Spurs & Feathers 928 by Spurs & Feathers

september 28, 2016 • Volume 38 • Issue 8 • $1.50

Will Muschamp on start of five-game homestand: ‘There is no question playing at home is an advantage for us. We need to play well and get our fans excited.’

Postmaster: Time sensitive material. Please expedite

Gamecocks turn attention to Texas A&M Publication mailed from Columbia on Monday, September 26

2 • Spurs & Feathers

Spurs & Feathers Published by Aiken Communications, Inc.

September 28, 2016

Please Read: Editor’s note Please note that we are weekly for the rest of the football season (except for the open date). Please also make sure to email bhand@spursandfeathers. com whenever you have a meeting for inclusion in our editions and on SpursandFeathers.com. Per our contract with the Gamecock Club, below are our remaining edition dates for the 2016 year. Forever to Thee! Spurs & Feathers schedule

Sept. 28 newspaper Oct. 5 newspaper Oct. 12 newspaper Oct. 19 bye week (no newspaper) Oct. 26 newspaper Nov. 2 newspaper Nov. 9 newspaper Nov. 16 newspaper Nov. 23 newspaper Nov. 30 newspaper Dec. 21 magazine (end of year)

To subscribe: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Ellen Priest Publisher/Advertising Director Aiken Communications, Inc. epriest@aikenstandard.com (803) 644-2345 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Reporter Kyle Heck kheck@spursandfeathers.com Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Cover Design Brian Hand (Photo by Allen Sharpe) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 20 times annually. The frequency is monthly in January, April and July. The publication is weekly from September-November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes two slick-paper magazine issues — one in August and one in December. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC

photo by allen sharpe

Gamecock baseball great Jordan Montgomery picked up the win in the 2016 Gildan Triple-A National ChamAll Gamecock baseball pionship on Tuesday, Sept. 20, in Memphis, Tennessee. coverage sponsored by Pitching for New York Yankees’ affiliate the Scranton/ DiPrato’s Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in the championship game, Montgomery dealt five scoreless innings to lead his team 3-1 past the El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres). The 23-year-old lefty, who is rated as the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect, entered the championship game having notched a 0.97 ERA with 37 strikeouts and nine walks in six starts for the RailRiders.

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September 28, 2016

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4 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

by brian hand Executive Editor

“Obviously we’re frustrated,” Smith said. “We’ve lost to Kentucky three years in a row. That’s no fun. As far as the energy in the locker room, obviously people are down because we know we could have played better and we know we could have beat them. Being leaders, we have to regroup, look at the tape and move on from there.” South Carolina’s grind to get better coincides with the start of a five-game homestand that commences with a visit from a top-10 Texas A&M team. Head coach Will Muschamp and the Gamecocks know in the Aggies they have a tough task ahead of them, but they also know it’s going to be great to be back in Williams-Brice Stadium. “There’s no question playing at home is an advantage for us,” Muschamp said. “We need to play well and get our fans excited.”

South Carolina ready to get back to work after tough loss

South Carolina senior offensive lineman Mason Zandi knows it’s time to get back to work. “We are going to come to work tomorrow morning and we are going to work harder and we are going to practice harder,” Zandi said after South Carolina’s 17-10 loss to Kentucky. “We are going to do everything so much harder than we did. That’s the only way I can explain it. We don’t have time to hang our heads. Nothing like that. We’ll come in tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 25) and work.” Junior defensive back D.J. Smith had a big interception in the loss to Kentucky, but just like Zandi he knows there is hard work ahead to get back into the win column.

photo by jenny dilworth

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September 28, 2016

Spurs & Feathers • 5

Comeback attempt falls short for Gamecocks at Kentucky by kyle heck Reporter

LEXINGTON, Ky. - South Carolina had the chance to tie the game against Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 24, on its final drive, but in the end, the comeback attempt fell short against the Wildcats by a score of 17-10. Down seven points late in the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks drove down to the Kentucky 28-yard line, but two sacks of quarterback Brandon McIlwain short-circuited the drive, and the Wildcats were able to run out the clock and hang on to the win. Head coach Will Muschamp was obviously disappointed in the loss, but knows he is working with a young team that is going through some growing pains during the first few weeks of the season, particularly during the road games. “Our kids battled hard and they fought, and it’s a seven-point game (late),” Muschamp said. “Disappointed with a lack of execution offensively and defensively just not playing blocks. We’ll continue to work (and) continue to improve. We’ve got a young group.” After South Carolina (2-2, 1-2 SEC) forced a fumble on Kentucky’s first drive of the game and recorded a third down sack to stall the second, the Wildcats (2-2, 1-1 SEC) were able to put something together on their third drive, thanks to a penalty. The Gamecocks forced Kentucky into a fourth down situation, but on the punt, South Carolina was called for running into the kicker, and the penalty gave the Wildcats enough yards for a first down near midfield. Quarterback Stephen Johnson hit receiver Garrett Johnson for a 15-yard gain to get Kentucky deep inside South Carolina territory, but the Gamecocks would make another stand on defense to hold the home team to a 30-yard field goal. The kick capped off a 12-play, 60-yard drive that took 5:58 off the clock and gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead with just over 14 minutes left in the second quarter. After not accomplishing much on offense the first few drives, South Carolina put together an impressive drive midway through the second quarter. Chavis Dawkins hauled in his first career reception for 13 yards that put the Gamecocks into Kentucky territory before Hayden Hurst took a screen pass and

during the drive. The Gamecocks appeared like they had taken the lead when Rashad Fenton received a punt near midfield and took it into the end zone. However, there was a block in the back on the play, negating the return. South Carolina was still able to do something on the drive. On third and long, McIlwain found Jacob August for a pickup of 29 yards that put the Gamecocks in field goal range. Elliott Fry tied the game at 10 with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter with a 35-yard field goal. It capped off a seven-play, 36-yard drive that took 2:49 off the clock. On the ensuing drive, Kentucky used a punishing run game to retake the lead. After David Williams took many of the touches in the first half, Benny Snell Jr. took over on the drive and led the Wildcats down the field. On 3rd and 7 from the nine-yard line, Johnson kept the ball to pick up the first down at the one-yard line and Snell finished the 11-play, 65-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to give Kentucky a 17-10 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the game. The drive took 4:58 off the clock. As mentioned before, the Gamecocks had a chance to at least tie the game late, but it was not to be. McIlwain finished 15-of30 for 177 yards through the air, and his favorite target was Hurst, who finished the game with seven receptions for 84 yards. Turner had 12 carries for 42 yards and the touchdown while Williams had 33 yards on nine carries. On defense, Chris Moody led the Gamecocks with a career-high nine tackles while Darius English also had a career night. The senior finished with eight tackles and three sacks, which was the most by a South Carolina player since Jadeveon Clowney had 4.5 sacks against Clemson in 2012. photo by allen sharpe The Wildcats rushed for 216 yards against the Gamecocks, thanks to the duo of Williams and Snell. The former finished with broke a couple of tackles to rumble down the 7-3 lead. the sideline for a 30-yard gain. Despite being backed up on their first pos- 123 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries while Snell added 73 yards and a touchJust a few moments later, tailback A.J. session of the second half due to a holding down on 16 carries. Turner ran around the right side for a penalty, the Wildcats were able to retake South Carolina returns home to begin a 12-yard touchdown that gave the Gamethe lead. First, Johnson found receiver Jeff cocks a 7-3 lead over the Wildcats with 5:44 Badet for a 28-yard pickup to get Kentucky five-game homestand against Texas A&M left in the first half. The touchdown capped out of trouble. Then, Stanley “Boom” Wil- on Oct. 1. Muschamp and the Gamecocks off a 10-play, 80-yard drive that took 4:23 liams found a hole on the left side and raced are ready for the extended stay in Columbia. off the clock. 43 yards for the touchdown that gave the “There’s no question playing at home is The Gamecocks’ defense would continue Wildcats a 10-7 lead over the Gamecocks an advantage for us,” Muschamp said. “We to play well the rest of the half, and South just a couple of minutes into the second Carolina entered the halftime break with half. Kentucky went 75 yards on five plays need to play well and get our fans excited.”

6 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Moore: Gamecocks need to ‘show their work’ A Modern mystery for coaches: Why do phenomenal things. The curse: you some freshmen perform and impact a team think it’s about “YOU” and your glori and some don’t ? Why can some freshmen ous ability and get sucked into the lie. The lie be trusted with playing time and others can that “coach I did it in a game once so I’m goo barely be trusted to be on time. Some new d….” nah! Your unconscious of how you got comers have all the physical attributes. Some the results on the field during the game. have the mental makeup and strength to han dle playing early. Some are just lost: “which Show your work way is the library?!” When you’re a freshmen, you stink at the I had a high school freshmen math teach start. You don’t have a clue what’s going er who always preached: “show your work.” on. Relying on freshmen to play and win Pushing for understanding of the “why and games can age you prematurely. I how” you got the answer instead of just know I was responsible for 2 or 3 wrin worrying about the “answer” itself. Win kles on Lou’s face when I played as a fresh ning football games is the answer, but man (some of those were already there, not if you don’t show your work “aka” my fault). Why? You just don’t know what know how to practice to get consistent re you’re going to get from them and it can drive sults, you won’t win consistently. This math you crazy. A freshmen’s per teacher who preached “show ception of what it takes to your work” was the daugh “win” and what actually has to ter of a legendary high school happen to “win” is very dif football coach in the low ferent. I personally thought country. I don’t know if she being inserted in the starting knew she was implementing lineup would’ve helped us this universal principle but win 1 game my freshman year. it worked on me. She woulI quickly realized … “Langston d go so far as to give us the you have no idea.” answers to the test ques Being young and oblivi tions, but we had to show ous can be a gift and a curse. how we could get to that con The gift: you have no clue clusion. I would feel tormented Langston Moore you shouldn’t be perform that this lady would give me Contributing ing at such a high level at a test with the answers al Writer this age and you do some ready on it and wanted me to

the work it takes to get the result we de sire. Being patient and meticulous isn’t cool. It isn’t appealing to this “new gen eration,” but those of us who are older are just as guilty of it. “How long until we win a championship?” “How long until player “X” plays?” “How long….”. Those of us who know better continue to ask these re dundant questions forgetting our own past experiences. Knowing anything worth while takes time to germinate and grow if we want it to stand the test of time. Just like my mother would tell me when I was younger “it’s going to take as long as it takes…” With the Gamecocks playing so many young players at prominent photo by jenny dilworth positions this season, they can’t for get to “show their work” every day in prac actually work to give her what she already tice to win on Saturdays. Sure it’s easy to provided. That frustration would turn into get sucked up in the illusion that you “get it,” confidence later because I knew “how” to get you know what to do, but much like my math to the answer on my own. I bought into the teacher preached you still have to “show idea of “the answer” being just a small part of your work” every day. Players have to buyin the bigger picture, learning the “how to” ex and use practice as that “scrap sheet” of pa ecute the formulas myself was way more per to work out the details. The details of important. winning football games and know ing how to do it over and over. It may look all jumbled and makes no sense to someone Sanka Society else from the outside in, but to the coach and the player, this makes it easy to make All of us can’t hear this message enough from coach Muschamp: “We live in a instant corrections quickly. Knowing the the an swer is great, but application and execution coffee society.” We all want results NOW. are more important. Want everything NOW without showing

The view from the Kentucky locker room

by brian hand Executive Editor

Many Kentucky fans called it a “must-win.” That’s why after the 17-10 Wildcat win over the Gamecocks, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops pointed out that it is as big of a win as he has had in his time at Kentucky. “It’s not an easy business,” Stoops said. “That’s okay, we know what we’re in for and it’s a big win. I guess you could say that. We’re in year four and we all know what comes with it. The heat’s always on and so it comes with the territory. So it was a needed win, yes.” Overall, Stoops was just happy to see his team pick up the win over a South Carolina team that they felt was capable of beating them at home. “That’s the way this football team needs to play, with that passion and energy that every fan expects, that we expect and that we will do,” Stoops said after Kentucky’s 17-10 win. “These guys mean well. We had work to do and have work to do and we’ll continue to work at it.

We’re 3-of-13 and that’s the game for us. We have really not been executing and not playing to our potential on third downs. When you can get off the field, you limit your opportunities, yards and points.” Offensively, it was once again the Wildcat rushing attack that doomed the Gamecocks in their third straight loss to Kentucky. The Wild cats amassed 351 yards of total offense in the game with 216 of that coming on the ground. “I thought our offense made tough first downs, tough yards when they needed to,” Stoops said. “Late in the game they protected the football.” The win improved the Wildcats to 2-2 (1-1 SEC) and dropped the Gamecocks to 2-2 (1-2 photo by jenny dilworth SEC). “Really it just feels good to get to .500,” They come to work. They have accepted it and South Carolina to 268 yards of total offense, Stoops said. “Again, it wasn’t the start (to the they looked in the mirror. You can’t change the and just 3-of-13 on third down conversions. year) we wanted. We can’t change the past, but past, but we can certainly change our future and “Defensively it came down to third downs we can learn from our mistakes and push on. push forward.” again,” Stoops said. “Getting them to second We’re excited to get on to the next opportunity In the game, the Wildcat defense limited and long, third and long and getting off the field. and next week will be a real challenge.”

Spurs & Feathers • 7

September 28, 2016

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8 â&#x20AC;¢ Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

South Carolina Gamecocks

2016

09/01/16...........at Vanderbilt# ....................... Nashville, Tenn....................W, 13-10

SEC

W-L

HOME

ROAD

09/10/16...........at Mississippi State#............ Starkville, Miss...................... L, 27-14

Tennessee

1-0

4-0

3-0

0-0

09/17/16........ East Carolina....................Columbia, S.C............... W, 20-15

Florida

1-1 3-1 3-0 0-1 0-0 129 52 L1

Georgia

1-1

3-1

1-0

1-1

1-0

101

120

Kentucky

09/24/16...........at Kentucky#.......................... Lexington, Ky........................ L, 17-10

SEC East

NEU PF PA STRK 1-0

131

1-1

2-2

2-1

0-1

0-0

121

141

10/01/16........ Texas A&M#.....................Columbia, S.C................... 4 p.m.

South Carolina 1-2

2-2

1-0

1-2

0-0

10/08/16........ Georgia#..........................Columbia, S.C.......................TBA

Missouri

0-1

2-2

2-1

0-1

0-0

178

Vanderbilt

0-1 2-2 1-1 1-1 0-0 95 105 W1

10/22/16........ Massachusetts.................Columbia, S.C.......................TBA 10/29/16........ Tennessee#......................Columbia, S.C.......................TBA

SEC West

SEC

11/05/16........ Missouri#.........................Columbia, S.C.......................TBA

Alabama

W-L PF

PA W-L PF PA STRK

1-0

4-0

2-0

1-0

186

11/12/16...........at Florida#............................... Gainesville, Fla.............................TBA

Texas A&M

2-0

4-0

2-0

1-0

172

Auburn

1-1

2-2

0-0

11/19/16........ Western Carolina.............Columbia, S.C.......................TBA

LSU

1-1 2-2 2-0 0-1 0-1 84 67 L1

Ole Miss

1-1

2-2

2-1

0-0

0-1

160

120

Mississippi State 1-1

2-2

1-1

0-0

114

Arkansas

3-1

2-0

1-0

0-1

128

106

11/26/16...........at Clemson.............................. Clemson, S.C.................................TBA Bold=Home Game #=SEC

0-1

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football Schedule

Standings

Spurs & Feathers â&#x20AC;¢ 9

September 28, 2016

photo by allen sharpe

Gamecock Club executive director Patrick McFarland personally thanked every member of the executive council when they were honored during halftime of the Gamecock win over East Carolina.

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10 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Firehouse Subs steps up big for the University and community by brian hand Executive Editor

five-gallon pickle buckets, available to guests for a $2 donation to the foundation. Donation canisters on register counters explain the non-profit’s Larry Chandler owns 18 Firehouse Subs restaumission and collect spare change, while in adrants, and he knows at the end of the day his busidition the Round Up Program allows guests to ness is selling their product, but to him through “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. All funds their work with the Firehouse Subs Public Safety raised benefit the foundation. Foundation it is also much more. Chandler knows this is something they will consubmitted photo by amber williams tinue to advocate. “We love selling as many sandwiches as possible (Left-to-right): Amber Williams president and that’s what we’re in business to do, but at the “We’re very passionate about it,” Chandler said. end of the day we feel really good about our Public of the Jeffrey Lee Williams Foundation, “It’s a great foundation. I never met Jeffrey, but Safety Foundation and what we’ve been able to do Charlie Divita, Larry Chandler Firehouse you can tell through his family that he was an Subs Franchisee, Jeanie Williams, Robert over the years,” Chandler said. outstanding young man. His life was taken way On Friday, Sept. 16, Chandler and Firehouse Wronski Bureau Chief of EMS at DHEC, too short because of this carbon monoxide poisonSubs announced that more than $46,000 was be- Jody Chandler Firehouse Subs Franchisee. ing that is undetectable until it’s too late. It doesn’t ing donated to the Jeffrey Lee Williams Foundahave a smell.” tion. responders across the state can quickly determine Chandler and Firehouse Subs recently had firstAccording to its website, the Jeffrey Lee Wilwhether CO is present when responding to calls. hand experience with all of this when working on liams Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)3 orga“With our grant along with DHEC’s grant, we their latest store opening in West Columbia. nization with a singular mission: to help prevent were able to get carbon monoxide for first re“Actually we had some construction guys workcarbon monoxide poisoning. sponders to wear on their belt or wherever they can ing next store and our alarm went off,” Chandler Jeffrey Lee Williams tragically passed away in go in places and they detect a leak somewhere,” said. “You don’t know if it ended up saving someJune of 2013 while at a hotel that did not have a Chandler said. “We’re distributing those out.” body’s life, but it made a difference because they carbon monoxide detector To be able to give back means a lot to Chandler would have never known that was happening until Through the efforts of the Firehouse Subs Public and Firehouse Subs. it was too late.” Safety Foundation in collaboration with the South “It just matched up with our Firehouse Public In addition to all of this, Firehouse Subs founders Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Safety Foundation,” Chandler said. “It’s just one and brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen recently Control (DHEC), the Jeffrey Lee Williams Foun- of those things that you want to continue. It’s very donated $1 million to buy 1,000 AEDs (automated dation received 225 portable carbon monoxide important. It’s something that is making a difexternal defibrillator), which is an apparatus used monitors (CO) worth $46,840. The awarded ference in the community. We don’t ever know to produce defibrillation by application of brief devices will be distributed to all S.C. EMS depart- where it will save lives.” electroshock to the heart, directly or through elecments through four regional events, ensuring first Each Firehouse Subs restaurant recycles leftover, trodesplaced on the chest wall.

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Firehouse Subs was able to work with the University of South Carolina to give 14 of these AEDs to them for the University’s use for a grant value over $18,000. “We’re trying to make the impact locally as much as we can,” Chandler said. “We’re trying to tie ourselves in more to the University, trying to create jobs through the hotel and restaurant management school and also through the business school, hopefully getting some intern opportunities down the road.” A lifelong Gamecock and graduate of the University of South Carolina, Chandler and Firehouse Subs do a ton of work for the University of South Carolina athletics department through camps, advertising and many other avenues. South Carolina’s home game with SEC rival Georgia on Oct. 8 is First Responders Day, which Firehouse Subs will be sponsoring. “It’s the first time we’ve sponsored it, and we plan on it being a yearly thing where we sponsor that day each year for whatever game it is,” Chandler said. “We’re looking forward to that. It’s a great tie-in for us to be able to get the word out a little bit more about our Public Safety Foundation.” In general, Chandler and Firehouse Subs are just incredibly thankful to collaborate with the University of South Carolina in numerous ways. “It’s just a big part of our business, and we love being a partner with the University, not only in athletics, but also through the academic part of the University,” Chandler said.

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Spurs & Feathers • 11

September 28, 2016

Lifelong Gamecock fan receives ‘surreal’ honor as Legendary Fan by kyle heck Reporter For the last couple of years, every time Rob Teal saw something promoting the Legendary Fan of the Game, he thought of one person - Betty Merck. Teal had grown up going to the First Baptist Church in Bishopville, and had formed a special relationship with Merck, who he called the biggest Gamecock fan he knew. Finally, this summer, Teal saw an ad in Spurs & Feathers that provided the contact email to nominate someone for the Legendary Fan of the Game. Teal sent in a nomination for Merck, and the very next day he received a phone call from the Gamecock Club. On Sept. 17, in the Gamecocks’ home opener against East Carolina, Merck, joined by many friends and family, was honored as the Legendary Fan of the Game. For Teal, there could be no one more deserving of the honor. “I was so happy seeing how happy she was,” Teal said. “Her son was telling me how excited she was. She hadn’t tailgated in several years because her children are all grown now, so they kind of quit tailgating. So we did a whole tailgate with the family and everyone before the game and people from Bishopville dropped by and congratulated her. It was just a perfect day.” Despite the high heat and humidity, the 83-year-old Merck hung right in there. But that’s not surprising when you look at the obstacles she’s overcome to get to Carolina football games and other events. A member of the Gamecock Club for 41 years, Merck hasn’t missed a home South Carolina football game in over 45 years. Even a hurricane couldn’t stop her. Two days after Hurricane Hugo swept through the state, Merck took a couple of children from power-less Bishopville with her to Columbia to watch the Gamecocks play. They had to drive around downed trees, and there was plenty of damage in Bishopville, but South Carolina was playing, and she was going to be there. Merck’s husband, Bob, passed away 20 years ago, and it was around that time that Teal and Merck developed a special relationship. Teal had just gotten his driver’s license, and Merck preferred not to go to Gamecock Club events herself, so the two

photo by allen sharpe

avid Gamecock fans rode together. “I’ve always been a Gamecock fan because my daddy was from North Carolina and he would always tease me about North Carolina being better than South Carolina, and I just always stood up for South Carolina,” Merck said. Merck was joined on the field by her son, Warren and his wife, Kristie, as well as her daughter, Wendi, and her husband Dana. In addition, Merck’s grandchildren - Chelley, Chandler, Chesley, Taylor, Brian and John - were all present. “It was almost like surreal,” Merck said of being on the field prior to the game. “I felt like I was in a dream. I had never been down on the field, and actually it was really fun for my family because they had never been down on the field. So they were all excited. It was fun for me because they were so excited.”

All of Merck’s children and grandchildren are Gamecock graduates, students, or future students. In addition, she has given tickets to Teal and his family throughout the years, and in doing so, they were able to convert two families into big South Carolina fans. “We’ve got Carolina (and) we don’t have any arguments in our family because everyone is on the same page,” Merck said. While on the field, it was announced that Merck refuses to wear the color orange, which unsurprisingly got a huge roar from the Williams-Brice Stadium crowd. Merck was able to meet athletics director Ray Tanner, University president Harris Pastides, Gamecock great Langston Moore and head baseball coach Chad Holbrook, whose program helped Teal’s family when their son, Bayler, was bat-

tling cancer. “I was almost beginning to feel like a celebrity,” Merck said. For Teal and everyone else that Merck has impacted, seeing her on the field as the Legendary Fan of the Game was fitting. Through hurricanes and other obstacles, Merck’s love for the University of South Carolina has never wavered. Not once has she ever left a game early, whether it was raining or a tough game, it didn’t matter. A couple of years ago, Merck sold her family home in Bishopville so she could move to Columbia and be closer to the school. So for those who know her, they understood what the special honor meant for the lifelong Gamecock fan. “I just want to thank everyone that has been so good to me, and I really appreciate this honor,” Merck concluded.

12 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Augusta Gamecock Club excited for annual Border Bash by kyle heck Reporter The day before the annual South Carolina-Georgia football game is always a big one for the Augusta Gamecock Club. On that day, cheerleaders and fans from both schools converge on the area for good-natured competition and contributions for a good cause in the annual Border Bash. On Friday, Oct. 7, the Augusta Gamecock Club hosts the 23rd annual Border Bash at the Augusta University Golf & Gardens. “This is really one of our big events of the year that we’re involved in with the Bulldog Club and the Gamecock Club to do the Border Bash,” said Curley Avant, president of the Augusta Gamecock Club. “This is the 23rd year for Border Bash, and we’ve raised close to $950,000 over that period of time, and we support 26 charities within the Augusta area.” So not only does Border Bash give the opposing fans a chance to come out and have some fun the night before the big game, it also greatly helps out the surrounding community. There will also be a DJ, live bands, beverage tents and cheerleaders from both schools will come out to lead the crowd in an assortment of cheers. Anyone interested can buy tickets in advance at borderbash.net, or you can wait to purchase them at the gate the day of the event. Avant said that Augusta Golf & Gardens is a great venue for the event that features plenty of room and a tremendous view with it being right near the river. As mentioned before, Border Bash is a huge event for the Augusta Gamecock Club that helps it raise money for great causes and the University of South Carolina. “It’s great to see two colleges and people who support those colleges come out to raise money to benefit the local charities within the area,” Avant said. “Besides that, I think it’s rewarding for us, the Augusta Gamecock Club, raising money to give back to the student-athletes at Carolina. Over the past 10 years, we’ve given back roughly $30,000 to help the student-athletes at Carolina.”

photo by brian hand from 2015 border bash

This year’s Border Bash will be unique in that both schools are going through coaching transitions for the first time in many years. Kirby Smart is in his first year with the Bulldog, while Will Muschamp is in his inaugural campaign with the Gamecocks, and both know each other very well. Avant expects that dynamic to give Border Bash extra intrigue. “I think it’s different because both of them played at Georgia (and) they’re both good friends,” Avant said. “The big thing is both schools are in kind of a transition period right now with new coaches. But both of those coaches are very dynamic and well-known coaches. I think it brings a little more excitement as far as having new coaches and things like that.”

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September 28, 2016 Spurs & Feathers • 13

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14 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

South Carolina officially launches Expanding Our Vision capital initiative To see the full Expanding Our Vision site or to donate, please visit expandingourvision.com South Carolina Athletics has always been expanding in some capacity. Whether it is expanding expectations for success, expanding the areas from where it recruits talent, or expanding facilities and resources to help student-athletes achieve success academically and athletically, South Carolina is not standing still in living up to the commitments made in the Gamecock Student-Athlete Promise. South Carolina Athletics is taking another step forward with the September launch of its Expanding Our Vision capital initiative. “At the heart of this initiative are the construction of the Football Operations Center, the Carolina Coliseum Project, and the Golf Practice Facility,” said Athletics Director Ray Tanner. “These proj-

ects not only enhance the student-athlete experience by providing state-of-the-art facilities, but also provide coaches and athletics staff the resources to elevate their respective programs.” Each part of this initiative aims to not only help the Gamecocks achieve athletics success for years to come, but also create efficiency within each program through the centralization of resources available to student-athletes, coaches and staff. Football Operations Center The Football Operations Center will provide the Gamecocks’ program with a recruiting center, locker room, weight room, athletic training room, coaches’ offices, meeting rooms, dining room, equipment room and player lounges; all in one convenient location. It will be adjacent to the new Jerri and Steve Spurrier Indoor Practice Facility and outdoor practice fields. With hefty demands on the student-athletes’ time for athletics as well as academics, the Football Op-

within the football stadium and elsewhere. “For our players, it’s a one-stop shop,” Muschamp said. “It’s going to be just fabulous for us as a staff. Right now, our practice situation is phenomenal. We’ve got the nicest (indoor facility) I’ve ever been around and two grass practice fields with plenty of work space outside of that. To get this facility done, I’m really exerations Center centralizes all football cited.” activities to maximize preparations More than half of the football programs and allows for a more efficient way for in the SEC already have a consolidated student-athletes and coaches to conduct football facility to base all of their optheir daily responsibilities. erations, and South Carolina looks to “The Football Operations Center puts not only keep up, but move ahead of the us at the forefront of facilities in college football,” said South Carolina Head pack. Not only will the facility enhance Football Coach Will Muschamp. “We are the student-athlete’s ability to train and currently in the bottom half of the SEC in compete at the highest level, but it will also serve as a showcase for recruits and terms of football facilities. The Football their parents, while continuing to provide Operations Center shows a commitment piece of mind to donors that their contrifrom the University to future studentbutions are being reinvested for the good athletes, as well as the student-athletes of the student-athletes. we currently have on campus.” “Our in-state rivals are building a The new center eliminates the current CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 fractured alignment of football facilities

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by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content

September 28, 2016

Spurs & Feathers • 15

mount that facilities keep pace with those efforts. “We want to recruit great student-athletes, and we want to create a great studentathlete experience with our current players,” Staley said. “They deserve great facilities for how much they sacrifice for our program.”

brand-new football operations facility,” Muschamp said. “It all goes back to recruiting. It’s about the bells and whistles that impresses a student-athlete when they come on our campus. To win the battles on the field, you have to win the battles in recruiting. “I think it’s going to be a game-changer for us as far as the student-athletes on our campus presently, but also in the recruiting process. We all like shiny and new. It will be, and we’ve been able to put our hands on it with the architects and get exactly what we want. We’re really excited about that process.” Construction for the Football Operations Center is scheduled to begin in January of 2017 with a completion date slated for 2018. Carolina Coliseum Project South Carolina men’s and women’s basketball are back in the national spotlight for what they are achieving on the court. The Carolina Coliseum Project ensures that the efforts on the basketball floor are being matched by necessary facilities off the court to help both programs adequately prepare to compete and also attract future generations of Gamecock student-athletes. “It’s pretty evident around the country that athletics is the front porch to every university and the Southeastern Conference,” said South Carolina men’s basketball coach Frank Martin. “We, just like all of our brothers in the SEC, continue to work to upgrade the facilities that are needed to provide our student-athletes in their respective sports with a first class experience during their college period.” “Our team will benefit from the new facility by competing with the rest of the SEC,” said South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley. “When we go around to different campuses, what we see is a lot different than what we have on campus. This is state of the art. It has a `wow’ factor. It will definitely attract recruits, their parents, and when we have visitors and other coaches here. They want to know what a Final Four program looks like behind the scenes. So we’ll create an environment where people will want to strive to be like South Carolina. We don’t have that right now. We are in a position now where our winning should be both on and off the court.” Coaches agree that facilities are not only an integral part of helping studentathletes reach their potential, but also a huge factor in attracting the best and the brightest recruits. “This facility will allows us to win in recruiting,” Staley said. “It will allow us to attract recruits from all over the country.” “These facilities also become tremendous recruiting advantages for the average student, not just student-athletes,” Martin said. “It’s all part of that campus experience and a first class university.” “When I was a recruit, the two top things I was worried about was the gear and the facilities,” said junior A’ja Wilson. “They want the best facilities. As we continue to improve the facilities that we have here, I think we’ll bring in the top players, and that’s what we need to carry on the success and the legacy of South Carolina.” The Carolina Coliseum Project converts underutilized space in the historic building into a hub for all basketball operations and activities outside of game day. With an anticipated completion date set for spring of 2017, the Carolina Coliseum Project provides a convenient, central location for locker rooms, athletic training room, weight room and coaches’ offices. “Just having all of this is going to be better for (student-athletes),” said former Gamecock All-American Tiffany Mitchell. “We spend so much time on the court, with weights, and in the film room. So having all of that in one building will definitely be convenient and make the experience as student-athletes that much better.” “It will allow our players to have a safe environment, where only they would have access to it,” Staley added. “It’s right across the street from the dorms, so it’s a short walk for them to access the facility 24 hours per day. It will create a safe environment where they know that once they enter this building, it’s a safe haven for them.” As South Carolina’s basketball programs continue to grow on the court, it is para-

Golf Practice Facility The South Carolina golf teams consistently rank among the nation’s best. Both the men’s and women’s programs are regulars among the NCAA Tournament field, and both teams reached match play of the NCAA Championships in the spring of 2016. The Golf Practice Facility provides the student-athletes something the programs’ have sorely lacked in years past: an on-campus practice facility. “Having something on campus is pretty much a necessity right now to compete at a high level in our sport,” said South Carolina men’s golf coach Bill McDonald. “A lot of the schools that we are competing against have on-campus practice facilities or golf courses. When high level players come in here to look at what we have, it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. This is a heck of a start to level that playing field. It’s needed to compete.” “It also gives us the ability to tailor our practices to the things we need,” said South Carolina women’s golf coach Kalen Anderson. “It’s going to be a phenomenal facility. If we want to work on our short game, play some holes, or do whatever we need to prepare ourselves for competition; to have something that is just for us where we’re not dealing with outside member play, is going to be such a convenience. “It also helps us as a recruiting tool with a facility that’s right there. Our men’s and women’s golf teams have been successful. It just shows the commitment that South Carolina Athletics has to all of its athletics programs, and shows how important the golf programs are to the University of South Carolina.” With coaches’ offices also on site, the close proximity to the main campus will allow student-athletes more efficient use of practice time while also having more time to spend on campus for their academic pursuits. “The convenience of having something there on campus, readily available, is going to be huge for our student-athletes in terms of their time management,” Anderson said. “They are going to have everything they need to get things done on campus, including their studies and on the athletics field as well. There are a lot of studentathletes who don’t have access to vehicles, so this brings a lot of convenience into play.” “There’s no denying the fact that it can take 25 or 30 minutes for our student-athletes to get out to one of our (current) main practice facilities at Cobblestone Park or elsewhere,” McDonald said. “You’re asking student-athletes to spend an hour in the car just to practice for a little while. That’s not good time management. When you are asking student-athletes to sacrifice that much, and have high standards, not only with how we’re trying to compete, but with what we’re trying to do in the classroom, a facility like what we are building will help immensely. “Our team GPA last year was over a 3.5, and a majority of our kids are in the business school. We often have to adjust our playing schedule around their classes, so it’s not fair for me to ask them to drive 30 minutes to practice and then have to come back here and run to class.” The South Carolina coaches are also excited about the versatility the facility will offer. “We’ve built a hybrid of a driving range for a really good player,” McDonald said. “They can hit shots, and that’s in conjunction with a practice hole concept with three distinct putting green complexes so you can play from different angles and create a par 3, par 4 or maybe a par 5 scenario. It’s primarily designed so the kids can hit balls or practice specific shots on different greens from different angles.” “We need to work on different shots, we can use different areas of the practice facility to work on totally different things,” Anderson said. “We can change directions and work on dealing with winds. It’s going to be everything we need it to be to prepare us for our matches. They’ve also hired someone full time to maintain it and make sure it’s always at a tip-top level so we’ll see the same conditions that we would see in a tournament.” McDonald noted that the purpose of the land around the facility, which has a great view of Williams-Brice Stadium as well as the Congaree River, will be to enhance not only athletics, but also the quality of life for student-athletes. The Gamecocks look to create a legacy of success each time they take the field, court or course. You can leave your legacy for generations to come with your support.

16 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

South Carolina Gamecocks # Name Pos. 1 Deebo Samuel WR 3 K.C. Crosby TE 3 Chris Lammons DB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 4 Jake Bentley QB 5 Darius English DL 5 Terry Googer WR 6 Chris Moody LB 7 Korey Banks WR 7 Jamarcus King DB 8 Randrecous Davis WR 8 Marquavius Lewis DL 9 Jerad Washington WR 9 Sherrod Pittman LB 10 Skai Moore LB 10 Perry Orth QB 11 Brandon McIlwain QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 12 Javon Charleston DB 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 13 Sean Kelly P 13 Jalen Dread LB 14 Jamari Smith WR 15 Antoine Wilder DB 15 Matrick Belton WR 16 Bailey Hart QB 16 Rashad Fenton DB 17 Chaz Elder DB 18 Danny Gordon QB 18 Keir Thomas DL 19 Lorenzo Nunez WR 20 Joseph Charlton K/P 21 Rico Dowdle RB 22 Steven Montac DB 22 Montray Feaster WR 23 Christian Owens WR 23 Larenz Bryant LB 24 D.J. Smith DB 24 Garrett Frederick WR 25 A.J. Turner RB 26 Jasper Sasser DB 27 Toure Boyd DB 27 Ty’Son Williams RB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 30 Darius Paulk RB 30 Daniel Fennell DL 31 Chris Smith DB 32 Rod Talley RB 32 Brett Shore LB 33 David Williams RB 34 Mon Denson RB 34 Scott Grant DB 35 Shannon James DB 36 Morgan Vest DB 36 C.J. Freeman RB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 39 Rivers Bedenbaugh TE 40 Jason Senn DB

Hgt. 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 6-3 6-6 6-4 6-1 5-11 6-2 5-10 6-3 5-8 6-0 6-2 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-0 6-4 5-10 5-10 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-5 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-5 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-0 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-0 5-8 6-3 5-10 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-10 5-10 5-7 6-0 5-11 5-9 6-2 5-8

Coaches/Staff

Wgt. 205 227 190 230 223 245 220 220 180 180 181 270 175 225 220 200 205 230 195 215 190 220 210 185 215 175 190 200 210 265 205 185 211 190 205 215 225 195 180 195 210 195 220 230 170 205 235 180 205 210 220 215 185 160 190 200 170 256 195

Cl. RS SO RS SO JR JR FR RS SR RS SO RS SR FR JR FR SR RS FR RS FR SR RS SR FR RS SR RS FR RS SO RS SR SO RS JR RS FR RS SR FR SO RS SR RS SO FR SO RS FR FR SO FR RS FR SR JR FR RS FR RS JR RS JR SO SR SR RS SR RS FR FR RS JR RS JR RS JR RS FR RS SO RS SR FR FR RS JR RS JR RS FR

Football Roster

Hometown/High School/Last College Inman, S.C./Chapman Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Lauderhill, Fla./Plantation Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Opelika, Ala./Opelika Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy McDonough, Ga./Henry County Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Mobile, Ala./Blount Atlanta, Ga./Mays Greenwood, S.C./Greenwood/Hutchinson CC Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast Cooper City, Fla./University PonteVedra, Fla./PonteVedra/Florida State College Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Gurnee, Ill./Warren Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Oakland, Fla./West Orange/FAU/Tallahassee JC Foley, Ala./Foley Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Riverdale, Ga./Hapeville Charter Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando Miami, Fla./Miami Carol City Union City, Ga./Banneker Worthington, Ohio/Worthington/Miami (Ohio) Miami, Fla./Miami Central Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison Columbia, S.C./A.C. Flora Asheville, N.C./A.C. Reynolds Covington, Ga./Newton/Coffeyville C.C. Union, S.C./Union County Griffin, Ga./Griffin Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Plano, Texas/Plano Clifton, Va./Centreville Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Chaffey College Sumter, S.C./Crestwood/North Carolina Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Texas/Prince of Peace Christian Columbia, S.C./North Greenville Loganville, Ga./Grayson Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork/Tyler JC Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter LaGrange, Ga./LaGrange Laurens, S.C./Laurens Florence, S.C./South Florence Leander, Texas/Rouse Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Leesville, S.C./Lexington/Georgia Southern Beaufort, S.C./Beaufort

Will Muschamp - Head Coach Bobby Bentley - Running Backs Shawn Elliott - Offensive Line Coleman Hutzler - Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Bryan McClendon - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Mike Peterson - Outside Linebackers Travaris Robinson - Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Kurt Roper - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Lance Thompson - Asst. Head Coach - Defense/Defensive Line Pat Washington - Tight Ends Jeff Dillman - Director of Strength & Conditioning Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Robbie Liles - Director of Player Personnel Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Andre Goodman - Director of Football Development Larry Waters - Director of Football Equipment Operations Clyde Wrenn - Director of High School Relations

# Name Pos. 40 Jacob August TE 41 Tyler Ragsdale LB 42 Jordan Diggs DB 42 Alexander Woznick PK 43 Benji Russell DB 44 Adrian McGee RB 44 T.J. Brunson LB 45 Ben Asbury LS 45 Spencer Eason-Riddle LB 46 Trey Mitchell LB 46 Harrison Freeman LS 47 Drew Williams LS 47 Avery James DB 48 Nick McGriff LS 48 Dexter Wideman DL 49 Boosie Whitlow DL 50 Griffin Gentry DL 50 Sadarius Hutcherson OL 51 Cory Helms OL 52 Jajuan Blankenship DL 55 Christian Pellage OL 57 Hassan Belton LB 59 Logan Crane LS 60 Chandler Farrell OL 61 Javion Duncan DL 61 Cameron Johnson OL 63 Blake Camper OL 65 Pika Leota OL 66 Will Putnam OL 67 Ryan Green OL 69 D.J. Park OL 70 Alan Knott OL 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OL 75 Darius Whitfield OL 77 Malik Young OL 78 Zack Bailey OL 79 Trey Derouen OL 80 Shemar Glenn WR 81 Hayden Hurst TE 82 Evan Hinson TE 83 Chavis Dawkins WR 84 Kyle Markway TE 85 Devin Dingle WR 85 Michael Almond K/P 86 Robert Tucker III TE 87 Kiel Pollard TE 89 Bryan Edwards WR 90 Wyman Baxley LS 90 Taylor Stallworth DL 91 Shameik Blackshear DL 92 D.J. Wonnum DL 93 Ulric Jones DL 94 Kelsey Griffin DL 95 Dante Sawyer DL 96 Aaron Thompson DL 97 Kobe Smith DL 98 Stephon Taylor DL 99 Abu Lamin DL

Hgt. 6-6 6-0 6-0 5-11 6-0 5-11 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-0 6-6 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-8 6-8 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-9 6-2 6-3 6-6 6-3 6-1 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-2 6-4 6-4

Wgt. 248 220 205 160 200 185 225 210 226 210 235 215 195 225 280 240 246 273 310 265 305 215 245 280 260 300 300 315 282 265 330 290 325 315 286 300 315 310 175 250 238 200 245 180 222 238 230 210 195 310 265 240 300 295 275 271 305 293 310

Cl. RS SO RS FR RS SR FR RS JR FR FR RS SO FR FR FR SR JR RS SO RS FR SO FR FR RS JR FR SO SO RS FR FR RS SO FR SO FR FR SO RS JR RS JR RS SO RS SR FR RS SO SO RS FR RS FR SO FR FR SO RS FR RS FR FR FR FR FR JR RS FR FR RS JR SR JR FR FR FR RS SR

Hometown/High School/Last College Columbia, S.C./Fork Union Military Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Wando Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Greenville, S.C./Eastside Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Greer, S.C./Greer Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast Atlanta, Ga./Berry College Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Lexington, S.C./Lexington Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork Duncan, S.C./Byrnes/Liberty Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Saluda, S.C./Saluda/Camden Military Opelika, Ala./Opelika Birmingham, Ala./Homewood Huntingdon, Tenn./Huntingdon Alpharetta, Ga./Milton/Wake Forest Anderson, S.C./T.L. Hanna Brooksville, Fla./Nature Coast Tech Blythewood, S.C./Western Carolina Dartmouth, Mass./Dartmouth Summerville, S.C./Summerville Simpsonville, S.C./Woodmont/Citadel Bennettsville, S.C./Marlboro County Virginia Beach, Va./Frank W. Cox Asheville, N.C./Asheville Harrisburg, N.C./Hickory Ridge James Island, S.C./James Island/Presbyterian Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Chapin, S.C./Chapin Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Summerville, S.C./Summerville Lilburn, Ga./Parkview Union, S.C./Union County/USC-Union Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles School Deltona, Fla./Deltona Duncan, S.C./Byrnes St. Louis, Mo./St. John Vianney Summerville, S.C./Cane Bay North Augusta, S.C./Westminster Atlanta, Ga./B.E.S.T. Academy Moultrie, Ga./Colquitt County Conway, S.C./Conway Athens, Ga./Athens Academy Mobile, Ala./Murphy Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Oxford, Ala.//Butler (Kan.) Community College Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Suwanee, Ga./East Mississippi C.C. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Dillard Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer New Orleans, La./McDonogh 35 Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott C.C.

Jessica Jackson - Director of On-Campus Recruiting Kristin Sheetz - Director of External Communications Ellis Johnson - Analyst Kyle Krantz - Analyst Demarco McNeil - Analyst Scott Spurrier - Analyst Seth Strickland - Analyst Brian Turk - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Offense Shaq Wilson - Assistant Director - Recruiting - Defense Omar Young - Analyst David Feeley - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Corey Jenkins - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Roy Upchurch - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Cedric Williams - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach Shuler Hayes - Assistant Director of Football Equipment Operations Kim Fields - Assistant to Head Football Coach Charity Grady - Coordinator of Offensive Operations Carina Hargreaves - Coordinator of Defensive Operations

Spurs & Feathers • 17

September 28, 2016

Texas A&M Aggies

# Name Pos. 1 Quartney Davis WR 1 Nick Harvey DB 2 Speedy Noil WR 3 Christian Kirk WR 4 Noel Ellis DB 4 Damion Ratley WR 5 Daylon Mack DL 5 Trayveon Williams RB 6 Donovan Wilson DB 7 Keith Ford RB 7 Richard Moore LB 8 Justin Dunning DB 8 Trevor Knight QB 9 Qualen Cunningham DL 9 Ricky Seals-Jones WR 10 Daeshon Hall DL 10 Jake Hubenak QB 11 Josh Reynolds WR 11 Josh Walker LB 13 Reggie Chevis DL 13 Jamal Jeffery WR 13 Michael Milstead QB 14 Justin Evans DB 14 Conner McQueen QB 15 Myles Garrett DL 15 Frank Iheanacho WR 16 Hank Hughes QB 16 Kemah Siverand WR 16 Dwaine Thomas LB 17 Alex Sezer Jr. DB 17 Nick Starkel QB 18 Edward Pope WR 18 Larry Pryor DB 19 DeshawnCapers-Smith DB 19 Gannon Rawlins QB 19 Jeremy Tabuyo WR 20 Ikenna Okeke DB 20 James White RB 21 Aaron Hansford WR 21 Charles Oliver DB 22 Clifford Chattman DB 22 Kwame Etwi RB 23 Armani Watts DB 24 Jake Graham TE 24 Priest Willis DB 25 Kendall Bussey RB 25 Tyrel Dodson LB 26 Victor Davis DB 26 Kirk Merritt WR 27 John Clark RB 27 Roney Elam DB 28 Travon Fuller DB 28 AJ Sanders RB 30 Moses Reynolds DB 31 Claude George LB 32 Rakeem Boyd RB 32 Will Paulhill DB 33 Justice Bean WR 33 Shaan Washington LB

Ht. 6-2 5-10 5-11 5-11 5-10 6-3 6-1 5-9 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-1 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-1 6-1 5-9 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-1 6-2 5-9 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-3 5-11 6-3 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-5 5-9 5-11 6-2 6-2 5-9 6-2 6-1 5-11 5-8 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-3

Wt. 195 185 200 200 185 195 320 200 206 215 218 225 215 240 240 270 215 193 245 300 175 180 200 175 270 230 188 200 225 180 195 172 205 190 220 195 219 217 225 200 190 195 200 228 200 200 245 190 205 185 180 170 190 190 240 200 200 180 240

Yr. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. Jr. Jr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr.

Football Roster

Hometown/Previous School Houston, Texas / Langham Creek Lancaster, Texas / Richmond Travis New Orleans, La. / Edna Karr Scottsdale, Ariz. / Saguaro New Orleans, La. / Karr Yoakum, Texas / Yoakum/Blinn College Gladewater, Texas / Gladewater Houston, Texas / C.E. King Shreveport, La. / Woodlawn Cypress, Texas / Cypress Ranch/Oklahoma Cedar Hill, Texas / Cedar Hill Whitehouse, Texas / Whitehouse San Antonio, Texas / Reagan/Oklahoma Chandler, Ariz. / Hamilton Sealy, Texas / Sealy Seattle, Wash. / Lancaster [TX] Georgetown, Texas / Georgetown/Blinn JC San Antonio, Texas / Jay/Tyler JC Gilmer, Texas / Gilmer Houston, Texas / Sharpstown Lufkin, Texas / Lufkin Houston, Texas / Stratford Wiggins, Miss. / Stone Gulf Coast [MS] CC Klein, Texas / Klein Oak Arlington, Texas / Martin Houston, Texas / Westside Richardson, Texas / Pearce Cypress, Texas / Cypress Ridge Boutte, La. / Hahnville Orange, Texas / Little Cypress-Mauriceville Argyle, Texas / Liberty Christian Carthage, Texas / Carthage Sulphur Springs, Texas / Sulphur Springs New Orleans, La. / Warren Easton Galveston, Texas / Ball Honolulu, Hawai’i / St. Louis Smyrna, Tenn. / Smyrna Pearland, Texas / Dawson Washington, D.C. / St. John’s College HS Fairfield, Texas / Fairfield New Orleans, La. / McDonough 35 Conroe, Texas / Oak Ridge Forney, Texas / North Forney Waco, Texas / Midway Tempe, Ariz. / Marcos De Niza/UCLA New Orleans, La. / Newman Franklin, Tenn. / Centennial Rosenberg, Texas / Terry Destrehan, La. / Destrehan Oregon Northbrook, Ill. / Glenbrook North Newton, Texas / Newton Athens, Texas / Athens The Woodlands, Texas / College Park San Antonio, Texas / Jay Lafayette, La. / Acadiana/Hutchinson [KS] Houston, Texas / Stratford Conroe, Texas / Conroe Frankston, Texas / Frankston Alexandria, La. / Alexandria Senior

# Name Pos. 34 Clayton Bantle DB 34 Braden Mann K 35 Riley Garner LB 36 Daniel LaCamera PK/P 38 JordanMastrogiovanni LB 38 Drew Riethman PLK 40 Jarrett Johnson DL 40 Christian Robertson DS 41 Peter Grady PLK 41 Luke Laufenberg TE 42 Otaro Alaka LB 42 Josch Motley WR 43 Kristian Chavis RB 45 Austin Frey DS 45 Cullen Gillaspia LB 46 Landis Durham DL 46 Shane Tripucka P 47 Samuel Phillips WR 50 Tank Davis OL 50 Mac Labhart LB 51 Riley Anderson OL 52 Justin Madubuike DL 54 Jordan Driver LB 55 Austin Anderson OL 56 Keeath Magee II LB 58 Braden White LB 62 Chad Loitz OL 63 Cagan Baldree OL 64 Erik McCoy OL 65 Avery Gennesy OL 67 Drew Beakey OL 68 Justin Dworaczyk OL 69 Brayden Talbert OL 70 Connor Lanfear OL 71 Trevor Elbert OL 72 Jermaine Eluemunor OL 74 Kellen Diesch OL 75 Koda Martin OL 76 Colton Prater OL 77 Ryan McCollum OL 78 Keaton Sutherland OL 80 Clyde Chriss WR 81 Jalyn Judkins TE 82 Boone Niederhofer WR 83 Kyle Whitley WR 84 Kendrick Rogers WR 85 Grant Gustafson TE 86 David Darley DE 86 Tanner Schorp TE 87 Greer Shetler TE 88 Kingsley Keke DL 88 Matthew Kirchner TE 89 Kalvin Cline TE 90 TD Moton DL 92 Zaycoven Henderson DL 96 Jesse Brown DL 98 Hardreck Walker DL 99 James Lockhart DL

Ht. 6-1 5-11 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-3 5-11 5-11 6-4 6-3 5-11 5-9 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-5 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-0 5-11 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-5 6-6 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-2 6-3

Wt. 205 205 230 223 235 190 260 240 220 225 240 185 215 220 230 255 210 214 290 230 294 275 245 297 210 220 325 271 305 315 290 280 300 315 300 325 286 305 295 285 310 175 230 207 210 200 235 240 250 215 310 200 255 305 300 285 290 260

Yr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. So. So. So. Jr. Fr. So. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Sr. So.

Hometown/Previous School Shreveport, La. / Loyola College Prep Houston, Texas / Cy-Fair College Station, Texas / A&M Consolidated Tarpon Springs, Fla. / East Lake Dallas, Texas / Jesuit Fort Worth, Texas / Nolan Catholic Katy, Texas / Seven Lakes Grapevine, Texas / Grapevine Cedar Park, Texas / Vista Ridge Argyle, Texas / Liberty Christian Houston, Texas / Cypress Falls College Station, Texas / A&M Consolidated Florence, S.C. / South Florence Tomball, Texas Katy, Texas / Taylor Plano, Texas / East Allen, Texas / Allen Concord, Calif. / De La Salle Garland, Texas / Lakeview Centennial Dallas, Texas / St. Mark’s Mineola, Texas / Mineola McKinney, Texas / McKinney North Bryan, Texas / Bryan Mineola, Texas / Mineola Houston, Texas / Westfield Florence, Ala. / Florence Austin, Texas / McNeil Carthage, Texas / Carthage Lufkin, Texas / Lufkin Southaven, Miss. /East Mississippi CC Houston, Texas / Lutheran South Academy Houston, Texas / Langham Creek Montgomery, Texas / Montgomery Buda, Texas / Buda Rockwall, Texas / Heath Denville, N.J. / Lackawanna [PA] College Trophy Club, Texas / Byron Nelson Manvel, Texas / Manvel Bossier City, La. / Airline Spring, Texas / Klein Oak Flower Mound, Texas / Marcus New Orleans, La. / Warren Easton Angleton, Texas / Angleton San Antonio, Texas / Churchill Troy, Texas / Troy Frankston, Texas / Frankston Fort Worth, Texas / All Saints Westlake Village, Calif. / Oaks Christian San Antonio, Texas / Reagan San Antonio, Texas / Alamo Heights Richmond, Texas / George Ranch Plano, Texas / Plano Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Virginia Tech Shreveport, La. / Woodlawn Longview, Texas / Longview Katy, Texas / Katy Navarro JC Spring, Texas / Westfield Ennis, Texas / Ennis

Mikado Hinson BJ Denker David Marsh Cameron Davis Deandre Thompson Chris Smith Taylor Mazzone Weston Glaser Raasaan Haralson Jeremy Springer

Director of Player Development Graduate Assistant (Offense) Graduate Assistant (Offense) Graduate Assistant (Defense) Graduate Assistant (Defense) Quality Control (Offense) Quality Control (Offense) Quality Control (Defense) Quality Control (Defense) Quality Control (Special Teams)

Coaches/Staff Kevin Sumlin John Chavis Noel Mazzone Jeff Banks Terry Joseph Clarence McKinney Aaron Moorehead Terry Price David Turner Jim Turner Larry Jackson Gary Reynolds Scott Johnston Matt Fontenot Dennis Polian

Head Coach Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/LBs Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Secondary Running Backs Wide Receivers Defensive Ends Defensive Tackles/Defensive Run Game Coordinator Offensive Line Director of Football Sports Performance Associate Athletic Director, Football Director of On-Campus Recruiting Director of Football Operations Director of Player Personnel

18 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Depth Charts for October 1, 4 p.m. EST South Carolina OFFENSE WR: WR: WR: -OR- LT: LG: OC: RG: RT: TE: QB: -OR- RB: -OR-

1 Deebo Samuel 83 Chavis Dawkins 14 Jamari Smith 7 Korey Banks 89 Bryan Edwards 5 Terry Googer 8 Randrecous Davis 74 Mason Zandi 77 Malik Young 78 Zack Bailey 70 Alan Knott 51 Cory Helms 70 Alan Knott 72 Donell Stanley 69 D.J. Park 69 D.J. Park 63 Blake Camper 81 Hayden Hurst 3 K.C. Crosby 11 Brandon McIlwain 10 Perry Orth 4 Jake Bentley 25 A.J. Turner 33 David Williams 32 Rod Talley

6-0, 205, So. 6-2, 200, Fr. 5-10, 210, Jr. 5-11, 180, Fr. 6-3, 210, Fr. 6-4, 220, So. 5-10, 181, Fr. 6-9, 315, Sr. 6-3, 300, So. 6-6, 315, So. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 310, Jr. 6-4, 290, Jr. 6-4, 325, So. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-4, 330, Jr. 6-8, 300, So. 6-5, 250, So. 6-1, 227, So. 6-0, 205, Fr. 6-1, 200, Sr. 6-3, 223, Fr. 5-10, 195, RFr. 6-1, 220, Jr. 5-10, 205, Jr.

DEFENSE Inman, S.C. Duncan, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Tyrone, Ga. Conway, S.C. Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta, Ga. Chapin, S.C. Pelzer, S.C. Summerville, S.C. Tyrone, Ga. Alpharetta, Ga. Tyrone, Ga. Floydale, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Virginia Beach, Va. Jacksonville, Fla. Bamberg, S.C. Newtown, Pa. Ponte Verda, Fla. Opelika, Ala. Clifton, Va. Philadelphia, Pa. Laurens, S.C.

DE: 8 Marquavius Lewis 92 D.J. Wonnum -OR- 91 Shameik Blackshear DT: 90 Taylor Stallworth 18 Keir Thomas DT: 94 Kelsey Griffin 93 Ulric Jones DE: 95 Dante Sawyer 5 Darius English SLB: 11 T.J. Holloman -OR- 6 Chris Moody MLB: 28 Jonathan Walton -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman WLB: 4 B. Allen-Williams -OR- 11 T.J. Holloman CB: 16 Rashad Fenton 22 Steven Montac S: 24 D.J. Smith 42 Jordan Diggs S: 17 Chaz Elder 22 Steven Montac CB: 3 Chris Lammons 7 Jamarcus King N: 42 Jordan Diggs 16 Rashad Fenton

QB: TB: -OR- -OR-

2 Speedy Noil 5-11, 200, Jr. 4 Damion Ratley 6-3, 195, Jr. 65 Avery Gennesy 6-5, 315, Sr. 75 Koda Martin 6-6, 305, So. 76 Colton Prater 6-4, 295, Fr. 69 Brayden Talbert 6-5, 300, RFr. 64 Erik McCoy 6-4, 305, RFr. 55 Austin Anderson 6-4, 297, Fr. 70 Connor Lanfear 6-6, 315, So. 78 Keaton Sutherland 6-5, 310, So. 72 Jermaine Eluemunor 6-4, 325, Sr. 50 Tank Davis 6-4, 290, So. 9 Ricky Seals-Jones 6-5, 240, Jr. 15 Frank Iheanacho 6-6, 230, So. 11 Josh Reynolds 6-4, 193, Sr. 18 Edward Pope 6-4, 172, Sr. 16 Kemah Siverand 6-1, 200, RFr. 3 Christian Kirk 5-11, 200, So. 82 Boone Niederhofer 6-3, 207, Sr. 8 Trevor Knight 6-1, 215, Sr. 10 Jake Hubenak 6-3, 215, Jr. 20 James White 6-0, 217, Jr. 7 Keith Ford 5-11, 215, Jr. 5 Trayveon Williams 5-9, 200, Fr.

Greenwood, S.C. Stone Mountain, Ga. Bluffton, S.C. Mobile, Ala. Miami, Fla. Buford, Ga. Oxford, Ala. Suwanee, Ga. Powder Springs, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. McDonough, Ga. Daphne, Ala. Stone Mountain, Ga. Ellenwood, Ga. Stone Mountain, Ga. Miami, Fla. Covington, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Union City, Ga. Covington, Ga. Lauderhill, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Fort Myers, Fla. Miami, Fla.

K: P: LS: KOR: PR: H:

29 Elliott Fry 20 Joseph Charlton 13 Sean Kelly 20 Joseph Charlton 47 Drew Williams 48 Nick McGriff 25 A.J. Turner 16 Rashad Fenton 16 Rashad Fenton 3 Chris Lammons 13 Sean Kelly

-OR-

17 Alex Sezer Jr.

6-0, 170, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 5-10, 190, Sr. 6-5, 185, RFr. 6-2, 215, Sr. 6-0, 225, So. 5-10, 195, RFr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 5-10, 189, Jr.

Frisco, Texas Columbia, S.C. Oakland, Fla. Columbia, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Gainesville, Fla. Clifton, Va. Miami, Fla. Miami, Fla. Lauderhill, Fla. Oakland, Fla.

Texas A&M

OFFENSE WR: LT: LG: C: RG: RT: WR: WR: -OR- WR:

6-3, 270, Sr. 6-4, 240, Fr. 6-4, 265, RFr. 6-2, 310, Jr. 6-2, 265, Fr. 6-2, 295, Sr. 6-5, 300, Jr. 6-3, 275, Jr. 6-6, 245, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-1, 220, Sr. 6-0, 230, Sr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 6-0, 230, Jr. 6-2, 230, Sr. 5-10, 190, So. 5-11, 190, So. 5-11, 195, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 6-2, 200, Sr. 5-11, 190, So. 5-10, 190, Jr. 6-2, 180, Jr. 6-0, 205, Sr. 5-10, 190, So.

SPECIALISTS

DEFENSE

New Orleans, La. Yoakum, Texas Southaven, Miss. Manvel, Texas Bossier City, La. Montgomery, Texas Lufkin, Texas Mineola, Texas Buda, Texas Flower Mound, Texas Denville, N.J. Garland, Texas Sealy, Texas Houston, Texas San Antonio, Texas Carthage, Texas Cypress, Texas Scottsdale, Ariz. San Antonio, Texas San Antonio, Texas Georgetown, Texas Pearland, Texas Cypress, Texas Houston, Texas

DE: DT: -OR- DT: DE: WLB: MLB: SLB: RCB: LCB: FS: SS: NICK:

10 Daeshon Hall 6-6, 270, Sr. Seattle, Wa. 9 Qualen Cunningham 6-3, 240, Jr. Chandler, Ariz. 92 Zaycoven Henderson 6-2, 300, Jr. Longview, Texas 88 Kingsley Keke 6-3, 310, So. Richmond, Texas 98 Hardreck Walker 6-2, 290, Sr. Spring, Texas 5 Daylon Mack 6-1, 320, So. Gladewater, Texas 15 Myles Garrett 6-5, 270, Jr. Arlington, Texas 40 Jarrett Johnson 6-3, 260, Jr. Katy, Texas 33 Shaan Washington 6-3, 240, Sr. Alexandria, La. 45 Cullen Gillaspia 6-2, 230, So. Katy, Texas 42 Otaro Alaka 6-3, 240, So. Houston, Texas 31 Claude George 6-2, 240, Sr. Lafayette, La. 7 Richard Moore 6-1, 218, So. Cedar Hill, Texas 16 Dwaine Thomas 6-2, 225, So. Boutte, La. 1 Nick Harvey 5-10, 185, Jr. Lancaster, Texas 27 Roney Elam 6-2, 180, RFr. Newton, Texas 24 Priest Willis 6-2, 200, Jr. Tempe, Ariz. 19 DeShawn Capers-Smith 6-0, 190, So. New Orleans, La. 23 Armani Watts 5-11, 200, Jr. Forney, Texas 18 Larry Pryor 6-0, 205, RFr. Sulphur Springs, Texas 14 Justin Evans 6-1, 200, Sr. Wiggins, Miss. 6 Donovan Wilson 6-1, 206, Jr. Shreveport, La. 6 Donovan Wilson 6-1, 206, Jr. Shreveport, La. 4 Noel Ellis 5-10, 185, Jr. New Orleans, La.

5-9, 180, Sr.

Orange, Texas

SPECIAL TEAMS PLK: P: SNP: -OR- HOLD: PR: KR:

36 Daniel LaCamera 6-4, 223, So. 46 Shane Tripucka 6-3, 210, Jr. 34 Braden Mann 5-11, 205, Fr. 40 Christian Robertson 5-11, 240, So. 45 Austin Frey 6-1, 220, So. 14 Conner McQueen 5-10, 175, Sr. 3 Christian Kirk 5-11, 200, So. 14 Justin Evans 6-1, 200, Sr. 1 Nick Harvey 5-10, 185, Jr. 14 Justin Evans 6-1, 200, Sr. 7 Keith Ford 5-11, 215, Jr. 5 Trayveon Williams 5-9, 200, Fr.

*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.

Tarpon Springs, Fla. Allen, Texas Houston, Texas Grapevine, Texas Tomball, Texas Klein, Texas Scottsdale, Ariz. Wiggins, Miss. Lancaster, Texas Wiggins, Miss. Cypress, Texas Houston, Texas

September 28, 2016

Spurs & Feathers • 19

Looking ahead to Texas A&M by kyle heck Reporter

photo by allen sharpe

AS14-1494736-1

ability to break off the long run, and Knight himself also qualifies as a dual-threat at quarterback. South Carolina opens up a much-anticipated On defense, the Aggies are led by Myles Garfive-game homestand on Saturday, Oct. rett, a defensive end who has drawn compari1, when it welcomes in Texas A&M into sons to Jadeveon Clowney. As a sophomore Williams-Brice Stadium. The Aggies are the last year, Garrett racked up 12.5 sacks, 19.5 Gamecocks’ permanent cross-division “rivals” tackles for loss and five forced fumbles, all and come into the game as a nationally-ranked of which led the SEC. Jarrett Johnson is also squad. disruptive on the defensive line, and opposite Over the offseason, the Aggies had their of Garrett, Texas A&M has Daeshon Hall, anfair share of quarterback issues due to players other excellent pass rusher. transferring from the school. However, luckily In the secondary, Justin Evans and Armani for them, the Aggies have an Oklahoma gradu- Watts lead the Aggies while linebacker Shaan ate transfer calling the shots this year. Trevor Washington has done a great job so far of disKnight, who started 15 games for the Sooners rupting passing lanes in the middle of the field. and had more than 3,000 passing yards and On special teams, placekicker Daniel 25 touchdowns, has performed well for Texas LaCamera has been very accurate thus far. A&M so far, giving the position the stability it The Gamecocks and Aggies became perneeds. manent cross-division foes in 2014, and Texas Knight has a plethora of offensive weapons to A&M has claimed the first two meetings so work with, particularly at wide receiver. Chris- far. In the first and only meeting at Williamstian Kirk is a threat at receiver and one of the Brice Stadium, the Aggies were able to come best punt returners in the country. Josh Reyn- away with a 52-28 win in the 2014 season olds is prolific at getting into the end zone, and opener. Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones are both Kickoff between the two teams on Oct. 1 is legitimate downfield threats. scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be seen on the Tailback Trayveon Williams has shown the SEC Network.

20 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

South Carolina Gamecocks

Recruiting Round-up By Phil Kornblut

WR Chad Terrell of Dallas, GA has a final three of USC, Oregon and NC State. Oregon replaces Ole Miss from his previous top three. Terrell took an official visit to Oregon earlier this month. As for a visit to USC, Terrell said, “Yes, but it will not be anytime soon.” Terrell visited USC for its prospect gathering in late July and after that visit he called the Gamecocks his favorite. “It’s a win-win school for me that has both football and academics,” Terrell said then pointing out his interest in USC’s International Business School. As a junior Terrell had 51 catches for 826 yards and 10 touchdowns. DE Matthew Butler of Garner, NC is not revealing his official visit dates until the week of each visit. This past weekend he went to Penn State. He also Phil Kornblut has been officially to Contributing Duke. USC will also Writer get a visit for one of its early games in October. He also will visit Tennessee and NC State. Butler said he’s hearing regularly from USC recruiter Lance Thompson. Butler does not have a favorite at this point from the five schools he’s considering. DB Yusuf Corker of Stockbridge, GA has a small list of schools he’s talking with and USC is one of them. Corker said defensive coordinator and secondary coach Travaris Robinson is in touch regularly and the two have discussed when Corker will come in for a game. Corker also is talking with Tennessee and Michigan State and he will take an official visit to Michigan State for the Michigan game October 29th. He said he likely won’t spend an official visit with USC and Tennessee because he wants to save them for places too far to drive. He’s also looking at Stanford and Penn State for other official visits. Corker will announce his decision on his birthday December 26th. He said there is no favorite. USC offered 2017 OL Jerry Drake Jr. of Palm Beach Gardens, FL. He also has offers from North Carolina, Alabama, Auburn, Pittsburgh, Mississippi State and others. 2018 QB Dakereon Joyner of Fort Dorchester is well down the road in his recruiting and he has set his announcement for Father’s Day next summer. And he’s working off a short list of USC, Clemson, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, NC State and Auburn though he actually has a pretty firm top five in mind that he does not want to reveal yet. He did say USC and Clemson are in the five with three out of state programs. He doesn’t

have a favorite at this time. He said USC has told him in no uncertain terms he is a quarterback target. Clemson has told him he would get a full shot at quarterback but would move him if it doesn’t work out. “Coach Roper (USC QB coach) constantly reminds me they like how I throw the ball and he likes my ball placement,” Joyner said. “I feel like my fundamentals are pretty solid but I always have room for improvement and I feel like I’m getting better in some areas.” Joyner said his NC State recruiter plans to watch him in his next home game and USC will be down October 21st. Joyner said every school that’s offered has done so for quarterback except Clemson which is a quarterback/athlete offer. Joyner was at USC Saturday. He also plans to take in games this season at Clemson, NC State, Florida and Auburn. 2018 OL Gunner Britton of Conway and 2018 DE Xavier Thomas of Wilson were at USC last Saturday. 2018 DL Rick Sandidge of Concord, NC was at USC last Saturday and said USC and North Carolina are his current top two. Another top North Carolina prospect visiting USC last Saturday was 2018 DE KJ Henry of Clemmons.

ways. And he wants to help me maximize my potential. I like it a lot and it’s going to make my decision even harder.” Claxton said he’s expecting USC to come in for a visit but he’s not sure when. By the way, Claxton said he was 6-2 as a freshman and grew five inches the next year. He’s not sure if he’s finished growing. “I might have a couple of inches left.” 7-1 center Jason Cudd of Socastee committed to USC last week a day after completing his official visit. Cudd also considered offers from East Carolina and Tulane. Cudd said after his visit that he liked everything he saw around the school and the program and felt he would be an excellent fit in Martin’s scheme. “They showed me how they use their big men and the style of play that they play,” Cudd said. “I think it would be a great fit. They throw the ball inside a lot. They run the offense thru the big man.” Cudd is a developing big man who averaged 12 points and 8 rebounds per game last season. He’s working on his game around the rim and in developing big man moves. But he really likes to play like a small forward. “He’s a really good outside shooter,” said Socastee coach Derrick Hilton. “He’s active and runs the floor. He’s a kid who wants to get better and we’re trying to get him stronger. He’s not bad close to the rim Basketball News: but he’s not overly athletic. We’ve got to get 6-3 Devontae Shuler of Oak Hill Academy, him more active but he has a presence.” Cudd VA and Irmo made his official to USC over the becomes the first Gamecock commitment for weekend. He will go to Oklahoma State this the 2017 class. weekend and to Ole Miss October 1st. He is also 6-8 Ibrahim Doumbia, a native of Mali who considering Louisville, Miami and Southern attends high school in Miami, made an official Cal. visit to USC earlier in the month. “It went good, 6-10 Nick Claxton of Greenville has now put the visit went good, it was very good, it was a two official visits in the books. He saw Florida good experience,” Doumbia said of USC. “The State earlier this month and this past weekend he academics (stood out). They have a good busiwas at USC. He will continue with his officials ness school and that’s what I want to study with Georgia September 30th, Baylor October for college. And I think the coaches are really 14th and NC State October 21st. Claxton had good, too. They tell me that they have a good been to USC before and used that visit to check program for guys like me, too. I’m just happy out the academics, campus and facilities. This about it.” Doumbia said the Gamecocks talked time the purpose was to fraternize with the with him about playing inside and outside. He coaches and players and continue with relation- said he averaged 18 points per game last season ship building. “I got to hang out with the players and can play on the perimeter. He was scheduled a lot and I had a great time,” Claxton said. “I to visit Florida last weekend but didn’t make the got to eat dinner at Coach Frank’s house. A lot trip. He doesn’t have any future trips planned. of good food. The players were real cool. They USC coach Frank Martin was in for a visit earfit together. They’re brothers. It’s a good famlier in the week. ily feel there.” Claxton is not ready to name a 2018 standout 6-7 Zion Williamson of Sparfavorite at this point in the process as he aims tanburg Day is not only considered the state’s towards a November decision, but the Gametop prospect for his class, some basketball puncocks are planted firmly in his mind and Martin dits have dubbed him the best player nationally gave him plenty to think about. “They were re- in the 2018 class. Thus far, coaches from USC, ally the first high major school to recruit me and Clemson, North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, they’ve consistently been there for two years,” Western Kentucky, UCLA and Tennessee have Claxton said. “They really want me. He says been in. It’s all been a whirlwind for Williamson I’m real versatile and they need a player like who actually grew up in Florence before moving me that can affect the games in a lot of different to Spartanburg a couple of years ago. He’s doing

his best to keep it all in focus. “I’m honored that people are taking the time to recognize me as the number one player out of the whole country in 2018,” Williamson said. “How am I handling it? It’s not a problem because I really enjoy it. I see it as most kids don’t have the possibilities that I have so I’m always enjoying it and never complain.” Williamson said coaches are attracted to him because of his overall basketball skills and his versatility on the court. “They love me because I’m a basketball player,” he said. “I can play multiple positions, positions one thru four. That’s what they love most about me, my versatility. My strengths are attacking the basket really well, posting up smaller defenders and shooting the short and mid-range jumper.” Last season he averaged 28 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Williamson wants to cut his list down next summer and he wants to sign in November of 2017. And he considers USC and Clemson legitimate possibilities. “They fit in really well with me because they are in-state and whenever they talk to me it’s always a family vibe” he said. “That’s what I love the most.” Williamson last visited the in state schools in June. He does plan to get to both this fall for games. “South Carolina, I love their style of play and I love the way Coach Martin coaches his players, he preaches defense,” Williamson said. “What he tells me is I need to really think hard about South Carolina because if I do have the opportunity to go pro, I won’t be able to play in South Carolina. My only chance to play in South Carolina is in college.” Of course, it’s great to have the attention of the schools in your backyard, but in Williamson’s case, he’s got the blueblood programs of college basketball knocking on his door, and when Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, UCLA and Kentucky come calling, you have to take notice. “College is college to me,” Williamson said. “I’m going to pick the school that gives me that family vibe and they tell me that if I come to this school it’s a life thing and what they can do for my future academically and athletically.” 6-4 Clyde Trapp of Lower Richland was offered by Georgia and Georgia Tech according to PhenomHoopReport. And USC’s Martin met with him last week according to former Gamecock captain Carey Rich. 6-2 LaDazhia Williams of Bradenton, FL and 5-11 Bianca Jackson of Montgomery, AL committed to the South Carolina women’s basketball program. They give Dawn Staley four commitments in the class. Baseball News: 2017 OF Ian Jenkins of Suwanee, GA and 2018 OF Dillon Lifrieri of Wilton, CT committed to the Gamecocks this week.

Spurs & Feathers â&#x20AC;˘ 21

September 28, 2016

South Carolina Gamecocks

2016 - 2017 menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball Schedule Date

Opponent / Event

Location

All Gamecock basketball coverage sponsored by Yesterdays

Time

11/06/16...............vs. Newberry *.............................Columbia, S.C...................................... 11/11/16...............vs. Louisiana Tech .......................Columbia, S.C......................................

TBA TBA

Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational 11/13/16...............vs. Holy Cross .............................Columbia, S.C...................................... 11/15/16...............vs. Monmouth .............................Columbia, S.C...................................... 11/18/16...............vs. South Carolina State .............Columbia, S.C......................................

TBA TBA TBA

11/23/16...............vs. Michigan.................................Columbia, S.C......................................

5 p.m.

Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational 11/26/16................. vs. Syracuse...................................... Brooklyn, N.Y. (Barclays Center)............

TBA

12/01/16...............vs. Vermont..................................Columbia, S.C...................................... 12/04/16...............vs. Florida International.............Columbia, S.C......................................

TBA TBA

Under Armour Reunion 12/12/16................. vs. Seton Hall................................... New York, N.Y. (Madison Square Garden)

TBA

12/17/16................. at USF............................................... Tampa, Fla.................................................. 12/21/16...............vs. Clemson..................................Columbia, S.C...................................... 12/27/16...............vs. Lander....................................Columbia, S.C...................................... 12/30/16................. at Memphis...................................... Memphis, Tenn......................................... 01/04/17................. at Georgia #...................................... Athens, Ga................................................. 01/07/17...............vs. Texas A&M #..........................Columbia, S.C...................................... 01/11/17................. at Tennessee #.................................. Knoxville, Tenn......................................... 01/14/17...............vs. Ole Miss #..............................Columbia, S.C...................................... 01/18/17...............vs. Florida #.................................Columbia, S.C...................................... 01/21/17................. at Kentucky #................................... Lexington, Ky............................................. 01/24/17................. vs. Auburn #..................................... Columbia, S.C........................................... 01/28/17................. at Missouri #.................................... Columbia, Mo............................................ 02/01/17................. at LSU #............................................ Baton Rouge, La........................................ 02/04/17...............vs. Georgia #................................Columbia, S.C...................................... 02/07/17...............vs. Alabama #...............................Columbia, S.C...................................... 02/11/17................. at Mississippi State #....................... Starkville, Miss.......................................... 02/15/17...............vs. Arkansas #..............................Columbia, S.C...................................... 02/18/17................. at Vanderbilt #................................. Nashville, Tenn.......................................... 02/21/17................. at Florida #....................................... Gainesville, Fla.......................................... 02/25/17...............vs. Tennessee #.............................Columbia, S.C...................................... 02/28/17...............vs. Mississippi State #.................Columbia, S.C...................................... 03/04/17................. at Ole Miss #.................................... Oxford, Miss.............................................. Bold......................indicates home game # ...........................indicates SEC game * ...........................exhibition game All Times Listed as Eastern and are subject to change

TBA 9 p.m. TBA 9 p.m. 7 p.m. TBA 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. TBA 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 2 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

photo by jenny dilworth

22 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

South Carolina Gamecocks

2016 - 2017

woMen’s Basketball Schedule Date

Opponent / Event

Location

All Gamecock basketball coverage sponsored by Yesterdays

Time

11/07/16............... vs. Benedict*.................................Columbia, S.C......................... 7 p.m. 11/14/16..................at Ohio State...................................... Columbus, Ohio.............................TBA Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge 11/20/16............... vs. Hampton..................................Columbia, S.C......................... 3 p.m. 11/21/16............... vs. Maine.......................................Columbia, S.C......................... 7 p.m. 11/22/16............... vs. Saint Peter’s.............................Columbia, S.C......................... 7 p.m. 11/27/16 ................ at Louisville ...................................... Springfield, Mass ........... . .......... 1 p.m. SEC/Big 12 Challenge 12/01/16 ............... at Texas ............................................. Austin, Texas ................... . .......... 7 p.m. 12/04/16..................at Duke.............................................. Durham, N.C. ................. ........... 3 p.m. 12/11/16............... vs. Minnesota................................Columbia, S.C. ............. .......... 3 p.m. 12/15/16............... vs. Clemson...................................Columbia, S.C. ............. .......... 7 p.m. 12/18/16............... vs. UCLA.......................................Columbia, S.C........................ 2: p.m. 12/21/16..................at Savannah State.............................. Savannah, Ga...................................TBA 01/01/17............... vs. Alabama # ...............................Columbia, S.C..........................2 p.m. 01/05/17..................at Auburn # ...................................... Auburn, Ala. ................... . .......... 7 p.m. 01/08/17..................at Florida # ....................................... Gainesville, Fla........................... 12 p.m. 01/12/17............... vs. Georgia # ................................Columbia, S.C......................... 7 p.m. 01/15/17..................at LSU # ............................................ Baton Rouge, La........................... 3 p.m. 01/19/17............... vs. Ole Miss # ...............................Columbia, S.C......................... 7 p.m. 01/23/17............... vs. Mississippi State # ..................Columbia, S.C.........................7 p.m. 01/26/17..................at Georgia # . .................................... Athens, Ga.................................... 7 p.m. 01/30/17............... vs. Tennessee # .............................Columbia, S.C......................... 6 p.m. 02/02/17..................at Kentucky # ................................... Lexington, Ky................................ 7 p.m. 02/05/17..................at Arkansas........................................ Fayetteville, Ark........................... 2 p.m. 02/09/17............... vs. Auburn # .................................Columbia, S.C......................... 7 p.m. 02/13/17..................at UConn . ....................................... Storrs, Conn................................. 9 p.m. 02/16/17............... vs. Vanderbilt # ............................Columbia, S.C......................... 7 p.m. 02/19/17..................at Missouri # .................................... Columbia, Mo.............................. 3 p.m. 02/23/17..................at Texas A&M # ............................... College Station, Texas .... ........... 9 p.m. 02/26/17............... vs. Kentucky # ..............................Columbia, S.C............................ TBA Bold......................indicates home game # ...........................indicates SEC game * ...........................exhibition game All Times Listed as Eastern and are subject to change

photo by jenny dilworth

September 28, 2016

Spurs & Feathers • 23

Gourmet Gents Grub of the Week Cuban Sandwich Dip (In honor of our friend Frank Martin)

Ingredients · 8 ounces cream cheese, softened · 1 cup shredded pork (you can buy this from your favorite BBQ place or make your own) · 1 cup ham, chopped or shredded · ¼ cup honey dijon dressing · 2 green onions, sliced thin · 6 ounces swiss cheese grated. · 2 pickles, sliced thin · ½ cup additional honey dijon dressing · 1 loaf of cuban bread, thinly sliced · chopped green onions and parsley as garnish (optional) Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350º F. 2. Combine the cream cheese, pork and ham in a large bowl until well blended. 3. Line the bottom of an oven proof baking dish or skillet with the cream cheese mixture. 4. Layer the honey dijon dressing, pickles, green onions and swiss cheese. 5. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbling. 6. Garnish with additional chopped green onions and parsley if desired. 7. Serve with cuban bread, sliced pickles and additional honey dijon dressing. About the Gourmet Gents Who are we? A few families who randomly met at Williams-Brice Stadium that enjoy doing it big (and just for fun) in the parking lot for the Gamecocks. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Gourmet_Gents. Go Gamecocks!

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24 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Gamecocks look to progress solid foundation this fall by brian hand Executive Editor

said. “All of our guys have gotten better. The progression of each player without a doubt has gotten better. They’ve moved Josh Goffi wakes up every day in his own along and are absolutely getting better, so words “giddy” to get into work. our reputation as a developmental program The seventh-year South Carolina men’s is completely still intact. We are developing tennis head coach knows he has something guys and we are making big jumps.” special with his current grouping of GameTwo of those guys that have made big cocks, and during the first couple of weeks jumps are juniors Gabriel Friedrich (30th) of fall practice nothing has changed his and Harrison O’Keefe (96th), who are mind. both currently ranked in the top-100 in the One of the big reasons for that is his Oracle/ITA preseason rankings that were coaching staff. released on Tuesday, Sept. 13. “There is a passion from both of my coach- Friedrich and O’Keefe headline a Gamees that matches mine, and I think the players cock men’s tennis team that will spend the feel that,” Goffi told Spurs & Feathers from majority of the fall as always as noted by his office on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Goffi focusing on development. Joining Goffi this year to help mold the “There are certain things I want to see Gamecocks is former Monmouth head from each guy,” Goffi said. “Gabriel is now coach Kyle Bailey and Goffi’s college team- getting to a level where he might need to mate Pablo Bellagamba. Last year, Bailey prove himself on a results-based situation, led Monmouth to its first-ever NCAA Tour- whereas last year he started to get that, but nament appearance. it was a lot of working through some issues “We have three full coaches,” Goffi said. with his game and tightening things up and “Three very accomplished coaches. Three the results started coming. Harrison is now guys that take pride in passion and develop- kind of emerging to a point of ‘hey, he can photo by allen sharpe ment. We are in a very, very fun phase and play ball.’ People are going, ‘hey, that guy fun part of this program. It’s awesome.” can be pretty good,’ but he’s got a long way The duo join an already highly-respected to go. He’s got a lot of ability, but he’s got a the game.” program ran by Goffi that starts this fall long way to go. We’re working hard and this As they are student-athletes, seniors Alex looking to continue the ascension. is a pivotal year for his career as far as not in Fennell and Andrew Schafer both had in“The fall is all about development,” Goffi his results, but it’s about his commitment to ternships this past summer, so according

to Goffi they are “going to start them out a little slower” this fall. “Everything is tailored to each individual guy and what they need to see,” Goffi said. “The younger guys they need to prove themselves I think in the first couple of tournaments and then we’re going to dangle some carrots at the back end with some big wins available for them to work through.” One of the younger guys that Goffi is particularly bullish about is sophomore Yancy Dennis. Ranked as high as in the top-10 in the United States in the junior rankings before coming to South Carolina, Goffi expects Dennis to have a breakout fall and spring. “He’s made the biggest strides out of anybody that I’ve seen probably in the six years I’ve coached here in a short amount of time,” Goffi said. South Carolina men’s tennis opened its fall campaign Sept. 23-26 with the team splitting up to play the Ivy-Plus Invitational in Princeton, New Jersey and the Southern Intercollegiates in Athens, Georgia. The Gamecocks did so with a passion and excitement knowing that it could be the first step of an extremely fun year. “There is not a lack of excitement from our guys,” Goffi said. “This is a fresh start for us. Everybody believes that we are capable of becoming great.”

Gamecocks hoping depth pays off as another season begins

by kyle heck Reporter

Last season, the South Carolina women’s golf team put together one of the strongest seasons in school history, advancing all the way to match play at the NCAA Championship. However, this year head coach Kalen Anderson believes she could have one of the deepest teams she’s ever had at South Carolina. The Gamecocks officially opened the 2016-17 season on Sunday, Sept. 25, at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate in Reunion, Florida. “I think we’re really excited about this year,” Anderson said. “We’ve had a lot of time to get ready. We’re just ready to get out there and compete and see where we’re at. Practice was good. They’ve been really responsive. We’re a little bit young, but at the same time we have a lot of depth this year. More depth than probably we’ve ever had.” The Gamecocks lost a pivotal piece from last year’s team in Sarah Schmelzel, who consistently played in the top half of the lineup. However, virtually every-

photo by allen sharpe

one else from last year’s incredible run returns, including All-American Katelyn Dambaugh. Her career scoring average of 72.96 entering her senior year is No. 1 in program history. “Katelyn has just been such a key player for us,” Anderson said. “She’s played pretty much every event since her freshman year, but the last few years have just been incredible. She’s obviously one of the best players in the world. To have her

back is huge.” Behind Dambaugh, the Gamecocks have a lot of talent. Junior Ainhoa Olarra has been a consistent golfer for South Carolina, and sophomores Gaby Amos, Isidorra Nilsson and Marion Veysseyre had strong freshmen seasons last year. With a year under their belt, they enter their second year much more confident golfers. Jia Xin Yang and Marianna Monaco join Dambaugh as the seniors on the team, and Anderson has also been impressed with the freshmen so far. In recent years, the Gamecocks have sometimes struggled to find a consistent swing in the fifth spot, but Anderson believes that won’t be the case this season. In fact, it’s going to be tougher for the head coach in the sense that she’ll have to leave out some talented golfers during tournaments. “It’s going to be interesting to see how our lineup changes throughout the fall and then later throughout the spring,” Anderson said. “(Depth) creates so much competition on the team and prepares us for the highest level later on. It’s fun to have, and we haven’t always had that. I’m going to probably have a lot harder deci-

sions to make throughout the year, but it’s definitely a positive.” South Carolina will quickly see where it stands on a national level at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate. The field is stacked with top teams from all over the country, and Anderson is excited to see if all of the hard work in preseason can pay off. “It’s an incredible field,” Anderson said. “Good way to see where we stand right off the bat. The timing gives the players and coaches (chance) to see ‘this is where we’re at, this is where other kids are and this is where we need to go.’ It’s a great way to start with such a competitive field.” While the Gamecocks had a tremendous season overall last year, they struggled to start things in the fall. What a team does in the spring is obviously more important than what happens in the fall, but Anderson expects a better performance this time around. “I think this team with our depth is going to be a lot stronger, a lot more consistent throughout the year,” Anderson said. “I think this fall will be a lot stronger than the last, hopefully.”

Spurs & Feathers â&#x20AC;¢ 25

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26 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Upcoming Gamecock Club events

Current listing of known upcoming Gamecock Club events: Please contact Brian Hand (bhand@spursandfeathers.com) if your upcoming event is not listed. 23rd Annual Border Bash • When: Friday, October 7, 2016 • Location: Augusta University Golf & Gardens, One 11th St, Augusta GA 30901 • Website: www.borderbash.net • Facebook: www.facebook.com/borderbash Tickets Available: www.borderbash.net

Florence Gamecock Club Fall Rally The Florence County Gamecock Club will hold their annual “Fall Rally” on Thursday, October 13 at the Floyd Conference Center at Carolinas Hospital System. Doors will open at 5:30 pm with dinner from Roger’s BBQ House followed by the program at 7:00 pm with special guests, Head Baseball Coach Chad Holbrook and Head Beach Volleyball Coach Moritz Moritz along with members of the Gamecock Club, Spurs & Feathers and additional USC guests. There will be fun for all ages at the event featuring inflatables and membership in the Junior

Gamecock Club will be available. A special feature at the “Fall Rally” will be the Florence County Game cock Club sponsorship of Harvest Hope. A raffle for autographed Gamecock items will be held and for each can of food donated to Harvest Hope at the event, a free raffle ticket will be given. Additional tickets may be purchased and all financial donations will also be given to Harvest Hope. Donna Lollis, Donation Relations Manager, from Harvest Hopewill join the Gamecocks at the rally. Tickets will go on sale starting on Tuesday, September 27th, at $20 for adults and $5 for youth ages 12 & under, which includes the meal. Tickets can be purchased at

Rogers BBQ House and Jernigan Law Firm on Second Loop Road; both locations of Micky Finns on N. Cashua Drive and Pamplico Hwy. or through any Florence County Gamecock Club Board member. For more information, please contact Florence County Gamecock Club President Scat Scaturro at 843-621-8008.

Spurs & Feathers • 27

September 28, 2016

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Tiffany Mitchell was recently named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team by the Associated Press. The Gamecock great averaged 8.6 points per game during the regular-season. The two-time SEC Player of the Year seen above during her draft night was joined on the WNBA All-Rookie Team by Seattle’s Breanna Stewart (Rookie of the Year), San Antonio’s Moriah Jefferson, Dallas’ Aerial Powers and Chicago’s Imani Boyette.

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28 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Gamecock Radio/Television Information

The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 25 affiliate stations for the 2016 football season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts. The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www.GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista. Wild Wing Café, which is South Carolina’s home for the best wings south of Buffalo, has 12 locations in the Palmetto State. Inside the Roost South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff. South Carolina-Texas A&M television The South Carolina-Texas A&M game will be available on the SEC Network. Please check local listings.

2016-17 RADIO AFFILIATES

City

Call Letters

Frequency

Football

Abbeville WZLA-FM 92.9 johnston/Aiken WKSX-FM 92.7 Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5 Camden WPUB-FM 102.7 Camden WCAM-AM 1590 Charleston WWIK-FM 98.9 Chesterfield WVDZ-FM 107.3 Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5 Florence WFRK-FM 93.5 Florence WHYM-AM 1260 Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3 Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500 Greenville WROO-FM 104.9 Hilton Head WVSC-FM 106.5 Hilton Head WVSC-FM 99.1 Lake City WHYM-AM 1260 Myrtle Beach WJXY-FM 93.9 Myrtle Beach WJXY-FM 93.7 Newberry WKDK-AM 1240 Rock Hill WRHM-FM 107.1 Seneca WSNW-AM 1150 Seneca WSNW-FM 94.1 Spartanburg WSPG-AM 1240 Sumter WIBZ-FM 95.5 Union WBCU-AM 1460

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

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September 28, 2016

South Carolina/Kentucky postgame notes and quotes south carolina athletics media relations

(Samuel) is a guy that we felt like might be able to go and couldn’t go. Randrecous (Davis) has a bad hamstring and didn’t make the trip. Chavis Dawkins is playing, Bryan (Edwards) is playing. We’re just having a hard time getting anything going in the throwing game. We’re lacking a lot of execution and a lot of it has to do with timing.”

GENERAL NOTES • Kentucky defeated South Carolina 17-10 at Commonwealth Stadium. The Gamecocks are now 2-2 on the year and 1-2 in the SEC with Kentucky 2-2 and 1-1 in league play. • Captains for South Carolina were: DB Chris Lammons, WR Jamari Smith, OG Cory Helms and OG Zack Bailey • Attendance at Commonwealth Stadium was 51,702 • The Gamecocks have had 10 players start the first four games of the season: OG Zack Bailey, WR Bryan Edwards, DE Darius English, OG Cory Helms, LB T.J. Holloman, TE Hayden Hurst, CB Chris Lammons, DE Marquavius Lewis, DT Taylor Stallworth, OT Mason Zandi.

On how he would judge Brandon McIlwain’s performance … “There was a lack of execution. It wasn’t all Brandon’s fault. We have to do a better job of getting in the right looks and different things we’re trying to do. It’s frustrating. We’ll continue to go back and work at it. We’re a young group. I’m disappointed with how we played offensively.” On the offensive plan every week with a true freshman quarterback … “As a coach, you have to do enough to give your guys a chance to be successful. You have to do enough to what your guys can execute and function with. In the first quarter, we had some issues functioning offensively with lack of communication and execution. It wasn’t all at one position. It was multiple spots. We have to play better around that position and at that position.”

OFFENSIVE NOTES • Sophomore tight end Hayden Hurst was South Carolina’s leading receiver as he caught 7 passes for a career-high 84 yards. Hurst’s previous high was 68 yards at Mississippi State on Sept. 10, 2016. • Freshman tailback A.J. Turner scored his second touchdown of the season with a 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. It also marked his first career rushing touchdown. Turner carried 12 times for 42 yards in the contest. Junior tailback David Williams also had 9 carries for 33 yards. • Freshman quarterback Brandon McIlwain was 15-for-30 in the air for 177 passing yards. DEFENSIVE NOTES • The Gamecock defense has limited opponents to 17 points or less in three of the first four games this year. • Senior defensive lineman Darius English tallied a career-high three sacks on the evening. It was the most sacks by a Gamecock player since Jadeveon Clowney finished with 4.5 at Clemson on Nov. 24, 2012. English also finished with a career-high eight tackles. • South Carolina finished with four sacks on the night, tying the season-high set last week by the team vs. East Carolina. Junior defensive lineman Dante Sawyer was also credited with a sack in the game, his first of the year. • Senior defensive back Chris Moody set a career-high with nine tackles. Moody’s previous high was eight vs. Texas A&M on August 28, 2014. • Senior defensive end Marquavius Lewis has started all 16 games of his career at South Carolina. Lewis finished with four tackles and a quarterback hurry. • Junior defensive back Jamarcus King tallied his first career forced fumble in the 1st Quarter. King had five tackles in the game. Junior defensive end Dante Sawyer was credited with the fumble recovery. • Junior defensive back D.J. Smith tallied his first career interception in the 3rd Quarter. It marked the fourth interception of the season for the Gamecocks. SPECIAL TEAM NOTES • Senior placekicker Elliott Fry is now tied for third in SEC history with 130 consecutive PAT kicks made. Fry’s PAT in the second quarter tied him with Michael Proctor (1992-95) of Alabama. Fry also converted a 35-yard field goal and is now 5-for-6 on the year in field goals. Fry now has 310 career points and is within four of Herschel Walker (Georgia, 1980-82) and Fuad Reveiz (Tennessee, 1981-84)

On why Kentucky was so successful against South Carolina’s defense … “We’re not the most physical bunch in the secondary and they wanted to make our second defensive backs tackle. That’s what they did. We have some guys that need to tackle more. We’re doing everything we can, as far as teaching is concerned. We just have to learn to wrap, stick your face in the fan and like it a little bit.”

for 20th all-time in SEC history in most points scored. • Senior punter Sean Kelly had a career-high eight punts in the game for 299 yards. Kelly had five of his eight punts inside the 20 and averaged 37.3 yards in the game.

Category 1st Downs Total Yards Passing Rushing Penalties-Yards 3rd Down Conversions 4th Down Conversions Turnovers Time of Possession

South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp Opening Statement: “We really lacked execution starting the game, offensively. We struggled and couldn’t get anything going in the throwing game. We were bad on third downs for two weeks in a row. Thought we kind of got some things going there in the second quarter and felt good going into halftime. We just never got into sync and defensively we really struggled to play blocks up front and hold the point against people. That’s something that’s been a recurring theme. We try to load the box with as many guys as we can. We have to get off blocks and make some tackles. We had an opportunity at the goal line to make a tackle and didn’t make it. Other things we’ll continue to work through. The kids battled hard and fought. It’s a seven-point game. Just disappointed with the lack of execution offensively and defensively just not playing blocks. We’ll continue to work and continue to improve. We’ve got a young group. It’s frustrating in the passing game because of the lack of continuity. Deebo

Passing Leaders South Carolina COM McIlwain 15 Kentucky COM Johnson 11 Rushing Leaders South Carolina CAR Turner 12 Williams 13 Kentucky CAR Williams 15 Snell 16 Receiving Leaders South Carolina REC Hurst 7 Edwards 2 Kentucky REC Johnson 4 Badet 2

photo by jenny dilworth

SC UK 16 23 268 351 177 135 91 216 5-45 4-30 3-13 4-13 0-1 1-1 0 2 27:20 32:40 ATT 30 ATT 19

YDS 177 YDS 135

TD 0 TD 0

INT 0 INT 1

YDS 42 11 YDS 123 73

AVG 3.5 0.8 AVG 8.2 4.6

TD 1 0 TD 1 1

LG 12 8 LG 43 14

YDS 84 16 YDS 38 39

AVG 12.0 8.0 AVG 9.5 19.5

TD 0 0 TD 0 0

LG 30 9 LG 9.5 28

30 • Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

Gunter: The excitement and expectation for this year’s Gamecock ball club should be pretty high It is kind of hard to believe, but with the end Saturday’s football action, we have wrapped up the month of September for college football. The turning of the calendar to October means more getting into the true grind of the season but it also means that Frank Martin and Dawn Staley will be cranking things up on the basketball court. Basketball practice is set to get underway in the next two weeks across the country and I am extremely interested to see the product Martin is going to put on the floor this coming season. Here are some general thoughts on the backcourt, the frontcourt and the schedule the Gamecock men’s team will be working with this year. Backcourt: Martin has built an experienced group of guards and wings that should be as competitive as any in the league this year. I have followed Sindarius Thornwell’s career since he was a rising freshman at Lancaster High School and now he enters his senior in a Gamecock uniform. With Thornwell the Gamecocks have a fantastic leader both on the court and in the locker room. Alongside fellow senior Duane Notice, Martin has two veterans that have been important pieces in turning the Gamecock program around. Joining the two seniors will be sophomore Perry Dozier Jr. who I think will take a big step forward from his first to second season. The trio of Dozier, Thornwell and Notice give the Gamecocks a combination of playmakers and solid defenders. Those three guys should be the driving force behind the Gamecock offense this season. Two other players I am interested to see and how they make an impact are senior Gamecock team has put on the roster since I Justin McKie and junior college transfer Has- have been covering the program. sani Gravett. McKie adds more experience Chris Silva is back for his sophomore seaand should find a role coming off the bench to son and will be joined ESPN top-100 recruit provide solid depth. Gravett may be the most Sedee Keita. The duo of Silva and Keita are athletic guard on the Gamegoing to be slightly inexpericocks roster and can play both enced but they should make up guard positions, which again for it with their athletic ability to should provide solid depth. run the floor, protect the rim in In my opinion, this will be a defense and rebound. solid group that can keep the Adding to the athletic abilGamecocks in every game they ity on the front line is another play and fits the mold of what freshman Khadim Gueye. Close Martin wants in how his guards to being a 7-footer, Gueye will defend the opposition. need to continue to develop Frontcourt: Personally, I for Martin’s team but adds a think this is where Gamecock great element of length and athfans should get really excited leticism that will come off the Bill Gunter about this basketball team. In bench. That is the type of player Contributing my opinion this is the most the Gamecock program has not Writer athletic group of post players a had to provide depth in several

photo by jenny dilworth

years. The final post player that should be intriguing to watch is 6-foot-9 freshman Maik Kotsar. With the addition of Kotsar and 6-foot-9 junior college player Ran Tut, the Gamecocks have five players that are 6-foot-9 or taller, giving them the height and athletic ability I haven’t seen on the roster in a long time. Schedule: The non-conference schedule is going to test the Gamecocks and we should know what type of team Martin has by midDecember. Early neutral site games against Seton Hall and Syracuse will be fun games to watch on television or make a road trip to see the Gamecocks play competitive programs. Maybe the game I am most excited to see is the November 23rd home game against Michigan. Getting a big name Big Ten opponent into Colonial Life Arena should make for a fun atmosphere. Combine that home game with rival Clemson coming to Colonial

Life Arena on December 21st. Along with a few other interesting game such as Monmouth and Louisiana Tech and I believe Martin has put together an attractive home slate for Gamecock fans to see. Overall: I know there was a lot of talk about the end of last season but the excitement and expectation for this year’s Gamecock ball club should be pretty high. There is plenty of veteran talent to mix along with top-flight athletic ability. The schedule will be one that is difficult and interesting but provides great insight into the program heading into conference play. All-in-all, it is crazy to think we have finished one-third of the football season and the academic school year is now in full swing with basketball just around the corner. However, this is a year Gamecock fans should be counting down the days until Frank Martin’s club takes the court.

Spurs & Feathers • 31

September 28, 2016

Girardeau: It’s been a crazy season so far If there was any doubt that the 2016 football season was going to be a struggle, that was put to rest on Saturday night in Lexington, Kentucky. South Carolina not only lost, but struggled mightily. Playing arguably the worst defense in the nation, not just the SEC, but the nation, South Carolina could only muster 10 points. Kentucky had come into the game giving up over 40 points a game. The Gamecocks just could not get it in gear. A bad omen earlier in the day was last week’s opponent East Carolina falling behind Virginia Tech 38-0, before managing to put 17 on the board in the second half. After last week’s prediction of good things for the Pirates, their giving up of 54 points was not Ed Girardeau a good indicaContributing tion of things to Editor come for USC. So with a third of the season done, South Carolina stands at 2-2 with the better teams on their schedule still to come. Winning six games looks a long way off. Keep in mind though, the Gamecocks are starting a freshman at quarterback, running back and in a couple of wide receiver spots. To say that this was not predictable after only winning three games last year would ignore the facts. Looking back over the last 50 years or so, there are two particular seasons that come to mind that featured freshmen quarterbacks. When you consider these two seasons, how could we expect more from the current roster? In 1986, freshman Todd Ellis started every game for the season. After redshirting in 1985, Ellis was part of the recruiting class that came in the year after the 1984 season where Carolina went 10-2 and rose as high as No. 2 in the national polls The 1986 team included Sterling Sharpe, Harold Green, Ryan Bethea, among others. That team went 3-6-2. It may have been the most exciting three-win team in the history of college football. The Gamecocks came close in losses against Georgia and Nebraska, lost by one (was actually robbed in Raleigh) to a top-20 NC State, led Florida State by two touchdowns early, and tied No. 19 Clemson when Scott Hagler missed the winning field goal in Death Valley in the final seconds.

photo by jenny dilworth

For the season, Ellis surpassed 3,000 yards, but still could only chalk up three wins. It did set the groundwork for the 1987 team that paid back the Wolfpack, 48-0, in Columbia, beat No. 8 Clemson in the “Rodney” game and finished the season ranked in the top-15. In 1992, a heralded freshman arrived at USC, Steve Tanneyhill. That team opened the season 0-5 and led to the infamous player revolt. Tanneyhill had an auspicious start by throwing one of his first passes (if not his first) to an Alabama defensive back who returned it for a touchdown in a 48-7 Crimson Tide victory. Tanneyhill was named the starter in game six and beat No. 15 Mississippi State where he famously flipped his helmet in the air and pretended to hit it with his invisible bat “out of the park.” The legend was born. Carolina would go on to win the next three, including No. 16 Tennessee and Tanneyhill would sign his name on the Tiger Paw in Death Valley in beating Clemson. Despite that excitement Carolina only finished 5-6 for the season. That team included Brandon Bennett, Rob DeBoer and Toby Cates. They would

later win the first bowl game in South Carolina’s history in the Carquest Bowl on Jan. 2, 1995. All of that to say, two of the most prolific passers in the history of South Carolina football started as freshmen, but as good as they were, playing with players who would also go on to be Hall of Famers at USC, Carolina had losing seasons. Brandon McIlwain may never live up to the standard of those two or maybe he’ll set his own records, but the reality is we shouldn’t expect more from this group than what these teams accomplished. Better days are ahead. The coaching staff is recruiting a great class and help is on the way. In the meantime this group will continue to get better just as the teams from 1986 and 1992 did and will set the ground work for the years to come. In the meantime, I still believe that the 2016 team will surprise somebody (if not several) of our opponents at home. Tennessee did not look like they could beat anybody in the first half in Knoxville Saturday and then for reasons unknown, the teams apparently changed uniforms at the half and Florida looked like they couldn’t

beat anybody. The Gators after leading by 21, they fell behind by 17 before losing by 10. Mighty Georgia fell behind 45-0 before Ole Miss called off the dogs and allowed the Dawgs to score. Missouri somehow found a way to lose at home to Georgia the week before on a last-second pass. Auburn who had looked terrible apparently had lost to LSU on the last play of the game in a miracle finish only to find out that the final play was not snapped before zeros were on the clock, thus, no score and Auburn wins the game. It’s been a crazy season so far. South Carolina returns to Williams-Brice and has a chance to make some payback to Texas A&M who will come in ranked in the top-10. Based on what I’ve seen this year, crazier things have happened than the Gamecocks upsetting the Aggies. Why not us? So show up Saturday and fill the stadium. One day we’ll look back at all of this just as many of us remember those years of the past where we took our lumps only to stick around for the better times to come. It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!

32 â&#x20AC;¢ Spurs & Feathers

September 28, 2016

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