three years to play three. has not scheduled any official visits and he’s Nixon said he does not have any other vis- looking at USC, Virginia Tech, North Caroits scheduled at this point. He was offered lina, West Virginia, Kentucky and Alabama
for potential visits. He’s also been to Tennessee for a game this season. Brown said right now he favors Virginia Tech pretty big over West Virginia with USC third on his list. OL K’Rojhn Calbert (6-5 295) of McMinnville, TN Wednesday announced a commitment to Tennessee. Calbert picked the Vols over USC, Memphis, Florida and Louisville. He made two visits to USC in October, one unofficial and one official. The Gamecocks remain with 21 commitments for the class including three on the offensive line. 2018 Prospects: TE Gavin Schoenwald (6-5 225) of Nashville now has three SEC offers after picking one up from USC. He has also been offered by Tennessee and Vanderbilt. Schoenwald visited USC for the Missouri game where he talked with Will Muschamp, Pat Washington and recruiter Bobby Bentley and was offered last week. “I think that’s a program I’m really attracted to,” he said. “When you’re a little kid and go out in the front yard and play with your best friend and now you’re in high school and now you have this opportunity to play in front of all these people who are just blood thirsty for Gamecock football, it’s just extremely attractive to me for sure.” Schoenwald has also been to Auburn, Tennessee and North Carolina for games this season. WR Jordyn Adams of Blythewood made an unofficial visit to Clemson for the Syracuse game. Adams also has been to USC and East Carolina for games and has no future visits planned. Virginia Tech and Missouri are his most recent offers. LB Zakoby McClain of Valdosta, GA is getting some interest from USC. His offers include Maryland, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, South Florida and Cincinnati. USC offered 2020 OL Jake Wray of Franklin, TN. Baseball News: USC last Tuesday landed a highly regarded catcher for the 2017 class in Luis Campusano of Augusta. He formerly was committed to Missouri. Last season Campusano hit .493 with 6 homers and 33 RBIs. Also committing to USC were 2018 P Wesley Sweatt of Northwestern, 2018 3B/ RHP Bayden Root (6-3 203) of Kokomo, IN, 2019 SS Kameron Guidry of Snellville, GA and 2020 RHP Landon Lucas of Blythewood.
Spurs & Feathers • 15
November 23, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks
2016
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE 09/01/16...........at Vanderbilt# ....................... Nashville, Tenn....................W, 13-10
STANDINGS
SEC East
SEC
W-L
HOME
ROAD
09/10/16...........at Mississippi State#............ Starkville, Miss...................... L, 27-14
Florida
6-2
8-2
5-0
2-2
1-0
252
130
W2
09/17/16........ East Carolina....................Columbia, S.C............... W, 20-15
Tennessee
4-3
8-3
6-1
1-2
1-0
401
306
W3
Georgia
4-4
7-4
3-2
3-1
1-1
261
261
W3
Kentucky
4-4
6-5
5-2
1-3
0-0
331
336
W1
10/01/16........ Texas A&M#.....................Columbia, S.C................ L, 24-13
South Carolina 3-5
6-5
5-2
1-3
0-0
224
242
W1
10/09/16........ Georgia#..........................Columbia, S.C................ L, 28-14
Vanderbilt
2-5
5-6
3-2
2-4
0-0
237
237
W1
Missouri
1-6
3-8
3-3
0-5
0-0
349
354
L1
10/29/16........ Tennessee#......................Columbia, S.C............... W, 24-21
SEC West
SEC
11/05/16........ Missouri#.........................Columbia, S.C............... W, 31-21
Alabama
09/24/16...........at Kentucky#.......................... Lexington, Ky........................ L, 17-10
10/22/16........ Massachusetts.................Columbia, S.C............... W, 34-28
11/12/16...........at Florida#............................... Gainesville, Fla........................L, 20-7 11/19/16........ Western Carolina.............Columbia, S.C............... W, 44-31 11/26/16...........at Clemson.............................. Clemson, S.C.......................7:30 p.m. Bold=Home Game #=SEC
NEU PF PA STRK
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA STRK
7-0
11-0
6-0
4-0
1-0
443
125
W11
Auburn
5-2
8-3
6-2
2-1
0-0
375
157
W1
LSU
4-3
6-4
5-2
1-1
0-1
257
141
L1
Texas A&M
4-3
8-3
5-1
2-2
1-0
386
232
W1
Arkansas
3-4
7-4
5-2
2-1
0-1
346
341
W1
Ole Miss
2-5
5-6
4-2
1-3
0-1
371
353
L1
Mississippi State 2-5
4-7
3-3
1-4
0-0
323
377
L2
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16 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
South Carolina Gamecocks # Name Pos. 1 Deebo Samuel WR 3 K.C. Crosby TE 3 Chris Lammons DB 4 Jake Bentley QB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 5 Darius English DL 5 Terry Googer WR 6 Chris Moody LB 7 Jamarcus King DB 8 Randrecous Davis WR 8 Marquavius Lewis DL 9 Jerad Washington WR 9 Sherrod Pittman LB 10 Perry Orth QB 10 Skai Moore LB 11 Brandon McIlwain QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 12 Korey Banks WR 13 Sean Kelly P 13 Jalen Dread LB 14 Jamari Smith WR 15 Matrick Belton WR 16 Rashad Fenton DB 16 Bailey Hart QB 17 Chaz Elder DB 18 Danny Gordon QB 18 Keir Thomas DL 19 Lorenzo Nunez WR 20 Joseph Charlton K/P 21 Antoine Wilder DB 22 Steven Montac DB 22 Montray Feaster WR 23 Rico Dowdle RB 23 Larenz Bryant LB 24 D.J. Smith DB 24 Garrett Frederick WR 25 A.J. Turner RB 26 Jasper Sasser DB 27 Ty’Son Williams RB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 30 Shannon James DB 30 Darius Paulk RB 31 Chris Smith DB 32 Brett Shore LB 32 Rod Talley RB 33 David Williams RB 34 Mon Denson RB 34 Scott Grant DB 35 Daniel Fennell DL 36 C.J. Freeman RB 36 Morgan Vest DB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 39 Rivers Bedenbaugh TE 40 Jacob August TE 40 Jason Senn DB 41 Tyler Ragsdale LB
Coaches/Staff
Hgt. 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-3 6-0 6-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 5-10 6-3 5-8 6-0 6-1 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-4 5-11 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-5 5-10 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-7 5-8 5-10 5-11 5-10 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-3 5-11 6-0 5-9 6-2 6-6 5-8 6-0
Wgt. 205 227 190 223 230 245 220 220 180 181 270 175 225 200 220 205 230 215 180 190 220 210 215 190 175 200 210 265 205 185 185 190 205 211 225 195 180 195 210 220 230 170 160 205 180 210 205 220 215 185 235 200 190 170 256 248 195 220
Cl. RS SO RS SO JR FR JR RS SR RS SO RS SR JR FR SR RS FR RS FR RS SR SR FR RS SR RS SO FR RS SR SO RS JR RS SR SO FR RS SR RS SO FR SO RS FR RS FR SO FR FR SR JR FR RS FR RS JR SO SR SR RS SR RS SR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR RS FR RS SO RS FR FR FR RS JR RS JR RS SO RS FR RS FR
Football Roster
Hometown/High School/Last College Inman, S.C./Chapman Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Lauderhill, Fla./Plantation Opelika, Ala./Opelika Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy McDonough, Ga./Henry County Mobile, Ala./Blount Atlanta, Ga./Mays Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood/Hutchinson Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Ponte Vedra, Fla./Florida State College Cooper City, Fla./University Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Oakland, Fla./West Orange/FAU/Tallahassee Foley, Ala./Foley Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Miami, Fla./Miami Carol City Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando Union City, Ga./Banneker Worthington, Ohio/Miami (Ohio) Miami, Fla./Miami Central Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison Columbia, S.C./A.C. Flora Riverdale, Ga./Hapeville Charter Covington, Ga./Newton/Coffeyville C.C. Union, S.C./Union County Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Plano, Texas/Plano Clifton, Va./Centreville Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Sumter, S.C./Crestwood/North Carolina Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Texas/Prince of Peace Christian Florence, S.C./South Florence Columbia, S.C./North Greenville Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork/Tyler JC Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter LaGrange, Ga./LaGrange Laurens, S.C./Laurens Loganville, Ga./Grayson Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford Leander, Texas/Rouse Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Leesville, S.C./Lexington/Georgia Southern Columbia, S.C./Fork Union Military Beaufort, S.C./Beaufort Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando
Will Muschamp - Head Coach Bobby Bentley - Running Backs Shawn Elliott - Offensive Line Coleman Hutzler - Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Bryan McClendon - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Mike Peterson - Outside Linebackers Travaris Robinson - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Kurt Roper - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Lance Thompson - Asst. Head Coach - Defense/Defensive Line Pat Washington - Tight Ends Jeff Dillman - Director of Strength & Conditioning Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Robbie Liles - Director of Player Personnel Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Andre Goodman - Director of Football Development Larry Waters - Director of Football Equipment Operations Clyde Wrenn - Director of High School Relations
# Name Pos. 42 Alexander Woznick PK 42 Jordan Diggs DB 43 Benji Russell DB 44 T.J. Brunson LB 44 Adrian McGee RB 45 Spencer Eason-Riddle LB 45 Ben Asbury LS 46 Trey Mitchell LB 46 Harrison Freeman LS 47 Drew Williams LS 48 Nick McGriff LS 48 Dexter Wideman DL 49 Boosie Whitlow DL 50 Griffin Gentry DL 50 Sadarius Hutcherson OL 51 Cory Helms OL 52 Jajuan Blankenship DL 55 Christian Pellage OL 57 Hassan Belton LB 59 Logan Crane LS 60 Chandler Farrell OL 61 Cameron Johnson OL 61 Javion Duncan DL 63 Blake Camper OL 65 Pika Leota OL 66 Will Putnam OL 67 Ryan Green OL 69 D.J. Park OL 70 Alan Knott OL 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OL 75 Darius Whitfield OL 77 Malik Young OL 78 Zack Bailey OL 79 Trey Derouen OL 80 Shemar Glenn WR 81 Hayden Hurst TE 82 Evan Hinson TE 83 Chavis Dawkins WR 84 Kyle Markway TE 85 Devin Dingle WR 85 Michael Almond K/P 86 Robert Tucker III TE 87 Kiel Pollard TE 88 Javon Charleston WR 89 Bryan Edwards WR 90 Wyman Baxley LS 90 Taylor Stallworth DL 91 Shameik Blackshear DL 92 D.J. Wonnum DL 93 Ulric Jones DL 94 Kelsey Griffin DL 95 Dante Sawyer DL 96 Aaron Thompson DL 97 Kobe Smith DL 98 Stephon Taylor DL 99 Abu Lamin DL
Hgt. 5-11 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-8 6-0 6-8 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-9 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4
Wgt. 160 205 200 225 185 226 210 210 235 215 225 280 240 246 273 310 265 305 215 245 280 300 260 300 315 282 265 330 290 325 315 286 300 315 310 175 250 238 200 245 180 222 238 230 195 210 195 310 265 240 300 295 275 271 305 293 310
Cl. FR RS SR RS JR FR FR FR RS SO FR FR SR RS SO RS FR SO FR FR RS JR FR SO SO RS FR FR FR RS SO SO FR FR SO RS JR RS JR RS SO RS SR FR RS SO SO RS FR RS FR SO FR FR SO RS FR RS FR FR FR RS FR FR FR JR RS FR FR RS JR SR JR FR FR FR RS SR
Hometown/High School/Last College Greenville, S.C./Eastside Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast Greer, S.C./Greer Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Atlanta, Ga./Berry College Lexington, S.C./Lexington Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Saluda, S.C./Saluda/Camden Military Opelika, Ala./Opelika Birmingham, Ala./Homewood Huntingdon,Tenn./Huntingdon Alpharetta, Ga./Milton/Wake Forest Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna Brooksville, Fla./Nature Coast Tech Blythewood, S.C./Western Carolina Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth Summerville, S.C./Summerville Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County Simpsonville, S.C./Woodmont/Citadel Virginia Beach, Va./Frank W. Cox Asheville, N.C./Asheville Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge James Island, S.C./James Island/Presbyterian Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Chapin, S.C./Chapin Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Summerville, S.C./Summerville Lilburn, Ga./Parkview Union, S.C./Union County/USC-Union Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School Deltona, Fla./Deltona Duncan, S.C./Byrnes St. Louis, Mo./St. John Vianney Summerville, S.C./Cane Bay North Augusta, S.C./Westminster Atlanta, Ga./B.E.S.T. Academy Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County Gurnee, Ill./Warren Conway, S.C./Conway Athens, Ga./Athens Academy Mobile, Ala./Murphy Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Oxford, Ala./Butler (Community College Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Suwanee, Ga./East Mississippi C.C. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer New Orleans, La./McDonogh 35 Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott
Jessica Jackson - Director of On-Campus Recruiting Kristin Sheetz - Director of External Communications Ellis Johnson - Analyst Kyle Krantz - Analyst Demarco McNeil - Analyst Scott Spurrier - Analyst Seth Strickland - Analyst Brian Turk - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Offense Shaq Wilson - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Defense Omar Young - Analyst David Feeley - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Corey Jenkins - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Roy Upchurch - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Cedric Williams - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Shuler Hayes - Assistant Director of Football Equipment Operations Kim Fields - Assistant to Head Football Coach Charity Grady - Coordinator of Offensive Operations Carina Hargreaves - Coordinator of Defensive Operations
Spurs & Feathers • 17
November 23, 2016
Clemson Tigers
# Name Pos. 1 Trayvon Mullen CB 1 Trevion Thompson WR 2 Kelly Bryant QB 2 Mark Fields CB 3 Artavis Scott WR 4 Deshaun Watson QB 5 Shaq Smith LB 6 Zerrick Cooper QB 6 Dorian O’Daniel LB 7 Lasamuel Davis DE 7 Mike Williams WR 8 Deon Cain WR 9 Brian Dawkins Jr. CB 9 Wayne Gallman RB 10 Ben Boulware LB 10 Tucker Israel QB 11 Shadell Bell TE 11 Isaiah Simmons S 12 Nick Schuessler QB 12 K’Von Wallace DB 13 Hunter Renfrow WR/P 14 Denzel Johnson S 14 Diondre Overton WR 15 Korrin Wiggins S 16 Jordan Leggett TE 17 Cornell Powell WR 18 James Barnes QB 18 T.J. Chase WR 18 Jadar Johnson S 19 Tanner Muse S 20 Jack Swinney WR 21 Adrian Baker CB 21 Darien Rencher RB 22 Tyshon Dye RB 22 Xavier Kelly DE 23 Van Smith S 24 Nolan Turner S 25 J.C. Chalk TE 25 Cordrea Tankersley CB 26 Adam Choice RB 27 C.J. Fuller RB 28 Tavien Feaster RB 29 Marcus Edmond CB 30 Jalen Williams LB 31 Ryan Carter DB 32 Kyle Cote S 32 Andy Teasdall P 33 J.D. Davis LB 34 Kendall Joseph LB 34 Ray-Ray McCloud WR 36 Judah Davis LB 37 Austin Jackson S 37 Cameron Scott CB 38 Amir Trapp CB 39 Christian Groomes PK 40 Jaquarius Brice DE 40 Hall Morton S 41 Grant Radakovich TE 42 Christian Wilkins DL 43 Chad Smith LB
Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-3 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-3 6-1 5-7 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-5 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-2 5-8 5-11 5-8 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-1 6-2 6-1 5-9 5-10 5-11 6-0 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-1 6-2 5-10 5-8 5-10 6-2 5-8 6-1 6-4 6-4
Wt. 185 200 215 180 190 215 240 205 215 210 225 210 175 210 235 180 220 220 200 190 180 195 200 200 260 200 175 175 210 220 160 180 190 220 265 195 195 235 200 210 215 210 175 215 180 180 190 225 230 180 235 200 210 160 185 215 170 255 310 235
Yr. Fr. RSo. So. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Fr. RJr. Fr. RJr. So. Fr. RJr. Sr. RFr. RFr. Fr. RGr. Fr. RSo. RFr. Fr. RJr. Sr. Fr. RFr. Fr. Sr. RFr. RJr. RJr. Fr. RJr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. RSo. RSo. Fr. RJr. So. RJr. RFr. RGr. So. RSo. So. So. So. RSo. RFr. RSo. Sr. Fr. RGr. So. RFr.
Football Roster
Hometown/Previous School Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Coconut Creek HS) Durham, N.C. (Hillside HS) Calhoun Falls, S.C. (Wren HS) Charlotte, N.C. (William Amos Hough HS) Clearwater, Fla. (East Lake HS) Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville HS) Baltimore, Md. (IMG (Fla.) Academy) Jonesboro, Ga. (Jonesboro HS) Olney, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel HS) Bamberg, S.C. (Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS) Vance, S.C. (Lake Marion HS) Tampa, Fla. (Tampa Bay Technical HS) Parker, Colo. (Valor Christian HS) Loganville, Ga. (Grayson HS) Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS) Orlando, Fla. (Lake Nona HS) Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS) Olathe, Kan. (Olathe North HS) Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS) Richmond, Va. (Highland Springs HS) Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Socastee HS) Columbia, S.C. (A.C. Flora HS) Greensboro, N.C. (Walter Hines Page HS) Durham, N.C. (Hillside HS) Navarre, Fla. (Navarre HS) Greenville, N.C. (J.H. Rose HS) Sumter, S.C. (Sumter HS) Plant City, Fla. (Plant City HS) Orangeburg, S.C. (Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS) Belmont, N.C. (South Point HS) Lawrenceville, Ga. (Brookwood HS) Hallandale,Fla.(Chaminade-MadonnaPreparatory) Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS) Elberton, Ga. (Elbert County Comprehensive HS) Wichita, Kan. (East HS) Charlotte, N.C. (William Amos Hough HS) Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills HS) Argyle, Texas (Argyle HS) Beech Island, S.C. (Silver Bluff HS) Thomasville, Ga. (Thomas County Central HS) Easley, S.C. (Easley HS) Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg HS) Hopkins, S.C. (Lower Richland HS) Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood HS) Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS) Six Mile, S.C. (Daniel HS) Winston-Salem, N.C. (R.J. Reynolds HS) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Belton, S.C. (Belton-Honea Path HS) Tampa, Fla. (Sickles HS) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Cary, N.C. (Green Hope HS) Florence, S.C. (Wilson HS) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Central, S.C. (Daniel HS) Lancaster, S.C. (Lancaster HS) Birmingham, Ala. (Oak Mountain HS) Marietta, Ga. (Walton HS) Springfield, Mass. (Suffield (Conn.) Academy ) Sterling, Va. (Dominion HS)
Coaches Dabo Swinney - Head Coach Dan Brooks - Associate Head Coach / Defensive Tackles Danny Pearman - Assistant Head Coach / Special Teams Coordinator & Tight Ends Brent Venables - Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Marion Hobby - Co-Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Ends Jeff Scott - Co-Offensive Coordinator / Wide Receivers Tony Elliott - Co-Offensive Coordinator / Running Backs Robbie Caldwell - Assistant Coach / Offensive Linemen Mike Reed - Assistant Coach / Defensive Backs Brandon Streeter - Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator / Quarterbacks
# Name 44 Garrett Williams 45 Chris Register 46 Jarvis Magwood 47 James Skalski 47 Alex Spence 48 Will Spiers 49 Richard Yeargin 50 Justin Falcinelli 50 Jabril Robinson 51 Taylor Hearn 52 Connor Prevost 52 Austin Spence 53 Regan Upshaw 54 Connor Sekas 55 Tyrone Crowder 56 Scott Pagano 57 Jay Guillermo 57 Tre Lamar 58 Patrick Phibbs 59 Gage Cervenka 59 Bradley Tatko 60 Kelby Bevelle 61 Kaleb Bevelle 62 David Estes 62 Cade Stewart 63 Jake Fruhmorgen 64 Pat Godfrey 67 Albert Huggins 69 Maverick Morris 70 Seth Penner 71 Noah Green 72 Logan Tisch 73 Tremayne Anchrum 74 John Simpson 75 Mitch Hyatt 76 Sean Pollard 77 Zach Giella 78 Chandler Reeves 79 Matthew Ryan 80 Milan Richard 81 Kanyon Tuttle 82 Adrien Dunn 83 Jesse Fisher 83 Carter Groomes 84 Cannon Smith 85 Seth Ryan 86 Ty Thomason 87 D.J. Greenlee 88 Sean Mac Lain 89 Ryan Mac Lain 90 Dexter Lawrence 91 Austin Bryant 92 Greg Huegel 92 Nyles Pinckney 93 Sterling Johnson 94 Carlos Watkins 96 Michael Batson 97 Carson King 99 Clelin Ferrell
Pos. TE DE LB LB PK P DE OL DL OL LB LS LB LB OG DT OL LB LS OL LS OL OL LS OL OT OL DT OL OG OL OG OT OG OT OT OL OT OL TE WR WR TE WR TE WR WR TE WR WR DT DE PK DT DE DT P P DE
Ht. 6-3 6-3 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-7 6-2 6-3 5-10 5-7 6-4 5-8 6-5 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-4 5-8 6-5 6-4 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-3 5-10 6-0 6-5
Wt. 245 255 215 235 195 230 260 315 265 325 220 195 220 220 340 295 310 240 200 305 225 265 265 200 290 290 270 305 305 320 290 300 290 315 295 315 300 280 320 260 170 180 215 180 265 180 220 245 200 175 340 265 195 295 305 305 200 215 265
Yr. So. RSo. RSo. Fr. RSo. Fr. RSo. RSo. RSo. RSo. RJr. RFr. Fr. RSo. RJr. RJr. RSr. Fr. RFr. RFr. Sr. RJr. RJr. RSr. Fr. So. RFr. So. RJr. RFr. RFr. RFr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. RFr. Fr. Fr. RSo. RFr. Sr. RFr. Fr. RSo. RJr. RFr. RJr. Sr. RFr. Fr. So. RSo. Fr. RFr. RSr. RFr. RFr. RFr.
Hometown/Previous School Orlando, Fla. (The First Academy ) Browns Summit, N.C. (Dudley HS) Greenville, S.C. (James F. Byrnes HS) Sharpsburg, Ga. (Northgate HS) Florence, S.C. (West Florence HS) Cameron, S.C. (Calhoun Academy) LauderdaleLakes,Fla.(SchoolofNovaSoutheastern) Middletown, Md. (Middletown HS) Leland, N.C. (North Brunswick HS) Williston, S.C. (Williston-Elko HS) Raleigh, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons HS) Florence, S.C. (West Florence HS) Bradenton, Fla. Vienna, Va. (James Madison HS) Marston, N.C. (Richmond Senior HS) Honolulu, Hawaii (Moanalua HS) Maryville, Tenn. (Maryville HS) Roswell, Ga. (Roswell HS) Pittsburgh, Pa. (Central Catholic HS) Greenwood, S.C. (Emerald HS) Greenwood, S.C. (Greenwood HS) Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS) Apopka, Fla. (Apopka HS) Mauldin, S.C. (St. Joseph’s Catholic School) Six Mile, S.C. (Daniel HS) Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS) Greenlawn, N.Y. (Harborfields HS) Orangeburg, S.C. (Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS) Broxton, Ga. (Coffee HS) Naples, Fla. (First Baptist Academy) Boiling Springs, S.C. (Boiling Springs HS) Chapel Hill, N.C. (Chapel Hill HS) Powder Springs, Ga. (McEachern HS) North Charleston, S.C. (Fort Dorchester HS) Suwanee, Ga. (North Gwinnett HS) Jackson Springs, N.C. (Pinecrest HS) Lincolnton, Ga. (Augusta Christian Schools) McDonough, Ga. (Eagle’s Landing Christian) New Orleans, La. (Isidore Newman School) Savannah, Ga. (Calvary Day School) Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Latin School) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Travelers Rest, S.C. Central, S.C. (Daniel HS) Columbia, S.C. (Hammond School HS) Summit, N.J. (Summit HS) Greenville, S.C. (Eastside HS) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Hope Mills, N.C. (Jack Britt HS) Plymouth, Ind. (Plymouth HS) Wake Forest, N.C. (Wake Forest HS) Pavo, Ga. (Thomas County Central HS) Blythewood, S.C. (Blythewood HS) Beaufort, S.C. (Whale Branch Early College HS) Clayton, N.C. (Cleveland HS) Mooresboro, N.C. (Chase HS) Central, S.C. (Christ Church) Nashville, Tenn. (Brentwood Academy) Richmond, Va. (Benedictine HS)
18 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
Depth Charts for November 26 WR: WR: WR: -OR- LT: LG: OC: RG: RT: TE: QB: -OR- -OR- RB: -OR-
Offense
1 Deebo Samuel 83 Chavis Dawkins 14 Jamari Smith 7 Korey Banks 89 Bryan Edwards 5 Terry Googer 8 Randrecous Davis 74 Mason Zandi 77 Malik Young 78 Zack Bailey 70 Alan Knott 51 Cory Helms 70 Alan Knott 72 Donell Stanley 69 D.J. Park 69 D.J. Park 63 Blake Camper 81 Hayden Hurst 3 K.C. Crosby 4 Jake Bentley 11 Brandon McIlwain 10 Perry Orth 25 A.J. Turner 33 David Williams 32 Rod Talley
6-0, 205, So. 6-2, 200, Fr. 5-10, 210, Jr. 5-11, 180, Fr. 6-3, 210, Fr. 6-4, 220, So. 5-10, 181, Fr. 6-9, 315, Sr. 6-3, 300, So. 6-6, 315, So. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 310, Jr. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 325, So. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-8, 300, So. 6-5, 250, So. 6-1, 227, So. 6-3, 223, Fr. 6-0, 205, Fr. 6-1, 200, Sr. 5-10, 195, RFr. 6-1, 220, Jr. 5-10, 205, Jr.
South Carolina Inman, S.C. Duncan, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Tyrone, Ga. Conway, S.C. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta, Ga. Chapin, S.C. Pelzer, S.C. Summerville, S.C. Tyrone, Ga. Alpharetta, Ga. Tyrone, Ga. Floydale, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Virginia Beach, Va. Jacksonville, Fla. Bamberg, S.C. Opelika, Ala. Newtown, Pa. Ponte Verda, Fla. Clifton, Va. Philadelphia, Pa. Laurens, S.C.
Offense LT: LG: C: RG: RT: TE: -OR- -OR- WR: QB: RB: -OR- -OR- -OR-
75 Mitch Hyatt 6-5, 295, So. Suwanee, Ga. 73 Tremayne Anchrum 6-2, 290, Fr. Powder Springs, Ga. 51 Taylor Hearn 6-5, 325, So. Williston, S.C. 74 John Simpson 6-4, 315, Fr. North Charleston, S.C. 57 Jay Guillermo 6-3, 310, Sr. Maryville, Tenn. 50 Justin Falcinelli 6-4, 315, So. Middletown, Md. 55 Tyrone Crowder 6-2, 340, Jr. Marston, N.C. 69 Maverick Morris 6-4, 305, Jr. Broxton, Ga. 76 Sean Pollard 6-5, 315, Fr. Jackson Springs, N.C. 63 Jake Fruhmorgen 6-5, 290, So. Davidson, N.C. 16 Jordan Leggett 6-5, 260, Sr. Navarre, Fla. 44 Garrett Williams 6-3, 245, So. Orlando, Fla. 80 Milan Richard 6-3, 260, So. Savannah, Ga. 84 Cannon Smith 6-5, 265, So. Columbia, S.C. 7 Mike Williams 6-3, 225, Jr. Vance, S.C. 8 Deon Cain 6-1, 210, So. Tampa, Fla. 4 Deshaun Watson 6-3, 215, Jr. Gainesville, Ga. 12 Nick Schuessler 6-4, 200, Gr. Grayson, Ga. 2 Kelly Bryant 6-3, 215, So. Calhoun Falls, S.C. 9 Wayne Gallman 6-0, 210, Jr. Loganville, Ga. 27 C.J. Fuller 5-10, 215, So. Easley, S.C. 26 Adam Choice 5-9, 210, So. Thomasville, Ga. 22 Tyshon Dye 5-11, 220, Jr. Elberton, Ga. 28 Tavien Feaster 5-11, 210, Fr. Spartanburg, S.C.
Defense
DE: 8 Marquavius Lewis 92 D.J. Wonnum -OR- 91 Shameik Blackshear DT: 90 Taylor Stallworth 18 Keir Thomas DT: 94 Kelsey Griffin 93 Ulric Jones DE: 95 Dante Sawyer 5 Darius English SLB: 11 T.J. Holloman -OR- 6 Chris Moody MLB: 28 Jonathan Walton -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman WLB: 4 B. Allen-Williams -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman CB: 16 Rashad Fenton 22 Steven Montac S: 24 D.J. Smith 42 Jordan Diggs S: 17 Chaz Elder 22 Steven Montac CB: 3 Chris Lammons 7 Jamarcus King N: 42 Jordan Diggs 16 Rashad Fenton
6-3, 270, Sr. 6-4, 240, Fr. 6-4, 265, RFr. 6-2, 310, Jr. 6-2, 265, Fr. 6-2, 295, Sr. 6-5, 300, Jr. 6-3, 275, Jr. 6-6, 245, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-1, 220, Sr. 6-0, 230, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-0, 230, Jr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-11, 190, So. 5-11, 195, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 6-2, 200, Sr. 5-11, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 6-2, 180, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 5-10, 190, So.
Greenwood, S.C. Stone Mountain, Ga. Bluffton, S.C. Mobile, Ala. Miami, Fla. Buford, Ga. Oxford, Ala. Suwanee, Ga. Powder Springs, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. McDonough, Ga. Daphne, Ala. Stone Mountain, Ga. Ellenwood, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. Miami, Fla. Covington, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Union City, Ga. Covington, Ga. Lauderhill, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Fort Myers, Fla. Miami, Fla.
K: P: LS: KOR: PR: H:
Specialists
29 Elliott Fry 20 Joseph Charlton 13 Sean Kelly 20 Joseph Charlton 47 Drew Williams 48 Nick McGriff 25 A.J. Turner 16 Rashad Fenton 16 Rashad Fenton 3 Chris Lammons 13 Sean Kelly
6-0, 170, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 5-10, 190, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 6-2, 215, Sr. 6-0, 225, So. 5-10, 195, RFr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 5-10, 189, Jr.
Frisco, Texas Columbia, S.C. Oakland, Fla. Columbia, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Gainesville, Fla. Clifton, Va. Miami, Fla. Miami, Fla. Lauderhill, Fla. Oakland, Fla.
Clemson WR: WR:
13 Hunter Renfrow 34 Ray-Ray McCloud 3 Artavis Scott 1 Trevion Thompson
DE: DT: DT: DE: SLB: MLB: WLB: CB: SS:
42 Christian Wilkins 49 Richard Yeargin 94 Carlos Watkins 67 Albert Huggins 90 Dexter Lawrence 50 Jabril Robinson 99 Clelin Ferrell 91 Austin Bryant 6 Dorian O’Daniel 30 Jalen Williams 34 Kendall Joseph 57 Tre Lamar 10 Ben Boulware 33 J.D. Davis 31 Ryan Carter 29 Marcus Edmond 18 Jadar Johnson 15 Korrin Wiggins
5-11, 180, So. 5-10, 180, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 6-2, 200, So.
Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tampa, Fla. Clearwater, Fla. Durham, N.C.
Defense 6-4, 310, So. Springfield, Mass. 6-5, 260, So. Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. 6-3, 305, Sr. Mooresboro, N.C. 6-3, 305, So. Orangeburg, S.C. 6-5, 340, Fr. Wake Forest, N.C. 6-2, 265, So. Leland, N.C. 6-5, 265, RFr. Richmond, Va. 6-4, 265, So. Pavo, Ga. 6-1, 215, Jr. Olney, Md. 5-10, 215, So. Columbia, S.C. 6-0, 230, So. Belton, S.C. 6-3, 240, Fr. Roswell, Ga. 6-0, 235, Sr. Anderson, S.C. 6-2, 225, So. Clemson, S.C. 5-9, 180, Jr. Grayson, Ga. 6-0, 175, Jr. Hopkins, S.C. 6-0, 210, Sr. Orangeburg, S.C. 6-0, 200, Jr. Durham, N.C.
FS: CB:
23 Van Smith 12 K’Von Wallace 25 Cordrea Tankersley 2 Mark Fields 1 Trayvon Mullen
5-11, 195, So. 6-0, 190, Fr. 6-1, 200, Sr. 5-10, 180, So. 6-2, 185, Fr.
Charlotte, N.C. Richmond, Va. Beech Island, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Specialists
PK: 92 Greg Huegel 5-11, 195, So. Blythewood, S.C. 47 Alex Spence 6-1, 195, So. Florence, S.C. P: 32 Andy Teasdall 5-11, 190, Gr. Winston-Salem, N.C. 13 Hunter Renfrow 5-11, 180, So. Myrtle Beach, S.C. KO: 92 Greg Huegel 5-11, 195, So. Blythewood, S.C. 47 Alex Spence 6-1, 195, So. Florence, S.C. LS: 62 David Estes 6-0, 200, Sr. Mauldin, S.C. 52 Austin Spence 6-2, 195, RFr. Florence, S.C. H: 85 Seth Ryan 6-0, 180, Jr. Summit, N.J. PR: 34 Ray-Ray McCloud 5-10, 180, So. Tampa, Fla. 3 Artavis Scott 5-10, 190, Jr. Clearwater, Fla. KR: 3 Artavis Scott 5-10, 190, Jr. Clearwater, Fla. -AND- 27 C.J. Fuller 5-10, 215, So. Easley, S.C. 28 Tavien Feaster 5-11, 210, Fr. Spartanburg, S.C.
*These depth charts are taken from the listings from each team’s previous game. Spurs & Feathers goes to print shortly after the conclusion of each game. Please visit www.spursandfeathers.com over the course of the week for updated depth charts.
Spurs & Feathers • 19
November 23, 2016
View from the Western Carolina locker room BY KYLE HECK Reporter
COLUMBIA - Western Carolina came into its final regular season game at South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 19, with a 2-8 record and no prospects of playing in the postseason, obviously. However, head coach Mark Speir was hoping his team would put it all on the line for the last time this year and go out on a positive note. In Speir’s book, the Catamounts accomplished exactly that in a 44-31 loss to the Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. “So proud of our football team,” Speir said. “This team has been through a lot this year. The season hasn’t gone the way we wanted it to, and this just shows the character of this football team.” Western Carolina found itself in a quick 14-0 hole, but battled back time and time again to make it interesting. With a 93-yard kickoff return touchdown by Detrez Newsome, the Catamounts pulled to within 10 points of SEC foe South Carolina with a little over nine minutes to play in the game. The Gamecocks would tack on another field goal to put the game out of reach, but Western Carolina finished with 367 yards of offense, including 236 yards on the ground. WCU tailback Newsome led the ground game with 115 yards on 21 carries. “We just challenged our guys to come out (strong), and we have a terrific running back,” Speir said. “That guy is an SEC running back that no one knows about. At our level, he’s the No. 1 allpurpose player in America.” Wide receiver Spearman Robinson, a Greenwood native, led the Catamounts with 105 yards on four receptions, and his head coach was proud to see him perform well back in his home state. “Spearman is a character, and he’s going to be missed around here,” Speir said of the senior receiver. “He grew up wanting to play in this stadium, and for him to go out the way he did, that guy has grown up a lot. He just battled, and did it the right way.” Speir noted that usually when his team plays big-time FBS opponents, they don’t put a lot of attention or effort into the game against Western Carolina. However, with the Gamecocks fighting to get bowl eligible, Speir knew his team would get South Carolina’s best shot, and he was all for that. “I knew we were going to get South Carolina’s best effort tonight,” Speir said. “I kept saying, ‘That’s the way we want it.’ We want to know where we’re at, and
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
so that gives us a lot of energy going into the offseason. It gives us a lot of confidence if we just do the things we know how to do.” While his team lost, Speir was incredibly proud and excited with how his team performed. It was a win-win situation for the Catamounts, and Speir said the moment is something his players will “remember for the rest of their lives.” There are some that say big SEC schools shouldn’t play FCS opponents, but Speir pointed to Saturday’s game between the Catamounts and Gamecocks as a great example of why it’s a good idea. “Tonight is what’s great about college football,” Speir said. “South Carolina got bowl eligible, they’re a good football team, and a bunch of our players got to play in a stadium like this. You tell me what’s bad about this?” Speir said that South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp had a lot of nice things to say about Western Carolina and the way it played after the game. The Catamount head coach also took some time to voice his support for the Gamecocks and their six-win season so far. “Congratulations to the University of South Carolina,” Speir said. “I’m happy for them. It’s a great job for coach Muschamp (to) in first year, be able to get bowl eligible.”
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20 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
Spurs & Feathers • 21
Facing Syracuse in Brooklyn ‘tremendous exposure’ for USC BY KYLE HECK Reporter
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
where he brings that passion every day. I’ve erful,” Martin said. “It’s very important, and We’ve got an alumni base in New York, I realways admired the way he coaches and what we get an opportunity of bringing our product cruit the area. I’ve always recruited the area. he brings to the coaching profession.” and putting it in front of New York basketball. It’s tremendous exposure for our program.” The Gamecocks have regularly played in the Northeast over the past few years, and it’s something that Martin consciously tries to do. This matchup at the Barclays Center particularly stands out. “I absolutely love it,” Martin said. “My sister and her husband and her kids live half a mile from the arena. It’s a beautiful area. The development of that whole Brooklyn area is phenomenal. It’s an unbelievable place. Then my wife is a New Yorker, so it’s a home run for me, personally.” The last time Martin and Boeheim faced each other came in the third round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament when Syracuse faced Martin’s old team, Kansas State. The Orange squeezed out a close win, and Martin remembers that game vividly because, No. 1, it was his last as coach of the Wildcats, and No. 2, it’s extremely difficult to prepare and play against Syracuse’s 2-3 matchup zone defense. “Their zone morphs into what you try to attack it through,” Martin said. “They just don’t give you opportunities. Their size, their athleticism and their discipline defensively, it just makes it extremely hard.” While it will be a tough game for the Gamecocks, the opportunity to play on a big stage will be beneficial. Freshman Rakym Felder is from Brooklyn, and Martin and his staff place a big emphasis on recruiting that particular area. “Anyone that’s involved in basketball knows that basketball in New York City is very pow1421 Atlas Road I 776-4466 I www.jeffersmcgill.com I Serving the Midlands for over 50 years
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South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin is always looking for opportunities to showcase his program across the country. So when he was approached about a chance All Gamecock basketball to take on Syra- coverage sponsored by cuse at the faYesterdays mous Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, it didn’t take long to make a decision. Chris Spencer, a tournament organizer who brought the Gamecocks to the Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational in Martin’s first year in 2012, was the person who approached Martin and asked if he would be interested in playing Syracuse in this year’s event at the Barclays Center. “I said our program would love the opportunity,” Martin recalled. “Any time you can play a Jim Boeheim team, your team gets better. It was a win-win situation.” The Gamecocks and the Boeheim-led Orange will tangle on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. Syracuse is coming off a season where it made a surprise run to the NCAA Final Four, and are again a talented team this season. South Carolina barely missed out on the NCAA Tournament last year, and the Gamecocks already have the attention of the legendary Boeheim. “I’ve watched South Carolina play this year twice, and I’m very impressed with what they do, how they play, and the job that they’ve done,” Boeheim said during a teleconference to preview the matchup on Nov. 17. “Obviously they had a tremendous year last year, and look like they’re going to have a better year this year.” Martin first met Boeheim back when Syracuse was recruiting a high school player of Martin’s, Steve Blake, who went on to have a long NBA career. They have stayed in touch since, and Boeheim has a lot of respect for Martin. “He’s a guy that I respect tremendously for the coaching job he’s done (and) the passion he has for our game is incredible,” Boeheim said. “I worked with him with USA Basketball
22 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
Gourmet Gents Grub of the Week Gourmet Gents Crockpot breakfast bake
Ingredients · 24 oz. bag of hash browns, shredded · 1 onion, finely chopped · 2 c. ham, diced · 2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded · 1 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded · 1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley · 12 eggs · 1 c. evaporated milk · 1 tsp. salt · 1 tsp. pepper · 1 lb. bacon, fried until crisp Directions Grease the crock of a 6 quart slow cooker or use a slow cooker liner and grease. Mix the hash browns and the chopped onion in a bowl. Spread 1/2 half of the hash browns on the bottom of the greased crock. Place 1 cup of the ham on top of the hash browns and distribute evenly. Mix both of the cheeses with the parsley and stir to mix evenly. Sprinkle 1/2 of this cheese mixture over the ham. Put a second layer of the remaining hash browns, ham and cheese in the same order, patting each layer down as it is added. When all layers are finished, combine the eggs, evaporated milk, salt, and pepper in another bowl, whisking until smooth. Carefully pour the egg mixture over the hash brown, ham and cheese layers. Cover & Crock on LOW for 4 to 5 hours. About 15 minutes before you’re ready to serve this dish, fry the bacon until crispy and break it into large pieces. Remove the lid on the slow cooker and place the bacon pieces evenly on top of the breakfast bake. Cover & Crock on LOW for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. NOTE: When the bacon is warm, it is ready to serve. Who are we? A few families who randomly met at Williams-Brice Stadium that enjoy doing it big (and just for fun) in the parking lot for the Gamecocks. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Gourmet_Gents. Go Gamecocks!
George Rogers steps up big for the Gamecocks SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
Long after his Heisman Trophy-winning football career ended, George Rogers is continuing to make contributions to his alma mater. The University of South Carolina’s all-time leading rusher has made a $75,000 commitment, through his foundation, to the Gamecock Student-Athlete Promise Fund. His gift will support the Carolina Degree Completion Program. “George’s gift is one that will help many former student-athletes return to Carolina to earn their degrees,” said South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “We are very appreciative of George’s sincerity and com-
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mitment to the Carolina Degree Completion Program.” The program gives former student-athletes, who were not able to complete the academic requirements for a degree during their ath-
letic career at USC, the opportunity to finish their degree at South Carolina at no cost to the former student-athlete. Rogers, himself, returned to the University to complete his degree following his time in the National Football League. “It is an honor for me to have the opportunity to give back to the University to help other former Gamecock athletes have the opportunity to complete their degrees after their professional careers as I did,” said Rogers. To date, 29 former Gamecock studentathletes have returned to campus to complete their degree. Currently, eight former student-athletes are on campus completing their degree. The program is a major part of the Gamecock Student-Athlete Promise, the Univer-
sity’s groundbreaking initiative that provides its student-athlete with a “championship” experience. The George Rogers Foundation’s mission to provide financial assistance to students in the Carolinas and support to community based youth development started with one man’s opportunity to pursue success. George Rogers developed the foundation as a way of giving back to the educators and community that provided for him during his years at Carolina. In 2015, the George Rogers Foundation awarded $40,000 in scholarships to deserving students throughout the state of South Carolina. To learn more about the George Rogers Foundation, log on to http://www.georgerogersfoundationofthecarolinas.org.
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November 23, 2016
Gamecock Radio/Television Information
The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 25 affiliate stations for the 2016 football season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts. The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www.GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista. Wild Wing Café, which is South Carolina’s home for the best wings south of Buffalo, has 12 locations in the Palmetto State. Inside the Roost South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff. South Carolina-Clemson television The South Carolina-Clemson rivalry game will be televised by ESPN. Please check local listings. In-Stadium Frequency To listen to the Gamecock Radio broadcast at Memorial Stadium, please tune to (Primary) 97.5 FM or (Secondary) 88.9 FM.
CITY
2016-17 RADIO AFFILIATES CALL LETTERS
FREQUENCY
FOOTBALL
ABBEVILLE WZLA-FM 92.9 JOHNSTON/AIKEN WKSX-FM 92.7 ALLENDALE WDOG-FM 93.5 CAMDEN WPUB-FM 102.7 CAMDEN WCAM-AM 1590 CHARLESTON WWIK-FM 98.9 CHESTERFIELD WVDZ-FM 107.3 COLUMBIA WNKT-FM 107.5 FLORENCE WFRK-FM 93.5 FLORENCE WHYM-AM 1260 GAFFNEY WZZQ-FM 104.3 GAFFNEY WZZQ-AM 1500 GREENVILLE WROO-FM 104.9 HILTON HEAD WVSC-FM 106.5 HILTON HEAD WVSC-FM 99.1 LAKE CITY WHYM-AM 1260 MYRTLE BEACH WJXY-FM 93.9 MYRTLE BEACH WJXY-FM 93.7 NEWBERRY WKDK-AM 1240 ROCK HILL WRHM-FM 107.1 SENECA WSNW-AM 1150 SENECA WSNW-FM 94.1 SPARTANBURG WSPG-AM 1240 SUMTER WIBZ-FM 95.5 UNION WBCU-AM 1460
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November 23, 2016
Upcoming tournament getting Gamecocks ready for postseason BY KYLE HECK Reporter
games in three days Nov. 20-22 before traveling to Springfield, Massachusetts on Nov. 27 to take on another top-tier team in Louisville. Since becoming one of the premier teams in “What we tried to do with our schedule this women’s college basketball, South Carolina year is schedule some big opponents,” Staley head coach Dawn Staley has said. “Wherever we could get made it a point to schedule a a game, the better the competitough nonconference schedule for tion, the better for us. We’re the Gamecocks. trying to play for another No. That has certainly continued 1 seed. The way you do that during the 2016-17 season as is your nonconference schedSouth Carolina opened the year ule. We beefed it up, and put with a game at a top-10 Ohio ourselves in a position where State team. Next up for the Gameif we perform well, obviously cocks is the Basketball Hall of All Gamecock basketball we have Hampton, Maine and Fame Women’s Challenge. First, coverage sponsored by Saint Peters, but Louisville is South Carolina will play three Yesterdays lurking. Another top-10 team
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in the country to measure ourselves.” South Carolina has lost a combined five games the past two seasons, and have played quality opponents over the course of both seasons. For the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge, the stiff test of playing so many games in a short amount of time will help once the postseason comes around. “It’s an opportunity to simulate what an SEC Tournament feels like,” Staley said. “It also gives our players a chance to focus in, to feel what it’s like to play back-to-back and then another one on top of that. I think it’s a great learning tool both mentally and physically.” With the stretch of three games in three days, it’s obviously a tough task for the players, but in the end it will make them better.
“That’s obviously tough no matter who you’re playing,” junior Kaela Davis noted. Some of the upperclassmen for the Gamecocks are used to playing games in successive days with the SEC Tournament, but South Carolina also has four freshmen that it is trying to break in. To have a tournament that tests them like the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge is incredibly beneficial for the first-year Gamecocks as well. “The three games back-to-back-to-back, I feel like it’s good preparation for tournament time for the young ones,” senior Alaina Coates said. “Especially since now you can get the feel of playing a new opponent the next day. There’s no in-between. It’s a good lead into the future.”
Spurs & Feathers • 25
November 23, 2016
Moore: Forever to Thee is not just a verse to the school song
Football teams always preach “family.” In my experience that’s not always accurate. In the NFL it was less “family” and more of a profession of athletes in an elite fraternity very much dedicated to each other and our teams, but the “business of the NFL” detracted from that family feel in the locker room. I would always remind people “I’m a glorified mercenary for Langston Moore hire, for the Contributing right price I’ll Writer play & wear your team’s colors too.” But I found in college, you do build those strong “family bonds” with your teammates. Forming a brotherhood that endures and lasts a lifetime. I think it’s mostly due to the idea that you do everything together from going to class, living in the same dorms, experiencing all that college offers together. All the while spending all your other time practicing and being an athlete with your brothers. “To our brothers in the coop…” This is the dedication in the first pages of #JustaChicken (the best book in the world...I’m a little biased I wrote a few words in there). Preston Thorne and I wanted to place that phrase in the dedication page of our book as a “thank you.” Not just for our teammates but for all those other former players that helped miles and shape us, showing us how to be “Gamecocks.” When I first arrived at Carolina all the things promised and foretold to me during my recruitment became true. What I didn’t realize was how much the “COOP” or the host of former Gamecocks who interacted with the program would be so vital to our development. I learned that Gamecock pride and swagger from the past players but it also taught me a few other things: 1. It’s more than just being on a team, it’s family. “Forever to Thee” isn’t just a verse to the school song, having former players around served as brothers and mentors. 2. Former players indirectly and directly remind us young “chickens,” that we would
Gamecocks from 2006-2008. Williams went on to coach at Mississippi Valley and Tennessee State before becoming the Offensive Line coach at Newberry. After being named assistant head coach/offensive line coach he found his way back to Carolina on the strength staff. Muschamp’s placement of Coach Williams in a prominent role where he will interact with the players frequently is key. Allowing for all the wisdom and passion that made him an All-SEC lineman, can be conveyed to the players daily.
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
be those guys one day, so max out your time while you’re here, be an example for the next group. 3. Having former Gamecocks around showed us possibilities beyond the football field and inspired us with our own “next play” in life after football. The staff Will Muschamp put together when he was hired last winter has been applauded for the great combination of young teachers, relentless recruiters, and energetic personalities. Much of that being the reason these players bought in so quickly and why the Gamecocks are bowl eligible! Having a team “buy-in” so quickly isn’t the norm when a new regime takes over a program. But I don’t think people understand how shrewd and intentional coach Muschamp was with his ENTIRE staff. As a former player himself he understands you have to have the bridge to the past with former players. Without it the team is disconnected and on a island, discounted from the history of the program. He included three former “brothers in the coop” on this staff to provide their professional coaching skill, desire and wisdom. Things they learned playing here at Carolina on the way to becoming
“more than #JustaChicken” themselves. Shaq Wilson - a standout linebacker who was #JustaChicken from Florida until he committed to the #Gamecocks in 2008. He went on to be the “defensive quarterback” during some of the best footballs seasons here at Carolina, including the 2010 SEC championship, and part of the “5 in a row” Clemson wins. Shaq now serves as assistant recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks football squad. Having Shaq interact with future Gamecocks when they go through their recruiting process serves two purposes: These young kids see what it means to be a Gamecock interacting with Shaq, but Shaq also gets to look in these players eyes and see if they got “it.” That old adage of “fishermen recognize fishermen,” Shaq can see if these young men have the other intangibles to be Gamecocks. Cedric Williams - #JustaChicken from James Island became a Gamecock great and Captain from 1998-2003. Williams was instrumental in USC beating Ohio State twice in back-to-back New Year’s Day bowl games. Coach “Ced,” would work as an offensive graduate assistant with the
Corey Jenkins - #JustaChicken growing up in the shadows of Williams-Brice, “Jenk” became a Gamecock in 2001. One of the most talented Gamecocks I’ve ever meet was drafted by the Red Sox in the first round of the ’95 draft. Corey spent four years playing baseball before retiring to the the football field with the Gamecocks. After playing a host of positions including fullback his first season, Corey would be the starting QB for the 2002 squad. He then went on to get drafted at linebacker in the spring of the 2003 NFL draft. Playing multiple years in the NFL at linebacker is probably one of the biggest testament to Corey’s athletic ability toughness and heart. Name me someone else that played baseball, QB in the SEC, and moved to linebacker in the NFL? Doing a reverse Tim Tebow, playing professional baseball first, then quarterback an SEC school & then play in the NFL. Except Corey wasn’t stuck on being a quarterback, he just wanted to play ball and win. Corey’s experience of being a professional TWICE, having played on both sides of the ball at a high level, and being a native son who has heard “2001” played his whole life, is invaluable to the development of the players. Saturday there were 21 Gamecocks who ran out the tunnel to “2001” for the last time. Bittersweet I know, but these Gamecocks now have the chance to go on to the “next play” of their own lives. Venturing out into the world to make a living away from this place we call home. But the bigger takeaway is that we have more “brothers in the coop” for the next group of aspiring Gamecocks to lean on. You can never have enough examples for young players to learn from, and adding this collage of seniors to our coop is something special. Living proof that when we say “Forever to Thee” we mean it… “Never #Justachicken, Always a Gamecock!”
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November 23, 2016
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Spurs & Feathers • 27
November 23, 2016
Going bowling! Applications are available SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
With its 44-31 win over Western Carolina on Saturday, the University of South Carolina has reached the six-win total necessary to participate in a postseason bowl game. Bowl applications are now available on all Gamecock Club members, Faculty/Staff season ticket holders, and single-game purchasers’ online accounts. Season and singlegame purchasers are asked to log into their account at GamecocksOnline.com to view the bowl application. It is important for Gamecock Club members to submit postseason ticket requests by December 9 to ensure tickets are assigned
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
based on Gamecock Club priority points. The ticket application will have a list of all bowl games in which the Gamecocks are eligible to compete. Members are also
reminded to request tickets for all postseason games they are interested in attending. Charges are only processed for the game in which South Carolina is selected to partici-
pate. The ticket request deadline is also the deadline for additional giving to affect seat location. The priority limits for football away games apply to both regular-season away games and postseason competitions (SEC Championship and bowl games). Tickets requested outside of these limits will be filled based on availability after priority assignments, but we encourage all purchasers to request as many as they would like, as we anticipate being able to secure them. Information about ordering bowl tickets for students will be released at a later date. If there are questions, or problems logging in, please call the Athletics Ticket Office at 803-777-4274.
28 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
South Carolina/Western Carolina postgame notes and quotes SOUTH CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
as our coverage is concerned. We’ve said that. We’ve got to go back and look at some alternative kick situations. Because the group we’re playing this week has some good skill kids.
GENERAL NOTES • Today’s Attendance: 76,650 (Updated season total: 538,441; 76,920 average per game) • South Carolina’s captains: #5 Darius English, #29 Elliott Fry, #8 Marquavis Lewis and #74 Mason Zandi • Prior to the game, the Gamecocks recognized 21 seniors, including Rivers Bedenbaugh, Matrick Belton, Larenz Bryant, Jordan Diggs, Chaz Elder, Darius English, Elliott Fry, Kelsey Griffin, T.J. Holloman, Shannon James, Sean Kelly, Abu Lamin, Marquavius Lewis, Chris Moody, Perry Orth, Darius Paulk, Benji Russell, Rod Talley, Jonathan Walton, Drew Williams and Mason Zandi. OFFENSIVE NOTES • The Gamecocks finished with 422 yards rushing, their most since collecting 352 against Coastal Carolina on Nov. 23, 2013. Freshman running back Rico Dowdle racked up a career-high 226 yards on the ground. It’s the most by a Gamecock since Marcus Lattimore went off for 246 against Navy on Sept. 17, 2011. • South Carolina’s opening possession of the game resulted in a 43-yard touchdown run by Dowdle, his fifth score via the ground this season. The rush marked the longest of his career to this point. • Dowdle found the end zone again on the Gamecocks’ second drive on a 1-yard plunge up the middle. The score capped off a six play, 23-yard drive that began after the Carolina defense came up with a fumble recovery. • With a 15-yard reception on the first play of the second quarter, sophomore Hayden Hurst became the program’s all-time leader in pass receptions in a single season for a tight end with 39. The previous record-holder, Doug Hamrick, hauled in 38 passes back in 1970. • Sophomore wideout Deebo Samuel notched his second touchdown of the day when he scored from two yards out on a jet sweep. The score was his fifth of the season, four of which have now come on the ground, while one came earlier in the game on a 100-yard kickoff return. • With the first half winding down, Samuel scored again on another two-yard sweep, his sixth touchdown on the year. With the two scores on the ground and one via the kickoff return, it marked the first time this season that a Gamecock has collected three touchdowns in a single game. • The Gamecocks’ 35 points at the half represented the team’s most at the break since Nov. 23, 2013, against Coastal Carolina when they scored 42. It also marks the most points the team has scored in a single game this season. • With a 31-yard run in the early part of the third quarter, Dowdle eclipsed over 100 yards rushing for the third time in the last four games. DEFENSIVE NOTES • The Gamecock defense began the day strong. On the second play of Western Carolina’s opening drive, Carolina took advantage of a Catamount miscue as D.J. Smith scooped up his second fumble recovery of the season. • Senior Jonathan Walton paced the South Carolina defense with seven total tackles. Six Gamecocks finished with five or more tackles. • With Western Carolina totaling 31 points, it became the first time this season that the Gamecocks have surrendered more than 30 points in a game.
“But I’m extremely proud of our football team and how they’ve continued to have some fight and resolve. It says a lot about the character that we have in the locker room, and it says a lot about our staff. Those guys sticking together, the support we have here is outstanding. Our fan base is phenomenal. Every day out in Williams-Brice is a great day. I’m excited about where we are but really excited about where we’re heading. “Obviously, the bowl game is going to be huge for us to continue to develop a young team. Football is a developmental sport. You have to play the game. It’s not like basketball where you can play one-on-one. You can’t get in the batting cage and get better. You have to play the game. That’s what you got to do in football. That’s what we’re going to be able to do preparing for a bowl game. It doesn’t matter where it is.
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
SPECIAL TEAM NOTES • Carolina’s third touchdown of the day came courtesy of a 100-yard kickoff return from Samuel. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown since Oct. 10, 2015, when Rashad Fenton went 96 yards to the end zone at LSU. Samuel went on to collect 194 total kickoff yards. • Senior placekicker Elliot Fry went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and added five extra points to extend his school record for total points scored to 351. • Senior punter Sean Kelly was called upon just once on Saturday but took advantage of his lone opportunity, booting a 52-yard punt. South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp “I’m really proud of our football team. Whenever you’re sitting at 2-4 going into the open week, the way things are in our society the negativity builds up. The staff stuck together; these players stuck together and continued to invest in what we were doing. Really the second half of the season, we’ve been a little bit more of what we wanted to be. “Offensively, obviously getting some guys back healthy was critical. Getting some young guys to continue to emerge and play extremely good football, which they have. “Defensively, we’re still a work in progress. It’s frustrating. We’ve got to be mentally dialed in all the time and be really right with what we’re doing defensively. We showed it again the first half. The second half, they [Western Carolina} had the one drive, the bang eight down to the big kid when we were in middle field coverage. We got to get better team speed as far
“Darius Rucker is playing a concert on campus; we’re excited about that. President Pastides is going to be the MC, so he’s cranked about it too. He put himself in charge tonight. So we’re excited. It was an ugly game in a lot of respects. But offensively I think we played extremely well. We moved the ball up and down the field. We got stalled in the red zone a couple of times and had a silly penalty there at the end. We can’t tolerate that. We took care of the football the second half of the season fairly well. We’ve only had three turnovers in the last five games, so we’ve taken care of the ball and been opportunistic on defense. That’s what going into the season we knew we would have to be.” Category WCU USC 1st Downs 17 28 Total Yards 367 588 Passing 131 166 Rushing 236 422 Penalties-Yards 3-22 3-25 3rd Down Conversions 5-12 10-15 4th Down Conversions 1-3 0-1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of Possession 23:51 36:09 Passing Leaders Western Carolina COM ATT YDS TD INT Adams 7 18 131 0 0 South Carolina COM ATT YDS TD INT Bentley 14 23 154 0 0 Rushing Leaders Western Carolina CAR Newsome 21 Adams 13 South Carolina CAR Dowdle 21 Turner 17
YDS AVG TD 115 5.5 1 93 7.2 0 YDS AVG TD 226 10.8 2 97 5.7 0
LG 39 24 LG 44 14
Receiving Leaders Western Carolina REC YDS AVG TD LG Robinson 4 105 26.3 0 57 Newsome 1 10 10.0 0 10 South Carolina REC YDS AVG TD LG Edwards 4 61 15.3 0 40 Samuel 4 56 14.0 0 26
Spurs & Feathers • 29
November 23, 2016
Swanson proud of growth volleyball seniors have shown during careers BY KYLE HECK Reporter
PHOTO BY KYLE HECK
games than in any of the previous three years. “We have gone through so much in the last four years to get to this place with the other four seniors,” Kirkland said. “It just meant a lot to us as a family of sisters just to battle out there together. It didn’t end the way we wanted to, but we’re just thankful for all the opportunities we’ve been given here at Carolina.” Kirkland was a Clemson fan growing up, but walked onto the South Carolina team at the encouragement of some former club teammates. It was a decision that left Clemson in the rearview mirror. “It’s awesome to be able to represent my home state all across the SEC,” said Kirkland, who came from Lugoff. “Just traveling across the country to wear a Carolina uniform. It’s where I’m from, so I’m just proud to be a South Carolina Gamecock.” With any team, it’s important to have a solid group of veteran players who know what the coach wants and know how to win. For Swanson, the group of five graduating seniors have given him all that and more. “It’s the most important thing,” Swanson said of the good senior leadership. “You have to have good leadership. You have to have the coaches in the locker room, the coaches in the dorms. We can’t be everywhere. You have to have the emotional maturity and the experience to be able to handle the big crowds and the bands and being on TV and all that stuff. I felt like they grew into those roles and did a really good job.”
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While it wasn’t the last home match of the year, Senior Night for the South Carolina volleyball team was on Friday, Nov. 18, against Alabama. Five seniors who have done a ton for the University were honored after the match in a special ceremony that commemorated their careers. “They’ve all come so far as volleyball players and as people,” head coach Scott Swanson said. “The things they’ve done just to help our team culture get to where it is and help us have a really bright future. They’re leaving a really good mark on our program.” The Gamecocks entered the match against the Crimson Tide winners of five of their last eight, and were coming off a historic victory over then No. 21 Missouri. It was South Carolina’s first victory over a ranked opponent in 10 years. South Carolina came out strong to start the Senior Night match, building up a sizable lead against Alabama in the first set. However, the Crimson Tide charged back to cut the lead to 2118, forcing Swanson to call a timeout. Alabama kept the pressure up, though, and eventually tied the set at 23. After several back and forth exchanges, the Crimson Tide were able to come away with a 28-26 victory to open the match. Alabama and South Carolina played a relatively tight second set until the Crimson Tide were able to use a late run to take control of things. The Gamecocks were trailing by just three points at 18-15, but Alabama ended the set on a 7-4 run to take a 25-19 win and 2-0 lead into the break. In the third and final set, the Crimson Tide held a comfortable lead for the most part, but the Gamecocks had one final charge in them to make it tight down the stretch. However, Alabama was able to hold off South Carolina and ended the match with a 25-22 win in set No. 3. The loss was not what the Gamecocks wanted on Senior Night, but Swanson had been pleased overall with the way his team had played leading up to the match against Alabama. “We had been playing with a little more mental freedom,” Swanson said. “Just kind of fighting and not feeling such pressure to win.” Dessaa Legros, Joely Cabrera, Jacqy Angermiller, Megan Kirkland and KoKo Atoa-Williams were the five seniors who were honored, and that group has been part of a gradual rise with the volleyball program. After going from 12 wins in 2013 to 17 wins in 2014, South Carolina went through a disappointing campaign last season with just 13 victories. The Gamecocks and that senior class have bounced back in 2016 to already win more
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November 23, 2016
Gunter: As the season develops, so will the players As football season winds down, basketball season is kicking into high gear with the Gamecocks having now played four games and with a massive week ahead of them. At this point, we are starting to learn more about what Frank Martin’s 2016 team will look like and how they will play as they compete in the SEC and try to make the NCAA Bill Gunter Tournament. Contributing Through the Writer first week, one of the biggest aspects of this team that will need to continue to develop is the play of the bench. Last season, Martin had SEC Sixth Man of the Year winner Duane Notice coming off the bench who would fill a specific role and provide energy and a scoring punch when he entered the game. This year he is looking for that player however with so many first-year guys, Martin also has to bring them along slowly. “I have to have patience for those first year guys that continue to learn,” Martin said after the South Carolina State game. “They want to do well and I know that I have to help them and our upperclassmen have been phenomenal trying to help them.” Combined with the youth and inexperience, players are trying to find their roles as Hassani Gravett, Khadim Gueye, Temarcus Blanton, Rakym Felder and Jarrell Holliman have at times provided help but will need to be more important pieces to a game by playing competitive minutes to give the ability to score and play the point guard starters a rest. spot. Through the early portion of the In particular, Felder and Gravett are play- schedule, Martin sees his progress similar ers that will be counted on this season to how Thornwell has seen the progress of to offer help at the point guard position. Felder. Senior wing Sindarius Thornwell believes “Hassani is continuing to grow,” Martin that through the first four games, Felder is said. “He has the ability to score, but he is already making an impact. trying to learn when and where to score but “He (Felder) is good for us, with him he has the ability to score.” coming in and backing up P.J For guys such as Gravett, at the point,” Thornwell said. Gueye, Blanton and Holli“He is still learning the ofman, just playing minutes fense, but the way he guards is not going to be the key. and plays hard, he covers up Those players need to fill up everything he doesn’t know. the box score by providing It’s good for our team knowrebounding and a little bit of ing when P.J. comes out there scoring while also playing isn’t really a drop off in the the level of defense that is game.” All Gamecock basketball expected of them. It will be Gravett was recruited to coverage sponsored by a growing process, but one South Carolina because of his Yesterdays that Martin knows will come
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because of their willingness to learn. “We are trying to get a freshman and sophomore guard to understand how hard you have to play and the structure we try to play so we can have five guys playing as one and that takes a little bit of time,” he said. “I can’t put too many first year guys together, because, it’s not their fault, they are trying to learn, they just don’t understand the nuts and bolts of what we are trying to do.” One player that has yet to step on the floor this season that could help provide depth is freshman forward Sedee Keita. Although he could end up being a starter when he finds his way back from injury, his presence could move Maik Kotsar onto the bench, but at the same time offer another player that can come into a game fresh and make an impact. Through the first four games of the sea-
son, Sindarius Thornwell and Duane Notice are averaging over 30 minutes per game (Thornwell at 33 minutes and Notice at 31) while P.J. Dozier is right at 29 minutes per game. Those numbers are not through the roof and probably do not need to be much lower, but when mid to late February rolls around the Gamecocks are going to need those two players to be ready to help carry the team as some of the more inexperienced players hit the proverbial “freshman wall.” I believe that Martin has the best team he has had since he arrived in Columbia and as the season develops, so will the players. However, for this team to reach their maximum potential, they are going to need the role players to step up and make contributions each game while helping keep the key pieces of Thornwell, Notice and Dozier from having to play significant minutes early in the season.
Spurs & Feathers • 31
November 23, 2016
Girardeau: There is nothing like rivalry week When this football season started, I surmised that six wins would be good, seven would tie the all time record for teams with a first-year head coach, and eight would be a record. There’s still a chance of all that coming to pass. By beating Western Carolina this past Saturday afternoon in Columbia, USC won their sixth game of the season and became bowl eligible. Not too shabby when you consider last year’s team only won three games for the season and just six short weeks ago, Carolina stood at 2-4 and appeared to be going nowhere. A 4-1 record later and the Gamecocks will be practicing in December. It could have been better and it could have been worse, but the team improved from the beginning to the end and South Carolina finds themselves 6-5 at the end of the first season, 3-5 in the SEC. Now for the Ed Girardeau next season. PlayContributing ing Clemson is a Editor season unto itself. Coach Muschamp alluded to it after the game when he said in the postgame show that there are two things they ask you when your time playing football is done in college. How many championships did you win? How did you do against your rival? Sometimes it takes a while for a new coach to understand what a rivalry means to their school. I think it took Coach Spurrier a couple of seasons to really get how much it means this South Carolina – Clemson rivalry. Believe me, he figured it out and one of his proudest accomplishments while being at USC was beating Clemson five years in a row. Having played at Georgia and coached at SEC schools and Texas, I think Coach Muschamp knows that this one’s special. In order for South Carolina to win, it will have to play its best game of the season, better than the game against Tennessee, far better than against Florida and Western Carolina. The Gamecocks can’t afford to make mistakes, particularly turnovers, against the Tigers and must force some of their own on them. A lot is on the line for Clemson. They come into the game 10-1 and will be ranked in the Top 4 for the playoffs. They must win this one and the ACC championship to reach the final four. How sweet would it be to knock them out? It can happen. Clemson, though returning
PHOTO BY JENNY DILWORTH
most of their offense and a solid defense, has not played quite as well as last year. The main reason for this in my opinion is Deshaun Watson not rushing the ball as well as he has in the past. He comes into the game with 420 yards rushing and only four touchdowns (two against Wake) on the ground, quite a bit less than last year. He did rush more against Wake Forest with 47 yards, but still paltry for Watson. Passing is a different story. He has passed for almost 3300 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Tigers have very good wide receivers led by Mike Williams who comes in with over 1,000 yards receiving. Watson, though, has thrown 13 interceptions, some at very inopportune times, particularly the one in the fourth quarter against Pitt in the end zone and led to the Panthers comeback and upset victory. South Carolina will need to force an interception or two, maybe a fumble to boot (very Tennessee like) and put points on the board off those turnovers.
Playing in Death Valley is never easy, but the Tigers have been susceptible at home. Troy only lost by six, while Louisville fell by six as well, but two yards short of the go ahead touchdown. NC State had run the clock out in a tie game and missed a chip shot field goal on the last play of regulation only to lose in OT. Finally, Pitt….well, we all know about Pitt. The key is to stay close. I expect Clemson to come out firing (they always do) and try to move down the field quickly throwing the ball and score quickly. Once they do that, they will try to establish the running game, which has been the Gamecocks’ weakness, but the Tigers have struggled running. It will be imperative for USC to stop the run. Wayne Gallman has struggled at times, but still comes in with 830 yards rushing on the season with 13 touchdowns and we have already talked about Watson running, or lack thereof, but both are very capable. It won’t be easy, but it is possible. As Coach
Muschamp said after the game, we will have a plan for them. It has been another banner week in sports for USC. The men’s basketball team have opened 4-0 with a last-second shot to beat Monmouth in OT. The women’s basketball team beat top10 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio to open the season and the men’s soccer team opened the NCAA Tournament with a big win over Mercer at home. Finally, the women’s soccer team, seeded #1 in the country and ranked #3 in the nation, beat #4 BYU to advance to the Elite Eight Saturday night after the football game. Might as well keep the streak alive and go ahead and tie the record for most wins in a coach’s first season at South Carolina in football by getting that seventh win next Saturday. That would be a special one. Then we can talk about the third season and a chance to win a record eighth in the bowl game. It is a great day to be a Gamecock!
32 • Spurs & Feathers
November 23, 2016
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