November 26, 2014 • Volume 36 • Issue 23 • $1.50
CLEMSON WEEK Gamecocks look for number six!
2 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
What’s Inside? - Table of Contents
Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
Contact Us: 301 Greystone Blvd. Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 335-1399 To subscribe: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Ellen Priest Publisher Aiken Communications, Inc. Tim O’Briant General Manager tobriant@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1400 Ext. 500 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Dee Taylor Advertising Director (803) 644-2371 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Reporters Kyle Heck and Collyn Taylor Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Mary Watson Graphic Designer Cover Design: Tim O’Briant Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 26 times annually. The frequency is monthly from December to July and weekly from the third Wednesday in August to the fourth Wednesday in November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes three slick-paper magazine issues — one in January, one in July and one in August. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC Postmaster: Send changes to SPURS & FEATHERS, PO Box 456, Aiken, SC, 29802.
photo by allen sharpe
South Carolina held its annual military appreciation ceremony during halftime of the 37-12 Gamecock win over South Alabama.
Previewing the Clemson football team................................................... 3 View from the South Alabama locker room.......................................... 4 Player of the Game.......................................................................................... 5 Postgame notes/quotes................................................................................ 8 Men’s soccer season review......................................................................... 9 Stroman delivering for Gamecocks........................................................11 Sand volleyball continues to build foundation..................................12 Volleyball seniors proud to be Gamecocks..........................................13 Recruiting Roundup.....................................................................................14 Rosters........................................................................................................16-17 South Carolina women’s basketball celebrates SEC title................21 Inside Look with Glenn Snyder.................................................................22 Langston Moore column............................................................................23 Depth Charts...................................................................................................24 Inside the Chart.......................................................................................26-27 Greenwood Gamecock Club getting topiary ready..........................28 Gamecock Club events................................................................................29 Unique views with Ed Girardeau.............................................................30
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November 26, 2014
Previewing the Clemson football team by kyle heck Reporter
ceptions that were returned for touchdowns in the 28-6 defeat to Georgia Tech. Clemson came into the season needing Steve Spurrier said earlier this season to replace its starting quarterback and top that South Carolina seems to play teams two wide receivers. Watson and Stoudt that are just finding their quarterback of replaced Tajh Boyd, who left school as one the future. That seemed like it would be the of the best quarterbacks in ACC history. case again when the Gamecocks traveled Meanwhile, receivers Sammy Watkins and to Clemson this year for the annual rivalry Martavis Bryant, who combined for over game. 2,200 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns However, Tiger freshman Deshaun Watlast year, are now starring in the NFL. son suffered a knee injury against Georgia While Watson has done a good job of reTech that appears likely to keep him out for vitalizing the Clemson offense, the Tigers Clemson’s game against the Gamecocks. have struggled to score with Stoudt under Watson was just returning from a hand center this season. injury when he injured his knee against Clemson has averaged just over 18 points Georgia Tech. Before the injuries, Watson per game in the four games since Watson was well on his way to becoming a star. was injured. This comes after the Tigers The Georgia native has completed just un- averaged 37.5 in their first six games of the der 67 percent of his passes for 1197 yards, season. 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions The defense has been the main reason in seven games this season. that Clemson has been able to win most of Now it appears that South Carolina will the games that the offense has struggled be facing senior Cole Stoudt, who has in. The Tigers rank second in the nation in struggled this season. Stoudt has complet- total defense, allowing just over 262 yards ed 61.7 percent of his passes 1444 yards, per game. five touchdowns and eight interceptions in Defensive end Vic Beasley is an All10 games played. Stoudt threw two interAmerican candidate and has had an im-
pressive season. The senior has 23 tackles, 14.5 of them for loss and eight sacks. Backing up Beasley are two other seniors. Linebacker Stephone Anthony is the teams’ leading tackler with 62 tackles while safety Robert Smith has tacked on 52 tackles to go along with two interceptions. However, the Clemson defense has done most of its damage against teams with very inept offenses. The Tigers have only played four teams (Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida State and North Carolina) that are in the top-50 in the nation in total offense and have lost three of the four. They defeated the Tar Heels 50-35 in an offensive showcase for the only win. Clemson allowed those four teams to score a combined 131 points. In the other six games, the defense has given up a total of 63 points. The Gamecocks are 28th in the nation in total offense, racking up over 461 yards per game. South Carolina will carry a five-game winning streak over Clemson when they invade Memorial Stadium. The last trip there saw the Gamecocks come away with a 27-17 victory that made Spurrier the school’s all-time leader in coaching wins.
photo by allen sharpe
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November 26, 2014
View from the South Alabama locker room by KyLe heck Reporter
Alabama halfway through the quarter. The turnovers combined with the redzone inefficiency snuffed out any chance the It wasn’t for lack of opportunities that Jaguars had of upsetting the heavily faSouth Alabama lost to South Carolina. The vored Gamecocks. A lot of those mistakes two teams combined for 10 turnovers, five were due to the talent that South Carolina by each team, but the Gamecocks were had, according to South Alabama. able to score touchdowns while the Jaguars “Sometimes when you’re facing big guys were held to field goals. like they’ve got on the defensive front it’s Three times South Alabama started just hard,” Jones said. “You have to run the drives in South Carolina territory, but they ball down there. You can’t always throw it. only came away with six points on those I thought we had a decent plan, but we just drives in the 37-12 defeat to the Gamedidn’t get it done.” cocks. “They have a lot of athletes,” said wide “Our inability to score in the redzone receiver Shavarez Smith, who led the Jagwhen you have a chance to maybe go up or uars with five catches for 82 yards. “They at least tie it up and change the momentum have a lot of active guys and physical playof the game; we didn’t get that done,” South ers.” Alabama coach Joey Jones said. “When All-in-all, Jones was pleased with the you don’t get those things done against a overall effort from his team. Anytime a team like that, it just starts to wear on you. small FBS school can hang with a SEC They’ve got more players than we do, evteam for three quarters you have to be doeryone knows that, but I was real proud of ing something right. However, in the end it the way we came out and played.” comes down to how you finish the game. The Jaguars (6-5, 5-3 Sun Belt Confer“One thing about our kids is that they do ence) kept it close for most of the game un- know how to fight,” Jones said. “We were til the Gamecocks (6-5, 3-5 SEC) were able outmanned out there and we were really to pull away in the fourth quarter thanks toe-to-toe with them for awhile and we just in large part to another turnover by South couldn’t finish. Their size kind of wears
on you after awhile and they have good players. My hats off to them; they played a good ball game.” The Jaguars played current No. 4 Mississippi State earlier this season, losing 35-3. While that experience against another SEC team helped South Alabama the ultimate goal was to pull off the major upset. “Yeah it’s Mississippi State, yeah it’s South Carolina, yeah it’s the SEC, but they put their pants on one leg at a time (too),” senior linebacker Maleki Harris said. “It was just another game honestly. We didn’t make the plays we should have and we’re disappointed by that.” Jones said he enjoyed going up against South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and was happy for the opportunity to play him. Jones was able to spend a few minutes talking with Spurrier before the game and said he, like most other coaches, respects the Head Ball Coach. “He’s a great ambassador for the game,” Jones said. “Very good competitor. Everybody knows how great a football coach he is and (he’s) a great person. It was great to meet him. I wish we would’ve played a little better in the second half to scare him a little bit, but we didn’t do that.”
photo by allen sharpe
Brison Williams’ pick-six in the second quarter.
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November 26, 2014
Move to ‘Mike’ linebacker has been a good switch for Moore
by collyn Taylor Reporter
totaled 21 total tackles for the Gamecocks. His coaches have noticed how well the transition has paid off for Moore. On a day that included the last home “When you play Mike linebacker, you game for the seniors, an over 200-yard have a chance to be close to the ball all rushing performance for the Gamecocks the time and that’s what Skai was doing,” and a curtain call for a fifth-year senior, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said. South Carolina sophomore linebacker Skai “We moved him to Mike to get him and Moore and the defense stole the show. Jonathan Walton on the field together. He’s The defense allowed the second-lowest played well at Mike linebacker. He’s still points this season, only giving up four making some mistakes, but he’s still getfield goals, in cruising to a 37-12 victory ting better.” over the South Alabama Jaguars. And today really showed how much Moore, who just recently moved from better he’s getting. In a season where Will linebacker to Mike linebacker prior to turnovers have not come at a premium for the Florida game, registered nine tackles, the Gamecocks, Moore intercepted two four of which were on his own. He said passes against the Jaguars. Moore and felthat the switch to middle linebacker has low defensive back senior Brison Williams really benefitted him and simplified the both picked off two passes, which is the game. first time that any player has intercepted “It’s a little bit of a change from Mike to two passes in one game since Moore did Will, but at Mike my drops it against Wisconsin in are more simple and I can the Capital One Bowl last get a more mental feel to season. make some more plays,” “It was good to get my Moore said. “The progreshands on one, especially sion is a good switch for for the seniors,” Moore Skai Moore me.” said. “It felt really good.” KeenanSuggs In his last two games at Moore’s two takeaways Player of the Week Mike linebacker, he has came when the Jaguars
were driving inside Gamecock territory. One interception came when the defense was backed up on their own six-yard line. But, that was the story of the day for the Gamecock defense. South Alabama was able to get into the redzone five times for the day, but the defense was able to hold the Jaguars to four field goals. This was the first game all season where the defense did not allow a touchdown. “That was big for the game and our defense for our confidence,” Moore said. “To get down and have our backs against the wall and get big stops back to back like that was big for us.” While Moore brought in the interceptions, he credited the defensive line for helping force five total turnovers. The Gamecocks had three sacks on the day, a season high. They also tallied five tackles for loss and hurried the two South Alabama quarterbacks who played in the contest. “We’re getting a lot of penetration in the backfield,” Moore said. “Those guys are staying in their gaps and making it easier for the linebackers to make plays.” Moore and the rest of the defense will face Clemson next. After seeing revitalization on defense over the past two games
photo by jenny dilworth
they feel like they have a chance to continue their consistency on defense against their in-state rival. “Anytime you play your state rival you want to do well against them. I know they’ve developed a countdown clock,” Ward said. “Clemson’s got a good football team. We have a good football team at times, so hopefully we can put a good football team out there next Saturday.”
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November 26, 2014
Gamecocks become bowl eligible with win over South Alabama by brian hand Executive Editor
cepted a screen pass from Jaguar quarterback Hunter Vaughn and returned it 21 yards for a South Carolina touchdown to set the score COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina became at 17-6 in favor of the Gamecocks after Fry’s bowl eligible for the 10th consecutive year in extra point. The pick-six was the second of its 37-12 victory over South Alabama before a the year for Williams, who would also pick up crowd of 78,201 at Williams-Brice Stadium. another interception on South Alabama’s next South Carolina (6-5) with its win over South drive. Alabama (6-5) has now won 36 games against “That was a big play … they were moving the team outside of the BCS automatic qualifying/ ball and Williams spied that little screen they Power 5 conferences. The Gamecocks have had set up and went after it and made the play, also now won 18-straight games overall against a little like the one he had at Vandy,” Spurrier non-conference foes. The Gamecocks have said of the pick-six after the game. “He watched picked up 23 consecutive wins against nonthe quarterback and jumped in there and made conference opponents in the regular-season. the play Yeah, that was a big one. It was big goSouth Carolina has now collected 21-straight ing into halftime with a little bit of a lead.” victories over non-conference foes at Williams- On the next Gamecock possession, ThompBrice Stadium. son would throw an interception to give the “I told the guys there’s another team who Jaguars opportune field position at South is bowl eligible and it’s the South Carolina Carolina’s 21-yard line. South Alabama would Gamecocks,” South Carolina head coach Steve quickly turn the ball back over to the GameSpurrier said after the Gamecock win, which cocks with Vaughn being intercepted by Skai moved him to 52-0 against teams outside the Moore. BCS/Power 5. “It’s was a big win for us. It reIn what was the sixth straight possession ally was. The South Alabama team is a pretty between the two teams with a turnover, South good team.” Carolina’s Mike Davis then gave the football The Gamecocks received the opening kickoff back to the Jaguars with his second fumble of and got on the scoreboard first with a 42-yard the day. Davis’ fumble gave South Alabama the field goal from Elliott Fry. The 42-yard field football at South Carolina’s 38-yard line. The goal from Fry capped a 10-play, 49-yard drive final drive of the first half resulted in another for the Gamecocks that lasted 2:58. Sunanon field goal. The 20-yard field with two South Alabama would match on its first ofseconds left in the first half was the final play of fensive possession with Aleem Sunanon conan eight-play, 36-yard drive that encompassed necting on a 20-yard field goal to tie things up 1:25. The field goal ended the half with South at 3-3. The Sunanon field goal ended a 14-play, Carolina leading the Jaguars, 17-9. 70-yard drive that lasted 6:43 for the Jaguars. South Alabama finished the first half with The 14-play drive by the Jaguars was the lon207 yards of total offense on 45 plays, while gest in terms of plays and time of possession the Gamecocks concluded half No. 1 with 193 against the Gamecocks in the 2014 season. yards of total offense on 24 plays. The Gamecocks would take the lead back The Gamecocks would extend their lead to once again shortly thereafter as quarterback 20-9 with 7:21 remaining in the third quarter Dylan Thompson found a streaking Nick Jones when Fry knocked in a career-long 47-yard up the middle for a 29-yard touchdown. Just field goal. The 47-yard field goal by Fry was the a couple plays before the touchdown pass, culmination of an eight-play, 58-yard drive that Thompson had found Mike Davis for a 28-yard reception. Two days later, Thompson was able to connect with Jones for the touchdown that finished off a six-play, 73-yard drive for South Carolina. The Gamecock scoring drive took 2:38 off the clock. The touchdown pass to Jones allowed Thompson to move to fifth on the list in Gamecock history in single-season passing yards. The Jaguars matched their first scoring drive with another 14-play drive that ended with a field goal in the early minutes of the second quarter. Sunanon’s 29-yard field goal with 11:18 to play in the first half concluded a 63-yard drive that lasted 6:23 for the Jaguars. A little while later, South Carolina’s Mike Davis would fumble the football to turn the ball back over to the Jaguars. South Alabama started the ensuing drive at their own 26-yard line. The Gamecock defense stepped up though as Brison Williams jumped the route and inter-
lasted 3:47. Fry would tack on another field goal with 3:22 left in the first quarter. The 24-yard field goal concluded a seven-play, 25-yard drive for the Gamecocks. The scoring drive lasted 2:26 and garnered the Gamecocks a 23-9 advantage. The Gamecock lead would be 30-9 less than five minutes into the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks put themselves into scoring position when Thompson found Cooper for a 73-yard reception. Two plays later, Cooper out of the wildcat formation found Thompson in the endzone for Thompson’s first-ever touchdown catch. The touchdown catch by Thompson was the conclusion of an eight-play, 96-yard scoring drive for South Carolina. The scoring drive that lasted 4:23 was the longest drive of the year for the Gamecocks. On South Alabama’s next offensive possession, Vaughn would throw another interception with Moore picking off his second pass of the day to give the Gamecocks great field position at the South Alabama 14-yard line. On the very next play, David Williams scored out of the wildcat formation from the 14 yards out to push the Gamecock lead to 37-9 after the extra point. South Alabama would add another field goal a little while later when Sunanon’s 31-yard field goal went through the uprights. The field goal ended a four-play, three-yard drive that took
1:27. The field goal would be the final points of the game as South Carolina would emerge with the 25-point win. South Carolina closed out its win over South Alabama with 454 yards of total offense on 57 plays. South Alabama ended its loss to the Gamecocks with less than 300 yards offense (289) on 78 plays. The Jaguars owned the time of possession at 35:48-24:12. Thompson finished his final game at Williams-Brice Stadium with 237 yards passing and one touchdown. He was 10-for-17 with an interception. Thompson now has 3,031 yards passing this season. Cooper had three catches for 95 yards. He passed for the one touchdown and rushed five times for 42 yards. Brandon Wilds was the leading rusher for the Gamecocks in the game with 78 yards on 16 carries. David Williams had a touchdown to go along with his 68 yards rushing on 12 carries. Skai Moore and T.J. Gurley led the Gamecocks in tackles with nine each. Gurley had nine solo stops, while Moore added two interceptions to his nine tackles. Both teams had five turnovers in the game with South Carolina’s five forced turnovers its most since forcing Clemson into six turnovers last season.
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November 26, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
2014
football Schedule 08/28/14 ..........vs. #21 Texas A&M # ........... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 52-28 09/06/14 ..........vs. East Carolina .................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 33-23 09/13/14 ..........vs. #6 Georgia # ................... Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 38-35 09/20/14 ..........at Vanderbilt # ...................... Nashville, Tenn. ..................W, 48-34 09/27/14 ..........vs. Missouri # ......................... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 21-20 10/04/14 ..........at Kentucky # ........................ Lexington, Ky. ...................... L, 45-38 10/18/14 ..........vs. Furman ............................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 41-10 10/25/14 ..........at Auburn # ........................... Auburn, Ala. ......................... L, 42-35
Standings SEC East
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA
STRK
Missouri
6-1 170 139 9-2 322 222 W5
Georgia
6-2 310 195 9-2 476 225 W3
Florida
4-4 199 206 6-4 316 209 W1
South Carolina
3-5 272 294 6-5 383 339 W2
Tennessee
2-5 180 200 5-6 307 270 L1
Kentucky
2-6 183 300 5-6 310 331 L5
Vanderbilt
0-7 85
259 3-8 189 375 L2
SEC West
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA
Alabama
6-1 211
110 10-1 385 159 W6 149 10-1 429 202 W1
STRK
11/01/14 ..........vs. Tennessee # ..................... Columbia, S.C. ............L, 45-42 (OT)
Mississippi State
6-1 253
Auburn
4-3 231 207 8-3 386 258 W1
11/15/14 ..........at Florida # ............................. Gainesville, Fla. ........ W, 23-20 (OT)
Ole Miss
4-3 171 118 8-3 334 149 L1
Texas A&M
3-4 206 270 7-4 396 305 L1
11/22/14 ..........vs. South Alabama .............. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 37-12 11/29/14 ..........at Clemson ............................ Clemson, S.C. ................ 12 p.m. EST
LSU
3-4 130 149 7-4 308 180 L2
Arkansas
2-5 151 156 6-5 370 222 W2
8 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
South Carolina-South Alabama postgame notes/quotes South Carolina Athletics Media RElations GENERAL NOTES • South Carolina defeated South Alabama, 37-12 • The win makes the Gamecocks bowl eligible for the 10th consecutive year. • The Gamecocks’ winning streak over teams from outside the Power 5 conferences extends to 36 games. • South Carolina has won 18-straight games against nonconference teams and 23-straight regular season non-confrence games. • The Gamecocks’ home winning streak against non-conference foes now stands at 21-straight games. • Head coach Steve Spurrier is now 52-0 against teams outside the Power 5 conferences. • Captains for South Carolina were senior quarterback Dylan Thompson, senior spur Sharrod Golightly, senior offensive guard A.J. Cann and senior defensive tackle J.T. Surratt. • South Carolina honored 17 seniors and five underclassmen in senior day festivities prior to this afternoon’s game. • Attendance for the game at Williams-Brice Stadium: 78,201 • Senior left guard A.J. Cann made his 49th career start today, he is second on the Gamecock’s all-time list behind only T.J. Johnson. OFFENSIVE NOTES • Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson was 10-for-17 with 237 passing yards. He now has 3,031 passing yards on the year and is 28 yards shy of Stephen Garcia’s mark of 3,059 in 2010 for third-most in school history. • The Gamecocks committed a season-high five turnovers, which is the most since they had four at UCF last year. • The Gamecocks’ fourth-quarter scoring drive of 96 yards was the longest drive of the season. • Thompson’s 73-yard pass to Pharoh Cooper stands as the second-longest this year for the Gamecocks, behind their 85-yard connection against Tennessee. • Thompson’s touchdown reception from Cooper in the fourth quarter was the first of his career. • Junior tailback Brandon Wilds rushed for 77 yards on 16 carries, jumping him three spots on the career rushing charts to 29th with 1,263 yards. He’s 13 yards from getting to 28th and Mike Caskey (1952-55). DEFENSIVE NOTES • The Jaguars’ opening scoring drive was the longest against the Gamecocks this season in both plays (14) and time of possession (6:43). • Both Brison Williams and Skai Moore had two interceptions. This was the first time a player had two interceptions in a game since Moore posted two vs. Wisconsin in the 2014 Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2014. Williams now had four interceptions and two pick-six on the season. • The Gamecocks had four interceptions against the Jaguars. They had totaled five interceptions all season prior to this afternoon’s game. • The defense forced five turnovers, last time with five or more was six against Clemson on Nov. 30, 2013. SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES • Sophomore place kicker Elliot Fry, with three field goals and three PATs,s now has 193 career points and is eighth alltime in South Carolina history.
• Fry’s 47-yard field goad in the third quarter is the longest of his career. • South Alabama’s punt of 76 yards is the longest opponent punt of season. Team Totals USA SC FIRST DOWNS 20 20 Rushing 6 12 Passing 12 7 Penalty 2 1 NET YARDS RUSHING 119 210 Rushing Attempts 44 37 Average Per Rush 2.7 5.7 Rushing Touchdowns 0 1 Yards Gained Rushing 153 214 Yards Lost Rushing 34 4 NET YARDS PASSING 170 244 Completions-Attempts-Int 17-34-4 11-20-1 Average Per Attempt 5.0 12.2 Average Per Completion 10.0 22.2 Passing Touchdowns 0 2 TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 289 454 Total offense plays 78 57 Average Gain Per Play 3.7 8.0 Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-1 5-4 Penalties: Number-Yards 5-30 6-57 PUNTS-YARDS 4-195 1-43 Average Yards Per Punt 48.8 43.0 Net Yards Per Punt 46.0 43.0 Inside 20 4 1 50+ Yards 1 0 Touchbacks 0 0 Fair catch 0 1 KICKOFFS-YARDS 5-245 8-492 Average Yards Per Kickoff 49.0 61.5 Net Yards Per Kickoff 38.6 39.2 Touchbacks 0 5 Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 0-0-0 4-11-0 Average Per Return 0.0 2.8 Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 3-53-0 4-52-0 Average Per Return 17.7 13.0 Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 1-28-0 4-92-1 Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 Miscellaneous Yards 0 0 Possession Time 35:48 24:12 1st Quarter 9:24 5:36 2nd Quarter 11:21 3:39 3rd Quarter 7:05 7:55 4th Quarter 7:58 7:02 Third-Down Conversions 7 of 17 4 of 10 Fourth-Down Conversions 0 of 0 0 of 0 Red-Zone Scores-Chances 4-5 4-4 Touchdowns 0-5 2-4 Field goals 4-5 2-4 Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 3-32 PAT Kicks 0-0 4-4 Field Goals 4-4 3-3 Points off turnovers 6 17 PASSING LEADERS South Alabama COM ATT YDS TD INT Hunter Vaughn 15 23 151 0 4 Brandon Bridge 2 11 19 0 0
South Carolina COM ATT YDS TD INT Dylan Thompson 10 17 237 1 1 Pharoh Cooper 1 1 7 1 0 RUSHING LEADERS South Alabama CAR YDS AVG TD LG Kendall Houston 16 68 4.3 1 8 Terrance Timmons 17 62 3.6 0 7 South Carolina CAR YDS AVG TD LG Brandon Wilds 16 77 4.8 0 17 David Williams 12 65 5.4 1 19 RECEIVING LEADERS South Alabama REC YDS AVG TD LG Shavarez Smith 5 82 16.4 0 40 Jeremé Jones 5 41 8.2 0 13 South Carolina REC YDS AVG TD LG Pharoh Cooper 3 95 31.7 0 73 Nick Jones 3 53 17.7 1 29 Head Coach Steve Spurrier Opening Statement: “I told the guys there’s another team who is bowl eligible, and it’s the South Carolina Gamecocks. It was a big win for us; it really was. The South Alabama team is a pretty good team. With all the turnovers we had, it gave them a chance. And fortunately our defense really came to play the second half. We shut them out the second half and held them to field goals in the first half. Even though they were on the field most of the time, we made them kick field goals, and they only had nine points. It was a really good win for the Gamecocks. I knew it wouldn’t be easy because this is a pretty good team. You’re not just going to run it down their throat and get out with an easy win. All those turnovers – we’ve been so good all year protecting the ball and taking care of it, but it hit us this game. Fortunately the defense played so well that it wasn’t a factor. And we had a big fourth quarter there to put it away – obviously Skai Moore with a couple of picks; Brison Williams with two picks and then Dylan hitting Pharoh [Cooper] on that post route. He checked to that; he saw the right defense and hit him down there; and then Pharoh threw it to Dylan for a touchdown. I tell you what, that Pharoh Cooper kid, I’m so happy for him because the Tennessee game he had an incredible game, but nobody knows about it because we found a way to lose it. But today he caught passes, he ran with it and had another touchdown pass. Dylan [Thompson] had a good solid game. It was a game that we felt like we needed to keep running and keep running, and we only threw 20 passes and ran 37 times. That’s probably a good ratio that you need for winning. Brandon Wilds had some good runs in there. He messed up on the 1-yard line. That’s just carelessness. Our quarterback and center weren’t together. That’s lousy coaching that’s what that is. We should practice that more often, and we will going from here on out. Elliot Fry was 3-for-3 on field goals. He was outstanding and really contributed to getting that 14-point lead with that last 47-yard field goal. We had a lot of screw-ups offensively, but our defense bailed us out. It was a very good win for us to be bowl eligible and get win number six. We won’t have a losing record in the regular season, we can be sure of that. Hopefully we can get ready for Clemson, have some confidence and play a lot smarter than we did today. Defensive Coordinator Lorenzo Ward On how win helps against Clemson: “It was a great game. They had 207 yards at halftime and 289 for the whole day. We played from start to finish, and if we can keep that going and keep the confidence up, we’re going to have a great chance to get a win next weekend.”
Spurs & Feathers • 9
November 26, 2014
More Gamecock sports available on SEC Network+ by Brad Muller South Carolina Director of Content
on SEC Network+. The network guaranteed a minimum of 40 events per school to be broadcast on this digital platform, but walkThe SEC Network may be in its infancy in off wins at home on the baseball and softball its first year on the air, but South Carolina is diamond on the same day last spring promptat the top of the growth chart when it comes ed Athletics Director Ray Tanner to commit to its commitment of having Gamecock to the investment in technology, equipment sports content available. South Carolina cur- and personnel. This foresight allows South rently leads the 14 SEC institutions, having Carolina to locally produce and broadcast already broadcast more than 30 live athletics multiple home events simultaneously. events via the SEC Network’s web site or “I have to give Ray Tanner a lot of credit,” digital channel, known as SEC Network+. said Scott Hecht, ESPN/SEC Network senior “We are thrilled with the production qualremote operations manager. “We’ve told that ity of our broadcasts,” said Charles Bloom, story so many times. Five years from now senior associate athletics director for external when we go back and look at the history of affairs. “We have a talented and dedicated the SEC Network, that’s going to be one of crew of staff who spend countless hours pull- the real major points. When Ray said he was ing off network-quality productions. You going to build a second control room and buy will not find a better trifecta of SEC Network more equipment, a lot of other A.D.’s basi`behind-the-scenes’ people like (Director of cally said `if Ray’s going to do it, then we’re Live Operations) David Cockfield, (Associgoing to do it.’ I really think it’s a major turnate Director of Live Operations) Mark Slice ing point in the history of this (SEC Network) and (Assistant Director of Live Operations/ project.” Graphics) Justin Stoll. They put everything South Carolina was able to locally produce into a broadcast and it shows.” and broadcast all home games not carried by In addition to the 450 live events that will be other television outlets on SEC Network+ for seen on the SEC Network’s television channel women’s soccer, men’s soccer and volleyball in year one, there were expected to be a mini- this fall, and will do the same for men and mum of 550 additional live events broadcast women’s basketball, baseball, softball and
sand volleyball. “The expectations for me this year were modest,” Hecht said. “I wanted people to execute clean telecasts and to document the games so the viewer at home understands what they’re watching and it makes sense. This university in particular is doing a really good job of documenting their games, and they’re now starting to throw more of the story lines in. That’s the hardest part.” South Carolina was the first of the 14 schools to locally produce two live sporting events simultaneously for SEC Network+ on October 19 when it aired the women’s soccer game against Ole Miss and the volleyball match against Texas A&M. Other schools have had events broadcast simultaneously on the full tier SEC Network as well as SEC Network+. “The one thing that impresses me about this group, more than anything, is that they take on a lot,” Hecht said. “This group here just dove in head first. I love that type of attitude where they say `we’ll make it work.’ It’s a big deal when you can watch a baseball game and a softball game simultaneously.” As of November 1, South Carolina was one of only two schools to locally produce more than 20 live events on the digital platform.
All of South Carolina’s broadcasts have used the four-camera set up preferred by the network, while some schools opted to use only two-camera shoots for some of their productions. Two of the top four SEC Network+ nonfootball broadcasts in terms of unique viewers to an event also belonged to South Carolina with the volleyball match against Georgia Tech ranking third, and the men’s soccer match against Clemson ranking fourth. South Carolina’s production staff received high enough praise from the network that it was asked to produce the linear television broadcast, instead of having a crew from ESPN/SEC Network come down with its own production truck, for the SEC Network’s broadcast of the volleyball match against Alabama on Nov. 9. “We’re very selective on who is doing linear productions for us right now,” Hecht said. “There are certain schools that have shown us over time that they are ready to do a linear production. The fact that we were here for the weekend speaks volumes for what this group has done and the direction that they’re going.” Visit http://www.gamecocksonline.com/ot/ sec-network.html to find out more about the SEC Network and SEC Network+ broadcasts.
10 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
Gamecocks closed year playing best ‘when it mattered’ by brian hand Executive Editor
“We went up their to get the championship, but it was a good run … it doesn’t always work out the way Every coach dreams of his team you want it; it doesn’t always work playing its best at the end of the year. out what you feel the team deserves. And that is just what South Carolina It’s good when it does work out. I’ve men’s soccer head coach Mark Bergot to say from the (regular-season) son received from his 2014 GameKentucky game on, the New Mexico cock soccer team. game, the Old Dominion game and The Gamecocks closed their season then the three tournament games very strongly by advancing all the the team was playing its best soccer way to the Conference USA Tourna- of the year. We were finally getting ment championship after a quarterfi- some guys back from injury that had nal win over No. 18 Kentucky and a been out for big stretches of the year semifinal win over No. 21 UAB. and that helped, so it was good to see The Gamecocks lost 2-1 to tourthat happen. nament host Old Dominion in the “All three games (in conference tournament final in Norfolk, Va. The tournament) gave us momentum championship game left the Gamegoing into the offseason. It’s one of cocks with a final record of 10-10 on those happy and sad things. At the the 2014 season. end of the year you’re really happy Afer a regular-season conference that you’re playing your best at the slate where even in losses for the most end of the year and then it comes part the Gamecocks were in very crashing to a halt when you don’t tight games, Berson was pleased that make it into the (NCAA) tournahis squad started to pick up the results ment,” Berson continued. they deserved. The season on the whole leaves “We didn’t go up there to get the Berson and the Gamecocks wanting second place trophy,” Berson said. because they know that they were
really close to achieving some big things. “We didn’t get off to the start that we wanted to in spite of a big win over Clemson … we did not play as well in the middle stretch of the season that we would have liked,” Berson noted. “In the end, that comes back to haunt you sometimes, but we were really close with this group. “If you are going to have it one way, you’d like to have it that you’re playing your best at the end, things are coming together and you’re playing your best when it counts and that’s really what happened. Some injuries contributed and maybe not playing our best in some games in the middle of the season. That’s soccer. Those results get away from you, but I think if you look at the season we were playing our best when it really mattered,” Berson expounded. Now Berson and the Gamecocks turn their attention to getting ready for the 2015 season. Berson likes the prospects of next year’s team with a strong core returning. Conference USA golden boot winner (most
Photo by allen sharpe
goals), Conference USA Freshman of the Year Mikkel Knudsen and thirdteam all-league choice Kurtis Turner highlight the returning players for the Gamecocks. “We’ve got a lot of young players and obviously it’s going to be a little difficult because we lose Mo (Ma-
hamoudou Kaba), we lost Braeden (Troyer) in the back, Dan Traxler, Frei (Ryan Freiburger); we lose a lot of good guys who are really solid for us, but that’s what the spring’s for,” Berson relayed. “The NCAA allows us to have five dates in the spring where we can play competitive matches as scrimmages. “This is a great time for our younger players to step up and see what kind of responsibility they can take in the team next year and it’s a really important time for us (as coaches) teaching because in the season you have preseason, you have a few gaps in there, a few weeks in there where you don’t have a midweek game, but a lot of the time it’s just play, regenerate, play, regenerate and the amount of actual work you can spend on concepts and teaching is very, very limited other than just showing them some things on film. Physically you can only do so much. Spring is a really important teaching time for us. I’m really excited about this group. I think we’ve got a great group coming back,” Berson concluded.
Spurs & Feathers • 11
November 26, 2014
Stroman has delivered in first few games as a Gamecock by collyn taylor Reporter
shots in the first half, but heck he’s a freshman.” He kept up his consistent ways over the next two games, combining for 13 points, five asOn a team that has a majority of sophomores sists and 11 rebounds against Baylor and Corand juniors on the roster one freshman is stand- nell. ing out. The highlight of the game against Cornell In his first games wearing the garnet and when he drove into the lane and almost conblack, freshman guard Marcus Stroman has nected on a vicious dunk. He ended up drawing stood out to his teammates and head coach a foul on the play and Martin said the play was Frank Martin. exactly how he coached Stroman to play. In three games with the Gamecocks, Stroman “I’ve seen him do that in high school games,” has shown maturity around his teammates and Martin said. “It would have been good to see Martin said that he’s been leading his teamhim finish that. He went at that with aggresmates on the court, telling them where to be. sion. He saw the avenue. We told him, ‘they’re Stroman played 77 out of a possible 120 min- athletic at the rim and they’re going to try and utes during the first three games and, after a block some shots.’ The one thing we tell our couple of mistakes early on in his first game, he point guards is that if you drive with the ball was able to finish the win over and the size is at the rim you North Florida with six points, have to shoot it. You can’t try while dealing out six assists and pass it around a person and hauling in three rebounds. that size. He saw that guy was “I thought he played more a little late and he attacked mature than our upperclassthe rim. That’s good to see a men,” Martin said. “When young kid do that.” I say upperclassmen I mean Martin said that he loves the guys that have been around way that Stroman carries himAll Gamecock basketball self on the court and that he here. He kept his head and got coverage sponsored by us in offense most of the time. really understands how to play Yesterdays Took a couple of questionable and what the coaches want
photo by jenny dilworth
from him out there. Martin said that the Columbia, S.C. native and Keenan High School product has delivered exactly what is expected from him and while there have been some miscues on offense he is just what Martin wanted from him defensively coming out of high school.
“Stroman came off the bench and he’s a ball hawk defensively,” Martin said. “When I first moved to Columbia, I saw him,” Martin said. “The ball goes into the crowd and he runs back out of the crowd with the ball. He’s got those instincts and that ability. He’s out there fighting his tail off to help us win.”
12 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
Gamecocks continue to work on foundation by brian hand Executive Editor
the game and how we communicate because we have to. Whether it’s getting our beach only kids up to speed or our crossover kids up to speed or South Carolina sand volleyball head coach getting them kind of connected is going to be Moritz Moritz is confident that for many reasons huge for us.” his sand volleyball program will be among the With the fall portion of their year over, Moritz elite in a very short time. knows it is now up to his players to keep getting Nevertheless, the Gamecocks are just in their ready for a tough spring season. second year as a program and it takes time to “It’s a scary thing for a coach where essentially from the middle of November to the middle build a program. “Over time I think we’re going to be right there of January it’s up to them,” Moritz mused. with all of them (the regional and national pro“Obviously they’ll have a winter strength and grams),” Moritz said. “My goal is to be top-3 in conditioning program that they’ll have access photo by allen sharpe to. The huge thing about beach volleyball is it’s a the region. We’re not there yet and that’s just the player-driven sport, so you really have to be self reality, but we’re going to be there and it’s just a Moritz really enjoyed the opportunity his team motivated … it’s almost like ‘what are you doing matter of time. “ Moritz feels that all the right steps are being South Carolina just concluded its second fall had to compete in at least one event during the that’s the extra that’s going to get you to the next taking with the fledgling program, particularly season in the program’s history and for the most fall, particularly one that features pairs from top- after talking with coaches from other programs level?’ part Moritz was pleased with the fall campaign notch programs such as Florida State, Georgia “We’re going to have tough schedule and around the nation. for the Gamecocks. State, LSU and UAB. “Talking to coaches from Florida State, Geor- honestly there is no team competing in beach “It’s funny how even though we’re learning “For us, the one event (in the fall) is huge volleyball that’s weak. We’re going to play gia State and even Pepperdine what you realize so much a lot doesn’t change,” Moritz noted. because it’s an opportunity to play someone is they didn’t begin to really get the depth and the Georgia State, who’s in the top-10. We’re going “We’re tweaking and adjusting to tournament other than ourselves,” Moritz commented. “For full understanding of the basic principles of what to play Florida International, who’s in the top-10. structures and season structures and things like someone else to expose our strengths or our their foundation is until year three,” Moritz said. We’re going to play Florida State, who finished that, but we realize on a daily basis we have to weaknesses is kind of the key component, but it “Now they have depth. I’m a square one guy all (national) runner-up last year. We’re upping our level, so we need to kind of keep up with the just focus on the little things the same way and still becomes about who makes the fewest errors, the time and we’re going to go back to the fungetting good at those little things every day. who keeps the ball, who’s still aggressive and has damentals in the spring. We’re going to go back other end of it, the competitive side of it as well,” Moritz continued. Everything that we talk about is not about what great communication, works on awesome chem- to the basic principles of teaching and learning they’re doing to us, who they are, or what they’re istry between partners and things of that sort.” doing. It’s about how we control Moritz is quick to point out what we do and reducing outthat they are still trying to build side noise so that we can better. the culture with the program, That’s been the huge emphasis.” but like with most programs South Carolina is able to that will probably be a yearly participate in one event during thing. the fall per NCAA rules and the “A huge piece is that we’re All Gamecock Gamecocks won 20 sets at the working on the culture, the sand volleyball coverage foundation still and to be honCollegiate Sand Clash hosted sponsored by by Rally Volleyball at the Lakeest, I think we’ll be doing that Point Sports Complex in EmerJames W. Smith every year for the rest of the son, Ga. on Nov. 15. Real Estate Co. program,” Moritz relayed.
Spurs & Feathers • 13
November 26, 2014
south carolina athletics media relations
Pictured left-to-right are Gamecock seniors Caroline Cann and Mikaela Christiaansen.
Volleyball seniors: ‘It’s great to be a part of Gamecock community’ by Collyn Taylor Reporter Close to the end of the fourth set against Auburn Sunday, Nov. 16, Mikaela Christiaansen went back to serve the ball. The Gamecocks were mounting a comeback in the set and it was close to set point when Christiaansen went back to serve. She looked over at the coaches who were giving her directions from the sideline. Looking over, she slightly smiled; grinning about the way the volleyball team was playing in the fourth set. It was easy to see that it was fun to her. The Gamecocks would eventually win the fourth in dramatic fashion to force a fifth set tiebreak, but fall in the fifth set to the Tigers. The Auburn match was designated as Christiaansen’s and senior outside hitter Caroline Cann’s Senior Day. Cann, who joined the team over the summer, has played in five matches for the Gamecocks this season. She has averaged 1.14 kill per set in those games and has accumulated 8.5 points over the season. She played a pivotal role over the weekend against Arkansas and Auburn, coming in and getting 12 total kills. “She’s someone that everyone respects and looks to and will follow,” head coach Scott Swanson said. “She’s been our inspirational leader all year and I’m just glad we could get her in there. We’ve needed her on the court these last two nights and she’s done a good job of sparking the crew.” It was senior day for Christiaansen as well, whose story is similar to that of Cann’s. After playing volleyball since she was little her time in garnet and black is winding down to only four regular-season matches left. “I hasn’t really hit me yet because we still have a bunch of games left in our season, but it’s pretty surreal,” Christiaansen said. “I’ve been playing volleyball since I was 11, so it’s crazy to think that the time has finally come where it’s my last season.” The senior libero transferred after her freshman year from Pepperdine to come play for head
coach Scott Swanson. She was an instant piece in Swanson’s rotation, starting seven matches and playing in all 31 her junior year. That year, she was a defensive standout. In 31 matches, she was able to collect 386 digs and average 3.57 digs per set. She also helped offensively with 127 assists over the course of the season. And this year hasn’t been much different. She has shone again, collecting 437 digs through 26 matches and averaging 4.28 digs per set. That mark is good enough for her to rank third in the SEC in digs per set and in total digs. That kind of defensive performance night in and night out has given Swanson a level of trust to where he feels he doesn’t have to worry about her performances. “She’s a really good passer, she’s a good defender and she’s a really good server,” Swanson said. “She’s top three in digs per set in the SEC and she’s been really, really steady for us. We never have to worry about Mikaela. That’s a great thing to know that you’re going to be able to count on someone every night.” And for Christiaansen, she credits her success to her teammates. In game situations, she’s the first to congratulate her teammates in the huddle. “Our blockers do a great job of funneling the digs to me so it’s easier to read where they’re going to hit,” she said. “It’s about working hard in practice every day. My teammates make me better.” For as much as she credits her teammates, her coaches credit her to the team’s success. Swanson said that Christiaansen came in and “steadied out our ball control.” He’s thankful for the time that Christiaansen has been apart of the program and the senior is just as thankful. After four years, two schools and 58 career matches played for the Gamecocks so far, Christiaansen has found a home that she’s happy to be a part of. “I think the Gamecock community has been great and almost like a family in a sense,” Christiaansen said. “Every aspect of the community, both the athletic department and everyone else, has backed you up and supported you no matter what. It’s great to be a part of that.”
14 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
Recruiting Round-up By Phil Kornblut
When senior WR Christian Owens (6-5 210) of Griffin, GA decommitted from Georgia earlier this month, he quickly declared a commitment to USC then backtracked from the pledge saying he needed to make his official visit first. He made that visit over the weekend and before leaving on Sunday afternoon he formally committed to Steve Spurrier. “I just really think it’s a blessing,” Owens said. “I just really appreciate coach Spurrier giving Phil Kornblut miss the opportunity to Contributing showcase my talents and Writer allow me to commit early. It’s just a blessing and I’m excited and ready to get to work. Like any receiver, Owens wants to be where they throw the ball. He’s watched the Gamecocks and knows Spurrier’s reputation, so he feels the Gamecock offense will suit him just fine. “I believe the South Carolina offense is pretty good and I’ll be able to come right in and learn the offense, the ins and outs, and be able to showcase my talents,” Owens said. “I feel like the coaches are good enough coaches and good at what they do to put me in the right position to be able to make plays for South Carolina football.” Owens will be a January enrollee and he’s hopeful of being an early contributor. He’s not opposed to redshirting if necessary but his goal is to play right way. “I feel like once I get there I’ll be working hard and I’ll have a head start on the people coming in my class,” he said. “The door is open and the opportunity is there.” Owens’ season is ongoing. As a junior he had
23 catches for 600 yards and 3 touchdowns. He believes his size is a big asset and helps to make him a dangerous receiver. “Getting north and south once I catch the ball and yards after the catch,” he identified as his strengths. “Very good with my hands. I’m playing the slot and I’m very good at getting defenders’ hands off of me. And I like to think I’ve got a good ability for highpointing the ball in the air.” Owens gives the Gamecocks 28 newcomers for 2015 including the holdovers from the 2014 class and he gives the Gamecocks four receiver commitments. LB Daniel Fennell of Loganville, GA and WR Darius Slayton of Norcross, GA were at the South Alabama game. Fennell made an unofficial visit while Slayton was in for the weekend on an official visit. Fennell talked with USC recruiter Kirk Botkin a couple of days before about the visit. It was his first game at USC but he watched the Gamecocks beat Florida on TV last Saturday and focused on the defense. “They are real young and made some mistakes but they bounced back,” he said. “Coach Botkin has told me I would start off as a Will linebacker but would end up being the Mike.” Fennell plans to take an official visit to USC in January. He’s also talking to Georgia Tech, Missouri, Duke, Wisconsin and Michigan State and plans to set up other official visits from that group. This season he has about 90 tackles and 2 sacks. He had 111 tackles and 2.5 sacks as a junior. Slayton took an official visit to Tennessee a couple weekends ago. “It was cool, had a lot of fun,” Slayton said in a text. He has also taken an official visit to Georgia and USC was his final official visit. Slayton said he did not know how long it will take him to make a decision after his USC visit and he does not have a favorite going into the visit. TE Chris Clark of Avon, CT has been committed to Michigan since the summer but concern about the future of the coaching staff there has him looking around again. And one place he’s looking is USC. Clark has set an official visit with the Gamecocks for January 23rd. He also set official visits to Southern Cal November 29th, Texas December 5th and North Carolina January 16th. He originally committed to the Tar Heels before backing off that and pledging to the Wolverines. He also plans to visit UCLA. “I’m concerned about the Michigan staff,” Clark said. “I’m pretty convinced coach Hoke will be fired. They have a new AD and he will have a new vision. But I still feel good about Michigan. I’m still somewhat committed. We’ll see what happens. I’m just living in the moment.” USC recruiter GA Mangus has continued to recruit Clark despite the pledges elsewhere and that persistence has paid off with renewed interest from
the big tight end. “I’ve been talking to coach Mangus a bunch,” Clark said. “We’ve been talking a lot. They are losing a couple of tight ends after this year, so it’s a great opportunity to play early. And it’s the SEC.” Clark has never visited USC. This season he had over 40 catches for over 600 yards and 8 touchdowns. DE Marquavius Lewis of Hutchinson JC, KS is still holding to his commitment to USC but three of the Gamecocks’ SEC rivals are working him for official visits. Lewis made his official visit to USC last summer and he talked with recruiter Deke Adams recently. But he’s also getting pitches from LSU, Alabama and Auburn and each has invited him for an official visit. “They are losing people and I can be an immediate impact,” is what Lewis said he’s being told by the schools. “I’m just taking a look at them.” Lewis said he’s doing well in school and is on track to graduate in December so that he can enroll at his new school in January. Lewis helped to lead Hutch to a conference championship and a bowl game next month with 55 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and 19 quarterback hurries. USC DB commitment Mark Fields Jr. of Cornelius, NC has heard and read the rumors that he plans to take more official visits this winter than his one to Columbia. Last week Fields waylaid all of that talk. “I haven’t set up any visits and I don’t plan on going anywhere but to South Carolina in January,” Fields said. “Pretty much every SEC and ACC school has been talking to me but I just really don’t feel like going on official visits.” Texas, Georgia and Tennessee are three which have been making a strong push for Fields who has only been to games at USC this season. He plans to see the Gamecocks again when they play at Clemson. Juniors: RB Shakur Chisolm of Barnwell will make his second trip to USC this season when the Gamecocks host South Alabama. Chisolm has USC among his favorites, along with Clemson and Auburn. Auburn has extended a verbal offer while Chisolm waits on the Tigers and Gamecocks to do the same. Chisolm is looking forward to returning to Columbia for another game. “I like their offense, it’s sneaky,” he said. “The thing I like about them the most is the support system. Their fans are so amazing. Even though they’re not having a good season, I know they’ll be good again. They’ve got a really good recruiting class coming in.” In his junior campaign, Chisolm rushed for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. He had 250 yards receiving and another three scores. OL Parker Boudreaux of Orlando has over
40 offers and plans to narrow his list to 10-15 schools after the season. USC is among those offers and is a strong possibility to make the short list. He has not yet visited USC but he’s in regular contact with coaches. Boudreaux has visited Clemson, Florida, Marshall, NC State, East Carolina, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern. His other offers include Clemson, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Kentucky, Miami, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, Duke, Iowa, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Penn State and West Virginia. DL Derrick Brown (6-3 295) of Buford, GA narrowed his list to 10 last week and USC made the cut. Brown would like to visit all ten schools on his list this spring and said his decision could come as early as next summer. Clemson, Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Alabama, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Florida State round out his top ten in no order. Brown has visited Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Georgia and Alabama this season giving each trip high marks. He has not scheduled any additional visits. Brown does not have any favorites. RB CJ Freeman (5-11 190) of Greensboro, NC visited USC earlier this season for the Georgia game and will return for the South Alabama game. Freeman also has visited Auburn, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and the in-state North Carolina schools this season. He’s also going to Louisville and East Carolina before the season ends. USC and Virginia Tech are his first two offers. He’s also hearing from Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Purdue, Iowa State and Vanderbilt along with the schools he’s visited. Freeman said USC and Virginia Tech standout right now because those are his offers. He plans to make his decision this summer. Freeman rushed for 1800 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. This season he has 1200 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. ATH Davante Turner (5-11 195) of Lake City made an unofficial visit to USC for the Tennessee game. This past summer, USC was one of the camps that Turner attended and he got a chance to meet with some of the coaches. Missouri is the other school Turner mentioned that has been showing interest. And he’d like to visit Georgia next year. He has not yet been offered. Basketball News: Dawn Staley signed 5-8 Shay Colley from Brampton, Ontario. She played for the U18 Canadian National Team last summer. Baseball News: Junior RHP Colby Lee of Latta committed to USC this week.
November 26, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 15
16 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
South Carolina Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Damiere Byrd WR 1 Rico McWilliams CB 3 Nick Jones WR 3 Chris Lammons CB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 4 Shaq Roland WR 5 Darius English DE 5 Brendan Nosovitch QB 6 Connor Mitch QB 6 Chris Moody SS 7 Shon Carson TB 7 Wesley Green CB 8 Shamier Jeffery WR 8 Kaiwan Lewis LB 9 Deebo Samuel WR 9 Sharrod Golightly SPR 10 Skai Moore LB 10 Perry Orth QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 11 Pharoh Cooper WR 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 12 Brison Williams SS 13 Tyler Hull P 13 Grant Davitte QB 14 Shaq Davidson WR 14 Ali Groves CB 15 Austin Hails QB 16 Zack Cimaglia K/P 17 Chaz Elder FS 17 Dylan Thompson QB 18 Cedrick Cooper DE 18 Patrick Fish P 19 Terry Googer WR 19 Landon Ard PK 20 T.J. Gurley SS 21 Marcquis Roberts LB 21 Andrew Bunch WR 22 Brandon Wilds TB 22 Jamari Smith CB 23 Larenz Bryant SPR 24 D.J. Smith DB 25 Kadetrix Marcus FS 26 Jasper Sasser FS 28 Mike Davis TB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 29 Matrick Belton WR 30 Darius Paulk FB 30 Sidney Rhodes CB 31 Al Harris Jr. CB 31 Jordan Diaz FB 32 Rod Talley TB 33 David Williams TB 34 Jonas Price K/P 34 Mason Harris DE
Hgt. 5-9 5-11 5-7 5-10 6-1 6-1 6-6 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-8 5-10 6-1 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-4 5-11 6-2 6-3 5-11 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-4 5-9 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-0 5-9 6-0 6-0 6-4 5-8 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-10 6-1 6-2 6-3
Wgt. 170 184 168 172 231 176 241 221 211 210 201 176 198 228 192 187 213 204 234 201 189 208 207 180 170 187 220 170 195 218 225 194 210 178 194 216 173 222 197 220 189 194 203 223 228 165 215 199 182 162 236 201 214 165 235
Cl. SR RS SO RS SR FR FR JR RS SO RS SO RS FR RS SO RS JR FR RS JR JR FR RS SR SO RS SO RS SO SO FR SR RS SR RS FR FR RS FR RS JR RS SO RS SO RS SR RS JR RS SR FR RS JR JR RS SO RS SO RS JR SO SO FR SR RS FR JR SO SO RS SO RS SO RS SR FR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS JR
Hometown/High School/Last College Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy Moore, S.C./Byrnes Sunrise, Fla./Plantation Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Lexington, S.C./Lexington Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield McDonough, Ga./Henry County Scranton, S.C./Lake City Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County Pleasantville, N.J./St. Joseph Inman, S.C./Chapman Decatur, Ga./Southwest DeKalb Cooper City, Fla./University Ponde Verda, Fla./Ponte Verda/Florida State College Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Havelock, NC./Havelock Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Warner Robins, Ga./Northside/Fork Union Military Mount Airy, N.C./Mount Airy/Guilford College Columbia, S.C./Irmo Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park/North Carolina A&T Union City, Ga./Banneker Boiling Springs, S.C./Boiling Springs Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Shelby, N.C./Burns Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Cairo, Ga./Cairo Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Bishop England/Presbyterian Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Atlanta, Ga./Stephenson Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Tx./Prince of Peace Christian Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast/North Greenville Easley, S.C./Wren/Western Carolina Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter Cockeysville, Md./St. Paul’s Fort Oglethorpe, Ga./Ridgeland
Coaches Steve Spurrier - Head Coach Deke Adams - Defensive Line Kirk Botkin - Linebackers/Spurs Grady Brown - Secondary/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator Shawn Elliott - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive LIne G.A. Mangus - Quarterbacks/Tight Ends Joe Robinson - Special Teams Coordinator Everette Sands - Running Backs Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Steve Spurrier Jr. - Co-Offensive Coord/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator Lorenzo Ward - Defensive Coordinator Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Robbie Liles - Director - Recruiting Operations Patrick Shine - Administrative Coordinator - Recruiting Scott Spurrier - Quality Control Coordinator (Offense) Shaq Wilson - Quality Control Coordinator (Defense)
# Name Pos. 35 Shannon James DB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 40 Jacob August TE 41 Kyle Morini LB 41 Connor McLaurin FB 42 Jordan Diggs SPR 43 Benjamin Russell DB 43 Garrison Gist FB 44 Gerald Turner FB 44 Gerald Dixon DE 45 Brandon Sturdivant FB 46 Cedrick Malone SPR 47 Drew Williams LS 48 Nick McGriff TE 49 Garrett Shank SS 49 Devin Potter TB 50 A.J. Cann OG 51 Cody Waldrop OC 51 Devin Washington DE 52 Phillip Dukes DT 53 Corey Robinson OT 54 Clayton Stadnik OC 55 David Johnson DE 55 Na’Ty Rodgers OT 58 Ryland Culbertson LS 59 Coleman Harley LS 65 Brock Stadnik OG 69 D.J. Park OT 70 Alan Knott OC 71 Brandon Shell OT 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OT 75 Will Sport OG 76 Mike Matulis OT 77 Malik Young OL 80 K.J. Brent WR 81 Rory Anderson TE 82 Caleb Hines WR 83 Carlton Heard WR 84 Matthew Harvey WR 85 Kane Whitehurst WR 86 Kevin Crosby TE 87 Sean Odom WR 88 Drew Owens TE 89 Jerell Adams TE 90 Cody Gibson TE 90 Taylor Stallworth DT 91 Blake McClain DE 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. DT 93 Deon Green DT 94 Kelsey Griffin DT 95 Michael Washington DE 97 J.T. Surratt DT 99 Abu Lamin DT
Hgt. 5-7 5-11 6-6 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-8 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-9 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-5 5-11 6-0 6-8 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-6 6-6 6-7 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-4
Wgt. 153 170 247 221 243 217 175 260 250 274 218 201 201 220 203 203 311 309 221 323 344 273 275 280 267 246 287 328 280 333 346 301 291 307 318 192 227 160 188 22 8 169 230 190 238 242 278 293 265 323 289 310 237 310 302
Cl. RS SO RS FR FR RS SR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS JR RS FR RS SO RS SO RS SO SO FR RS SO RS SO RS SR RS SO RS FR RS JR RS SR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS SR RS JR RS SO RS FR RS FR RS JR FR RS SO RS JR RS JR FR RS JR SR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR FR SO RS JR JR RS SR FR FR RS JR RS SO SO RS JR RS SR RS SO
Hometown/High School/Last College Florence, S.C./South Florence Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman/Fork Union Warner Robins, Ga./White Knoll/Gray Military Raleigh, N.C./Garner Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./Northwesterm Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford/York Tech Camden, S.C./Camden/Coastal Carolina Irmo, S.C/Dutch Fork Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Marietta, Ga./Lassiter Granite Falls, N.C./South Caldwell Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Seffner, Fla./Armwood Orlando, Fla./Jones Manning, S.C./Manning Havelock, N.C./Havelock Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Waldorf, Md./McDonough Laurens, S.C./Laurens Academy Aiken, S.C./South Aiken Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Irmo, S.C./Chapin Milton, Fla./Pace Boynton Beach, Fla./Park Vista Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Cornelius, N.C./Hough Athens, Ga./Clarke Central/Gardner-Webb Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill Duluth, Ga./Chattahoochee/Arkansas Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg Prep Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell Pinewood, S.C./Scott’s Branch Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln Mobile, Ala./Murphy Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern Windermere, Fla./Olympia Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Allendale, S.C./Allendale-Fairfax/S.C. State Winston-Salem, N.C./Parkland Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott C.C.
Spurs & Feathers • 17
November 26, 2014
Clemson Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Ogundeko, Ebenezer DE 1 Thompson, Trevion WR 2 Alexander, Mackensie CB 3 Beasley, Vic DE 3 Scott, Artavis WR 4 Watson, Deshaun QB 5 Hopper,Germone WR 6 O’Daniel, Dorian LB 7 Steward, Tony LB 7 Williams, Mike WR 8 Kitt, Demarre WR 9 Barnes, Tavaris DE 9 Gallman, Wayne RB 10 Boulware, Ben LB 10 Olson, David QB 11 Blanks, Travis S 12 Schuessler, Nick QB 12 Wiggins, Korrin S 13 Humphries, Adam WR 14 Jenkins, Martin CB 15 Green, T.J. S 16 Leggett, Jordan TE 17 Gibson, Jefferie S 17 McCaskill, Austin QB 18 Johnson, Jadar S 18 Stoudt, Cole QB 19 Peake, Charone WR 20 Kearse, Jayron S 21 Baker,Adrian CB 22 Howard, D.J. RB 23 Dye, Tyshon RB 24 Brooks, Zac RB 25 Tankersley, Cordrea CB 26 Choice, Adam RB 26 Peters, Garry CB 27 Fuller, C.J. RB 27 Smith, Robert S 29 Edmond, Marcus CB 30 Watson, Taylor S 31 Carter, Ryan CB 32 Davidson, C.J. RB 32 Jenkins, Corbin PK/P 34 Joseph, Kendall LB 35 Hall, Quintin LB 35 Miller, Justin TE 35 Renfrow, Hunter WR 36 Lakip, Ammon PK/P 37 Scott, Cameron CB 38 Goode, Alex RB 38 Williamson, Kevin CB 39 Bianchi, Jordan WR 39 Groomes, Christian PK/P 40 Brice, Jaquarius LB 40 Byers, Roderick TE 41 Burrell, T.J. LB 42 Anthony, Stephone LB 43 Rogers, Korie LB 44 Goodson, B.J. LB
Coaches Dabo Swinney Dan Brooks Danny Pearman Chad Morris Brent Venables Marlon Hobby Jeff Scott Robbie Caldwell Tony Elliott Mike Reed
Ht. 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-3 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-11 5-11 5-9 6-3 6-5 6-4 5-11 6-0 6-4 6-2 6-4 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-9 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-9 5-10 5-10 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-9 5-11 6-6 5-9 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-0
Wt. 250 195 190 235 190 205 175 215 235 210 185 275 205 235 220 205 195 195 195 180 205 250 200 190 200 225 205 210 180 205 215 200 195 215 190 215 215 170 200 180 200 175 225 225 260 170 200 200 200 185 210 190 215 290 215 245 235 240
Yr. RFr. Fr. RFr. RGr. Fr. Fr. RSo. RFr. Sr. So. Fr. RSr. RFr. So. RGr. Jr. RSo. So. Sr. RGr. So. So. Fr. RJr. So. Sr. RJr. So. RFr. RSr. RFr. Jr. So. Fr. RSr. Fr. Sr. RFr. RGr. RFr. RJr. RGr. Fr. RSo. RFr. Fr. RJr. Fr. RSr. RSr. RJr. Fr. RFr. RJr. RSo. Sr. Fr. RJr.
Hometown/Previous School Brooklyn, N.Y. (Thomas Jefferson HS) Durham, N.C. (Hillside HS) Immokalee, Fla. (Immokalee HS) Adairsville, Ga. (Adairsville HS) Oldsmar, Fla. (East Lake HS) Gainesville, Ga. (Gainesville HS) Charlotte,N.C.(PhillipO.BerryAcademyofTechnology) Olney, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel HS) Hastings, Fla. (Pedro Menendez HS) Vance, S.C. (Lake Marion HS) Fayetteville, Ga. (Sandy Creek HS) Jacksonville, Fla. (First Coast HS) Loganville, Ga. (Grayson HS) Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS) Lexington, S.C. (Irmo HS) Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian) Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS) Durham, N.C. (Hillside HS) Spartanburg, S.C. (Dorman HS) Roswell, Ga. (Centennial HS) Sylacauga, Ala. (Sylacauga HS) Navarre, Fla. (Navarre HS) Hope Mills, N.C. (Gray’s Creek HS) Easley, S.C. (Wren HS) Orangeburg, S.C. (Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS) Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Coffman HS) Moore, S.C. (Dorman HS) Fort Myers, Fla. (South Fort Myers HS) Hallandale,Fla.(Chaminade-MadonnaCollegePrep) Lincoln, Ala. (Lincoln HS) Elberton, Ga. (Elbert County Comprehensive HS) Jonesboro, Ark. (Jonesboro Senior HS) Beech Island, S.C. (Silver Bluff HS) Thomasville, Ga. (Thomas County Central HS) Conyers, Ga. (Heritage HS) Easley, S.C. (Easley HS) St. George, S.C. (Woodland HS) Hopkins, S.C. (Lower Richland HS) Simpsonville, S.C. (Woodmont HS) Grayson, Ga. (Grayson HS) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Conway, S.C. (Conway HS) Belton, S.C. (Belton-Honea Path HS) Piedmont, S.C. (Wren HS) Six Mile, S.C. (Daniel HS) Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Socastee HS) Johns Creek, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS) Florence, S.C. (Wilson HS) Ninety Six, SC (Ninety Six HS) Chicago, Ill. (Mount San Antonio College) Greer, S.C. (Riverside HS) Central, S.C. (Daniel HS) Lancaster, S.C. (Lancaster HS) Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS) Goose Creek, S.C. (Goose Creek HS) Polkton, N.C. (Anson HS) Flowery Branch, Ga. (Buford HS) Lamar, S.C. (Lamar HS)
Head Coach Associate Head Coach/Defensive Tackles Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator & Tight Ends Offensive Coordinator Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Ends Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers Assistant Coach/Offensive Linemen Assistant Coach/Running Backs Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs
# Name Pos. 45 Register, Chris LB 46 Richardson, Chad LB 47 Bullard, Marcus LB 47 Spence, Alex PK 48 Reader, D.J. DT 49 Brown, Beau S 49 Yeargin, Richard DE 50 Falcinelli, Justin OT 50 Jarrett, Grady DT 51 Brown, Jim LS 51 Hearn, Taylor OL 52 Jones, Kellen LB 53 Aiken, Martin DE 54 Riggs, Zach C 54 Smith, Zach LB 55 Crowder, Tyrone OG 56 Mauldin, Collins DE 56 Pagano, Scott DT 57 Guillermo, Jay C 58 Norton, Ryan OL 59 Tatko, Bradley LS 61 Cockerill, William OT 61 Estes, David LS 62 Bullister, Brant OT 64 Kirven, Lake OL 65 Jones, Oliver OL 67 Davis, Kalon OL 68 Beasley, David OG 69 Morris, Maverick OT 73 Gore, Joe OT 74 Region, Spencer OG 75 Sobeski, Michael LS 75 Stone, Daniel DE 77 Webster, Reid OL 78 Mac Lain, Eric OL 79 Battle, Isaiah OT 80 Richard, Milan TE 81 Seckinger, Stanton TE 82 Dunn, Adrien WR 83 Rodriguez, Daniel WR 84 Maass, Andrew WR 84 Smith, Cannon TE 85 Rogers, Dane DE 85 Ryan, Seth WR 86 Cooper, Sam TE 87 Greenlee, D.J. TE 88 Mac Lain, Sean WR 89 McCullough, Jay Jay 90 Lawson, Shaq DE 91 Watson, Josh DT 92 Pinion, Bradley P/PK 93 Crawford, Corey DE 94 Watkins, Carlos DT 95 Teasdall, Andy P 96 Robinson, Jabril DT 98 Dodd, Kevin DE 99 Williams, DeShawn DT
Ht. 6-2 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-5 5-11 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-6 6-1 6-6 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-2 6-5 5-7 5-8 6-4 6-4 6-3 5-11 6-6 6-1 6-4 TE 6-3 6-4 6-6 6-5 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-5 6-1
Wt. 245 215 215 190 325 195 225 305 290 230 325 230 225 270 215 330 230 295 310 285 225 250 205 315 275 320 340 330 295 290 330 230 265 300 305 290 245 240 170 180 200 240 260 170 245 235 210 6-3 275 290 240 275 295 185 255 275 295
Yr. Fr. RSo. RJr. Fr. Jr. RJr. Fr. Fr. Sr. RJr. Fr. RJr. RSo. RFr. RJr. RFr. RJr. RFr. RSo. RJr. RFr. RSo. RSo. RSr. Fr. RSo. RSr. RSr. RFr. RJr. Sr. RSr. RSo. RGr. RJr. Jr. Fr. RJr. RFr. Sr. RSr. Fr. RFr. RFr. RGr. RFr. RFr. 245 So. RGr. Jr. Sr. RSo. RSo. Fr. RSo. Sr.
Hometown/Previous School Browns Summit, N.C. (Dudley HS) Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood HS) Columbia, S.C. (Spring Valley HS) Florence, S.C. (West Florence HS) Greensboro, N.C. (Grimsley HS) Beaufort, S.C. (Beaufort HS) Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (Nova Southeastern) Middletown, Md. (Middletown HS) Conyers, Ga. (Rockdale County HS) Walterboro, S.C. (Pinewood Prep School) Williston, S.C. (Williston-Elko HS) Houston, Texas (St. Pius X HS) Smoaks, S.C. (Bamberg-Ehrhardt HS) Greer, S.C. (J.L. Mann HS) Powdersville, S.C. (Wren HS) Marston, N.C. (Richmond Senior HS) Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS) Honolulu, Hawaii (Moanalua HS) Maryville, Tenn. (Maryville HS) Simpsonville, S.C. (Mauldin HS) Greenwood, S.C. (Greenwood HS) Sumter, S.C. (Sumter HS) Mauldin, S.C. (St. Joseph’s Catholic School) Greenville, S.C. (Eastside HS) Sumter, S.C. (Wilson Hall) Ninety Six, S.C. (Ninety Six HS) Chester, S.C. (Chester Senior HS) Columbus, Ga. (G.W. Carver HS) Broxton, Ga. (Coffee HS) Lake Waccamaw, N.C. (East Columbus HS) Cullman, Ala. (Cullman HS) Roebuck, S.C. (Dorman HS) Simpsonville, S.C. (Southside Christian) Woodstock, Ga. (Etowah HS) Hope Mills, NC (Jack Britt HS) Brooklyn, N.Y. (Blue Ridge (VA) School) Savannah, Ga. (Calvary Baptist HS) Isle of Palms, S.C. (Porter-Gaud School) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Stafford, Va. (Brooke Pointe HS) Ridgeway, S.C. (Richard Winn Academy) Columbia, S.C. (Hammond School HS) Shelby, N.C. (Crest HS) Summit, N.J. (Summit HS) Brentwood, Tenn. (The Ensworth School) Clemson, S.C. (Daniel HS) Hope Mills, S.C. (Jack Britt HS) RSo. Fort Mill, S.C. (Nation Ford HS) Central, S.C. (Daniel HS) Wilmington, Del. (John Dickinson HS) Concord, N.C. (Northwest Cabarrus HS) Columbus, Ga. (G.W. Carver HS) Mooresboro, N.C. (Chase HS) Winston-Salem, N.C. (R.J. Reynolds HS) Leland, N.C. (North Brunswick HS) Taylors, S.C. (Riverside HS) Central, S.C. (Daniel HS)
18 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
Gamecock Radio/Television Information
The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 23 affiliate stations for the 2014-15 season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter (@GamecockRadio) page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts. The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www. GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista.
Inside the Roost South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff. In-Stadium Frequency For those traveling to Clemson, you can listen to the Gamecock IMG Sports Network inside Memorial Stadium on 95.1 (primary) and 97.3 (secondary). South Carolina-Clemson television The South Carolina-Clemson game will be televised by ESPN. Please check local listings.
2014-15 Radio Affiliates
City Call Letters Frequency Football Abbeville WZLA-FM 92.9 X Johnston/Aiken WKSX-FM 92.7 X Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5 X Anderson WRIX-FM 103.1 X Camden WPUB-FM 102.7 X Camden WCAM-AM 1590 X Charleston WWIK-FM 98.9 X Chesterfield WVSZ-FM 107.3 X Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5 X Florence WHYM-AM 1260 X Florence WFRK-FM 95.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500 X Greenville/Spartanburg WROO-FM 104.9 X Hilton Head WVGB-AM 1490 X Hilton Head WVGB-FM 94.5 X Myrtle Beach WSYN-FM 103.1 X Newberry WKDK-AM 1240 X Rock Hill WRHM-FM 107.1 X Seneca WSNW-AM 1150 X Seneca WSNW-FM 94.1 X
Spurs & Feathers • 19
November 26, 2014
Wich-Glasen brings businesslike approach by collyn taylor Reporter
finishes. The only time he did not place in a relay was when the team was disqualified for a false start. As the swimmers line up at the edge Individually, Wich-Glasen has been of the pool one towers over the rest. a force to be reckoned with in the He’s lanky and the cap the swimmers water, winning six of the seven races have to wear in the pool mats his he’s competed in and finishing no blonde hair down. lower than fourth. He looks like he’d be fast in the In his third meet against East Carowater with his 6-foot-4 frame and lina and the College of Charleston he his incredibly long legs—and he is. swam the 200-meter breaststroke in When the race starts, he splashes 1:58, his personal best for that event. into the water, keeping up with more “I think I did pretty good for my experienced swimmers, waiting until third meet,” Wich-Glasen said. his moment to zip by them. “There’s still a lot of room for imThe lanky swimmer is freshman provement, but I’m pleased with my breaststroke and freestyle swimmer time on the 200 [meter] breaststroke. Nils Wich-Glasen. In the first three I think I can swim it smarter. The remeets of the season lay at the end was he finished outside probably the worst of the top three just of my events, but once. I’m pleased.” He races in the Wich-Glasen is breaststroke, freeoriginally from style and relay racAll Gamecock Coburg, a city in es. In the relays, he swimming & diving the Bavarian rehas one win mixed coverage sponsored by gion of Germany. with three top-three Aquarian pools of Columbia In Germany, he
has competed in the European Short Course Championships and in the Europe Junior Championships. But, coming over to America to swim has brought with it a little bit of a learning curve for Wich-Glasen. Prior to the season, he spent time working with coaches to adjust his swimming style to fit a college swimming environment. “My technique changed,” he said. “The coaches helped me a lot. They still try to teach me some turns, but I think that will take quite a while until I really master that.”
jokes with his teammates in-between races. But, once that race begins, it’s all business for Wich-Glasen. He said he likes to pace himself during his races, save up his energy and zip past his competitors when the moment is right. That businesslike approach has helped Wich-Glasen succeed, he said. Even in school in Germany he took the same approach, focusing on maksouth carolina athletics media relations ing himself better and resting when he had the chance. It seems to have paid off for the When he arrived in Columbia he newcomer. He was named AgSouth wasn’t shell-shocked by American culture. He knew what to expect. He Athlete of the Week for his perforhad made the trip to the states before mance against ECU and COC. “I think I try to be good at the end,” for various swimming events and he said he likes Americans and their Wich-Glasen said. “Some others try to be first after 50 [meters] but I personality. try to keep on swimming with them “Since I’ve been here about 10 times for training camps, I know how and finish. I think it’s not the way of swimming, but it’s what you do evAmericans are: all of the them are eryday in practice. I’m pretty focused friendly and they all try to help each other,” he said smiling. “The biggest in practice. A lot of my friends went downtown and I stayed home and redifference is the language.” covered for the next day. That’s why And that language barrier hasn’t I’m good.” stopped him. He still laughs and
20 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
photo by brian hand
South Carolina Athletics Media Relations
A great crowd showed up at Gamecock headquarters at Leaf before the South Caroli- South Carolina women’s soccer advanced to its first-ever NCAA Elite Eight with a na men’s basketball 69-45 win over Cornell in the Gildan Charleston Classic on Nov. 20. thrilling 1-0 win over No. 6 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sunday, Nov. 23.
November 26, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 21
photo by juan blas
Gamecocks celebrate championship, continue to work hard towards more by kyle heck Reporter
conversation to be the No. 1 team in the country While the basketball rivalry may not get is mindboggling to me when you look seven as much attention as football it still means a years ago when we were just scratching the tremendous amount to Welch and her teamThursday, Nov. 21 was a night about recsurface.” mates ognizing last year’s accomplishments and Staley and the rest of her team have made “It’s a big deal, especially for me being a setting a new standard for success against a sure to enjoy their rise to national relevance. bitter in-state rival. They have not backed away from high exSouth Carolina received its SEC regularpectations. Instead, they enjoy the hype and season championship rings before the game soak up the excitement that has enveloped against Clemson. the program. Banners were also revealed that celebrated The pregame ceremony was a continuation the SEC championship and South Carolina’s of that and the coaches and players wanted to Sweet Sixteen appearance a year ago. The make sure that Gamecock Nation would be SEC title was South Carolina’s first. able to celebrate it with them. After getting their shiny, new rings the No. Staley said Thursday was a great night for 2 Gamecocks then proceeded to dismantle the ceremony since she knew there would the Tigers, 99-41, for their fifth straight win be plenty of fans in the arena to watch South in the series. It is South Carolina’s longest Carolina play the Tigers. winning streak against Clemson in series “Obviously, this is one of the things that we history. are really proud of,” Staley said. “We want More than 11,000 fans were in attendance (the fans) to be a part of what they helped us and despite the one-sided affair the majority accomplish, which is that SEC championship remained the entire game. Many also came and going to the NCAA tournament once early to watch the ring and banner presenta- again.” tion. For senior Aleighsa Welch, one of the playThe championship trophy was carried to ers who helped jumpstart the newfound sucmidcourt and each player and coach was rec- cess, the ring presentation was a long time ognized individually. The lights were then coming and it helped the team focus on beatdimmed and spotlights zeing their rival. roed in on the brand new ban“It was something we’ve ners hanging above the court. been anticipating,” Welch The celebration and domisaid. “It kind of gave us a little nation of the Tigers continued extra excitement and I’m glad to show how far the Gamewe were able to channel that cocks have come since head excitement in the right way. coach Dawn Staley’s first A smile broke out on year. Welch’s face when she was “It’s a journey for us,” Stal- All Gamecock basketball asked what it meant to finish coverage sponsored by ey said. “We’ve come a long her career undefeated against Yesterdays way. For us to even be in the Clemson.
senior,” Welch said. “You never want to lose to a school in-state. It’s really big for me to have been able to come in and beat them all four years. It just adds to what we’ve been able to accomplish my four years here.”
22 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
Now we can finally focus on the Clemson game
Although there were some ugly moments, Wilds and David Williams rushed for 77 and South Carolina’s bowl-clinching 37-12 win 65 yards respectively. Elliott Fry made all three over South Alabama was, for the most part, field goal attempts – 42, 47, 24 yards. the hoped-for tune-up game heading into this Overall it was a very solid performance for Saturday’s season finale at Clemson. the offense, and certainly gave CU’s coaches First the good. The offense upped its scoring a lot to think about with Cooper, Wilds, Wilaverage to 34.8 points, and average total ofliams and Shon Carson all taking snaps from fense to 428.4 yards per game. The only punt the Wildcat. came late with the second team offense on the The bad - five turnovers – an interception field. The offense did not have a three-and-out, and four fumbles. The Jaguars were not a very and produced the longest drive of the season, a big or particularly hard-hitting defense, so ball 96-yarder. protection was the issue. The offense was just Getting the chance to see Pharoh Cooper play 4-of-10 on third down conversions. is worth the price of admission. He ran five I certainly don’t believe the Cocks can make times out of the Wildcat for 42 yards (8.4 ypc), that many mistakes and keep their streak alive caught three passes for 95 yards (31.6 avg.), against the Tigers. threw a 7-yard TD pass to Dylan Anytime you keep an oppoThompson, and with nine yards nent from scoring a touchdown in returns accounted for 146 it’s been a good day for a deall-purpose yards. The fans have fense, and USC’s defense forced started to chant “Coop” when he South Alabama to go field goal makes yet another big play. on four trips into the red zone. Thompson had a solid day. He For the game, the Jaguars had was 10-for-17, for 237 yards and just 289 yards total offense. a TD, with at least three drops The really bright spot – four by the receivers. Nick Jones interceptions returned for 95 Glenn Snyder (3 for 53) and Damiere Byrd yards – two for Skai Moore and Inside (2 for 48) were the only other two by Brison Williams, one a Look wide outs with a catch. Brandon 21-yard pick six. The fact that
12 players had at least three total tackles is an indication that the defense was very active. A beautiful day in Willams-Brice, great Senior Day Walk, a salute to the military at halftime, and a solid last home game of the season victory, it doesn’t get much better. Now we can finally focus on the final game of the regular season. Clemson comes into the game 8-3 after a not-so-surprising loss to Georgia Tech two weeks ago. The issue this season for the Tigers has been generating points – 21 against Georgia, 17 versus Florida State and just 6 against Tech. Senior, Cole Stoudt has been largely ineffective at quarterback, the offense has been most productive with Deshaun Watson at the controls, but he has battled injuries with a broken finger and a sprained knee. The CU defense has been solid, but has been shown a tendency to give up the big play on occasion. The Tigers are a solid upper-tier ACC team, which is why they will lose their sixth straight to USC. With or without Watson, Clemson’s offense will not be able handle Carolina’s SEC’s defense, despite how bad as it has been at times. Coach Spurrier always has a great game plan for Dabo and company, and the offense will put points on the board.
photo by allen sharpe
There is one other advantage. The Gamecocks are in the Tigers’ heads. The five in a row means no player on the CU roster has experienced a win over USC during their career. A coach once said, “losing breeds losing, just like winning does.” It’s a great time to be a Gamecock.
Spurs & Feathers • 23
November 26, 2014
This game forces you to get better every day On Saturday as the seniors took the field for the last time as players at WilliamsBrice Stadium one can get teary eyed over the loss of the these 22 seniors. Leaving with them are three bowl victories and 38 wins tying for second most in school history, but in the wake of this win they leave behind clues for thr next Gamecocks laying in wait. Clues to help surpass the water mark of success left behind on and off the field. Of course losing a Dylan Thompson or Langston Moore a Sharrod GoContributing lightly or any Writer of these upper classmen hurts and we hate to see them go, but they leave behind a trail for others to follow. Not only on how to win big games, but how to also avoid the losses and mistakes some of these great seniors had to experience. We take a look back at this season and some of the wisdom within the chaos of uncertainty and how they helped us take the next step in our acessintion to a title.
ther add to or take away from winning and just because we’ve had some succes doing the things we’ve done in the past doesn’t mean that will be enough to take us to new height. This game forces you to constantly refine, improve, and work to get better every day. Winning big games are just a byproduct of doing things the right way consistently over time. But that is no gaurentee that you will be entitled to certain successes. Wins are earned and not given. “Devil’s in the details” - Spurs & Feathers, Oct. 8, 2014
After dropping a shocker at home to Mizzou the Gamecocks went on the road and blew a forth quarter lead to a Kentucky team that looked to make its season with a win over USC. Much like the Mizzou game, Carolina allowed the details to slip on the road in a “blackout”game as time wound down. From sloppy ball handling to allowing a team to make big plays instead of finishing them when the opportunity arose for the second time in two games we let one slip by that we controlled. The team vowed to focus even more on doing the “little things” to help win these close games that we lead in late into the final minutes. Focusing on the details in all three phases day in and day out coupled with execution protects a team from the bad spirts of poor play. “There are plenty of big games on the As we look to finish this season off with horizon” - Spurs & Feathers, Sept. 3, a sixth straight win over Clemson the 2014 headlines from past Spurs & Feathers articles read like a how to map for next After much preseason hype and anticiyears seniors and beyond. From “the play pation the Gamecocks started the season doesn’t care who makes it” (Oct. 29, 2014) with a loss to Texas A&M. In doing so we to the words echoed from our ultimate surrendered the longest home winning leader Marcus Lattimore’s retirement streak in school history, but the biggest reminding us all to “play every play like disappointment was in how we lost. Dull it’s your last” (Nov. 5, 2014) the wisdom on defense uncharacteristic of what we’ve is all around us. With a bowl game on the become accustomed too especially on horizon the young Gamecock squad can opening night. With the disappointment become wiser in thier pursuit of forward of the loss and poor execution the lesson progress to clean up the mistakes that learned here is that we can’t allow one hinder their dreams of a championship. game, one play, to define who or what our Taking all the joys of winning as well as season could be. Every game is a big game: the disappointments of losing and using it “winners play it until the end...” for fuel for next season. These players continue to give back even in there absence in “What got you here won’t get you there” the program by showing their teammates - Spurs & Feathers, Sept. 17, 2014 how to thrive in adversity and how to handle winning. After a big win against Georgia the garnet crew seemed to have fixed all the woes “Forever to Thee” from the opening night loss and hardfought games in-between, the takeaway for Follow Langston Moore on Twitter at: the boys in this instance is one that “suc@reMovetheChains cess is a journey” focus on the process. #justachicken There’s never a cumulative moment when #eat2win you’ve “arrived,” everything works to ei#yoby
photo by jenny dilworth
24 • Spurs & Feathers
November 26, 2014
Depth Charts for November 29 South Carolina OFFENSE WR: 3 Nick Jones 4 Shaq Roland 1 Damiere Byrd WR: 11 Pharoh Cooper 85 Kane Whitehurst WR: 80 K.J. Brent 8 Shamier Jeffery 83 Carlton Heard LT: 53 Corey Robinson 74 Mason Zandi LG: 50 A.J. Cann 65 Brock Stadnik C: 54 Clayton Stadnik 70 Alan Knott RG: 75 Will Sport 76 Mike Matulis RT: 71 Brandon Shell 74 Mason Zandi 69 D.J. Park TE: 81 Rory Anderson 89 Jerell Adams 90 Cody Gibson QB: 17 Dylan Thompson 10 Perry Orth -OR- 6 Connor Mitch FB: 41 Connor McLaurin 31 Jordan Diaz
OFFENSE LT: 79 Isaiah Battle 77 Reid Webster LG: 78 Eric Mac Lain 77 Reid Webster C: 58 Ryan Norton 57 Jay Guillermo RG: 77 Reid Webster 55 Tyrone Crowder RT: 67 Kalon Davis 73 Joe Gore TE: 86 Sam Cooper 16 Jordan Leggett -OR- 81 Stanton Seckinger 40 Roderick Byers WR: 3 Artavis Scott 5 Germone Hopper QB: 18 Cole Stoudt -OR- 12 Nick Schuessler RB: 9 Wayne Gallman 32 C.J. Davidson 22 D.J. Howard 23 Tyshon Dye WR: 13 Adam Humphries 19 Charone Peake 83 Daniel Rodriguez WR: 7 Mike Williams 8 Demarre Kitt
5-7, 168, Sr. 6-1, 176, Jr. 5-9, 170, Sr. 5-11, 201, So. 5-11, 169, Jr. 6-4, 192, Jr. 6-1, 198, Jr. 6-0, 188, Jr. 6-8, 344, Sr. 6-9, 301, So. 6-4, 311, Sr. 6-5, 287, So. 6-3, 273, So. 6-4, 280, RFr. 6-5, 291, Jr. 6-5, 307, Jr. 6-6, 333, Jr. 6-9, 301, So. 6-4, 328, Fr. 6-5, 227, Sr. 6-6, 242, Jr. 6-7, 278, Sr. 6-3, 218, Sr. 6-1, 204, So. 6-3, 211, RFr. 6-0, 243, Sr. 6-1, 236, Sr.
Moore, S.C. Lexington, S.C. Sicklerville, N.J. Havelock, N.C. Duluth, Ga. Waxhaw, N.C. St. Matthews, S.C. Athens, Ga. Havelock, N.C. Irmo, S.C. Bamberg, S.C. Greensboro, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Tyrone, Ga. Milton, Fla. Boynton Beach, Fla. Goose Creek, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Powder Springs, Ga. Pinewood, S.C. Tallahassee, Fla. BoilingSprings,S.C. Ponte Vedra, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, N.J.
TB: -OR-
28 Mike Davis 22 Brandon Wilds 33 David Williams 7 Shon Carson
5-9, 223, Jr. 6-2, 230, Jr. 6-1, 222, RFr. 5-8, 201, Jr.
Atlanta, Ga. Blythewood, S.C. Philadelphia, Pa. Scranton, S.C.
DEFENSE DE: 44 Gerald Dixon 6-2, 274, So. 5 Darius English 6-6, 241, So. 34 Mason Harris 6-3, 235, Jr. DT: 97 J.T. Surratt 6-2, 310, Sr. 93 Deon Green 6-4, 289, So. -OR- 90 Taylor Stallworth 6-2, 293, Fr. DT: 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. 6-3, 323, Jr. 52 Phillip Dukes 6-3, 323, Jr. DE: 55 David Johnson 6-1, 275, RFr. 4 Bryson Allen-Williams 6-1, 231, Fr. MLB: 10 Skai Moore 6-2, 213, So. 21 Marcquis Roberts 6-1, 216, So. 8 Kaiwan Lewis 6-0, 228, Jr. WLB: 28 Jonathan Walton 6-0, 228, So. 11 T.J. Holloman 6-2, 234, So. SPUR: 9 Sharrod Golightly 5-10, 187, Sr. 42 Jordan Diggs 6-0, 217, So. 23 Larenz Bryant 6-0, 220, So. CB: 3 Chris Lammons 5-10, 172, Fr. 31 Al Harris Jr. 5-11, 162, Fr. SS: 12 Brison Williams 5-11, 208, Sr. 20 T.J. Gurley 5-10, 194, Jr.
Rock Hill, S.C. Powder Springs, Ga. FortOglethorpe,Ga. Winston-Salem,N.C. Windermere, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Rock Hill, S.C. Manning, S.C. Lithonia, Ga. Ellenwood, Ga. Cooper City, Fla. PowderSprings,Ga. Mays Landing, N.J. Daphne, Ala. StoneMountain,Ga. Decatur, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Sunrise, Fla. FortLauderdale,Fla. Warner Robins, Ga. Cairo, Ga.
Clemson
6-7, 290, Jr. 6-4, 300, Gr. 6-4, 305, Jr. 6-4, 300, Gr. 6-3, 285, Jr. 6-3, 310, So. 6-4, 300, Gr. 6-2, 330, RFr. 6-5, 340, Sr. 6-5, 290, Jr. 6-6, 245, Gr. 6-5, 250, So. 6-5, 240, Jr. 6-3, 290, Jr. 5-10, 190, Fr. 5-11, 175, So. 6-4, 225, Sr. 6-3, 195, So. 6-1, 205, RFr. 5-10, 200, Jr. 5-11, 205, Sr. 5-11, 215, RFr. 5-11, 195, Sr. 6-2, 205, Jr. 5-8, 180, Sr. 6-4, 210, So. 6-1, 185, Fr.
Brooklyn, N.Y. Woodstock, Ga. Hope Mills, N.C. Woodstock, Ga. Simpsonville, S.C. Maryville, Tenn. Woodstock, Ga. Marston, N.C. Chester, S.C. LakeWaccamaw,N.C. Brentwood, Tenn. Navarre, Fla. Isle of Palms, S.C. Rock Hill, S.C. Oldsmar, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Dublin, Ohio Grayson, Ga. Loganville, Ga. Clemson, S.C. Lincoln, Ala. Elberton, Ga. Spartanburg, S.C. Moore, S.C. Stafford, Va. Vance, S.C. Fayetteville, Ga.
DEFENSE DE: 93 Corey Crawford 6-5, 275, Sr. -OR- 9 Tavaris Barnes 6-3, 275, Sr. DT: 50 Grady Jarrett 6-0, 290, Sr. 94 Carlos Watkins 6-3, 295, So. DT: 99 DeShawn Williams 6-1, 295, Sr. -OR- 91 Josh Watson 6-4, 290, Gr. -OR- 48 D.J. Reader 6-2, 325, Jr. DE: 3 Vic Beasley 6-3, 235, Gr. 90 Shaq Lawson 6-3, 275, So. SLB/NB: 12 Korrin Wiggins 5-11, 195, So. -OR- 44 B.J. Goodson 6-0, 240, Jr. 6 Dorian O’Daniel 6-2, 215, RFr. MLB: 42 Stephone Anthony 6-3, 245, Sr. 52 Kellen Jones 6-0, 230, Jr. WLB: 7 Tony Steward 6-0, 235, Sr. 10 Ben Boulware 6-0, 235, So. CB: 2 Mackensie Alexander 5-10, 190, RFr. 25 Cordrea Tankersley 6-1, 195, So. S: 20 Jayron Kearse 6-4, 210, So. 18 Jadar Johnson 6-0, 200, So. S: 27 Robert Smith 5-11, 215, Sr. 15 T.J. Green 6-3, 205, So. CB: 26 Garry Peters 6-0, 190, Sr. 21 Adrian Baker 5-11, 180, RFr.
Columbus, Ga. Jacksonville, Fla. Conyers, Ga. Mooresboro, N.C. Central, S.C. Wilmington, Del. Greensboro, N.C. Adairsville, Ga. Central, S.C. Durham, N.C. Lamar, S.C. Olney, Md. Polkton, N.C. Houston, Texas Hastings, Fla. Anderson, S.C. Immokalee, Fla. Beech Island, S.C. Fort Myers, Fla. Orangeburg, SC. St. George, S.C. Sylacauga, Ala. Conyers, Ga. Hallandale, Fla.
25 Kadetrix Marcus 6-1, 194, Sr. FS: 6 Chris Moody 6-1, 210, So. 17 Chaz Elder 6-2, 195, So. 24 D.J. Smith 5-11, 189, Fr. CB: 1 Rico McWilliams 5-11, 184, So. 31 Al Harris Jr. 5-11, 162, Fr. SPECIALISTS KO: 19 Landon Ard 5-9, 178, Jr. 16 Zach Cimaglia 6-1, 170, So. PK: 29 Elliott Fry 6-0, 165, So. 19 Landon Ard 5-9, 178, Jr. P: 13 Tyler Hull 6-2, 207, Sr. 18 Patrick Fish 6-0, 194, Sr. KR: 7 Shon Carson 5-8, 201, Jr. 11 Pharoh Cooper 5-11, 201, So. PR: 11 Pharoh Cooper 5-11, 201, So. 3 Nick Jones 5-7, 168, Sr. SSN: 58 Ryland Culbertson 6-4, 267, Sr. LSN: 47 Drew Williams 6-2, 201, So. H: 18 Patrick Fish 6-0, 194, Sr. 13 Tyler Hull 6-2, 207, Sr.
Rock Hill, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Frisco, Texas Rock Hill, S.C. Mount Airy, N.C. Shelby, N.C. Scranton, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Havelock, N.C. Moore, S.C. Laurens, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Shelby, N.C. Mount Airy, N.C.
SPECIALISTS PK: 36 Ammon Lakip 92 Bradley Pinion P: 92 Bradley Pinion 36 Ammon Lakip KO: 92 Bradley Pinion 36 Ammon Lakip LS: 75 Michael Sobeski 51 Jim Brown H: 32 Corbin Jenkins 85 Seth Ryan PR: 13 Adam Humphries 5 Germone Hopper KOR: 15 T.J. Green 5 Germone Hopper
Johns Creek, Ga. Concord, N.C. Concord, N.C. Johns Creek, Ga. Concord, N.C. Johns Creek, Ga. Roebuck, S.C. Walterboro, S.C. Conway, S.C. Summit, N.J. Spartanburg, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Sylacauga, Ala. Charlotte, N.C.
5-11, 200, Jr. 6-6, 240, Jr. 6-6, 240, Jr. 5-11, 200, Jr. 6-6, 240, Jr. 5-11, 200, Jr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-4, 230, Jr. 5-10, 175, Gr. 5-11, 170, RFr. 5-11, 195, Sr. 5-11, 175, So. 6-3, 205, So. 5-11, 175, So.
StoneMountain,Ga. McDonough, Ga. Union City, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Hampton, Ga. FortLauderdale,Fla.
Spurs & Feathers • 25
November 26, 2014
Mark Berson to receive NSCAA’s Bill Jeffrey Award South Carolina athletics media relations The National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced Friday, Nov. 21 the selection of Gamecock head coach Mark Berson as the 2014 recipient of the Bill Jeffrey Award. With 38 years as an NCAA Division I head coach, Berson ranks as the longesttenured coach at South Carolina and one of the longest in NCAA men’s soccer history. He has the third-most NCAA Division I wins as a head coach (472). Berson’s Gamecock teams have appeared in 20 NCAA Tournaments, tied for seventh all-time for a coach. He’s had 35 seasons where his teams have finished with a .500 winning percentage or better. He’s a fourtime NSCAA All-South Region Coach of the Year, and he won the 2011 Coach of the Year award from Conference USA, a league his team has competed in for the past 10 years. The Gamecocks have earned two C-USA Tournament titles and one regular-season crown in that time. His players have achieved 15 All-America recognitions, 71 All-South Region certificates and 44 All-Conference USA honors. He’s also guided freshmen to eight Freshman All-America notations and 12 C-USA All-Freshman Team spots. Twice, he’s trained the National Goalkeeper of the Year. Coaching a player on each of the last four US Men’s National Teams in the World Cup, Berson’s impact expands internationally. He’s had over 50 players enter into professional soccer in the United States as well as in Europe, including the Barclay’s Premier League. His former assistants and players coach at every level of college soccer, with some former players currently serving on Major League Soccer coaching staffs (see them all here). In the classroom, his teams have excelled as well, with seven earning CoSIDA Academic All-America honors on 10 occasions and taking eight NSCAA Team Academic Awards. according to the coaches’ association, his squads had the top GPA in NCAA Division I men’s soccer in 2010 and 2013. He’s also coached at the international level, leading the 1989 US National U18
south carolina athletics media relations
Team for the Granatkin/Leningrad Tournament in the Soviet Union. And his work has been recognized before, earning induction into the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 1992 after serving as the State Coach, where he worked in player development and coaching certification. He’s a US Soccer National Instructional Staff Coach with an “A” coaching license. Berson has been a member of the NSCAA since 1977. He has served on multiple awards committees with the NSCAA over the years, including the All-America, Coach of the Year and college rankings committees. He is a frequent clinician, a Region III ODP staff coach and teacher of the game to players from all backgrounds and walks of life. Berson’s colleagues have described him as someone who has shaped the college game through his tenure of service to his players. In addition to Berson being a soccer coach at one of the highest levels, he is respected more importantly for being a gentleman. The Bill Jeffrey Award is awarded annually to an individual for outstanding service to or achievement in intercollegiate soccer, with its name honoring the former Penn State coach and 1948 NSCAA president who received the NSCAA Honor Award in 1949. The other NSCAA long-term service honorees are Don Brock from Massachusetts, given the Robert W. Robinson Award for high school coaches, and Dr. Lew Atkinson of Delaware, the Charlotte Moran Award winner for youth service. All three will be honored at the NSCAA Convention on Fri., Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
26 • Spurs & Feathers
F
or the last two years, Jordan Diaz has served as the Gamecocks’ fullback, a position already steeped in anonymity before taking into account he’s the backup. That anonymity doesn’t extend to the Gamecocks locker room. “Great kid,” said USC strength and conditioning coach Joe Connolly, his face lighting up at the mention of Diaz. “Heart-wise, I’d compare him to ‘Latt’ [former Gamecock Marcus Lattimore],” said his teammate, running back Mike Davis. Diaz, along with 16 other seniors, was honored Saturday before the Gamecocks’ final home game against South Alabama at Williams-Brice Stadium. The ceremony capped a three-year career for the Hamilton, N.J., native, who primarily played linebacker and special teams before moving to fullback in 2013. He earned a scholarship in August. Speaking softly outside the Gamecocks’ locker room last week, the 6’1,” 236-pound
November 26, 2014
Diaz guessed at his reaction to his final sprint or a far-flung junior college, Diaz enrolled onto the field. at nearby Mercer County Community Col“Wow, that was fast,” he thought. “It felt like lege, taking classes and rehabbing his knee in it took so long to get to where you are, and then preparation for the next wave of recruiting. His you look back, and it’s like, it’s already gone.” fall days consisted of a 6 a.m. workout at an Every player has a story about how he arathletic performance center; classes until midrived at his Senior Day. For walk-ons, few afternoon; and a closing shift at GNC, where he of them follow a straight line. Learn more didn’t lock up until after 9:30 p.m. about the path Jordan Diaz took – the dropped Diaz’s media guide bio lists his previous scholarship, the junior-college club team, the school as Mercer County Community College. glass-strewn practice field, and ultimately, the That’s a bit of a misnomer. MCCC doesn’t scholarship won at USC - and it’s understandactually sponsor a football team. When it able why a player so anonymous can command came time to resume his football career, Diaz so much respect inside the Gamecocks locker reached out to Manuel Galarza, the head coach room. of Gattaca, a New Jersey-based club team that As Tom Hoglen, Diaz’s high school coach, put plays against prep schools, JV teams and other it: “When I tell people the story, it’s amazing community colleges around the Northeast. Its what he was able to do. But it doesn’t surprise players are enrolled in classes at MCCC, but me.” the program has no formal affiliation with the Leap of Faith school. Like most walk-ons, Diaz had talent. He “The minute we met him, it was clear the kid earned all-area honors as a middle linebacker at was in the gym,” Galarza said. Hamilton West High School, east Diaz joined Gattaca for three of Trenton, and led the Hornets in weeks of Spring football in tackles as a senior. By the end of 2012. In many ways it was a his senior year he earned a single leap of faith: Gattaca was in its scholarship offer, from FCS second year of operation and member Hofstra. Diaz visited the still bore the twin scars of a school in December of 2009, and startup, both underfunded and likely would have signed there. underexposed. The team pracThe following week, Hofstra ticed in a run-down public park announced it was dropping footin Trenton, N.J., never having ball. more than 19 or 20 players Albany showed some interest, for a practice. Yard lines, pybut Diaz felt lukewarm. He had lons and blocking sleds were also just undergone surgery to nowhere to be found. Their repair a torn meniscus in his right field, a scrubby, rutted patch knee, which caused him to miss of Earth, presented its own his final high school game. obstacles. “There were no options that I “It was definitely in the hood. was really interested in. So I said You had broken glass all over Andy Demetra I’ll wait,” he said. the field. Rocks, dirt. You Contributing Rather than head to prep school would never believe it if you Writer
saw it,” Galarza said. “The kid was playing in the roughest environment in the city, and he was out there never complaining. He never said anything negative. He never said anything but ‘I appreciate it, Coach.’” Still, there were times when Diaz wondered whether he made the right choice. His attractiveness as a recruit hinged on his highlight tape from Gattaca’s Spring game, which was staged at a nearby Division III school. To make a game feasible, Galarza recruited ringers and played with three-man offensive and defensive lines. Diaz met some of his “teammates” for the first time that day. Could Diaz, a linebacker, really spur interest from schools while playing under such ragtag conditions? “There were a few days where I thought ‘I don’t think this is going to go very well.’ But as we got closer to the Spring Game, Coach Galarza reassured everybody that this is going to work,” he said. Carolina On His Mind The program that initially attracted Jordan Diaz to South Carolina wasn’t football. At Mercer County Community College, where he started working toward a degree in exercise science, Diaz and his classmates talked often about the four-year schools they were applying to. South Carolina’s name kept popping up. He could’ve taken a scholarship from a Division II school, or hunted more aggressively for FCS offers in the Northeast. But the strength of South Carolina’s exercise science program, combined with the allure of SEC football, won out. He also had more personal reasons. “I could’ve easily walked on at Rutgers or something like that,” Diaz explained. “I kind of said to myself, I could’ve gone anywhere here a year or two years ago. I took all of this time off – why am I going to go to the same place
Spurs & Feathers • 27
November 26, 2014
that I could’ve gone to in the first place? So I said if I’m going to play, I’m going to go somewhere where at least it’s going to be a challenge, and I’m going to get something out of it. Somewhere I could be proud of myself for going.” For as much as he loved his former player, Galarza had his doubts. “Deep down in my heart, I didn’t think he could do it. I thought he was biting off more than he could chew, because that’s a big system. I was worried he’d get lost in the shuffle,” he said. “But he was determined to go to South Carolina. He told me straight-up: ‘Send my film down there to Coach Speronis, and let’s see what happens.’” Though determined, Diaz still faced daunting odds. According to Speronis, the Gamecocks’ Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations, 100 or so players attend walk-on tryouts each year. Of those 100, six might get invitations to join the team. One or two may receive scholarships by the end of their careers. Few came from as far away as Diaz. Not surprisingly, Speronis hadn’t heard of Gattaca when he received Diaz’s video clips from his Spring game. But he took note of his athleticism and speed, and okayed him to attend walk-on tryouts in August of 2012. When he arrived, the sight of so many other hopefuls jangled his nerves. “You kind of don’t know what to expect. But I had trained a lot coming into it. When
I saw everybody else, and we went through warm-ups, I felt a lot more confident in myself,” he said. Diaz made the cut, seeing his name posted on a sheet outside the doors to the Gamecocks’ weight room. His hard work earned him a spot on special teams; he also practiced at linebacker, trying to crack a depth chart loaded with veterans. Toward the end of the season, an offensive graduate assistant pulled Diaz aside and floated the idea of switching to fullback. Starter Qua Gilchrist was set to graduate, and their only returning fullback, Connor McLaurin, was light on experience. Diaz rarely played offense in high school – only a few special formations, he says - but he liked the prospect of playing sooner. He made his debut in the 2013 season opener against North Carolina, subbing in late in the fourth quarter. A torn ACL caused him to miss the Capital One Bowl and Spring practice, but Diaz impressed teammates with his tenacious rehab. Along the way, his parents – Louis, a lineman for an electric company, and Patricia, a preschool teacher – footed the bill for his $29,440-a-year nonresident tuition, a fact that made Diaz endlessly appreciative. That changed August 18, when head coach Steve Spurrier gathered his players near the end of a two-a-day practice at Williams-Brice Stadium. Diaz had heard the whispers that another walk-on might be getting a scholarship. When Spurrier announced his name, he felt a rush of relief.
“It was coming time to pay for tuition again very shortly. It was kind of in your back of your head that I have to pay for tuition,” Diaz said. “When you’re on scholarship, it makes you reassured that this is where you belong.” The Last Walk Hoglen, Diaz’s high school coach, remembers the first time he saw his former player on television. “I saw him standing next to Spurrier. I said, ‘At least you know how to get TV time,’” he joked. His impact in the box scores has been minimal – in two years, he’s had zero carries and zero career tackles - but Diaz has left behind a trail of admirers at USC. He was one of three players selected by Connolly, the Gamecocks’ strength and conditioning coach, to lead South Carolina’s chapter of Uplifting Athletes, which uses team weightlifting events to raise awareness and research dollars for the disease Pelizaeus Merzbacher. Teammates praise his dedication and quiet leadership. The phrase “hard work” gets tossed around so often when describing him, it sounds like a talking points memo. “The thing about Jordan is, he’s a good guy. He’s there for you if you need anybody to talk to,” said Davis, his roommate. Galarza, his head coach at Gattaca, appreciates the commitment he made to his club team as it struggled through its patchwork early days. Diaz was the first player from Gattaca to earn a scholarship to a BCS-level program.
Photo by Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA
Jordan Diaz talking with Dylan Thompson. “This is our pride and joy, this young man. He pulled our program up. He’s helped us with what we’re doing to this day with recommendations for our programs. It was an honor working with him, and I’m going to continue to be honored to know him as a person,” Galarza said. Diaz is set to graduate in December with a degree in exercise science, and plans on pursuing his certification to become a strength and conditioning coach. But first he plans on savoring his final few games in a Gamecock uniform. On Saturday, Jordan Diaz jogged out for Senior Day, re-tracing the steps he’d taken on so many 2001 entrances before, the same ones his teammates had followed during their Gamecock careers. That’s not entirely accurate. Few can duplicate the path Jordan Diaz has taken.
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November 26, 2014
Greenwood Gamecock Club starts long process of getting topiary ready by Brian hand Executive Editor The Greenwood County Gamecock Club is willing to do whatever it takes to promote the Gamecock cause in the area. Never was that more evident than the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 19 as members of the Greenwood County Gamecock Club along with Gamecock Club executive director Patrick McFarland and assistant director of the Gamecock Club Jay Brown helped start the process of getting the South Carolina topiary ready for the annual South Carolina Festival of Flowers in Uptown Greenwood, S.C. The Greenwood County Gamecock Club pays for the upkeep and usage of the topiary throughout the year. The Festival of Flowers is not until June, but the process takes quite a while and for the first time the Greenwood County Gamecock Club wanted to be a part of the process from start-to-finish. For Greenwood County Gamecock Club Vice President Ray Lewis II the opportunity to support South Carolina and Greenwood at the same time just makes sense. “We try to do things that are family oriented and things that support the community,” Lewis II said. “The Festival of Flowers is something that’s really unique to Greenwood and this is the first time we’ve actually been able to be a part of it. Most of the time the city workers put together the bird.” The special topiaries for the Festival of Flowers are held in a greenhouse designed just for their upkeep and Ann Barklow is the horticultural crew chief for the city of Greenwood. The Greenwood County Gamecock Club along with McFarland and Brown put in some solid work over the course of their three hours at the greenhouse as they stuffed the Gamecock topiary with special moss from New Zealand that is priced $75 per bale. According to Barklow the moss is perfect for the topiaries since it’s “a real clean moss that holds the moisture real well.” “We’re hoping that it (the moss) lasts seven years,” Barklow noted. “That’s what we hope for most of them. We’ll see how it turns out. We’re also going to be switching out the plants this year, which will be exciting. We’re not going to be using begonias that we’ve used for the past four or five years. We’re going to be using some red treads, which will be a good garnet color.” The Gamecock topiary is not the only
Pictured helping out are left-to-right (bottom): Richard Loper and Jim Cox; (top): Jay Brown, Patrick McFarland and Ray Lewis II. college mascot topiary as local University Lander has a Bearcat topiary and Clemson has a Tiger topiary. In fact, Clemson’s Greenwood IPTAY chapter was there the day before working on their topiary. With it being rivalry season the Greenwood County Gamecock Club took great pride in knowing that they outworked the IPTAY chapter, 12-6, in terms of bales of moss utilized to help out the city of Greenwood with the arduous process. The special Gamecock topiary that is part of the Festival of Flowers is unique in that Greenwood is as far as they now the only other place besides Disney that utilizes these particular types of topiaries. “Normally topiaries that people are familiar with have to do with shrubs,” Barklow commented. “They’re (the other styles of topiaries) are pruned in with certain shapes where this is wired in stuffed with moss, so it makes it rather unique.” The city of Greenwood workers will finish out the process of stuffing the topiaries with the moss. “The next step (for the Gamecock topiary) will be propagating the plants because it’s going to hold 8,000 plants, so we’ll propagate in our greenhouse about 3,000 of those and we will order plugs from a nursery for the rest of the 5,000,” Barklow mentioned. “That’ll come in about February. We’ll come in with those late February and we’ll try to schedule a day with the Greenwood Gamecock Club to plant.” To learn more about the Greenwood County Gamecock Club, please like them on Facebook. You can learn more about the Festival of Flowers on their website at http://www. scfestivalofflowers.org/.
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November 26, 2014
Upcoming Events: Gamecock Club 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: Handicap Parking is available at the Hendrix Student Center located on campus near the East Campus housing high rise dormitories. 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.
NYC Gamecocks Game Watching Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: The NYC Gamecock Club home, The Mason Jar, at the intersection of 30th St. and Park Ave. Come out and enjoy Gamecock Football with the best NYC Gamecock fans you will ever meet. Enjoy drink specials, giveaway items, cool raffle items, great food and dozens of TV’s with only Gamecock Football! Wear your gameday gear, take a photo with our inflatable Cocky mascot and be proud to be a Gamecock in NYC! If you are not at Williams-Brice, you want to be here!
South Carolina Athletic Events: This Week
Wednesday, Nov. 26 ** Volleyball at Florida..............................................................................................7 p.m. ** Men’s basketball vs. UNC Asheville................................................................ 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27 ** Women’s basketball vs. Wisconsin (Freeport, Bahamas)................................... 4:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 ** Women’s basketball vs. East Carolina/Syracuse (Freeport, Bahamas)...............8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 ** Football at Clemson..............................................................................................................12 p.m. ** Volleyball vs. LSU...................................................................................1:30 p.m.
Bold................................................................................................................. Home game **For more South Carolina schedule information, visit: www.gamecocksonline. com/calendar/events/ for a complete master calendar.**
Charlotte Gamecock Club Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: Icehouse in Southend; 2100 South Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28203 Guaranteed to watch the game, listen to the audio with free parking, free entry and right off the light rail. Come watch the game with plenty of Gamecocks with Gamecock trivia, specials and a revenue share to help the University! DC Gamecocks Game Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecock play football this season Where: Greene Turtle Ballston: 900 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. or Redline DC: 707 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. Join your fellow Gamecocks at Greene Turtle Ballston for “2001,” “Sandstorm,” the Game-Cocks chant and the other great traditions you miss so much from Columbia. As always, we will host a raffle, provide free Gamecock swag, and offer great food and drink specials. Food: $5.00 Chicken Quesadillas, Hog Hammers, Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fried Pickles. Drinks:$3.00 for 16 oz. Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite Yuengling, Budweiser, Bloody Mary, and Mimosas; $5.00 for Firefly, Fireball, and Jager We look forward to seeing you all there or at our D.C. game watch location, Redline DC.
The Clemson Game
Site: Memorial Stadium (Clemson, S.C.)
(check local listings)
Time: 12 p.m.
Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network
TV: ESPN
Series: Clemson leads 65-42-4
photo by allen sharpe
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November 26, 2014
Unique views sponsored by Unique Expressions The first season is over! It has been an interesting season to say the least. We certainly cannot say it is what we expected. Then again, what season ever ends up being what you expected? I suppose that is what makes it so interesting. I choose to extenuate the positive, so that is fairly easy. We beat Georgia for the fourth time in five years, which has never been done in South Carolina history. And speaking of that feat, the Gamecocks beat Florida for the fourth time in five years, which is also the first time that has Ed Girardeau happened. Do you Contributing remember when Editor we were just starved to win just one from Florida? Those two facts really give us a great idea of just how far we have come. At 6-5 nobody is satisfied which is a tremendous accomplishment. There was a time not so long ago that we would have called that great and added a “wait ‘til next year!” after it. Those days are gone. USC became bowl eligible Saturday, a fact which did not escape coach Spurrier’s notice. It was important enough to him that he opened the postgame conference with the fact. It seemed like a million miles away a couple of games ago, but now it is put to rest and Carolina can concentrate on the job at hand. Winning season two! Clemson week is here. It gets me excited just writing that down. Really. There is so much to accomplish here. Dylan Thompson goes into the game with 3,031 yards passing on the season. He stands fourth all-time for yards passing in a season, just 28 yards behind Stephen Garcia (3,059, 2010), 63 yards behind Steve Taneyhill (3,094, 1995), and would need 175 yards passing to eclipse Todd Ellis’ all-time passing record for a season of 3,206 set in 1987. That’s pretty good company for Dylan and with an average of 275 yards per game this season, that will be one to keep your eye on Saturday. Pharoh Cooper will come into the game with 921 yards receiving. With 79 yards, Cooper will surpass 1,000 yards in one season, an accomplishment done only by Sterling Sharpe (1986), Sidney Rice twice (05,06), and Alshon Jeffrey (1517, 2010). Those three turned out to be pretty good. Mike Davis will need 112 yards rushing to break 1,000 yards for the second season in a row. That’s a feat only accomplished by the great George Rogers who did it three years in a
photo by allen sharpe
row (78-80). Elliott Fry comes into the game with 111 points scored for the season. He will need three points to pass Collin Mackie (113, 1987) and four to surpass Marcus Lattimore’s record of 114 points scored in 2010. A.J. Cann will start his 50th game for the Gamecocks. He is second all-time to T.J. Johnson with 53. The seniors will go for their 40th win in four years which has only been accomplished once before by last year’s class with 42 wins. And last, but certainly not least (certainly from a fan perspective) the chance for six in a row. Nothing else has to be added to that
sentence. Just say that line this week and 95% of the people in this state will know what you mean. Everyone knows that it has not been accomplished by South Carolina in the series. I have been told by Clemson folk over the last year, “talk to me when you get to seven.” Yeah, in the 1930s the Tigers won seven in a row. Of course, nobody who tells me that was alive at that time, but it did happen. I don’t know about you, but I think that would be a nice record to break. In order to do that, you have to win number six first. I like our chances. Clemson put a countdown clock in their locker room after last year’s loss so they
could count down to this sixth loss. Every day they go in they look at that and now it’s here. We are in their heads. They even moved senior day up one game so they would not be distracted by it for this game. Here’s a news flash for the Tigers: its still the last home game for your seniors. Moving the day up did not change that fact. And then you get into their quarterback problems, Carolina’s defense finally starting to find themselves, and a noon kickoff in Tigertown just doesn’t seem all that intimidating. So Happy Thanksgiving! Don’t eat too much turkey and let’s get ready for another great game for the Gamecocks on Saturday!
November 26, 2014
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