September 10, 2014 • Volume 36 • Issue 12 • $1.50
Georgia Get Pumped Up ...
Is Coming To Town
2 • Spurs & Feathers
Spurs & Feathers Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.
September 10, 2014
What’s Inside? - Table of Contents KeenanSuggs Player of the Game ............................4
Something to crow about!
Looking ahead to Georgia ..................................... 8-9 Seven inducted into Hall of Fame .........................10 Annual Association of Lettermen golf tournament grows .............................................11
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.
Recruiting Roundup ...................................................14 South Carolina/Georgia rosters ....................... 16-17 Buckeye State transplant bleeds Garnet & Black ..............................................................18 Gamecock great celebrates 90th birthday .........19
Tim O’Briant General Manager tobriant@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1400 Ext. 500
Depth charts .................................................................20
Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506
Jeff Addai brings world of experience .................22
Seats for Soldiers .........................................................21
New equestrian locker room ...................................23
Mike Kucharski Reporter mike@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 507
Langston Moore’s column ................................. 25-26
Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/Sales Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807
Virginia is for Gamecock lovers ..............................27
Dee Taylor Advertising Director (803) 644-2371 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Cover Design: Tim O’Briant (photo by Allen Sharpe) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 26 times annually. The frequency is monthly from December to July and weekly from the third Wednesday in August to the fourth Wednesday in November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes three slick-paper magazine issues — one in January, one in July and one in August. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC Postmaster: Send changes to SPURS & FEATHERS, PO Box 456, Aiken, SC, 29802.
Inside Look with Glenn Snyder ...............................26
Upcoming events ........................................................28 Connor Shaw is a father ............................................29 Inside the Chart ............................................................30 Unique Views from Ed Girardeau ...........................31
Gamecocks named candidates for Senior CLASS Award Gamecock goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo (above) and center back Taylor Leach have been selected as two of thirty candidates for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award in women’s collegiate soccer. South Carolina is one of three schools to have a pair candidates selected to the list. Gamecock men’s soccer senior defender Braeden Troyer also earned one of 30 spots on the Senior CLASS Award’s candidate list for men’s soccer in 2014. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. D’Angelo is one of four returning All-Americans and one of the nine also named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. An exercise and sports science major, D’Angelo has been a mainstay on the SEC Academic Honor Roll and earned National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) First-Team Scholar All-America accolades last season. A two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, the Welland, Ontario, native became the program’s first MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist last year and is one of four 2013 semifinalists to be named to the 2014 Watch List. The netminder frequents local camps and clinics and stays after each home match to sign autographs for fans. She has also logged community service hours at the Ronald McDonald House and local hospitals. Leach has been an vital member of the Gamecocks both on and off the field during her time in the Garnet and Black as well. The Maumee, Ohio native saw the product of her efforts last season as she anchored the SEC’s top defense and earned First-Team All-SEC honors along with NSCAA All-Region recognition. Planning to pursue a career in physical therapy, Leach, who is regularly on the SEC Academic Honor Roll, has put in nearly 230 hours of community service at the local Lexington Medical Center and at other physical therapy clinics. Troyer is a Conference-USA Academic Medal winner as well as a three-time member of the league’s postseason teams, the last two years making the second team. A Columbia, S.C. native, Troyer has helped the Gamecocks to a C-USA crown in 2011 as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance that season. (Story courtesy of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations/ Photo by Jenny Dilworth)
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September 10, 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. Georgia # ......................... Columbia, S.C. .............3:30 p.m. ET 09/20/14 ..........at Vanderbilt # ...................... Nashville, Tenn. ...........................TBA 09/27/14 ..........vs. Missouri # ......................... Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA 10/04/14 ..........at Kentucky # ........................ Lexington, Ky. ..............................TBA 10/18/14 ..........vs. Furman ............................. Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA 10/25/14 ..........at Auburn # ........................... Auburn, Ala. .................................TBA 11/01/14 ..........vs. Tennessee # ..................... Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA 11/15/14 ..........at Florida # ............................. Gainesville, Fla. ...........................TBA 11/22/14 ..........vs. South Alabama .............. Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA 11/29/14 ..........at Clemson ............................ Clemson, S.C. ...............................TBA
Standings SEC East
W-L PF
PA W-L PF PA
STRK
Kentucky
0-0 0
0 2-0 79 17 W2
Missouri
0-0 0
0 2-0 87 42 W2
Tennessee
0-0 0
0 2-0 72 26 W2
Georgia
0-0 0
0 1-0 45 21 W1
Florida
0-0 0
0 1-0 65 0 W1
South Carolina
0-1 28
52 1-1 61 75 W1
Vanderbilt
0-1 3
41 0-2 10 78 L2 PA W-L PF PA
SEC West
W-L PF
Ole Miss
1-0 41
3 2-0 76 16 W2
STRK
Auburn
1-0 45
21 2-0 104 34 W2
Texas A&M
1-0 52
28 2-0 125 31 W2
Alabama
0-0 0
0 2-0 74 23 W2
Mississippi State
0-0 0
0 2-0 96 34 W2
LSU
0-0 0
0 2-0 84 24 W2
Arkansas
0-1 21
45 1-1 94 52 W1
4 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Mike Davis not worried about personal accolades by brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com
the 2014 season Davis noted that despite his prowess in procuring his eighth 100-yard rushing game of his career it was really all A great deal is expected from junior runabout the team, particularly after the loss to ning back Mike Davis. the Aggies in week one. He battled injuries all preseason and was “I just want to come out and win,” Davis limited in South Carolina’s season-opening stated. “We wanted to be able to help our loss to Texas A&M. team win and have that spirit on the sideline. For the seemingly endless days leading up That was really the goal to come out and have to South Carolina’s next game against East fun.” Carolina everyone wondered what Davis Davis even mentioned that he didn’t pay would bring to the table not only in the game attention to any of the background noise suragainst the Pirates, but really the rest of the rounding him leading up to the tilt with East 2014 season. Carolina. Davis “I don’t care what people really say,” Davis alleviated commented. “I care about my teammates. the conI care about my team. As long as we win, I cerns that don’t care what my stats are or how my perMike Davis some had formance is.” KeenanSuggs about him Davis’ longest run in the game was a Player of the Wek in South 36-yard touchdown scamper, but even that Carolina’s stellar run to him was about what others were 33-23 win over East Carolina by rushing the doing to give him the ability to reach pay dirt. football 18 times for 101 yards and two touch“Actually, what I saw was (junior wide redowns. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry in the ceiver) Shaq Roland out there blocking for me Gamecock victory over the Pirates. and giving his all,” Davis said. “I want to conDavis also had 28 yards receiving on three gratulate him for helping me spring that run catches. and also my offensive line. I can’t do anything After South Carolina’s inaugural win of without them in front of me.”
Gamecock senior quarterback Dylan Thompson considers Davis “a special back,” but just like Davis he knows it not just about either of them. “Mike is a special back. We know that,” Thompson elaborated. “Really I think the biggest thing with that is just the way the offensive line created for everybody that was back there. Those guys just did a great job. Mike had a heck of a game. He’s just a good player, works hard and we’re excited to have him on our team.” Davis and his teammates closed out the game with an 18-play, 86-yard field goal-scoring drive that cemented their 10-point victory over the Pirates. To Davis and everyone else on the Gamecock team that drive was about showing just how special the Gamecocks can really be with their stable of running backs. “It’s a great feeling having guys like Brandon Wilds, David Williams and Shon Carson,” Davis noted. “Having those guys come in and get five yards a pop, take time off the clock, that’s always a good thing.” Thompson agreed with Davis, remarking “I think that (long drive) just shows you that everyone in the stadium knew where the ball was going and you still have success with it.
photo by jenny dilworth
That shows you the power those guys have and the ability those guys have. That offensive line, running backs and tight ends had a great game.” South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier after picking up his 200th win as an SEC coach relayed the same thoughts, articulating about the Gamecock victory “it was encouraging to run the ball. Mike and Brandon did well. Obviously everyone in the ballpark knew what play was coming, but we just kept handing it off and letting the clock run. That was crucial to beat these guys.”
September 10, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 5
6 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Spurrier claims 200th win as head coach of SEC school south carolina athletics media relations GENERAL NOTES • South Carolina picked up a 33-23 win over East Carolina, marking Steve Spurrier’s 200th win as the head coach of an SEC institution. • It’s also the 50th home win at South Carolina for Steve Spurrier. • The Gamecocks improve their winning streak against non-conference teams to 16 games and in regular-season non-conference games to 21 games. • Captains for South Carolina were senior tight end Busta Anderson, sophomore spur Jordan Diggs, senior punter/holder Patrick Fish and senior wide receiver Nick Jones. • Attendance for the game at Williams Brice Stadium: 80,899. • The Gamecocks now lead the series over East Carolina 13-5, including a 10-4 advantage in outcomes in Columbia. • Senior left guard A.J. Cann made his 40th career start, tying him for eighth on the career starts list with Kenny McKinley, Steve Taneyhill and Stephon Gilmore. OFFENSIVE NOTES
a team-best seven catches for 94 yards. The seven catches eclipse his previous best of six in the 2014 Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin.
photo by jenny dilworth
• Junior tailback Mike Davis ran for 101 yards, moving into South Carolina’s career top-25 list in rushing yards in the process. He passed Alex Hawkins (1956-58) in the first half to claim 25th for himself, now with 1,574 yards. He’s now three yards shy of tying for Jeff Grantz (1,577) for 24th. • For Davis, it’s his eighth-career 100-yard rushing game in his career. • The Gamecocks’ last drive of 18 plays for 86 yards chewed up 10:33 off the clock. In terms of time and plays, the drive ranks sec-
ond in the Spurrier era behind a 20-play drive that took 11:35 off the clock at Tennessee on Oct. 29, 2011. • Junior wide receiver K.J. Brent caught his first career touchdown as a Gamecock with a 16-yard reception from senior quarterback Dylan Thompson in the third quarter. • Sophomore wide receiver Pharoh Cooper set a new career high with five receptions in the game, tallying 45 yards. He also ran twice for six yards. • Junior wide receiver Shaq Roland posted
DEFENSIVE NOTES • The Gamecocks forced their first turnover of 2014 in the third quarter against East Carolina when senior spur Sharrod Golightly intercepted Shane Carden’s third-down pass. It stands as Golightly’s first career interception. • Junior free safety T.J. Gurley picked off his second career pass with his interception of ECU’s Shane Carden, also in the third quarter. • South Carolina compiled seven quarterback hurries in the game, the most for a Gamecock defense since posting 10 against Georgia on Oct. 6, 2012. SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES • South Carolina’s Gerald Dixon Jr. blocked a second-quarter field-goal attempt, the Gamecocks’ first blocked field-goal try since Stephon Gilmore’s at Tennessee on Oct. 29, 2011. • Sophomore placekicker Elliot Fry had four field goals in the game, matching his outing against Florida last season (11/16).
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September 10, 2014
Gamecocks get back to winning ways by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
South Carolina returned to its winning ways by defeating East Carolina, 33-23, to record head coach Steve Spurrier’s 200th victory as an SEC coach. “That was a good win. That was a fun one. I knew that it was going to be a tough, downto-the-wire type game and it turned out that way … Elliott Fry making four field goals was crucial for us,” Spurrier said. “I haven’t even thought about (the milestone win). I was just hoping to get a win and not go into the Georgia game 0-2.” The win was also Spurrier’s 50th at Williams-Brice Stadium and he said the home atmosphere was a factor in the game. “Williams-Brice was a big key for us to beat East Carolina. Our fans were yelling and screaming. Our players do love playing here and our guys seemed more fired up tonight,” Spurrier commented. South Carolina (1-1) utilized its running game to hold a 36:19-23:41 advantage in time of possession and outrush the Pirates, 175132. Running back Mike Davis rushed for 101 yards, his eighth 100-yard game, and two touchdowns. He also added three catches for 28 yards. “There weren’t a whole bunch of possessions in the game. We had that long drive in the fourth quarter where Brandon (Wilds) and Mike pretty much took it over,” Spurrier commented. “In time of possession we were up there almost as good as Texas A&M was last week. We had over 36 minutes and made 7-of13 third downs and one fourth.” East Carolina got on the board first by way of an 11-play, 89-yard drive that began at their own three yard line. The Pirates put a field goal on the board to take the early 3-0 lead with 9:20 remaining in the opening quarter. The Gamecocks next drive saw an interception of Dylan Thompson on a tipped pass, giving the Pirates the ball in Gamecock territory at the 38 yard line. The Gamecock defense stepped up and held East Carolina to another field goal to take a 6-0 lead with 6:35 left in the first quarter. South Carolina was able to get the offense moving on its next possession, driving down the field for a touchdown to take the lead, 7-6, with 1:56 left in the first quarter. Mike Davis capped the drive with a 36-yard touchdown run to the right side with the help of some great downfield blocking. East Carolina answered back with another touchdown, going 81 yards in nine plays to retake the lead, 13-7. A 10-yard run by Chris Hairston capped the Pirate drive at the 13:35 mark of the second quarter. The Gamecocks were able to cut into the lead as Fry hit his first field goal of the year from 39
photo by allen sharpe
South Carolina’s Gerald Dixon, Jr. blocked an East Carolina field goal attempt in the first half. yards, making the score 13-10 for East Caroleft in the third quarter. Thompson found K.J. lina with 9:55 before halftime. South Carolina Brent wide open in the end zone for a 16-yard went 54 yards in 11 plays in 3:40 on the scortouchdown - the first of his career - to cap the ing drive. drive. South Carolina’s defense forced a three-andSouth Carolina ended the next Pirate drive out from the Pirates following the field goal with another interception, this time by T.J. and took over at their own 24 yard line. The Gurley, taking over at their own 45. The Gamecocks went 76 yards on eight plays in Gamecocks converted the turnover into three 3:35 to take a 17-13 lead with 4:49 left in the points as Fry kicked his third field goal of the half. The drive was highlighted by a 31-yard day capping a 13-play, 46-yard drive to push pass and run by Shaq Roland and Davis catch- the lead to 30-16 with 43 seconds left in the ing a wheel route for 19 yards to bring up first third quarter. and goal. Davis punched it in from three yards The Pirates answered back with a 75-yard for his second rushing touchdown of the game touchdown drive to cut into the Gamecock on the next play. lead early in the fourth quarter, 30-23. The East Carolina drove down the field on its drive was capped by Carden’s first touchdown next possession but stalled and attempted a pass of the game, a 17-yarder to Warren Har42-yard field goal. Gerald Dixon, Jr. blocked vey. the kick and South Carolina took over at the The Gamecock offense took over and went East Carolina 46 with 2:22 left before halftime. on a clock-eating drive of 18 plays and 86 The Gamecocks were able to add another field yards in 10:33. Fry kicked his fourth field goal goal from 42 yards to extend the lead to 20-13 of the game to cap the second-longest scorat the 1:05 mark. ing drive of the Steve Spurrier era. The 33-23 East Carolina was able to add another field score would stand as the final. goal with four seconds left before the break to The Gamecocks out-gained East Carolina, make the score 20-16 in the Gamecocks’ favor 453-441, and also forced two turnovers while at halftime. East Carolina out-gained South only surrendering one. Thompson finished the Carolina 277-225 in the first half. The Gamegame 25-of-38 for 266 yards and a touchdown. cocks held the time of possession advantage, Both Roland and Pharoh Cooper set career 16:05-13:55. highs in catches, Roland with 7 for 94 yards East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden and Cooper with 5 for 45 yards. went 18-of-27 for 187 yards in the first half East Carolina (1-1) was led offensively by while Dylan Thompson was 10-of-20 for 132 Carden’s 321 passing yards on a 32-of-46 peryards. Neither quarterback threw for a touchformance and receiver Justin Hardy catching down. Davis led the Gamecocks with 59 yards 11 passes for 133 yards. rushing, 19 receiving and two touchdowns on “I’m really proud of our team, all of them. the ground in the first half. We’re not quite as talented as some of our The Gamecock defense stepped up forcing teams in the past, but our kids hung in there its first turnover of the season on a Sharrod and played their hearts out. They played about Golightly interception. The Gamecocks cashed as well as they could,” Spurrier remarked. in on the turnover with a nine-play, 69-yard “This was a good win for us and hopefully we touchdown drive to take a 27-16 lead with 8:36 can build on it.”
8 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Previewing the Georgia football team by kyle heck Contributing Writer
Despite losing Aaron Murray, the SEC’s career-leader in passing yards and a four-year starter at quarterback, the Georgia Bulldogs appear to have not lost a beat with fifth-year senior Hutson Mason. Then again, when you have All-American tailback Todd Gurley, all you have to do is hand the ball off to him and you have a good chance to win. That’s basically what the Bulldogs did in their opening 45-21 win against Clemson. Gurley carried the ball 15 times for 198 yards, over 13 yards per carry, and three touchdowns against the Tigers. On top of that, Gurley took his only kick return back 100 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game. The return of the junior highlights the 2014 Georgia offense, which was a force to be reckoned with a year ago, averaging 477 yards and scoring nearly 37 points per game, despite several key injuries. Gurley was banged up throughout the season and missed three games, as was Murray, who missed the final two games of the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee.
Georgia native recorded a 47-yard rushing touchdown and 70 yards on just four carries against the Tigers. The Gamecocks will try to take advantage of three new starters on the Georgia offensive line, which is probably the only chink in the Bulldog offense. If the South Carolina defensive line can get a push up front and plug up the running lanes, they may be able to disrupt the gameplan photo by allen sharpe and put more pressure on Mason. Gone is Murray, but most of the rest of the On the defensive side, Georgia is looking offense returns, including the top two receivto play a lot better than it did a year ago when ers from a year ago in Chris Conley and it gave up 377 yards and 29 points per game, Michael Bennett, two seniors that anchor an which was 11th in the SEC. However, the Bullexperienced unit for the Bulldogs. Those two dogs brought in a new defensive coordinator, combined to catch 86 passes for 1,189 yards and Jeremy Pruitt, to try and fix the problem. Pruitt eight touchdowns in 2013. came from Florida State, where all he did was Backing up Gurley is one of the most talented lead a unit that ranked first in the country in backups in the country. Junior Keith Marshall, points allowed and third in total yards allowed who rushed for 246 yards and six touchdowns last season, while also winning a national in five games last season before tearing his championship in the process. ACL in a game at Tennessee on October 5, The Bulldogs returned virtually their entire would start for nearly any other team in the defense, with the exception of safety Josh Harcountry. vey-Clemons, who was kicked off of the team Georgia added even more depth to the tailin the offseason after repeated rule violations. back position this year with the addition of Linebackers Amarlo Herrera and Ramik consensus four-star prospect Nick Chubb, who Wilson anchor the unit. The two seniors both shined in limited action against Clemson. The recorded over 110 tackles last season. Against
Clemson, they combined to make 19 tackles while Herrera also registered two sacks and four quarterback hits. Pruitt immediately made his presence felt against the Tigers, as the Bulldogs held the high-scoring offense to just 21 points, one year after surrendering 38 in a loss in Clemson. The second half performance was particularly impressive. Georgia allowed just 15 total yards and zero points after halftime. The Gamecocks have had the advantage against Georgia in recent years, winning three out of the last four meetings and the last two at Williams-Brice stadium, including a 35-7 thrashing in the last meeting in Columbia in 2012. If they’re to continue that success, they must find a way to slow down Gurley. If he gets going, it will be hard to keep the Bulldogs out of the end zone. On the offensive side, South Carolina must find a way to get star tailback Mike Davis going and need Dylan Thompson to hit enough passes to keep the Bulldogs from loading the box. As it has been the past four years, this matchup will likely be the Gamecocks’ most important of the season and will play a huge role in who wins the SEC East.
Spurs & Feathers • 9
September 10, 2014
The Georgia Game
Site: Columbia, S.C. in Williams-Brice Stadium Time: 3:30 p.m. TV: CBS (check local listings)
Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network Series: Georgia leads, 47-17-2 Georgia began its season with a 45-21 victory over Clemson. The Bulldogs were able to put the game away on the ground after a 21-all tie at the half. Georgia running back Todd Gurley carried the ball - and the Bulldogs - for 198 yards and three touchdowns while also returning a kickoff for a 100-yard
touchdown. The South Carolina-Georgia game always seems to go a long way in determining the SEC East champion and the 2014 version should be no different. The Gamecocks fell in Athens last year to the Bulldogs, so they will have revenge on their mind. Georgia’s offense should rely heavily on Gurley, but quarterback Hutson Mason has the experience to run the offense, so the Gamecock defense will need to be ready. South Carolina’s offense will look to exploit the Bulldog defense that looked shaky against Clemson early and the Gamecocks definitely have the talent to do so. The Gamecocks hope photo by travis bell/sideline carolina the Garnet & Black-clad supporters can help cheer them to an important early-season vic- Brian Scott hauls in the game-winning pass from Phil Petty over Bruce Thornton in No. 21 South Carolina’s 14-9 win over No. 25 Georgia in Athens, Ga. on Sept. 8, 2001. tory in Williams-Brice Stadium.
10 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Seven inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
been so good for me and my family. The least I could do is win a few tennis matches. “It’s just a remarkable honor and I’m so proud The USC Association of Lettermen sponof what this athletic department and this unisored the 2014 Hall of Fame Induction for versity have become. I just never dreamed this seven great Gamecocks in coordination with to be possible to be honest. I’m just humbled by the Gamecock Club on Thursday, Sept. 4. it all and it’s hard to describe it,” Rose added. Ryan Brewer, the president-elect of the AsZola Davis was a wide receiver for the sociation of Lettermen, opened the evening by Gamecock football team from 1995-1998 and expressing his pride of the group joining the caught 164 passes for 2,354 yards in his career, Hall of Fame and the privilege he feels to call which is good for fourth in program history many of them friends. Brewer then gave the for catches and receiving yards. He had eight floor to South Carolina Athletics Director Ray games of at least 100 yards receiving includTanner. ing a 14-catch, 206-yard performance against “I’m very honored to be here to celebrate Vanderbilt. these 2014 Hall of Fame inductees,” Tanner “I never really thought about being inducted stated. “This is a special event when we get to into the Hall of Fame. It really never crossed honor the best of our former student athletes my mind,” Davis said. “To have someone … there have been thousands of athletes that count you as worthy enough to be in this type have represented us over the years, but tonight of environment for your life is a fantastic we focus on seven that were truly great Game- honor. I’m speechless really and I’m just honcocks.” ored that a group of people found my talent as The first inductee was Jennie Ondo Lloyd, something that is worthy of being honored. I’m women’s soccer player from 1996-1999. Lloyd very thankful for this opportunity. is the top scorer in Gamecock women’s soccer “I had fun while I was here and those memohistory and earned first-team All-SEC honors ries you will cherish for the rest of your life. So in 1999. Of her 50 goals and 115 points, 16 there’s not one particular event, year or season were game-winning goals, and both goals and that stands out because college is about those points marks rank as top-10 career totals in the fun years. You never get those years back, so I SEC. enjoyed every year of it,” Davis continued. “I have been looking forward to this a lot,” Men’s soccer goalkeeper from 1985-1988 Lloyd said. “The past few days I have been Charles Arndt was named National Goalkeeplooking over the past inductees and I couldn’t er of the Year in 1988. He was also a first-team believe how many great athletes have come All-American, recording 13 shutouts that year through USC. I also couldn’t believe that I was as the Gamecocks went to the semifinals of the being considered to be honored with them. I’m NCAA Tournament. Arndt holds the program very humbled and honored by this and I will be record for lowest career goals-against average forever grateful. (0.70) and combined shutouts (29). “There are just so many good memories “It’s a tremendous honor and I’m very from my time here and I have to thank so humbled by the experience. Some of my finest many people for being involved. It’s great to be years were spent here at South Carolina having able to celebrate this weekend with my famplayed for coach Mark Berson. I’m delighted to ily - my parents and brothers and sisters - and have some of my closest friends here with me, remember some of my great times and great including Doug Allison and Marty Baltzegar,” teammates that I spent so much time with here. Arndt said. “I have nothing but fond memories I wish that this was a team award and it is just from here, not only from the soccer field. It humbling to be honored this weekend,” Lloyd was a great experience. I love the University of continued. South Carolina and it’s a time that I will cherMen’s tennis player from 1999-2003 Seth ish for the rest of my life.” Rose was an All-American in 2003 in singles Arndt’s teammate and current Furman men’s and twice earned All-SEC honors. He was soccer head coach Doug Allison was incredchosen the Region II Rookie of the year and ibly pleased to see his friend inducted. a finalist for National Freshman of the Year “He deserves it. I’m so happy for him and in 2000 while helping lead the Gamecocks to proud of him and it’s the right time for him to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. be inducted. It’s amazing. I always knew he “It’s almost surreal. When I was dropped off would be and I’ve just been waiting for the day. by my family here in the fall of 1999 just to I’m really glad that I could be here to see him line up and have worn a Gamecock uniform honored,” Allison said. “To see the amount of would have been enough. This isn’t really amazing athletes that have been inducted here, something that I even dreamed to be imaginhe certainly belongs with them. He’s a great able to one day be here for an occasion such as ambassador of the sport and he was when he this,” Rose said. “I had an amazing four years was here. here and really I’m the one that should be say“He was an Academic All-American, an Alling thank you to the University of South Caro- American and Goalkeeper of the Year in 1988. lina because they’ve done so much for me and He’s been a volunteer with me for 20 years.
photo by allen sharpe
Pictured left-to-right is Landon Powell, Zola Davis, Mike Dunleavy, Jennie Ondo Lloyd, Charles Arndt, Seth Rose and Cindy Long (accepting on behalf of Darlene Lowery). He’s just an amazing ambassador for the sport. He carries himself so well in the community,” Allison added. Gamecock catcher from 2001-2004 Landon Powell was inducted honoring his tremendous Gamecock and professional baseball career. Powell was a first-team All-American in 2004 and was twice an All-SEC honoree. He is fifth in career home runs, fourth in runs scored and second in doubles while he helped lead Tanner’s teams to three-straight College World Series appearances. Powell holds a number of defensive records as well. “It’s obviously a big weekend, so I’m really excited. Anytime I get to come back to Columbia is an honor. I love this place and it’s like a home to me. You see a lot of familiar faces and it brings up a lot of old memories, so I love being here,” Powell said. “These were some of the most precious years of my life. “I met my wife here, made some of my best friends here and really grew up as a person here at the school. It’s a special place and I hope to always be able to come back here and feel like home. I’ll always be a Gamecock obviously. It’s one of the best decisions I made in my life to come to the University of South Carolina,” Powell expounded. Powell’s teammate and pitcher Kip Bouknight said he was lucky to have the opportunity to play with Powell. “It’s certainly just an honor to be able to play with Landon. I’d say his maturity coming in as a freshman was beyond impressive and his willingness to work hard we’re great. He was the ultimate teammate, just the best teammate you could ever imagine having. To be able to share the bond that we had as a pitcher and catcher was something special,” Bouknight commented. Gamecock men’s basketball standout Mike Dunleavy played from 1972-1976 under legendary coach Frank McGuire. He scored 1,586 points in his career, good for fifth in program history. He continued a long successful career in the NBA as both a player and a coach after leaving South Carolina. “I’m so honored. It’s great to be back,” Dun-
leavy said. “I’ve had the chance to see a lot of really great teammates and friends. It’s just really special. I was just talking today to my roommate Mark Greiner and Chuck Sherwood who lived next door to me saying how every day here was perfect. It was always great. I met my wife here, I have great friends here and from a basketball standpoint I really had fun playing and learning the game. It really helped prepare me to play in the pros and coach in the pros, so it was a great four years. I don’t think they could get any better,” Dunleavy continued. Current Gamecock men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin said it was an honor to have Dunleavy back and a pleasure to see him inducted into the Hall of Fame. “When I got hired here I was in Los Angeles at a function and I saw Mike,” Martin recalled. “He was great. We met for breakfast and sitting there at breakfast I realized how important this place was to him. Having him back for the Coach McGurire Way celebration was great and now for the school to honor him like this is just another great thing. “You think about a guy that was here in the glory days of the men’s basketball program, then went on and played in the NBA forever, then coached in the NBA forever. He is an incredible basketball mind and he attributes everything to his high school coach and coach McGuire here. That says a lot about him,” Martin continued. The final inductee of the evening was softball player Darlene Lowery who played from 19831987. Lowery was a first-team All-American pitcher in 1983 and a second-team All-American in 1985. She threw nine no-hitters and a perfect game during her career. Lowery holds the lowest ERA in program history at 0.38. Lowery was inducted posthumously as she passed away in September of 2004. Former teammate Cindy Long, who played for the Gamecocks from 1982-85, accepted the honor on her behalf. The South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1967 and including this class now has 153 members.
Spurs & Feathers • 11
September 10, 2014
Annual Association of Lettermen golf tournament grows by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
The University of South Carolina Association of Lettermen continued its celebratory weekend by following the Hall of Fame induction with a day of fun at Cobblestone Park Golf Club. The annual golf tournament for the Association of Lettermen had its largest turnout on record with 32 foursomes competing in a captain’s choice format. “It is very exciting to see this turnout. It is invigorating to me,” South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner said. “The roots of the University of South Carolina athletically is about these people here today. It’s exciting to me. It’s where they spent their young adulthood as a student-athlete. It’s just wonderful to be a part of this and we appreciate them being here so much. “It is a great weekend. We had the induction last night (Thursday, Sept. 4) where one of my former players Landon went in with the other inductees. Also I sat next to Mike Dunleavy for a while last night (Thursday, Sept. 4) and what a treat. It’s very special and very exciting and we can’t say it often enough: it is great to be a Gamecock,” Tanner continued. Dunleavy continued the fun weekend on the golf course with some former teammates and other Gamecock basketball greats. Mark Grenier and Chuck Sherwood, both former Dunleavy teammates, appreciated the opportunity to get together for a great weekend. “It’s been a great weekend,” Greiner said. “Last night was very special for Mike and for myself and getting with these guys today makes for a perfect weekend with the football game tomorrow as well. We’re really having a good time with everyone.” “It’s always fun to get together with old teammates. We have such a strong bond that even though we haven’t seen one another for a while, there is no adjustment period. It’s immediate,” Sherwood commented. “We’ve had a wonderful weekend … we’ve been hanging out a lot with our old teammate Mark Greiner. Overall it’s been a great experience just to get together and hang out for a few days. “Last night (Thursday, Sept. 4) the induction ceremony was wonderful. We were all treated great and had a great time. It’s been a great experience and I’m really glad that I came up for it,” Sherwood added. Another Gamecock basketball great, Bobby Cremins, who played for legendary Frank McGuire, was also in attendance. “It’s been a lot of fun and it’s nice to see Mike Dunleavy get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dennis Powell called me and told me to come for the weekend. It’s always great to see some guys that you played with, one of my teammates Gary Gregor is here also. It’s great to see these guys. I played with Gary and Dennis and we had some fun. It’s great to get out and see
photo by brian hand
Current South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin (left) talks with Gamecock basketball legends Mike Dunleavy (center) and Bobby Cremins at annual golf outing. them and everyone who came out,” Cremins said. After legendary Gamecock catcher Landon Powell was inducted into the Hall of Fame on Thursday, a pair of his former teammates from the 2001 and 2002 seasons in Trey Dyson and Drew Meyer both recognized the honor at the golf tournament while praising the event as well. “The great weekend started last night (Thursday, Sept. 4) with the Hall of Fame induction where our good buddy Landon Powell got inducted. We had a bunch of former players come to see him,” Dyson remarked. “Every time we get around each other it just brings back great memories and also when you get around other athletes from other sports, the bond for Carolina athletics grows stronger and stronger because we all have so much in common with each other.” “This weekend is a lot of fun,” 2013 Hall of Fame inductee Meyer said. “I just rewound the clock in my head back to last year and remembered how special the moment was. It was really nice to see Landon experience that along with all of the other inductees. It really feels good to come back and see what our efforts meant to the University. I’m proud of Landon for getting there, he deserves every bit of it and it’s good to see another baseball guy in there. “It’s always good to see familiar faces that’s for sure. It’s good to see the Garnet & Black out here, great to meet players from other sports that you may have followed or knew from TV, but to be able to line up on the golf course with them is pretty cool,” Meyer added. Former Gamecock women’s golfer Meredith Taylor noted how nice it was to have all the Gamecock legends in one place. “We all love our alumni and this is a great opportunity to get to see everybody. It’s going to be a really good day and a great weekend. We like to pay homage to the ones who came
before us and the ones who will come after will be here soon. It’s a great opportunity to get all the lettermen together,” Taylor stated. Even South Carolina’s Heisman Trophy winner, George Rogers, came out to mingle and play golf. “It’s always great to be a Gamecock. It’s always good to get out here, especially to see the
older guys. I’m more familiar with the older guys now. I guess I’m in the older group now too,” Rogers remarked jovially. USC Association of Lettermen board member, event organizer and former Gamecock kicker Courtney Leavitt was thrilled with the participation. “This is what our network is about: the camaraderie, the Association, the networking amongst each other. It’s great having everyone come out for this. This is our first year tying it in with the Hall of Fame banquet. We’re very honored to be able to have Mike Dunleavy after he was inducted last night … it’s great, it’s going to be a beautiful day and we’ve been really looking forward to it,” Leavitt said. Leavitt also noted that not only was this the largest turnout at the event, but it received great support from the members with hole sponsors for each of the 27 holes. He also recognized the great networking opportunities of the event. “It helps our new members that are coming in; the folks that are young and trying to get their foot in the door in their professional careers outside of athletics. It also allows the established guys the chance to meet some of the younger folks that are trying to get their foot in the door. We’ve had a tremendous amount of support … so it really is a great day,” Leavitt concluded.
12 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Dunleavy thankful for time at South Carolina by brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com
some of the memories. It was a great night. “I’m happy to come back and I was back for coach McGuire’s dedication earlier in the year Mike Dunleavy has put together a basketball and got a chance to see a lot of the guys. It was resume that is pretty much unrivaled. fun, but I haven’t had a chance to get back ofThe 2014 University of South Carolina Athten over the years because of the 38 years, for letic Hall of Fame inductee is not shy about the 30-something of them I’ve either been playing fact that none of his success could have hapor coaching in the NBA. My schedule runs pened without the University of South Carolina. longer than football and basketball put together “It’s a great honor to be inducted into the Hall here, so I didn’t get a chance to get back. It has of Fame and it was great fun seeing, gosh, just been great fun doing it. It does still hold a speso many people last night (Thursday, Sept. 4) cial place to me. I was out playing golf yesterfrom guys day (Thursday, Sept. 4) with Chuck Sherwood that I played and Mark Greiner and we were just talking with and about our great four years here. I wouldn’t trade other athletes it for anything,” Dunleavy continued. that were Dunleavy’s time at South Carolina almost here during never happened as he was originally heading to my time, Jeff Durham, N.C. to play college basketball before Grantz, Mike then Duke assistant coach Hubie Brown deMcCabe. parted for an NBA assistant coaching gig. All Gamecock basketball Between After learning of Brown’s movement to the coverage sponsored by football, tenNBA, Dunleavy quickly decided to attend the Yesterdays nis - Jeff KaUniversity of South Carolina and play for legfalas - and so endary head coach Frank McGuire. many of the Duke’s loss was South Carolina’s gain as the fans and people who I went to school with came 6-foot-3 shooting guard concluded his illustriup,” Dunleavy said. “Some I knew and some I ous career with the Gamecocks with 1,586 cadidn’t know, but it was great fun going through reer points to rank fifth all-time in the program
annals. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native would go on to be a sixth round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1976 draft. From that point forward he would play 483 games for four different organizations. He averaged eight points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in his NBA career. The end of Dunleavy’s playing career was just the start of a long career in the NBA as he has coached 17 years in the NBA, winning 613 games. Dunleavy was chosen as the 1999 NBA coach of the year while helming the Portland Trailblazers. He guided the 1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals. Dunleavy’s love of the game of basketball was transferred to all three of his sons as they all three played college basketball with Mike Jr. still playing in the NBA after a college Hall of Fame type career of his own at Duke. Baker Dunleavy played at Villanova and is currently the associate head coach under Jay Wright at his alma mater. James Dunleavy played college basketball at Southern Cal and is presently working as a sports agent. Current South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin is thankful that his program has such a great ambassador in the game of basketball in the 60-year-old Dunleavy. “You think about a guy that was here in the
photo by allen sharpe
glory days of the men’s basketball program, then went on and played in the NBA forever, then coached in the NBA forever,” Martin commented. “He is an incredible basketball mind and he attributes everything to his high school coach and coach McGuire here. That says a lot about him.” Dunleavy in turn is excited about the future of Gamecock basketball. “I talked to him (Frank) last night (Thursday, Sept. 4) and it seems like he’s really excited about the team, who he’s got coming in and I’m looking forward to him having a great year,” Dunleavy concluded.
September 10, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 13
photo by brian hand
South Carolina baseball greats (from left-to-right) Blake Taylor, Trey Dyson and Drew Meyer at the 2014 University of South Carolina Association of Lettermen golf outing.
14 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks
Recruiting Round-up
Sponsored by:
By Phil Kornblut
South Carolina 2015 commitment DE Shamiek Blackshear of Bluffton injured his knee last Friday night. His coach, Ken Cribb, said the injury occurred without contact. “He didn’t get hit, it was where he stepped,” Cribb said. “You can’t see it on film.” Blackshear tweeted earlier this week after having an X-Ray that there were no breaks or tears shown and he referred to the injury as a sprain. He expects to be out three weeks. USC has withdrawn their scholarship offer to 2015 commitment WR Michael Bowman of Havelock, N.C. following his arrest last week on 16 misdemeanor charges related to the theft of iPads and iPods from a school where Bowman was employed this past summer by a cleaning service. GamecockCentral.com confirmed USC’s decision with Bowman’s head coach Jim Bob Bryant. Bowman committed to the Gamecocks in March, ultimately choosing them over NC State. He also had offers from North Carolina, East Carolina and Penn State. Bowman is regarded Phil Kornblut as one of the top seContributing niors in North CaroliWriter na. He did not play in last Friday’s game as a result of the charges against him. As a junior he caught 52 passes for 971 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bowman’s deletion from the class leaves USC with 29 in the 2015 class including three carried over from the 2014 signing class. LB Amonte Caban of Smiths Station, Ala. said earlier this week he might have his decision made by this past Wednesday. Well, Wednesday has come and gone and Caban has not made his decision. “I have a lot of great opportunities and options in front of me,” Caban said. “I want to be sure that I am deciding on the best fit for me both athletically and academically. The plan is to be in a better position to make a decision by tomorrow (this past Thursday) but my verbal may not come until next week.” Caban said his mother wanted to talk to all of his recruiters one final time and she has done that. The conversations included USC linebackers coach and re-
cruiter Kirk Botkin. “It went very well, she loves him,” Caban said. “I like it up there and she is going up there soon and I believe she will like it.” Caban said his decision is down to USC, Tennessee and Louisville eliminating Mississippi State and Kentucky from his list. DL DJ Jones of East Mississippi JC and Wren High School committed to Florida State in July after a visit to Tallahassee and has remained well off the recruiting radar since then. But this past Wednesday night he said he’s far from finished with recruiting. Jones said he was on the phone Tuesday with his recruiters from USC and Clemson and he will take official visits to both. He has set his visit with USC for the Georgia weekend September 13th. His date for the Clemson visit has not been determined. Asked to qualify the strength of his commitment to Florida State, Jones said: “About medium. Still trying to feel some teams out, including FSU.” Jones had 4 tackles in East Mississippi’s season opening win last week. USC commitment DL Dante Sawyer had 1 tackle. USC remains involved with DB DaVante Davis of Miami, Fla. The cornerback is in regular contact with recruiter Grady Brown and is considering the Gamecocks for an official visit along with Alabama, Florida and Florida State. He has not scheduled any visits. At one time Davis was committed to Syracuse. Former Summerville DB Darin Smalls committed to USC last year with an eye towards playing right away because he knew the Gamecocks needed cornerbacks this season. But those hopes were doused by torn knee ligaments in the third week of the season. And adding true insult to the injury, the NCAA prevented Smalls from enrolling this fall. Smalls says there was only a 50-50 chance he could play this season because he’s still recovering from the knee injury in which he tore his ACL and partially tore his LCL. But he still wanted to come in with his class. He made a qualifying test score but he made the mistake of improving too much, so the score was flagged by the NCAA and Smalls currently is being held as a Clearinghouse hostage. Smalls has not retaken the test because the NCAA is investigating the validity of his test score and he’s not allowed to retake the test until that investigation is complete.
If the NCAA validates the score, Smalls won’t need to take the test again. But if the score is not validated, he will have to retake the test and get a qualifying score to be able to enroll at USC in January. Smalls said he’s still 100 percent set with USC and is working out and running every day. “My first priority is conditioning,” Smalls said. “I know college ball has faster guys and you need the conditioning to run more. If I come in there conditioned, I’ll be fine. My knee is fine but it’s not 100 percent yet.” Smalls says he’s waiting on the NCAA’s report to come to him in the mail most anytime In the meantime, he talks with Gamecock coaches every day to keep them up to date on his situation.
last Thursday night and Georgia last Saturday night for the football games. 6-8 USC target Chris Silva of New Rochelle, N.J. made an official visit to Seton Hall last week and he visited Rhode Island Tuesday-Thursday of this week. He is scheduled to visit USC on September 12th. 6-10 Nick Marshall of Lexington, Tenn. committed to Memphis last week. He also had USC, Tennessee, UCONN, Indiana, and Mississippi State on his short list. 6-8 Keith Stone of Deerfield Beach, Fla. made an unofficial visit to Florida recently and has two official visits set right now, Alabama on September 21st and USC the weekend after that. The Gamecocks, he said, are showing him a lot of interest. “I’ve been hearing a lot from coach Frank (Martin) and coach Lamont (Evans),” Stone said. “They are really pushing for me to come there. They tell me you have to earn your minutes but I could be a starting three or four.” Stone admits to not knowing very much about the Gamecock program right now and he’s never visited. But he said the Gamecocks and the Gators have been recruiting him the hardest. Stone doesn’t have a favorite and is not sure when he’ll make a decision or if he’ll even sign early. Last season he averaged 29 points and 8 rebounds per game.
Juniors: WR Samuel Denmark (6-0 180) of Hanahan is hearing from USC, Clemson, Notre Dame and NC State. He has attended camps at the two in-state schools and is hearing similar comments from both coaching staffs. “They’re telling me to keep working and that they are going to keep evaluating me,” Denmark said. “At USC, the atmosphere, especially at the games, is awesome. I didn’t get to see much of the campus but hopefully I can go back for another visit.” Denmark plans to attend the Notre Dame-Michigan game and Baseball News: it will be his first look at the Fighting Irish. USC picked up their 10th commitment As a sophomore Denmark had 44 recepfor the 2016 class and the second of the tions for 1,020 yards and 11 touchdowns. week when 3B Riley Hogan (6-3 185) of Orland, Fla. announced his pledge to the Basketball News: Gamecocks. Here’s the scouting report on The State confirmed USC basketball signee James Thompson will not be a part Hogan by PerfectGame.com: Tall, slender athletic build, lots of physical projection. of this year’s Gamecock basketball team. Switch-hitter, better bat speed and more Thompson’s status with USC has been in natural flow from the left side, is quick and limbo since his arrest earlier this sumshort to the ball left handed with good lowmer on charges of aggravated battery and er half use, pull hitter left handed who gets domestic abuse by battery. Those charges good separation and extension out front. are still pending as the legal process is still playing out. Coach Frank Martin con- Bit more rotational from the right side with less shift into contact and a bit longer path firmed via text message to the paper that to the ball, still has bat speed and strength, Thompson is not enrolled and that prep school is an option. He could not comment just not as much. Legitimate switch-hitter. 7.23 runner, tall step by step actions in the further. Thompson, a 6-foot-9, forward, is ranked as the number two recruit out of infield, long arm action with developing Louisiana. He chose USC over LSU, Okla- arm strength, also plays the outfield. Offense is ahead of his defense at present. homa State, Kansas State and Oklahoma. Excellent student. If he goes to a prep school he can re-open 2017 SS Mason Streater of Byrnes comhis recruiting. mitted to USC last week. 6-5 Tevin Mack of Dreher was at USC
September 10, 2014
Spurs & Feathers • 15
Legendary Fan ‘blessed’ to be a Gamecock by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
I started with the Gamecock Club and I’ve been going strong ever since,” Maxwell said. Maxwell is a 64-year member of the GameBefore the kickoff of the Texas A&M cock Club and served as a chapter president game, Bob Maxwell of Irmo was honored as in the 1960s. He said the chapter used to meet the Gamecock Club’s Legendary Fan of the every Monday morning and he never missed game. a meeting for years. He also has attended “It was a really nice experience and it is Gamecock football games since he was sitting great to be able to celebrate with family,” on wood benches in the stadium and he has Maxwell commented. watched the program grow throughout the Maxwell came to South Carolina from Wisyears. consin in 1950 and he was able to spend the He has enjoyed watching the Gamecocks following weekend with family who made the get to the national prominence they now enjoy trip from the midwest. and reiterated that moving to South Carolina “Dad had a great time,” Maxwell’s son Tom has been excellent for him. said. “He appreciated the attention and he’s “This whole experience in coming to Costill talking about it. We had family come lumbia was just one of the nicest things that down this past weekend and that was the big happened to me,” Maxwell said. “I always topic of conversation.” kept saying that I was lucky, then at one of the photo by allen sharpe meetings some came over and said ‘you’re not Before his time in Wisconsin, Bob, 95, Bob Maxwell of Irmo was honored as the Legendary Fan prior to the start of the Texas lucky, you’re blessed.’ That’s exactly what it was a commander in the Navy and served was; a blessing. as a pilot during World War II. Maxwell was A&M game. Brent Skinner of B.P. Skinner Clothiers gave Maxwell his special blazer. “I was blessed when I got here and I really credited with seven kills and two probables didn’t realize it until I retired and saw how to qualify him as a “flying ace” and he is curFollowing his service Maxwell went to the change, but it was a positive one. rently the oldest living flying ace in the state University of Wisconsin and received his “They sent me to Atlanta as claims manager wonderful everybody treated me from the football field to any place that I went. This has of South Carolina. Maxwell also survived 11 degree before getting a job with the Wausau for Georgia, Florida and Alabama. Then in days at seas after being shot down on May 2, Insurance Company. Through that job he was 1950 they sent me over here as a salesman and truly been a great place and I have loved my experiences here,” Maxwell concluded. 1943 while serving in World War II. sent to the south which he said “was quite a I just had a wonderful success. That’s when
16 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
South Carolina Gamecocks 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
September 10, 2014
Georgia Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Tramel Terry SS 1 Sony Michel RB 2 Sam Vaughn QB 2 Sheldon Dawson CB 3 Todd Gurley TB 4 Keith Marshall TB 5 Damian Swann CB 6 Jonah Guinn FS 6 Michael Erdman SE 7 Jacob Park QB 7 Lorenzo Carter OLB 8 Shaun McGee OLB 8 Blake Tibbs FLK 9 Kenneth Towns SE 9 Reggie Wilkerson CB 10 Faton Bauta QB 10 KennarDaniels-Johnson CB 11 Keyon Brown OLB 12 Lucas Redd FS 12 Brice Ramsey QB 13 Marshall Morgan PK 14 Hutson Mason QB 14 Malkom Parrish DB 15 J.J. Green SS 16 Isaiah McKenzie WR 16 James Davis SS 17 Davin Bellamy OLB 18 Jonathon Rumph SE 18 Jesse Jones FS 19 Rico Johnson CB/WR 19 Javonte’ Nelson FS 20 Quincy Mauger FS 22 Brendan Douglas TB 23 James Eunice WR 23 Shakenneth Williams WR 24 Dominick Sanders DB 25 Shaq Jones DB 26 Tristan Askew CB 26 Malcolm Mitchell SE 27 Nick Chubb RB 28 Kyle Vagher TB 30 Kosta Vavlas ILB 31 Chris Conley FLK 31 Shattle Fenteng DB 32 Collin Barber P 32 Ridge Underwood ILB 33 Detric Bing-Dukes FB 33 Brendan Langley WR 35 Aaron Davis CB 35 A.J. Turman TB 36 Devin Gillespie SS 36 Kyle Karempelis TB 37 Matthew Fox FB 37 Devin Bowman CB 38 Ryne Rankin ILB 38 Clay Johnson FLK 39 Dominic Bryan FB 39 Corey Moore FS 41 Christian Payne FB 41 Jared Chapple TE 42 Tim Kimbrough ILB 43 Tommy Long OLB
Yr. RS FR FR FR JR JR JR SR SO SR FR FR RS FR RS SO RS SO RS FR RS SO JR FR SR RS FR JR SR FR SO FR JR RS FR SR JR FR JR SO SO SR FR FR FR SR JR FR JR SR SR JR JR SO FR SO RS FR RS FR RS SO SR FR JR SO RS SO RS SO SR FR RS SO SO RS SO
Ht. 6-0 5-11 6-3 5-11 6-1 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-6 6-3 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-3 5-10 5-9 5-8 5-11 6-5 6-5 6-0 5-11 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-2 5-11 6-1 5-10 5-9 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 5-10 5-9 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-2
Wt. 197 208 188 180 226 215 180 196 186 202 237 235 180 205 181 218 192 247 200 216 200 209 194 185 164 199 240 218 191 174 198 199 213 175 197 187 176 179 195 228 190 212 205 187 208 227 230 188 189 212 182 182 210 179 215 172 244 206 222 227 230 228
Coaches Mark Richt - Head Coach Mike Bobo - Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Jeremy Pruitt - Defensive Coordinator Tracy Rocker - Defensive Line/Will Linebackers Coach Tony Ball - Wide Receivers Coach Mike Ekeler - Inside Linebackers Coach Will Friend - Offensive Line Coach John Lilly - Tight Ends Coach Bryan McClendon - Running Backs Coach Kevin Sherrer - Sam Linebackers/Star Coach Buddy Collins - Program Coordinator - Defense George Helow - Quality Control, Defense Brad Hutcherson - Dir. of Football Operations Dan Inman - Graduate Assistant - Offense Alex Jackson - Quality Control, Offense Kelin Johnson - Graduate Assistant - Defense Jon Richt - Quality Control, Offense Christian Robinson - Graduate Assistant - Defense Doug Saylor - Program Coordinator - Offense Joe Tereshinski - Director of Strength and Conditioning Andrew Wood - Quality Control, Offense
Hometown/Previous School Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Plantation, Fla./American Heritage HS Fort Pierce, Fla./Fort Pierce Central HS North Memphis, Tenn./Ridgeway HS Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro HS Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook Atlanta, Ga./Grady Walnut Grove, Ga./Walnut Grove/Reinhardt Merritt Island, Fla./Central Catholic Goose Creek, S.C./Stratford Norcross, Ga./Norcross HS Snellville, Ga./Broookwood HS Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King Jr. HS Albany, Ga./Westover Citra, Fla./North Marion HS West Palm Beach, Fla/Dwyer Miami, Fla./East Ridge/Gulf Coast (Miss.) Wauchula, Fla./Hardee County Jefferson, Ga./Jefferson Kingsland, Ga./Camden County Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage HS Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS Quitman, Ga./Brooks County HS Kingsland, Ga./Camden County Miami, Fla./American Heritage HS Baconton, Ga./Baconton Charter Chamblee, Ga./Chamblee HS Cayce, S.C./Brookland-Cayce/Holmes (Miss.) CC Alto, Ga./Habersham Central Adrian, Ga./Swainsboro HS/Georgia Prep Wrens, Ga./Jefferson County Marietta, Ga./Kell HS Augusta, Ga./Aquinas HS Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta Macon, Ga./Rutland HS Tucker, Ga./Tucker Palm Bay, Fla./Merritt Island Kent, Wash./Kentwood/Eastern Oregon Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta Cedartown, Ga./Cedartown HS Fayetteville, Ga./Whitewater/North Georgia Tarpon Springs, Fla./Tarpon Springs Dallas, Ga./North Paulding HS Loganville, Ga./Grayson HS/Hutchinson (Kan.) CC Cartersville, Ga./Cartersville HS Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County HS/Regents Atlanta, Ga./Tucker HS Marietta, Ga./Kell HS Locust Grove, Ga./Luella Orlando, Fla./Boon Grayson, Ga./Grayson Roswell, Ga./Wesleyan School Albany, Ga./Deerfield Windsor Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland Orlando, Fla./East River Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun Germantown, Md./Georgetown Prep Griffin, Ga./Griffin Athens, Ga./Prince Avenue Christian Alpharetta, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central HS Marietta, Ga./Wheeler
# Name Pos. 44 Cameron Faulkner FB 45 Reggie Carter ILB 46 A.J. McDonald ILB 47 Ray Drew DE 47 Taylor Maxey FB 48 Quayvon Hicks FB 49 Nathan Theus SN 50 Johnny O’Neal OLB 51 Ramik Wilson ILB 52 Amarlo Herrera ILB 53 Lamont Gaillard DT 54 Brandon Kublanow OG 55 Dyshon Sims OL 56 John Courson SN 57 Alex Essex OT 57 John Huff ILB 58 Sterling Bailey DE 58 Billy Seward OG 59 Matthew Herzwurm SN 59 Jordan Jenkins OLB 60 Josh Cardiello OG 61 David Andrews C 63 Xzavier Ward OT 64 Jake Edwards OL 65 Kendall Baker OL 66 Hunter Long OG 67 Michael Scullin OG 68 Eddie McQuillen OT 69 Trent Frix SN 70 Aulden Bynum OG 71 John Theus OT 72 Glenn Welch C 73 Greg Pyke OG 74 Thomas Swilley OG 75 Kolton Houston OT 76 Zach DeBell OT 77 Isaiah Wynn OL 78 Watts Dantzler OG 79 Mark Beard OT 80 Charlie Hegedus WR 81 Reggie Davis FLK 82 Michael Bennett SE 83 Jeb Blazevich TE 84 Jack Loonam TE 84 Leonard Floyd OLB 85 Jordan Davis TE 86 Justin Scott-Wesley SE 87 Jay Rome TE 88 Joseph Ledbetter TE 88 Toby Johnson DT 89 James DeLoach DT 89 Ben Souther WR 90 Tanner Stumpe PK 91 Josh Dawson DE 92 William Ham PK 93 Chris Mayes N 93 Patrick Beless PK 94 Thomas Pritchard PK 96 Mike Thornton N 97 John Atkins DT 97 Adam Erickson P
Yr. JR SO SR SR SR JR JR SO SR SR FR SO FR FR FR JR JR RS FR RS FR JR RS FR SR JR FR FR JR RS FR JR SO RS FR JR RS FR RS SO RS FR SR JR FR SR SR JR SO SR FR SR SO RS FR JR JR SO SR JR JR FR JR FR JR JR RS SO SR RS FR SR
Ht. 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-5 5-10 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-5 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-7 6-4 6-6 6-4 6-2 6-8 6-0 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-7 6-5 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-4 6-4 5-11 6-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-2 5-8 6-4 6-3 6-4 5-9 5-10 6-1 6-4 5-10
Wt. 231 231 227 284 226 257 236 240 237 231 305 294 302 189 269 220 280 270 225 252 297 294 282 273 310 302 285 286 209 276 313 280 321 301 287 298 283 320 297 208 170 202 232 217 230 230 210 248 235 300 276 207 161 266 168 317 162 165 296 299 178
Hometown/Previous School Snellville, Ga./Brookwood HS/Bethel Snellville, Ga./South Gwinnett Suwanee, Ga./Appalachian State Thomasville, Ga./Thomas County Central Statham, Ga./North Oconee HS Blackshear, Ga./Pierce County HS Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles Dublin, Ga./West Laurens Tampa, Fla./Jefferson College Park, Ga./North Clayton Fayetteville, N.C./Pine Forest HS Marietta, Ga./Walton HS Valdosta, Ga./Lowndes HS Athens, Ga./North Oconee HS Richmond, Va./St. Christopher’s Watkinsville, Ga./Gainesville State Gainesville, Ga./East Hall HS Watkinsville, Ga./Oconee County HS Augusta, Ga./Augusta Christian Hamilton, Ga./Harris County HS Buford, Ga./Buford HS Johns Creek, Ga./Wesleyan Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County HS Franklin, Ga./Heard County HS Atlanta, Ga./Marist Memphis, Tenn./Briarcrest Christian Cumming, Ga./South Forsyth Newnan, Ga./Trinity Christian Calhoun, Ga./Calhoun HS/Air Force Valdosta, Ga./Valwood School Jacksonville, Fla./Bolles Jesup, Ga./Wayne County Baltimore, Md./The Boys’ Latin School Athens, Ga./Cedar Shoals Buford, Ga./Buford HS Tarpon Springs, Fla./Tarpon Springs St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood HS Dalton, Ga./Dalton Adamsville, Ala./Minor HS/Coffeyville CC Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS/NC State Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Christian HS Lexington, S.C./Lexington Eastman, Ga./Hargrave Military Academy Thomson, Ga./Thomson HS Camilla, Ga./Mitchell County HS Valdosta, Ga./Valdosta Atlanta, Ga./Tucker HS/Pfeiffer College Park, Ga./Banneker/Hutchinson (Kan.) CC Millen, Ga./Jenkins County HS Gainesville, Ga./Chestatee HS/Air Force Albany, Ga./Westover HS Tucker, Ga./Tucker HS Macon, Ga./Stratford Academy Griffin, Ga./Spalding/Gulf Coast (Miss.) Atlanta, Ga./Marist Louisville, Ga./Jefferson County Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Thomson, Ga./Hargrave Military Academy Athens, Ga./Clarke Central
18 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Buckeye State transplant bleeds Garnet & Black by mike kucharksi mike@spursandfeathers.com
Despite being born in Ohio, Gamecock great Ryan Brewer considers himself to be a South Carolinian after his time at the University. “It meant a lot to stay in Columbia after playing at South Carolina and graduating,” Brewer explained. “I’m from Ohio, but I married a Columbia girl and I knew where my name was strong and I was opening up a business. It made sense to stay in Columbia. I love it. “I love the state of South Carolina, the city (Columbia) is great, all the people here are great, so it was a no-brainer for me. South Carolina had a huge impact on my life, so much so that I decided to stay down here once I finished my time at the University,” Brewer added. Brewer is now the owner of Ryan Brewer Enterprises LLC with locations in Columbia off of Shop Road and in Moncks Corner as well. “It’s a fencing company that I started in 2005 and we do all types of fence from ornamental to chain-link and wood fences. We do railings from hotel railings to your individual home owners’ railings and things like that as well. We keep branching out every year, growing and trying to get stronger every year,” Brewer said of his business. To find out more about his business, visit the website at: www.RyanBrewer.net. Even with his growing business, Brewer said that he makes as much time as possible to follow the program in which he was once a star. “I’ve gone to a couple of scrimmages when I can and I still bleed Garnet & Black. I’m always going to and I try to stay as involved as I can,” Brewer noted. Brewer has also remained involved with the USC Association of Lettermen in trying to grow the association and he is slated to be the next president. “We’re trying to grow and get bigger and better with that as well. We’re trying to get all sports active now … we try to tie everybody together to make it more of a family-oriented situation. ‘You bled Garnet & Black, so stick with us now’ is kind of our slogan,” Brewer said. Brewer recalled the Gamecocks’ 24-7 victory in the 2001 Outback Bowl over Ohio State as his favorite on-field memory from his time at South Carolina. He noted it was particularly satisfying to perform so well after being named Mr. Football for Ohio in 1998 and not being recruited by Ohio State. He added the game “put my footprint in the sand here in Columbia.” Brewer compiled 219 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns
front of them and gave them the line from Rocky, ‘one more round,’” Brewer said. “They really bought in and rallied around that. After that we weren’t quite as tired, our legs weren’t as heavy and we just went at it. Coach Holtz tried to run us until we quit, but we came together and didn’t break. Then we carried that momentum over into the season and kind of turned things around.” The solidarity, camaraderie and relationships with teammates are the things that Brewer said he remembers most from his time as a Gamecock. “The teammates that I had and the relationships that I had and still have with them have been outstanding. That was what I’ll take from it,” Brewer remarked. “There’s the games, there’s the moments, but those will fade. I can tell the stories, but most people will remember them and that was 13 years ago now. “Those moments may fade away, but the teammates, the coaches and the friends, they don’t. That’s what you remember and just being able to think back to what I did in playing in front of 80,000-plus fans every game was great. You don’t think about it when you’re playing, but now as you’re getting older you kind of think back and realize how special that was,” Brewer continued. He said with his business so close to Williams-Brice Stadium he has enjoyed seeing the improvements including the new signage and looks forward to seeing the beautification projects continue. “That’s not even mentioning the new practice facilities and all the other improvements going on within the Athletics Department. It’s going to be great and the support from the fans helps to make it all happen. These fans here in South Carolina really are special and that’s part of the reason I’ll always bleed Garnet & Black,” Brewer concluded.
south carolina athletics media relations
Brewer was named the Most Valuable Player in South Carolina’s 2001 Outback Bowl win. on his way to earning MVP honors for his performance. Brewer said that season was satisfying for the players after coming off an 0-11 record the year before. He noted that he saw a change in the team’s demeanor in workouts coming into the year and thought things
could change. He credited the solidarity of the team for allowing the Gamecocks to find success on the field. “There was one particular conditioning session where coach (Lou) Holtz was pushing us, trying to break us. The guys were kind of bent over and tired, so I got in
Spurs & Feathers • 19
September 10, 2014
Gamecock legend celebrates 90th birthday by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
has been family-run in the city for over 70 years. Martin said that he came to help at the restaurant instead of pursuing coachSouth Carolina men’s basketball great ing and was able to raise his children in the Henry Martin recently celebrated his 90th family business. birthday with over 120 family and friends “That’s pretty good for a little boy who in Columbia, S.C. grew up down on Greene Street in Colum“I grew up here on Greene St. and had bia to have done all that,” Martin said with many opportunities to leave Columbia, but a laugh. I always wanted to stay here,” Martin said. Martin said that he has nothing but “I’ve been very fortunate. I grew up around wonderful memories of his time playing the University of South Carolina and I was basketball back to his first year at South familiar with the University for years … I Carolina. His Gamecock career was inalways wanted to go to the University and terrupted by serving in the Navy during I’m proud that I got to play there.” World War II, but he continued playing Martin played for the Gamecocks in 1943 basketball throughout his time in the serand 1947-49, becoming the first basketball vice. During that time he played with some player to score 1,000 career points. He was All-Americans who also joined the service inducted into the University of South Caro- against colleges, professionals and defeated lina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008 and was a team of Marines that had won 56-straight recognized as an SEC Great in 2012. Mar- games. tin also refereed basketball games for 10 Despite many offers to play at a number years following his career and is a member of colleges and even professionally, Martin of the South Carolina Basketball Officials returned to South Carolina to play for the Hall of Fame. Gamecocks. Martin said that he always had On top of that, he and his wife Carmella his biggest games against rival Clemson. are in the South Carolina Restaurant Asso- He concluded his Gamecock career with ciation Hall of Fame for their work at Villa 32 points in a win over Cemson in 1949 - a Tronco in downtown Columbia, which performance that he remembers fondly
photo by allen sharpe
with a framed game story in the restaurant. Martin created great relationships with coaches and classmates at the University, many of which have passed the test of time and even become part of his family. “My best friend that I met in college was Cecil Woolbright from Abbeville who played football. He used to go home with me, he met my sister and finally married her. They had three boys and he was captain of the football team and I was captain
of the basketball team at the same time, so the bond with South Carolina was strong,” Martin described. He noted that ties to the University run throughout his family as his son Dr. Henry Martin, Jr., who now practices in Lexington, played basketball for South Carolina as well. Martin’s brother-in-law Woolbright had two sons go on to play football for the Gamecocks also and Martin stated proudly that his family received five scholarships to play at South Carolina. Martin also gave a vote of confidence in the current group of Gamecocks led by head coach Frank Martin, saying “he’s a great coach, he’s a good man and he really cares about those kids … I think he’s going to get Carolina’s program where it should be just like Dawn (Staley) has done with the women’s team.” Overall Martin said that he has been extremely blessed to have had so many great experiences surrounding basketball, the University and the city of Columbia. “I’ve been very fortunate. That little round ball has taken me all over the United States and I’ve had a big ride … all those wonderful things have happened to me and I couldn’t ask for better,” Martin said.
20 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Depth Charts for September 13, 3:30 p.m. South Carolina OFFENSE: WR: WR: WR: LT: LG: C: RG: RT: TE: QB: -OR-
4 Shaq Roland 1 Damiere Byrd 8 Shamier Jeffery 11 Pharoh Cooper 80 K.J. Brent 9 Deebo Samuel 3 Nick Jones 83 Carlton Heard 85 Kane Whitehurst 53 Corey Robinson 74 Mason Zandi 50 A.J. Cann 75 Will Sport 54 Clayton Stadnik 70 Alan Knott 51 Cody Waldrop 75 Will Sport 71 Brandon Shell 55 Na’Ty Rodgers 81 Rory Anderson 89 Jerell Adams 90 Cody Gibson 88 Drew Owens 17 Dylan Thompson 10 Perry Orth 6 Connor Mitch
6-1, 176, Jr. Lexington, S.C. 5-9, 170, Sr. Sicklerville, N.J. 6-1, 198, Jr. St. Matthews, S.C. 5-11, 201, So. Havelock, N.C. 6-4, 192, Jr. Waxhaw, N.C. 6-0, 192, Fr. Inman, S.C. 5-7, 168, Sr. Moore, S.C. 6-0, 188, Jr. Athens, Ga. 5-11, 169, Jr. Duluth, Ga. 6-8, 344, Sr. Havelock, N.C. 6-9, 301, So. Irmo, S.C. 6-4, 311, Sr. Bamberg, S.C. 6-5, 291, Jr. Milton, Fla. 6-3, 273, So. Greensboro, N.C. 6-4, 280, RFr. Tyrone, Ga. 6-2, 309, So. Seffner, Fla. 6-5, 291, Jr. Milton, Fla. 6-6, 333, Jr. Goose Creek, S.C. 6-5, 280, RFr. Waldorf, Md. 6-5, 227, Sr, Powder Springs, Ga. 6-6, 242, Jr. Pinewood, S.C. 6-7, 278, Sr. Tallahassee, Fla. 6-6, 238, Jr. Charlotte, N.C. 6-3, 218, Sr. Boiling Springs, S.C. 6-1, 204, So. Ponte Verda, Fla. 6-3, 211, RFr. Raleigh, N.C.
FB: TB: -OR-
41 Connor McLaurin 31 Jordan Diaz 28 Mike Davis 22 Brandon Wilds 7 Shon Carson 33 David Williams
6-0, 243, Sr. 6-1, 236, Sr. 5-9, 223, Jr. 6-2, 222, Jr. 5-8, 201, Jr. 6-1, 214, RFr.
Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, N.J. Atlanta, Ga. Blythewood, S.C. Scranton, S.C. Philadelphia, Pa.
DEFENSE: DE: 44 Gerald Dixon 34 Mason Harris DT: 97 J.T. Surratt 52 Phillip Dukes 93 Deon Green DT: 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. 99 Abu Lamin 94 Kelsey Griffin DE: 5 Darius English 55 David Johnson 18 Cedrick Cooper MLB: 11 T.J. Holloman 8 Kaiwan Lewis 21 Marcquis Roberts WLB: 10 Skai Moore 28 Jonathan Walton 4 Bryson Allen-Williams SPUR: 9 Sharrod Golightly 42 Jordan Diggs
6-2, 274, So. Rock Hill, S.C. 6-3, 235, Jr. Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. 6-2, 310, Sr. Winston-Salem, N.C. 6-3, 323, Jr. Manning, S.C. 6-4, 289, So. Windermere, Fla. 6-3, 323, Jr. Rock Hill, S.C. 6-4, 302, So. Fayetteville, N.C. 6-2, 310, So. Buford, Ga. 6-6, 241, So. Powder Springs, Ga. 6-1, 275, RFr. Lithonia, Ga. 6-2, 225, Jr. Lithonia, Ga. 6-2, 234, So. Stone Mountain, Ga. 6-0, 228, Jr. Mays Landing, N.J. 6-1, 216, So. Powder Springs, Ga. 6-2, 213, So. Cooper City, Fla. 6-0, 228, So. Daphne, Ala. 6-1, 231, Fr. Ellenwood, Ga. 5-10, 187, Sr. Decatur, Ga. 6-0, 217, So. Fort Myers, Fla.
32 Larenz Bryant CB: 12 Brison Williams 3 Chris Lammons 30 Sidney Rhodes SS: 6 Chris Moody 25 Kadetrix Marcus FS: 17 Chaz Elder 20 T.J. Gurley 26 Jasper Sasser CB: 31 Al Harris, Jr. 1 Rico McWilliams SPECIALISTS:
6-0, 220, So. Charlotte, N.C. 5-11, 208, Sr. Warner Robbins, Ga. 5-10, 172, Fr. Sunrise, Fla. 5-10, 182, Sr. Easley, S.C. 6-1, 210, So. McDonough, Ga. 6-1, 194, Sr. Stone Mountain, Ga. 6-2, 195, So. Union City, Ga. 5-10, 194, Jr. Cairo, Ga. 6-0, 203, RFr. Jacksonville, Fla. 5-11, 162, Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 5-11, 184, So. Hampton, Ga.
KO: PK: P: KR: PR: SSN: LSN: H:
5-9, 178, Jr. 6-0, 165, So. 6-0, 165, So. 5-9, 178, Jr. 6-2, 207, Sr. 6-0, 194, Sr. 5-8, 201, Jr. 5-11, 201, So. 5-11, 201, So. 6-4, 267, Sr. 6-2, 201, So. 6-0, 194, Sr. 6-2, 207, Sr.
19 Landon Ard 29 Elliott Fry 29 Elliott Fry 19 Landon Ard 13 Tyler Hull 18 Patrick Fish 7 Shon Carson 11 Pharoh Cooper 11 Pharoh Cooper 58 Ryland Culbertson 47 Drew Williams 18 Patrick Fish 13 Tyler Hull
Rock Hill, S.C. Frisco, Texas Frisco, Texas Rock Hill, S.C. Mount Airy, N.C. Shelby, N.C. Scranton, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Havelock, N.C. Laurens, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Shelby, N.C. Mount Airy, N.C.
Georgia OFFENSE X: LT: LG: C: RG: RT: TE: -OR- QB: -OR- TB: Z: Y:
82 Michael Bennett 18 Jonathon Rumph 71 John Theus 79 Mark Beard 54 Brandon Kublanow 77 Isaiah Wynn 61 David Andrews 66 Hunter Long 73 Greg Pyke 55 Dyshon Sims 75 Kolton Houston 78 Watts Dantzler 87 Jay Rome 48 Quayvon Hicks 14 Hutson Mason 12 Brice Ramsey 10 Faton Bauta 3 Todd Gurley 4 Keith Marshall 81 Reggie Davis 8 Blake Tibbs 31 Chris Conley 9 Kenneth Towns
DEFENSE 6-3, 205, Sr. Alpharetta, Ga. 6-5, 208, Sr. Cayce, S.C. 6-6, 298, Jr. Jacksonville, Fla. 6-5, 300, Sr. Adamsville, Ala. 6-3, 290, So. Marietta, Ga. 6-2, 283, Fr. St. Petersburg, Fla. 6-2, 295, Sr. Johns Creek, Ga. 6-4, 312, Jr. Memphis, Tenn. 6-6, 326, So. Baltimore, Md. 6-4, 302, Fr. Valdosta, Ga. 6-5, 280, Sr. Buford, Ga 6-7, 307, Sr. Dalton, Ga. 6-6, 254, Jr. Valdosta, Ga. 6-2, 257, Jr. Blackshear, Ga. 6-3, 202, Sr. Marietta, Ga. 6-3, 205, RFr. Kingsland, Ga. 6-3, 216, So. West Palm Beach, Fla. 6-1, 232, Jr. Tarboro, N.C. 5-11, 219, Jr. Raleigh, N.C. 6-0, 159, So. Tallahassee, Fla. 6-2, 179, So. Lithonia, Ga. 6-3, 206, Sr. Dallas, Ga. 6-3, 201, So. Albany, Ga.
DT: 89 James DeLoach 47 Ray Drew N: 96 Mike Thornton 97 John Atkins DE: 58 Sterling Bailey 91 Josh Dawson SAM: 84 Leonard Floyd 7 Lorenzo Carter JACK: 59 Jordan Jenkins 17 Davin Bellamy MIKE: 42 Tim Kimbrough 51 Ramik Wilson WILL: 52 Amarlo Herrera 30 Kosta Vavlas BC: 37 Devin Bowman 31 Shattle Fenteng SC: 5 Damian Swann 14 Malkom Parrish SS: 39 Corey Moore 20 Quincy Mauger STAR: 24 Dominick Sanders 15 J.J. Green FS: 35 Aaron Davis 12 Lucas Redd
6-3, 265, Jr. 6-5, 276, Sr. 6-1, 290, Sr. 6-4, 322, RFr. 6-3, 282, Jr. 6-4, 275, Jr. 6-4, 220, So. 6-6, 237, Fr. 6-3, 246, Jr. 6-5, 235, RFr. 6-0, 228, So. 6-2, 232, Sr. 6-2, 244, Sr. 6-0, 214, Sr. 6-0, 179, Jr. 6-2, 187, Jr. 5-11, 178, Sr. 5-10, 194, Fr. 6-2, 214, Sr. 6-0, 200, So. 6-0, 187, Fr. 5-9, 183, So. 6-1, 190, RFr. 6-1, 200, Sr.
Millen, Ga. Thomasville, Ga Stone Mountain, Ga. Thomson, Ga. Gainesville, Ga. Tucker, Ga. Eastman, Ga. Norcross, Ga. Hamilton, Ga. Chamblee, Ga. Indianapolis, Ind. Tampa, Fla. College Park, Ga. Tarpon Springs, Fla. Rossville, Ga. Loganville, Ga. Atlanta, Ga. Quitman, Ga. Griffin, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Tucker, Ga. Kingsland, Ga. Kingsland, Ga. Jefferson, Ga.
SPECIALISTS P: 32 Colin Barber -OR- 97 Adam Erickson PK/KO: 13 Marshall Morgan 93 Patrick Beless SN: 49 Nathan Theus 69 Trent Frix H: 97 Adam Erickson 12 Lucas Redd KOR: 16 Isaiah McKenzie -OR- 1 Sony Michel PR: 81 Reggie Davis 16 Isaiah McKenzie
6-2, 200, Jr. 5-10, 171, Sr. 6-3, 200, Jr. 5-9, 162, Jr. 6-3, 241, Jr. 6-0, 218, So. 5-10, 178, Sr. 6-1, 200, Sr. 5-8, 164, Fr. 5-11, 208, Fr. 6-0, 170, So. 5-8, 164, Fr.
Cartersville, Ga. Athens, Ga. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Atlanta, Ga. Jacksonville, Fla. Calhoun, Ga. Athens, Ga. Jefferson, Ga. Miami, Fla. Plantation, Fla. Tallahassee, Fla. Miami, Fla.
*These depth charts are taken from the listings from each team’s previous game. Spurs & Feathers goes to print shortly after the conclusion of each game. Please visit www.spursandfeathers.com over the course of the week for updated depth charts.
Spurs & Feathers • 21
September 10, 2014
Gamecocks offer Seats for Soldiers
by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content
South Carolina is ramping up its efforts to thank members of the United States military with the help of Gamecock fans and donors. The “Seats for Soldiers” program was recently launched to allow fans to purchase football tickets at a discounted rate to be used by members of the military and their families for the game against Furman on October 18. “It’s something we take very seriously to just say ‘thank you’ in a very small way for all that they do for us and our freedoms,” said Dan Stahl, general manager with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions for the University of South Carolina property. “It’s great to let them have that release and have fun on a Saturday by enjoying some Gamecock football.” The “Seats for Soldiers” program allows donors to buy the tickets for the group rate of only $25 apiece, and they hope to have a least 1,500 seats purchased for the military families. IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions has done something similar at institutions such as Penn State and Duke University. “Penn State was able to host over 2,000
photo by allen sharpe
Sergeant First Class David Jones surprised his family prior to the 2014 Kentucky game. people through their `Seats for Soldiers’ program,” Stahl said. “So if we can do that, we’d be affecting so many lives by allowing them to attend a game that normally they probably wouldn’t be able to attend. Most of the fans we speak to about the program are willing to
donate one or two tickets, and I’m sure there will be a few people out there who will want to donate well above that number.” The program was started in the summer and has already resulted in the sale of a few hundred tickets for the military families.
There will be a bigger push over the next several weeks in the hopes of reaching their goal. South Carolina also hosts the military appreciation day for the game against South Alabama on November 22, but Stahl indicated they wanted to find a way to help more military families. “A lot of times we can only donate so many tickets due to availability,” Stahl said. “So we wanted to do more. We’ll seat all of the military families together, and it should make for a nice visual in the stands too. We also ran a very similar program last year with the South Carolina basketball team, called `Hoops for the Holidays,’ and it worked very well, so we thought we should try it for football as well.” The reaction from donors has been that of appreciation for the service and sacrifice members of the military and their families make in order to keep the United States safe. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for members of the military and their families may call the IMG Learfield group sales line at 803.777.8850, or print the page on the Ticket Office website at http://www.gamecocksonline.com/tickets/group-theme-days. html.
22 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
Jeff Addai brings a world of experiences to South Carolina by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content If there’s one word that comes to mind to describe South Carolina senior midfielder Jeff Addai, perhaps “adaptable” is the best fit. Addai, who tore his ACL and missed all of what would have been his first season with the Gamecocks last year after transferring from Spring Arbor University in Michigan, has lived in four countries, speaks three languages, is an honor roll student and looks forward to the day when he can give back to his country when his playing days are over. “People say I have a weird accent,” Addai said. “They can’t tell where I’m from originally. Being able to adapt to that, the lingo, and the way people talk is huge for me. Another thing is the gestures. Little gestures can mean very different things in other cultures, so you have to be careful with that because they can take offense to some things.” Addai was born in Canada, but his family moved back home to Ghana, West Africa, shortly afterwards. He and his family moved to England when he was five years old as his father, Samuel, had an opportunity to continue his professional soccer career there. The Addais later moved back to Ghana for a short time before establishing residence in Canada, which would be his home from third grade until finishing high school. After Samuel’s playing career was over, he became a minister and the family settled in Ottawa. Moving around wasn’t always easy, but he seemed to take it all in stride. “Well, now I have friends abroad all over,” Addai said. “I’ve been very aware of different cultures. It was hard moving around and leaving friends behind.” Addai’s family is part of the Ashanti tribe in Ghana, and the exposure to different cultures taught him a lot and enabled him to speak Twi, French and English. “It was easy because I learned it when I was young,” Addai said. “The hard part was maintaining it because I got away from home and had nobody to speak Twi to. The tribal lifestyle in Ghana is different. You know who your family is just by their appearance. The conditions were good in Ghana, but not as developed when I was younger like it was in Canada. I had to get used to the education system, which was hard, but I was able to adapt and catch up.” In his travels, Addai has experienced and learned to appreciate a variety of delicacies in order to come up with a favorite meal in any place he has called home. “In Ghana, it would have to be fufu,” Addai said. “It’s like a soup, but with a type of
rica, so we have so much in common,” Addai said. “I’m sort of outgoing, so I have fun doing new things and meeting new people. It drives me to learn more and be friendly. Coming from a Christian background, God has been a big blessing to my family and really provides us with a lot that maybe others don’t have. So I appreciate everything and try to live life to the fullest.” He is currently studying sociology with a minor in French, and looks to put his education to good use whenever he does hang up his cleats. “When I’m done with my soccer career I want to start an organization in Ghana where I could give back to my community,” Addai said. “I want to use my sociology background to work with the people to make better living conditions and that type of thing. There are plenty of nongovernmental organizations, such as World Vision or UNICEF, which I’d like to be a part of. Ghana is one of the more developed countries in West Africa now, but there are definitely areas that are very impoverished, and neighboring countries such as Togo and Nigeria are in trouble at times. Just being able to help West Africa would be a dream.” His brother, Godwin, is following in his father’s footsteps and playing professionally for the Ashanti Kotoko team in Ghana. Before the next phase of his life begins, Addai is simply happy to play the game that has been such a big part of his family’s life. “I’m having the most fun when I’m playing,” Addai said. “I can free my mind and let all of my passion for the sport represent my family well. The best part about being at South Carolina is being able to play the sport I love at a high level, being around people who are so friendly, making some of my best friends and getting an education out of all of this is a complete blessing.”
photo by allen sharpe
dough that use your hands to dip and eat. In Canada, poutine is a delicacy there. It’s French fries with gravy and cheese. In England, I liked fish and chips. In America, it’s a burger. I haven’t found a fufu place here.” With Gamecock teammates hailing from England, West Africa, Denmark and the
United States, Addai said it was not a problem trying to fit in when he came to South Carolina. “The Americans can relate to my North American side, the ones from England can relate to my European side, and my roommate (Mahamoudou Kaba) is from West Af-
Spurs & Feathers • 23
September 10, 2014
Gamecock equestrian team enjoying new digs by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
South Carolina’s back-to-back SEC champion equestrian team has another point of pride for the program: a brand-new locker room. The $500,000 project began in June of 2013 and was finished in late August for the riders to use. Head coach Boo Major said the studentathletes were able to use the facility after winter break last year, but the finished product is amazing now that they are fully moved in. She added the process was long, but worth the wait. “It is fantastic to have this addition. Really no one else has something like this with equestrian in the country,” Major explained. “It really is that nice. It was specifically done for our student-athletes with them in mind. We added some things to it that aren’t in normal locker rooms. For instance a lot of the girls bring their own saddles, so we added a room where they can keep their own saddles. Plenty of things like that and the lockers themselves are custom lockers that were made specifically for us. “I really feel like it was something that wasn’t just thrown up. We spent a lot of time going through the plans and once it got up (we) made a few changes here and there. I think that we
really ended up with something that is fantastic,” Major continued. Major likened the addition of the locker room to the use of cell phones, saying “it’s kind of like a cell phone where you think, ‘what did I do before the cell phone?’ It’s sort of the same thing, ‘what did we do before we had this locker room?’ So it really has worked out great and the girls have just really enjoyed having it.” The architects of the facility have been around taking photos to enter the finished product into an architectural competition according to Major. She hopes that they are able to win a prize to recognize their hard work, but also because “it would be nice to say that not only is our equestrian team an award-winning team, but our locker room is an award-winning locker room.” Overall Major said that the new facility will benefit the program long term as well as allowing the current student-athletes the chance to enjoy the benefits of the new locker room. “The upgrades of the facility have really allowed us to continue to be able to recruit. It works very well as a recruiting tool as well as the girls being able to use it as a place that they can hang out. It really is one-of-a-kind and very well done,” Major concluded.
all photos by juan blas
24 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
The view from the East Carolina locker room by kyle heck Contributing Writer
When senior quarterback Shane Carden found wide receiver Cam Worthy wide open for a 17-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, East Carolina found itself down just seven points to No. 21 South Carolina. However, an 18-play, 86-yard drive that took 10:33 off of the clock and ended in a field goal officially closed the book on East Carolina’s upset attempt. The Gamecocks left just 1:30 on the clock after the drive, which was the second longest in the Steve Spurrier era, and the Pirates couldn’t come back, falling to South Carolina, 33-23. “They’ve got a stable of running backs and have always been big up front,” Pirate coach Ruffin McNeill said. “Shawn Elliot did a great job tonight and they were able to execute the four-minute offense. So hats off to coach Spurrier; he’s one of the best coaches in the country.” The Pirates (1-1, 0-0 AAC) got off to a good start, forcing the Gamecocks (1-1, 0-1 SEC) to go three and out on their first drive and then putting together a lengthy scoring drive of their own. The veteran Carden led the offense down
photo by jenny dilworth
the field on an 11-play, 89-yard drive after forcing South Carolina to punt to start out the game. However, the drive stalled in the red zone, and East Carolina was forced to settle for a 26-yard Warren Harvey field goal. Things were looking even better after defensive back Josh Hawkins intercepted Dylan Thompson on the Gamecocks’ next drive, giving the Pirates the ball on the South Carolina side of the field. However, after picking up a first down to get back near the red zone, the Pirate offense stalled again and had to settle for another field goal to take a 6-0 lead.
Carden was not pleased about leaving eight early points on the board to start the game. “We’ve got to score touchdowns when we play teams like this,” Carden said. “Warren did a great job making all of those field goals when his number was called, but we’ve got to get touchdowns.” After a 36-yard touchdown run by Mike Davis put South Carolina up 7-6, East Carolina responded with another scoring drive, but this time they were able to put it in the end zone. Tailback Chris Hairston broke a couple of tackles on his way to a 10-yard touchdown run to give the Pirates a 13-7 lead early in the second quarter. But the Gamecocks responded, scoring 13 unanswered points before the Pirates tacked on another field goal to make it a 20-16 game at halftime. After halftime, though, the East Carolina offense stalled, in large part to a couple of interceptions thrown by Carden. He was picked off once by Sharrod Golightly trying to throw the ball out of bounds and another time by TJ Gurley after throwing a pass behind his intended receiver. Those two turnovers led to 10 points for
the Gamecocks to give them a cushion heading into the fourth quarter. “Those are the things that can’t happen when you’re playing teams like this,” Carden said of his interceptions. East Carolina was able to bounce back with the fourth quarter touchdown, but the ten-plus minute drive by South Carolina killed any momentum the Pirates got from the late score. “That was hard,” Carden said. “It was a really long drive. We were sitting there and there’s nothing you could do about it. All I told my offense was control what you can control and we’ll get this ball back, whenever it is.” However, once the potent Pirate offense trotted back onto the field, the game was already effectively sealed. The score may have been a lot closer than some people expected, but Spurrier knew how good the Pirates were, and count him in on the people who were impressed by what he saw tonight. “They did a super job, and they’re going to beat a lot of people, no question about that,” Spurrier said. “(Ruffin) runs a good program, there’s no question there. They should win 10 games again this year.”
Spurs & Feathers • 25
September 10, 2014
‘Ahh, we’ll see:’ The Tao of Steve Spurrier
The Ol’ ball coach isn’t someone that comes to mind when you need to coax some young teenager to run through a wall. Besides coach Spurrier wouldn’t see that sense in that “that’s not very smart.” In my earlier years as an athlete I used to find myself looking for wisdom and inspiration from “external” stimuli, “they don’t respect us,” “ these guys didn’t offer me a scholarship,” “win one for the gipper speech.” All weak attempts to find more motivation down in me somewhere, to push myself somehow to unknown heights. The greatest reminder that this isn’t very effective came from a coach Holtz story where he himself as a player heard the best pregame speech ever in his life, then on the first kickoff of the game, got hit so hard that he couldn’t remember a word of the speech just given minutes earlier. Just goes to show that those pregame speeches, or whatever can’t replace right action and doing things Langston Moore a certain way Contributing if you want to Writer win and win consistently. We’ve come to know these sound bites as Spurrierisms or the “Tao of Spurrier” (Tao definition: a Chinese concept signifying “way,” “path,” “route”). That’s just another way to define the higher level of approach or “the way” when it comes to being successful in the SEC. A way of explaining the calm indifference or a mindset to lead a group of people into a high stakes competition and come out successful. They are snapshots into the psyche of someone who has to balance on the fence between being too “high” or too “low” with expectations as well as results. As wins accumulate and coach Spurrier captures his 200th career win as as an SEC coach (50th career home win at South Carolina) the wisdom or “Tao of Spurrier” is on display if one is watching closely behind the humor and wit. There’s an old zen story (they’re all “old,” but anyway) that tells of a father, a son, and some horses. This story gives a look into the thinking and mindset a coach like Spurrier has to have. Its a great way for us to peer into the mental management of the expectations and pressure of everyday life in the SEC championship hunt. “An old Chinese farmer had a mare that broke through the fence and ran away. When
his neighbors learned of it, they came to the farmer and said, “What bad luck this is. You don’t have a horse during planting season.” The farmer listened and then replied, “Bad luck, good luck. Who knows?”
well to the player. With all the high ranking talent the HBC has coached over the years he knows that the NFL is a reality that most young men want to live out. Always one to realize that forcing a person to stay or do something they don’t Coach Spurrier has always been known as want to do whole heartedly isn’t productive. a QB guru. Someone who has walked the “When a player says, ‘I’m going pro,’ I path himself as a player in the past. Coach shake his hand and say, ‘Good luck,”’ Spurdemands his quarterbacks fit the mental and rier said. “Once they say they’re ready to go emotional makeup, as well as the the physical pro, that means they’re tired of school ... ‘I wants to play the position. He’s had his fair want to get paid to play football.’ Again some share of high ranking quarterback prospects, would say that the HBC should try and talk but that doesn’t mean they command a start or sell kids on staying in school or coming in his offense. The HBC doesn’t bemoan or back for the team, but he knows that if you’re complain when his gunslingers don’t work “contemplating” you’re not really committed out as expected. He’s a coach that will take to being a student anymore. Plus, how much a chance on playing someone that can do the of that “sell” job would someone have to do things asked instead of picking the popular when times got rough? That person will be choice. looking for the nearest exit when they did. During SEC media days coach Spurrier Therefore there’s no need fighting the ineviwas asked the obvious questions about filling table if you want to be somewhere else. the QB position vacated by the all-time winReminds me of the old adage “Be glad it ningest quarterback in school history. Refer- happened, not sad it’s over ...” ring to Dylan Thompson: “He’s a fifth-year player,” Spurrier said of Thompson. “He’s “Later that day, the farmer’s only son was been to all the games.” Hasn’t PLAYED in thrown from one of the stallions and broke all the games, mind you, but has attended his leg. When the neighbors heard about them.” it, they came to the farmer. “It is planting Some say classic Spurrierisms, but this is reflective of a person who understands the situation (replacing an all-time winner) and scales it down to what it “is.” “Avoid stepping into a great man’s shoes,” that’s what Dylan is essentially doing this season. No need to have added pressure on the situation, the expectations to outdo Connor is unfair and not conducive to winning. “A few days later, the mare returned with two stallions. When the neighbors learned of it, they visited the farmer. “You are now a rich man. What good fortune this is,” they said. The farmer listened and again replied, “Good fortune, bad fortune. Who knows?” Since his arrival into Columbia the HBC has recruited and retained some of the best talent in Carolina history. It’s so hard to have a recruit with the talents of a Jeadveon Clowney come to your program with all the expectations and demands from the public. Coach Spurrier’s handling of the “Clowneygate” issue of playing last year showed a leader that understands the give and take in the success equation. “When he’s ready to play he’ll play.” Unlike most coaches who feel they have some dictator control over players or even dangles the threat of not playing to hurt a players chances in the NFL. Spurrier also went on to show gratitude to Clowney for choosing to be a Gamecock. A gesture not taken from the old Woody Hayes playbook, showing tremendous humility as
season and now there is no one to help you,” they said. “This is truly bad luck.” The farmer listened, and once more he said, “Bad luck, good luck. Who knows?” Not only recruiting players that are tops in the nation athletically Spurrier has also recruited the next leaders of men into South Carolina culture. With the heartbreaking injury to Marcus Lattimore for the second time, we as Gamecock Nation were crushed we wouldn’t see #21 don the Garnet and Black again. But out of that we had a tangible example emerge to show us all what being a Gamecock was in this new era of success. Recruiting Marcus to come to South Carolina to help us win on the football field was obvious, but having us witness his adversity and overcoming the hurdles to become drafted was a by-product we all could’ve never expected. All this was in part due to Spurrier’s recruitment (and cha-cha sliding with Marcus’ family) of these players. Another person that comes to mind is Shaq Wilson, former captain and now linebackers graduate assistant. A great leader and player Please see SPURRIER, Page 26
26 • Spurs & Feathers
September 10, 2014
A win the Gamecocks can build on going into Georgia
I was really hoping to open this column with the words “much better,” but honestly the words more befitting Carolina’s 33-23 victory over East Carolina are those of the old cliché – “a win is a win is a win.” As I exchanged a congratulatory fist bump with the Head Ball Coach his comment was, “they’re all going to be like that.” And he’s exactly right. Any victory this 2014 Gamecock team gets will likely be a down-to-the-wire, nail biter. While two games do not a season make, I think it’s apparent that the word to describe this season’s team is unfortunately not “reload,” but “transitional.” Coach pretty much acknowledged as much when he said in his postgame, “this team is not as talented as some we’ve had in the past, obviously.” Glenn Snyder Listen, no one Inside was more inLook toxicated from the preseason kool aid than me. “Sure, we lose Connor Shaw, Jadeveon Clowney, Kelcy Quarles, Chaz Sutton, Victor Hampton and Jimmy Legree, but there
are talented players who have waited their turn and are ready to step up, we’ll be alright.” The Gamecocks are not alright. I’ll get back to the talent issue later, but to begin with, I believe the Cocks dug themselves into a psychological hole last week, when they came out flat against a Texas A&M team, that everyone from here to Las Vegas underestimated. “We were dead around here,” Coach Spurrier confirmed. The notion that a team wouldn’t be “up” for a game has driven coaches crazy for decades. I remember broaching the subject with Coach Joe Morrison. “When the University of Cincinnati came to me and said they were going to give me a free education, room and board, and the opportunity to play football, I was honored. You only play 10 games a year, why wouldn’t you be up for every one of them, to give your best, back to your school.” Why indeed, but fact is the Gamecocks lost their first character test as team. I was talking with former Gamecock and radio sideline reporter Langston Moore, and he said the words that had been in my head all week. “They got hit in the mouth and they didn’t respond.” Understand, this is a good football team. There is a lot of talent and let me reiterate, they are a great bunch of hardworking kids, who are on the same page. What they don’t have, at this
SPURRIER, cont. from page 25
rier” gives us the answer we all know we will need to hear the entire season. “We realize if we’re going to win a bunch of games, we better play the game the way it’s supposed to be played. We can’t just show up and hope it happens: Reminding all of us that the people between the white lines control the success of the program, not schemes or uniforms or gimmicks.” Coach Spurrier’s success at multiple SEC schools shows that his Tao or “way” of handling the highs and lows of winning elite football is much like the story. We laugh at the wit and “tell it like it is” simplicity that coach Spurrier exudes, but that is part of his genius as a coach. With so many moving parts in college football and the game constantly evolving, the 69-year-old guru is an obvious master in the coaching discipline. There have been many other great man that tried it their “way,” but we know the HBC’s Tao is one that has a proven track record. We all can have a new found respect for the Appalachian wisdom coming from coach Spurrier when he says “ahhh, we’ll see how we play on Saturday.”
for the Gamecocks who also exemplifies what it means to be a Gamecock. Providing that bridge as a player who recently finished his eligibility in 2012, now he works closely to bring young linebackers like Skai Moore and T.J. Holloman up to speed. Give coach credit that he has the foresight to keep players like Marcus, Shaq and now Devonte Holloman in the program to show the next group of young “chickens” how to be Gamecocks. “The very next day, the emperor’s army rode into the town and conscripted the eldest son in every family. Only the farmer’s son with his broken leg remained behind. Soon the neighbors arrived. Tearfully, they said, “Yours is the only son who was not taken from his family and sent to war. What good fortune this is...” “Oh, it didn’t matter what we played the other night.” This being the response when asked about conversations between coach Ward and the HBC after the Texas A&M disappointing loss on opening night. Losing a game like that can cause many teams to shut it down for the year, but to right the ship coach Spurrier gets down to it. Clearing all the speculation and “this & that” to let everyone know that scheme wasn’t the issue. In his own way the “Tao of Spur-
Follow Langston Moore on Twitter at @reMovetheChains #eat2win #YOBY #Justachicken
point, is enough “difference makers.” The definition of a difference maker was explained to me by Hall of Fame Track Coach, Curtis Frye, who by the way has coached and understands football. I was in his office one day, and I was going on and on about what good kids Brad Scott’s staff was recruiting. I told him I was calling the signees, and when the mother or father answered the phone, if their son wasn’t home they knew when he would be, and when I called back they were. He listened to my story, sat back and said. “Yeah that’s all good, but if you ever want to be great, you have to have those one or two kids that you have to watch constantly, to keep them from falling off either side of the line.” I think the defense, especially, and I’m talking on-the-field personas here, is missing the fiery over-the-top intensity of a D.J. Swearinger, the mouthy confidence of a Hampton, and the gleeful celebrations of a Clowney. I believe it’s hard to win with a defense by committee against really good teams. The Pirates are a very athletic, well-coached football team, but I thought the offense put the hammer down with its late 18-play, 86-yard fourth-quarter drive, with Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, a one-two punch running the ball. Dylan Thompson had a solid performance (25-38, 266 yards, 1 TD), with his one inter-
ception being a fluke. The receivers had good numbers, Shaq Roland with seven and Pharoh Copper with five, set new career records. Nick Jones had five receptions, and one of K.J Brent’s two receptions was a 16-yard TD pass. The offense had 175 rushing yards, Thompson wasn’t sacked, so the offensive line had its moments. Coach Spurrier mentioned Elliott Fry’s four field goals over and over, saying without the math, when you win by 10 and your kicker has 12 then, there’s some work to do in the red zone. The defense made some big plays at crucial times. The two interceptions in the third quarter changed the momentum of the game. The tackling was a little better. I’m not trying to sugarcoat this win. It was a struggle and it wasn’t pretty, but it was a victory for a team that’s wearing size 12 shoes on their size 9 feet. It’s was a win the Gamecocks can build on, for what will be a tremendous challenge this weekend. I’ll be honest, my expectations for the Georgia game aren’t my usual “we’re going to kick their …” Watching the Bulldogs dismantle that predicted National Championship team from the Upstate gave me pause. That’s a good football team, and the Gamecocks will have to play a whole lot better to have a chance. It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!
Spurs & Feathers • 27
September 10, 2014
Virginia is for Gamecock lovers by mike kucharski mike@spursandfeathers.com
South Carolina fans who are residents in Virginia will now have the chance to showcase their Gamecock pride when driving as a campaign to make Gamecock speciality plates available through the Virginia DMV was recently completed. This campaign has been coordinated through the My Carolina Alumni Association with The Carolina Agency in order to make these plates available. The project has been in the works previously, but truly took on life when University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides made a trip to Washington, D.C. recently. He spoke with Steve Beckham, South Carolina’s director of Federal Retions, about finding a way to allow Gamecock fans to have speciality Gamecock plates in the state to represent the University. Pastides and Beckham decided to involve the My Carolina Alumni Association and The Carolina Agency, a student-run public relations agency which is affiliated with Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and one of only 38 in country. Faculty advisor and instructor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications Jeff Ranta describes The Carolina Agency as “client-driven and service-driven” and had a group of students work on a campaign this spring to help get the ball rolling on the campaign for the specialty Gamecock plates. Recent South Carolina graduate and Virginia native Paula Novacki was one of the students who helped to spearhead the campaign. “The first step was to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see what we could do about getting the plates which was a series of meetings and phone calls with various representatives of the Virginia DMV. I actually am a resident from Great Falls, Va. myself, so it was a little bit easier for me to get in contact up there,” Novacki explained. “We had an agreement with the DMV that if we get 350 pre-approved Virginia license plates, then the Virginia DMV will go ahead and issue the Gamecock license plates. “It was super-exciting when we heard that we reached the goal. We were all sitting in on a meeting a few weeks ago - I was on as a conference call because I’m now working up in McLean, Va. Right at the end of that meeting I opened our email account and we had gotten our 350th application. It was great to reach our goal a little earlier than expected, but also to have us do it as we were meeting was neat,” Novacki continued. Despite graduating in May from South Carolina, Novacki continued to work on the project despite starting a new job in communications.
“The morning after graduation I went over to have a meeting at the President’s office and they asked ‘how are we going to have a transition plan?’” Novacki recalled. “I said ‘we’re really getting this rolling and I want to stick on this project and see it through, not only because I have been there since the beginning, but also because it’s something that I was truly passionate about.’ I’m really happy that I stuck with it. “It was really satisfying on all fronts. Being a Virginia resident … I always wanted to have a Gamecock plate. It was almost fate that this project fell into my lap at the beginning of last semester. Now it’s just going to be great to see them all driving around in the near future even though it’s going to be a little while to complete the process and have them all made,” Novacki added. Novacki and Ranta both recognized the My Carolina Alumni Association, Cantey Heath of the Office of the President and particularly Beckham - Novacki said he has driven from Washington, D.C. to Columbia, S.C. and back multiple times for meetings in assisting with the project - for their help with getting the campaign going. Ranta noted that he was proud of the students that worked on the project and they will be applying for a national award from the Public Relations Student Society of America for the completion of the project. “It’s a fun project to be involved in. It’s nice to be able to see your results on a statewide level and we think that this is really something that Virginia Gamecock fans deserve. It’s great to be a part of the project and we needed the help of all the alumni, boosters and anyone else who wants a Gamecock plate,” Ranta commented. Now that the 350 original applicants have been submitted to the Virginia DMV, there will be a nine-month process of processing, regulations and creating the plates before they will be available. “We’re expecting the original 350 applicants to receive their plates in June and once they get those, then they will be available on VirginiaDMV.gov for $25. Unfortunately for the next nine months you will have to wait unless you were one of the original 350 applicants,” Novacki commented. Novacki said that through research they learned that about 7,000 alumni living in the northern Virginia area alone, not counting other metropolitan areas of the state and added that about 10 percent of the incoming freshman class at South Carolina are Virginians. She also noted that one need not be an alumni, student or Gamecock parent, but that the Gamecock plates will be available to any Virginia residents that are South Carolina fans. Updates will continue to be found on the
submitted photo
University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides showing off a sample of the license plate that will allow Gamecock fans in the area the chance to show off their pride. website www.VaGamecockPlates.com on the process and when the plates will be available
at-large to the public. For more information, visit the website or contact the Virginia DMV.
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September 10, 2014
Upcoming Events: Gamecock Club NYC Gamecocks Game Watching Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: The NYC Gamecock Club home, The Mason Jar, at the intersection of 30th St. and Park Ave.
When: Friday, September 12, 2014; 4 p.m. Where: Augusta Common Tickets are $10 Advance/$15 at gate – Kids 12 & Under are free. Available at BorderBash.net.
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!
Performances by Kristian Bush of Sugarland and the Joe Stevenson Band. As always the University of South Carolina and University of Georgia cheerleaders as well as mascots Hairy Dawg and Cocky will be on hand throughout the evening performing and taking pictures with fans. All of this plus great vendors, food, drinks and fun games make Border Bash the place to be with your family and friends on Friday, September 12.
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 Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecock play football this season Where: Greene Turtle Ballston: 900 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, Va. or Redline DC: 707 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. Join your fellow Gamecocks at Greene Turtle Ballston for “2001,” “Sandstorm,” the Game-Cocks chant and the other great traditions you miss so much from Columbia. As always, we will host a raffle, provide free Gamecock swag, and offer great food and drink specials: Food: $5.00 Chicken Quesadillas, Hog Hammers, Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fried Pickles. Drinks: $3.00 for 16 oz. Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite Yuengling, Budweiser, Bloody Mary, and Mimosas; $5.00 for Firefly, Fireball, and Jager Kickoff is at 7:00pm. We look forward to seeing you all there or at our D.C. game watch location, Redline DC. 21st Annual Border Bash
Spartanburg Gamecock Club First Fall Meeting When: Thursday, Sept. 18; 7 p.m. Where: Downtown Marriott in Spartanburg, S.C. The featured speaker is TBD with details to be released when known. Make sure to attend the first fall meeting for the Spartanburg chapter. Nashville Gamecock Club Vanderbilt Weekend When: Sept. 19-20 Friday, Sept. 19 from 7 p.m.-11 p.m.: Vandy Game Pre-Party at Tin Roof Demonbreun with Musical Guest Ricky Young. Local South Carolina Alum and diehard Gamecock Ricky Young will be headlining. They have a lot of drink and food specials set up as well, including from 7-10 p.m. $5 Chick Dilla, $5 build you own Nachos, $40 Crowd Control (bucket of Wings/Nacho combo) and from 7-11 p.m. $2 domestic drafts, $3 craft drafts and $6 Gamecock shot. Please feel free to stop by, where you will be given a wristband so you can enjoy specials and the evening. Saturday, Sept. 20, All Day: Vandy Game Tailgate at Jed’s off West End. They will have music, tents, and all sorts of other events set up in the lawn outside. You ARE allowed to bring your cooler to this event, but you cannot take alcohol that you bring outside the fenced in area or inside Jed’s. You are also allowed to purchase drinks from Jed’s, but you cannot take them outside to the tailgate area.
to beat the Gators again! November 14 & 15, 2014. Reserve your bus tickets and Terrace Place & Wesley Place Garages: Park party tickets now! Friday night party starting at 7 p.m. at Jacksonville Marriott @ at no charge in the garages located just off of 21st Avenue and then enjoy a scenic 15- Southpoint; cost is $20 per person with The 20 minute walk through the heart of campus Sensational Epics performing. Game day bus ride on Nov. 15 five hours to Vanderbilt Stadium. prior to kickoff; leaving from Jacksonville Additional Parking: Fans can park for $10 Marriott @ Southpoint with a coast of $40 per game in the 25th Avenue Garage, located at the corner of 25th Avenue and Jess per person, does not include ticket to game. Hotel accommodations at Jacksonville Neely Drive. Marriott @ Southpoint, Gamecock Club RV Parking: The Nashville Fairgrounds offers RV parking. Parking is $35 per night rate $79/night. (904) 296-2222. Make and no reservations are required. Please call checks payable to Jacksonville Gamecock (615) 862-8980 or (615) 862-5016 for more Club, 2948 3rd Street South #328, Jacksoninformation. No RV parking is available on ville Beach, FL 32250-5847. Please include email for confirmation. campus. Vanderbilt Parking Information
Jacksonville Gamecock Club Florida Weekend When: Nov. 14-15 The Jacksonville Gamecock Club invites all Carolina fans to Jacksonville to prepare
Any questions call: Belk Ingram: (904) 254-5969, bingram@pbclubrealty.com; Rod Brace (904) 755-4041, rrbrace@gmail. com; Dane Hall (904) 591-4877, dhall88@ comcast.net; Rick Williamson (904) 6997952, rwilliamson1301@yahoo.com
South Carolina Athletics Events: This week Friday, Sept. 12 zz Women’s Soccer at USF ...........................................................................................7 p.m. zz Volleyball at Campbell (Campbell Invitational) .....................................................7 p.m. zz Men’s Soccer vs. UNC Wilmington .................................................................... 7 p.m. zz Women’s Tennis at Milwaukee Classic ................................................................All Day
Saturday, Sept. 13 zz Cross Country USC Open #1 ............................................................................... 9 a.m. zz Volleyball vs. Elon (Campbell Invitational) ..........................................................10 a.m. zz Football vs. Georgia .........................................................................................3:30 p.m. zz Volleyball vs. North Florida (Campbell Invitational) ........................................4:30 p.m. zz Women’s Tennis at Milwaukee Classic ................................................................All Day
Sunday, Sept. 14 zz Women’s Soccer at Florida Gulf Coast ...................................................................2 p.m. zz Women’s Tennis at Milwaukee Classic ................................................................All Day
Tuesday, Sept. 16 zz Men’s Soccer at Coastal Carolina ............................................................................7 p.m. Bold................................................................................................................... Home game **For more South Carolina schedule information, visit: http://www.gamecocksonline.com/ calendar/events/ for a complete master calendar.**
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September 10, 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. Wild Wing Café, which is South Carolina’s home for the best wings south of Buffalo, has 12 locations in the Palmetto State. Visit www.wildwingcafe.com for more information.
Inside the Roost
South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff.
South Carolina-Georgia television
The game will be nationally-televised by CBS. 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 Sumter WIBZ-FM 95.5 X Union WBCU-AM 1460 X
Congrats to Connor Shaw and family Currently a member of the Cleveland Browns practice squad, South Carolina quarterback legend Connor Shaw became a father for the first time when Mila Marie Shaw was born in the early morning hours of Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014. Shaw trumpeted the news to the world shortly after his wife Molly gave birth by tweeting “I’m a daddy! So very blessed!!” Shaw finished his first preseason in the NFL by going 8-for-9 for 123 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown pass was a 45-yard hail mary in a preseason game with the Washington Redskins. ClevelandBrowns.com says the Browns wanted Shaw on the practice squad because he is a “clutch, creative playmaker, obsessed with the sport football.” (Special thanks to Connor Shaw for allowing us to utilize this tweet and photo)
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H
e remembers the play as if it had just been signaled from the sidelines. “Slot Right Liz, Steamer S,” Connor Shaw told me last year. He was asked to name the play that resulted in his first-ever touchdown pass at South Carolina, a 15-yard strike to D.L. Moore in the Gamecocks’ 41-13 win over Southern Miss in the 2010 season opener. “We motioned our back out to the left, and it was a little post by D.L.,” said Shaw, breaking down the play as if it whirred on a projector screen in front of him. He’ll now have a chance to leave his mark on the next level. A day after getting cut from the Cleveland Browns’ 53-man active roster, Andy Demetra Shaw, the GameContributing cocks’ all-time Writer winningest quarterback, made the team as one of its 10 practice squad players. “Thrilled to remain with the @Browns & continue to play the game I love!” he tweeted Aug. 31, the day his signing was announced. Shaw joins the Browns after a strong but limited preseason in which he competed for Cleveland’s third quarterback spot. His best game came Aug. 18, in a nationally-televised contest against Washington on Monday Night Football. Shaw completed 8 of 9 passes for 123 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown pass as time expired in a 24-23 loss. After the game, the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran
September 10, 2014
an online poll asking readers who they thought should start the Browns’ season opener against Pittsburgh. Shaw received 76% of the vote. First-round pick Johnny Manziel and last year’s starter Brian Hoyer combined for the other 24%. But grassroots campaigns only go so far when a franchise is picking its roster. It was unlikely that Shaw would unseat an incumbent starter and future face of the franchise for the Browns’ starting job. He was more concerned with beating out a pair of veterans, Tyler Thigpen and Rex Grossman (himself a Steve Spurrier protégé), for Cleveland’s presumed final quarterback spot. In the end, Cleveland only kept two quarterbacks; Shaw, Grossman and Thigpen were all cut. As a practice squad player, Shaw knows he faces an uncertain future. He’ll run the Browns’ scout team offense. He can be released at any point. He’ll attend the same practices, meetings and workouts as Manziel and Hoyer, but won’t dress out on Sundays (practice squad players aren’t eligible to play in a live game unless signed to the active roster). It may not be where he wants his career to start. Then again, why should it faze him? *** His career fits into a neat narrative now: 27 wins, the highest career completion percentage in school history, zero losses at Williams-Brice Stadium, rock-solid toughness, and unquestioned leadership. “The best quarterback in USC history,” Steve Spurrier beatified. You would figure, based on that body of work, that Shaw was a sainted quarterback from day one. But that narrative wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Connor Shaw’s career at South Carolina was a gradual process of proving himself. He arrived in Columbia as the Gamecocks’ top quarterback prospect, well-regarded but not heavily hyped. Scout.com ranked Shaw the 31st-best quarterback in his class; nine players who signed with SEC schools were rated ahead of him. In
his first career start, he lasted one shaky quarter against ECU, going 3-for-9 with a sack before Stephen Garcia relieved him. In the SEC, he was constantly in the shadows of other, more acclaimed signal-callers. Manziel won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman, and turned Texas A&M games into glitzy appointment television. Georgia’s Aaron Murray rewrote the SEC record books. Alabama’s A.J. McCarron dated a model, won two national titles, and became the avatar for Nick Saban’s “Process.” In the discussion of top SEC quarterbacks, Shaw’s name wasn’t always mentioned. He even had his detractors at USC. Remember last September, when Shaw lurched off the field against UCF with a badly bruised shoulder? A grumble rose up from a corner of the Gamecock commentariat, still wondering whether Shaw was the best quarterback to lead South Carolina. They were the same questions that clung to Shaw earlier in his career, even as the wins piled up. Was he durable enough? Did he make enough right decisions on when to pass versus when to run? Was he truly a game-changing quarterback? The questions were debated on message boards and call-in shows, Twitter and the blogosphere, whenever South Carolina didn’t look like the yard-gouging juggernaut people expected. It’s easy to forget, but until the “Miracle at Mizzou,” Shaw was undervalued by a portion of the fanbase. Perhaps his style made him easy to underestimate. Shaw avoided turnovers. He preferred to grab yards with his feet, rather than risk a bad throw. He checked in to the smart play. It gave the sense that he was playing bridled and conservative, when in fact Shaw was playing efficiently. (Which quarterback led the NFL preseason in efficiency rating? You guessed it – Connor Shaw.) But winning has a way of overcoming skepticism. Efficiency has a way of making up for size or arm strength. The more Connor Shaw won at
photo by allen sharpe
South Carolina, the more he won over those last remaining skeptics, until his place in the Gamecock record books was secure. He proved that he could prove himself. *** That trait should come in handy as Shaw embarks on his career in Cleveland. By no means was his cut from the Browns roster an indictment of his abilities. NFL teams stash young quarterbacks on their practice squads all the time so they can develop and learn the playbook. They sometimes do it so other teams can’t claim them on waivers, a roundabout way of showing their support. That Cleveland signed Shaw was an endorsement, not an indictment. Before he and his teammates left for the Capital One Bowl last December, I asked Shaw how he’d like to write his legacy at South Carolina. “I’d like to be remembered as a great teammate, and a guy that always found a way to compete. Just one tough guy,” he replied. So Connor Shaw has a little more to prove before he can throw Slot Right Liz, Steamer S on an NFL field. Knowing how his career unfolded at South Carolina, he may be in the perfect spot.
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September 10, 2014
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Finally I can talk about Georgia. Not to take anything away from Texas A&M and East Carolina, it seems whenever I would talk about the season somehow it always comes back to what is it going to take to beat Georgia. For me, this is the game. At least until the final game this one means a little more. Growing up on the right side of the river in Aiken, S.C., I can tell you if you cross the Savannah River not only are you in the state of Georgia, but they all seem to wear “silver britches” when it comes to their allegiance in colleges. The Augusta Gamecock Club is a great chapter, but ask any of them and they’ll tell you, it’s tough to be a Ed Girardeau Gamecock over Contributing there. Editor The history goes back to 1894 when the two opened the season against each other. There had only been one game before that for USC (Furman in 1892), so this one has been a matchup that has roots preceding even Clemson. And this was a one sided affair through the first
83 years. They didn’t play every year, but often enough and South Carolina only won four times. My earliest memory of this game was in 1970. I was 10 years old but already a big fan. That game was on television, which was a huge deal at the time. It was the first time that Carolina was on national television (WIS had televised a 1953 game) and it was the last time USC would be on TV until 1975 (NC State). I can remember watching as Dickie Harris returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and then intercepted a pass and returned it 94 yards for another TD. The Gamecocks led early, but the Dawgs pulled away and won, 52-34. It wasn’t until 1978 that South Carolina beat Georgia for the fifth time, our first since 1959, a 27-10 thumping that signaled at least the beginning of the Gamecocks being competitive. We won again in 1979 at Georgia and the record since 1978 in the series is 21-13 in favor of Georgia. In fact, Georgia tired of the Gamecocks being competitive and decided to drop USC from their schedule after the 1989 season. But in 1992, South Carolina joined the SEC and the Eastern Division was born and USC went back on the Dawgs schedule as the opener for both (they dropped Clemson).
Spurrier: WilliamsBrice was key to win by brian hand bhand@spursandfeathers.com
Steve Spurrier picked up two career milestones with South Carolina’s 33-23 victory over East Carolina. The first win of the year for the Gamecocks garnered Spurrier his 200th win as a head coach at an SEC institution, while also giving him his 50th home win at the helm of South Carolina. Spurrier became the third head coach to claim 200 wins at an SEC institution, joining Bear Bryant and Vince Dooley. As one would expect after the Gamecock win over East Carolina, Spurrier was not all that worried about the historical signifance of this fact. “I haven’t really thought about that,” Spurrier noted. “I was just hoping to get a win. Just hoping to get a win and not go into the Georgia game 0-2. That was the biggest thing I was worried about right there. I knew this team would be tough for us. They could play offense and we had to stay on the field and play a lot of offense ourselves. We finally did that a bit. I’ll look back on all that I guess when my coaching days are
photo by allen sharpe
over. At the same time, Spurrier knows that without the backing of Gamecock Nation inside Williams-Brice Stadium it would have been hard for him to lead the Gamecocks to their 50th home win with him in charge. “Williams-Brice was a big key for us to beat East Carolina,” Spurrier remarked. “The fans were super. They yelled and screamed. Our players do love playing here. We saw a little more fire in them. I don’t know if they had to play-act it any, but I told them ‘I want to see us jumping around against East Carolina.’ I think our bench was a lot more alive this week than it was last game also. We were a dead bunch last week and it took some deep soul searching for these guys to say, ‘let’s go. Let’s pull this thing out.’ So this was a good win for us. It really was.”
There have been some classic battles between the two. The 1980 game was in Athens and South Carolina featured the would-be Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers. Georgia was undefeated while the Gamecocks had lost one at Southern California early and had beat Michigan in the Big House. The feature player for Georgia was a freshman named Herschel Walker. It was a defensive struggle that resulted in a 13-10 win for UGA. The Dawgs would live the charmed life that year and went on to win the National Championship, but for those of who were there we still believe the better team lost. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Todd Ellis this summer and in our conversation we talked about their games with Georgia. You could feel Todd’s aggravation over the losses to the Dawgs the first two years that were close, tough-fought games, but his fondest memory was of a touchdown pass to Robert Brooks in 1988. A one-handed grab that led the Gamecocks to a 23-10 win over top-10 Georgia. They followed that with a 24-20 win in Athens Ellis’ senior year. Last week I mentioned the opener in 1993 with Brandon Bennett scoring the go-ahead touchdown with :02 on the clock to win by two. We closed down Athens that night.
And personally, one of my favorites, two years ago in Columbia on national TV, a drubbing for the ages over top-10 Georgia, 35-0! Oh….that’s right. We let them score a touchdown late in the game on their last drive to make it 35-7 (I’m still mad about that). The record since coach Spurrier came to town is 5-4 slightly to Georgia. A win by USC Saturday would be the best 10-year record in the history of the series for South Carolina, which includes three in a row from 2010-2012 that is the best streak ever for the Gamecocks against UGA. There have been stunning wins over the years and complete heartbreak. But one thing is for sure, come Saturday morning I won’t be able to sleep for being excited about the opportunity. Georgia brings one of the best running games, if not the best, that we will see this season. Todd Gurley is a fine running back and probably is the odds on favorite to win the Heisman this year. But a great defensive effort and some offense that puts points on the board and who knows what will happen. It’s certainly a huge challenge but we control our destiny. Win this and we are back in business. Get there early, make lots of noise and get ready for a slugfest! It promises to be a memorable night for the Gamecocks!
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