The Side Line: USC vs Vanderbilt by Free Times

SEPT. 11, 2013 • ISSUE #2

NEW BACK CITY Fresh Faces Key to USC’s Ground Game

CONTENTS

BACK 10 NEW CITY

ON THE COVER: USC Sophomore running back Mike Davis. Photo by Paul Collins.

4 6 7 8 18 20 22 26 30

Schedule Opponent Preview: Vanderbilt Opponent Roster: Vanderbilt Gameday Poster: USC vs. Vanderbilt Explaining The Game Senior Proﬁle: Chaz Sutton GamecockCentral.com’s Recruit to Watch: Kevin Crosby Photo Gallery USC Roster & Stats

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Dan Cook | editor@free-times.com, ext. 133 MANAGING EDITOR: Patrick Wall | sideline@free-times.com, ext. 138 PRODUCTION MANAGER: Lisa Willis | lisaw@free-times.com, ext. 121 SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Wilbert T. Fields | wilbertf@free-times.com, ext. 145 GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Joey Ayer | joeya@free-times.com, ext. 150 CONTRIBUTORS: Travis Bell, Chris Clark, Paul Collins, Chris Dearing, James Harley ILLUSTRATOR: Dré Lopez ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Kerry Powers | kpowers@free-times.com, ext. 128 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ginny Kuhn | ginnyk@free-times.com, ext. 130 Brian Wingard | brianw@free-times.com, ext. 127 Jerry Viles I jerryv@free-times.com, ext. 140 ADVERTISING ASSISTANT: Rachel Kuhnle | rachelk@free-times.com, ext. 123 CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER: Cale Johnson | classy@free-times.com, ext. 131 CLASSIFIEDS SALES Jason Stroman | jasons@free-times.com, ext. 132 Jaimie Small | jaimies@free-times.com, ext. 141 OPERATIONS MANAGER: Jen Coody | jenc@free-times.com, ext. 124 CIRCULATION: Davey Mathias | circulation@free-times.com, ext. 152 The Side Line is published by Resorts Media, LLC 1534 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201 PO Box 8295, Columbia, SC 29202 | (803) 765-0707 • 765-0727 FAX • free-times.com Advertisers in The Side Line assume responsibility for the entire content and subject matter of all advertisements. In case of error or omissions in advertisement, the publisher’s sole liability shall be to publish the advertisement at a later date. Notice of error must be made within ten days of first insertion. © 2013 Resorts Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

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VANDY VS. USC

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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CAROLINA FOOTBALL

2013 SCHEDULE 8/29 9/7

vs. North Carolina Columbia, S.C.

w, 27-10

Georgia

Athens, Ga.

9/14

vs. Vanderbilt

9/28

10/5

vs.

L, 41-30

Columbia, S.C. 7:00 p.m.

UCF

Orlando, Fla. TBA

Kentucky

Columbia, S.C. TBA

10/12 at Arkansas

Fayetteville, Ark. TBA

10/19 at Tennessee

Knoxville, Tenn. TBA

10/26 at Missouri

Columbia, Mo. TBA

11/02 vs. Mississippi State

Columbia, S.C. TBA

11/16 vs. Florida

Columbia, S.C. TBA

11/23 vs. Coastal Carolina

Columbia, S.C. TBA

11/30 vs. Clemson

Columbia, S.C. TBA : SEC game

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VANDY VS. USC

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VANDY VS. USC

VANDERBILT

ROSTER 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27

Kenny Ladler S Johnny McCrary QB Taurean Ferguson DB Jerron Seymour RB Tre Bell DB Patton Robinette QB Torren McGaster DB Austyn Carta-Samuels QB Darrius Sims DB Josh Grady QB Trent Pruitt WR Harding Harper LB Steven Clarke DB Jake Sealand LB Ryan White DB DeAndre Woods WR Colby Cooke P Gerald Perry WR Jonathan Krause WR Tommy Openshaw K Carlos Burse WR Patrick Sutton LB C.J. Duncan RB Oren Burks LB Paris Head DB Casey Hughes LB Andre Hal DB Jalen Banks DB Wesley Tate RB Brian Kimbrow RB Ralph Webb RB Jahmel McIntosh S

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STONE MOUNTAIN, GA DECATUR, GA JONESBORO, GA HIALEAH, FL UNION, NJ MARYVILLE, TN DAPHNE, AL SAN JOSE, CA MEMPHIS, TN TAMPA, FL FITZGERALD, GA MONTGOMERY, AL LAUDERDALE LAKES, FL TUCKER, GA LOUISVILLE, KY CLAY, AL GOOCHLAND, VA MEMPHIS, TN SNELLVILLE, GA JACKSONVILLE, FL ALPHARETTA, GA CHARLESTON, SC MONTGOMERY, AL FAIRFAX STATION, VA LAWRENCEVILLE, GA READING, PA PORT ALLEN, LA MARKHAM, IL HENDERSONVILLE, TN MEMPHIS, TN GAINESVILLE, FL CLEVELAND, MS

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Karl Butler Will Fritz Taylor Hudson Larry Franklin Javon Marshall Andrew Williamson Derek King Andrew East Hasan Clayton Darreon Herring Chase Garnham Wilson Johnson Alex Hysong Fitz Lassing Carey Spear Dane Stubbs Ja’karri Thomas Zach Cunningham Chris Martin Kellen Williams Scot Aiello Barron Dixon Joseph Hoffman Stephen Weatherly Blake Gowder Nigel Bowden Josh Gregory Jonathan Wynn Andrew Jelks Hunter Bowman Andrew Bridges Jake Bernstein Vince Taylor Jimmy Stewart Caleb Azubike Darien Bryant Barrett Gouger Joe Townsend

LB RB P LB S S RB LS RB LB LB LS DB FB K DB LB LB FB LB DB DT FB DE FB LB DB DE OL LB OL OL DT DE DE DE OL OL

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SR JR SO SO SR SO SO JR SR SO SR FR JR SR SR SO FR FR SO JR JR JR SO FR JR FR JR FR FR JR JR SO JR SO SO SO FR JR

NEW ORLEANS, LA CINCINNATI, OH POWELL, OH VERO BEACH, FL HUBER HEIGHTS, OH SAN ANTONIO, TX NASHVILLE, TN INDIANAPOLIS, IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL STONE MOUNTAIN, GA FAIRHOPE, AL NASHVILLE, TN BETHESDA, MD NASHVILLE, TN MAYFIELD, OH COVINGTON, LA TALLAHASSEE, FL PINSON, AL PRINCETON, NJ WINTER HAVEN, FL FRANKLIN, TN ALPHARETTA, GA SCARSDALE, NY SNELLVILLE, GA BLAIRSVILLE, GA MACON, GA GOODLETTSVILLE, TN STONE MOUNTAIN, GA PARIS, TN SAVANNAH, GA ATLANTA, GA LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL HATTIESBURG, MS CAPE CORAL, FL NASHVILLE, TN PICKERINGTON, OH SODDY DAISY, TN HENDERSONVILLE, TN

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Jacob Schultz Connor Morrison Delando Crooks Will Trepp Blake Fromang Wesley Johnson Adam Butler Sean Dowling Chase White Will Holden Jay Woods Spencer Pulley Kevin McCoy Ryan Brockway Chris Boyd Alex Grecco Steven Scheu Kris Kentera Nathan Marcus Jordan Cunningham Trey Wilkins Latevius Rayford Jordan Matthews Erik Allen Mitchell Parsons Dillon van der Wal Walker May David Holtgrave Kyle Woestmann Ladarius Banks Torey Agee Xavier Morse Mack Prioleau Gaither Barker Jared Morse Mack Weaver Landon Stokes

2011

LS LS OL OL OL OL DT OL OL OL DT OL OL OL WR WR TE TE TE WR WR WR WR WR TE TE DE K DE DT DT K LS LS DT DE DE

6-4 230 6-1 235 6-5 290 6-1 265 6-7 295 6-5 295 6-4 305 6-6 280 6-5 290 6-6 302 6-3 292 6-4 300 6-5 295 6-5 290 6-4 205 5-10 175 6-5 255 6-4 235 6-5 235 6-1 175 5-11 205 6-1 180 6-3 206 5-11 180 6-4 240 6-6 260 6-5 250 5-9 165 6-3 252 6-2 290 6-4 285 5-9 165 6-3 220 6-2 220 6-2 302 6-5 260 6-4 228

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MURFREESBORO, TN EDMOND, OK ATLANTA, GA GREENWICH, CT ORLANDO, FL NASHVILLE, TN DUNCANVILLE, TX FALLBROOK, CA PLANO, TX GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL JACKSON, GA GERMANTOWN, TN TAMPA, FL LOS ANGELES, CA ROSWELL, GA EAST GREENWICH, RI EVANSVILLE, IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO GLEN ELLYN, IL FORT LAUDERDALE, FL CORDOVA, TN MEMPHIS, TN MADISON, AL CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA PARKER, CO WOODLAND HILLS, CA BIRMINGHAM, AL LOUISVILLE, KY MARIETTA, GA DALLAS, GA OPELIKA, AL CAMBRIDGE, MA FORT WORTH, TX DUNLAP, TN OXFORD, AL COLLIERVILLE, TN ORLANDO, FL

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VANDY VS. USC

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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NEW BACK CITY

Fresh Faces Key to USC’s Ground Game Sophomore running back Mike Davis readies himself for action against North Carolina on Aug. 26, 2013. Photo by Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina

BY CHARLES BENNETT

t’s still early in the season, but it’s already apparent that South Carolina’s offensive success will likely revolve around a successful running game. Improvement in the running game, which sputtered after Marcus Lattimore’s season-ending knee injury last October, is needed. Last season, the Gamecocks tied for 12th in the 14-team Southeastern Conference in rushing offense, racking up just 138.5 yards per game and a mere 3.7 yards per carry. But in sophomores Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds, it looks as if the Gamecocks have the personnel to make improvement happen. Davis and Wilds have emerged from the considerable shadow of Marcus Lattimore to give the Gamecocks an effective one-two punch at tailback

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as the Gamecocks prepare to take on Vanderbilt. Both had 12 carries: Davis gained 115 yards, most of which came on an electric 75-yard touchdown run; Wilds rushed for 64 yards. “I think they’re both very capable,” says South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier. “Both of them are going to play. If one of them is really hot and making stuff happen for us, he’ll probably play a little bit more. They have both played well.” Both seem ready for prime time after having to fill in for an injured Lattimore each of the past two years. Two years ago, it was Wilds who found himself in the spotlight. A three-star recruit out of Blythewood High School, Wilds began the season buried at fifth on the Gamecocks’ tailback chart. But injuries to Lattimore, Shon Carson, Kenny Miles and Eric Baker

elevated Wilds into the starting role, and he responded. Wilds played in 13 games, starting five, and rushed for 486 yards and three touchdowns on 107 carries. Wilds missed all of last season while recovering from a high ankle sprain, and when Lattimore went down with another season-ending injury, it opened the door for Davis. A four-star prospect from Lithonia, Ga., Davis played in 12 games as a freshman and rushed 275 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries. Davis and Wilds battled for the starting tailback spot through the spring and fall camps with very little separation. Finally, the Gamecocks selected Davis as the starter, but Spurrier made it clear that both would play. It’s an arrangement that is agreeable to both players. “We both came here to be the starting tailback and that hasn’t changed,” says Wilds, who describes his relation-

ship with Davis as friendly but competitive. “But we both want to do what’s best for the team.” “It’s good for both of us,” Davis says. “Neither one of us has to take that much pounding. And we’re able to come in and show different styles.” And their complementary styles make for a balanced backfield. Wilds, at 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds, is more of a power runner, while Davis, 5-foot-9 and 215, is more of a combination of power and speed. Davis is the younger brother of former Clemson tailback James Davis, who supplied the thunder to C.J. Spiller’s lightning in the Tigers’ “thunder and lightning” backfield. Davis flashed his speed on a 75-yard touchdown run against North Carolina, but he says Wilds is also deceptively fast. “He’s a very big guy, very powerful guy,” Davis says. “He also has breakaway speed. I guess you could call us both thunder and lightning.” VANDY VS. USC

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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Sophomore running back Brandon Wilds finds a hole against North Carolina on Aug. 26, 2013. Photo by Paul Collins/Gamecock Central

Sophomore running back Mike Davis runs for a touchdown against North Carolina on Aug. 26, 2013. Photo by Paul Collins/Gamecock Central

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Davis and Wilds are not the only keys to a successful running game for South Carolina. Shon Carson, also a sophomore, is back after two injury-plagued seasons. A three-star recruit from Scranton, S.C., the 5-foot-8, 219-pound Carson is probably quicker than Davis and Wilds, and gives the Gamecocks another breakaway threat. The talented tailback hasn’t seen a lot of field time because of injuries, and Carson feels a sense of urgency to make an impact after being hampered. He gave up a potential redshirt year in order to play in South Carolina’s Outback Bowl victory over Michigan. He didn’t play, but he’s since made enough significant progress through spring and fall to give the Gamecocks a viable third option at tailback.

South Carolina running backs coach Everette Sands says Carson fits right there with Davis and Wilds. He has confidence in all three, and says all three will play a key role in the offense this season. “You’re going to see all three,” Sands says. “One thing those guys know is that they are all going to play. They all got better in pass protection. Mike is the starter because he just made a few more plays.” However, those three players are not the total extent of the Gamecocks’ rushing attack. Opponents must also contend with quarterback Connor Shaw, a definite threat to run the football. Shaw, a 6-foot-1, 209pound senior, entered the season with 1,125 career rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 298 carries. Georgia coach VANDY VS. USC

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Mark Richt says Shaw’s running ability gives the Gamecocks’ ground game an added dimension. “Their backs run hard,” Richt says. “Then you add a quarterback who can run like [Shaw] can run, it causes trouble. He’s not just a guy who is going to scramble every now and then. They have a lot of designed QB runs in there.” Paving the way is an offensive line that returns four starters from last year. Left tackle Brandon Shell says the offensive line put in the necessary off-season work for the Gamecocks to be successful on offense regardless of whether they rely on the run or the pass. “We all worked hard,” Shell says. “We’ve got a chance to have a special season. We do it all here. We know we’ve got to runblock. We know we’ve got to pass-protect. It’s not just going to be one or the other.” Without a doubt, the Gamecocks can’t be successful being one-dimensional, and a consistent running game is critical. The Gamecocks rushed for 100 yards or more in all but two games last year; they lost both. “It’s up to the coaches whether we run more or pass more,” Davis says. “No doubt we’re going to have to be successful doing both if we want to have a good season, but I think we’re going to have a great running game.”

Sophomore running back Mike Davis eludes North Carolina safety Tre Boston during his second-quarter touchdown run on Aug. 26, 2013. Photo by Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina

Sophomore running back Brandon Wilds rushed for 64 yards against North Carolina. Photo by Paul Collins/Gamecock Central

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Sophomore running back Mike Davis racked up 115 rushing yards against North Carolina. Photo by Paul Collins/Gamecock Central

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2011

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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PA R T Y AT W I L L I A M S E T A G L I A T BRICE! ST E B E H T

USC AWAY GAMES? NO WORRIES

BEAT VANDY!

We will still be tailgating like it’s a home game with awesome food, live music, and great specials!

DJ DDL & Guests

SHOP ROAD

Join us at our sister bar, Kelly’s Pub on Washington Street, for great food, fun, and FREE SHOTS with every SC score!

AFTER THE GAME

Don’t sit in traffic. We keep the party going long after the game is over!

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We will be showing all home games on a HUGE PROJECTION SCREEN on the stage as well as TLC’s numerous tvs. 3 big screens outside, 4 big screens inside AND a TV at every booth. Come check out our new look, improved back bar, & new cornhole playing area.

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

EXPLAINING THE GAME

BY Chris Dearing

Youth Movement Linebackers Coach Kirk Botkin Teaching Young Defenders Quick Lessons

outh Carolina linebackers/spurs coach Kirk Botkin probably had the best possible scenario when he joined the Gamecocks staff on January 13, 2012. He walked into a situation where his top five players were seniors with an abundance of experience playing on the SEC level. Fast forward one season, and Botkin’s two-year stint at a Texas high school football power could pay huge dividends. A youth movement at those positions has Botkin coaching mainly freshmen and sophomores. That might be less appealing than the situation he was in last year, but the enthusiasm and eagerness of those young players to learn and play have made practice rather entertaining. “Just experiencing the ups and downs of these young guys has been great,” Botkin says. “Some days, they look great, some days they look not so good. It’s been a lot of fun. They’ve been doing everything we’ve asked of them, and they’re picking up the system pretty dang quick. It’s been a fun camp just because they’re doing something you’re talking about and it’s all new for them. But they’re getting it done.” Botkin leaned on those five seniors last season. Three of the five were among the top tacklers on the team and they coached Botkin almost as much as he coached them. But they lacked depth. Outside of those five guys, the freshmen were not ready to contribute. They played on special teams and some even excelled on that level, but becoming an every-down contributor has a different feel than just playing special teams. They’ve been

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under fire to learn the system and getting mentally and physically prepared since the end of last season. So far so good, according to Botkin. He has confidence in going three deep at the two linebacker positions as well as the spur position, a sort of safety-linebacker hybrid. That’s something he lacked on his first season on the job. “One thing we have a luxury with right now is depth,” he says. “We have three at each spot that we feel confident in that can go in there at any time and be productive. We’ll go with whoever is hot. If they’re not doing what they’re supposed to, we’ll get them out and the next guy will go in. It’s that simple.” What’s helped ease the transition is that Botkin’s asking the young players to learn just one position; last year, multiple players played multiple positions interchangeably. “We want them to be comfortable and get used to what they’re supposed to be doing,” Botkin says. “Getting lined up and getting their eyes where they’re supposed to be is the first step. I think having them concentrate on one position has helped in each of their developments.” The youngsters have made their presence felt. Marcquis Roberts, Skai Moore, Kaiwan Lewis and T.J. Holloman have played well at the linebacker spots, with Sharrod Golightly and Jordan Diggs handling the spur position. Cedrick Cooper might be the most talented linebacker in the bunch, but he dislocated his elbow in preseason practice and has not been much of a factor in the rotation. The learning curve for

Linebackers Coach Kirk Botkin. Photo by Paul Collins/Gamecock Central

those six has been pretty steep in the early going. The Gamecocks opened with a North Carolina team that plays a fastpaced game. Georgia employs a more traditional I-formation featuring the skills of highly touted running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall and the keen quarterbacking of four-year starter Aaron Murray. With Vanderbilt on tap for the second home game of the season, the Gamecocks will see a more traditional offense that splits the pass and run equally, and can put points on the board. (The Commodores notched 35 in an opening day loss to Ole Miss.)

The Gamecocks will see an abundance of offensive styles, so being ready for each one will be vital to the defense’s success. “When you go against a twoback run offense, you always worry about your run fits,” Botkin says. “You need to make sure everybody is in the right place. And with the uptempo, one-back stuff you need to worry about getting the call and getting lined up. It’s different in the day-to-day preparation between a more power team than facing one that likes to run the tempo stuff. You have to be ready for something a little different each and every week.”

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SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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SENIOR PROFILE

Shadow Man

Defensive Line Anchor Chaz Sutton Thrives in Quiet Role

here was a time when Chaz Sutton thought he’d have to climb Mt. Everest to get a starting job on the South Carolina defensive line. He felt depressed for his first two to three years as a Gamecock. Despite being a highly touted recruit, Sutton was buried in the depth chart behind a line of future NFL defensive ends. He wondered if USC was the right fit after all. “Everybody says you’ve got

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to wait your turn or whatever, but at the same time, that’s what I did,” Sutton says. “There were certain times where I just wanted to make that jump or make that move to another university.” But Sutton decided to wait it out, trusting his family’s counsel that God had a plan for him. In his senior year with the Gamecocks, Sutton’s got the starting role he’s waited so long for. Playing opposite star defensive end

with four tackles, two for a loss, while Clowney had three tackles and three quarterback hurries. But Sutton isn’t relying on the offensive line match-ups to favor him with Clowney on the other side because he, too, knows he’s recognized as a threat by opposing offensive lines. Does the constant Clowney hype get to Sutton? “It doesn’t bother him one bit,” defensive line coach Deke Adams says. “I know a lot of teams are going to focus on Jadeveon, and those other guys have to step up and make them pay when they put them in oneon-one situations.” After years of being depressed, Sutton has been focused since the Outback Bowl, when he knew it was finally his time. Off the field, he’s described as goofy, sending the team pictures of monsters or animals that some players on the team may look like. “He’ll send us pictures at like midnight and he makes you laugh and then you’ll be up all night thinking about that Jadeveon Clowney, Sutton has picture,” defensive tackle Kelcy an opportunity to make a name Quarles says. “He can be pretty for himself on a defensive line silly.” everyone will be watching. Says Sutton: “We’ve always With opposing offenses got the top five ugliest guys on likely going to great lengths to the team.” limit Clowney on the left side of A true house man, Sutton the line, Sutton will have more wouldn’t reveal his top five uglichances to make an impact on est teammates. As one of just the right side. five seniors, Sutton says he isn’t “He knows that there’s going one to be vocal and “scream and to be some opportunity for him holler,” but he makes it a point because of what people are going to pull a guy to the side when to do to try to stop [Clowney],” he sees him down because he defensive coordinator Lorenzo knows what that discourageWard says. “I think he’s going to ment feels like. thrive in that role, and I think But he also knows what he’s looking forward to it. I think patience and commitment feel that’s why he’s in great shape, like now, too. and he understands what we’re “I stuck it out,” Sutton doing.” says, “and everything’s turnIn the season opener against ing out pretty great for me North Carolina, Sutton finished now.” VANDY VS. USC

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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GamecockCentral.com

Recruit to Watch BY CHRIS CLARK

The Crosby Show

Family, Faith Led Kevin Crosby to South Carolina

n June, four-star athlete Kevin “K.C.” Crosby placed a garnet Gamecocks hat on his head during a short ceremony at Savannah Creek Baptist Church, where he plays drums every Sunday. The crowd, full of family and friends, broke into applause after the announcement and stuck around for pictures. First, Kevin “Butch” Crosby, the star’s father, had a phone call to make to University of running backs coach Everette Sands. “[Sands] was just excited,” Butch Crosby told gamecockcentral.com. “He said ‘Coach, we’re excited to have K.C. come on board with us.’” Butch Crosby has coached his son for years now at BambergEhrhardt High School, watching K.C. develop into a 6-foot-2, 240-pounder who is a dominant force on both sides of the ball. Though he also plays linebacker at Bamberg-Ehrhardt, K.C. will likely play tight end at Carolina. “We take the evaluation they [college coaches] give us, then take that and work on those fundamentals,” the elder Crosby says. “God blessed us to have a lot of young men, coaches willing to take their time to develop these young men. You just look back on it and thank God for being at this appointed place and time. Every year we’ve had somebody come through here talented enough to play Division I ball.” Crosby’s mother, Denise, made sure that her son leaned on his faith to help him make the choice. “My biggest thing was, pray and ask God,” she says. “Wherever you need to be is going to be the right place for you. Academics are first and foremost most important to me – and the location, because K.C. is a family

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Ti g h t e n d/ outsi de L i neb a c ker

Kevin Crosby Hometown: Bamberg, SC

High School: Bamberg-Ehrhardt

Height / Weight: 6’2” / 240 Class: Senior person. We looked at all those things.” A highly touted tight end prospect, K.C. Crosby received more than 40 offers, many pouring in until he committed to Carolina in June. It pained Denise Crosby to see her son become besieged at times. “It was OK,” she says of the recruiting process. “The only time that disturbed me was when he became overwhelmed. My main concern is Kevin. When he became overwhelmed, I could see it was interfering with his work and focus. We had to shut things down and focus on this. Everything else will fall into place.” Denise Crosby accompanied her son on a recruiting visit to Columbia last summer, during which she got an in-depth look at the academic side of things. Once she returned, she was sold. “I asked ‘How can you help my child?’” she says. “They went through the process and explained and let me know about the assessments, how they find out what type of learner they are, what their strengths are. That was important because now you’re taking my child’s education personally.” Butch Crosby believes that his son will succeed as a studentathlete not only because of his talent, but because he has been set up well by the tradition at Bamberg-Ehrhardt and his work ethic. “He works hard off the field,” he says. “He goes in, lifts weights. He comes out here and works out and runs, does extra drills. That’s what makes those guys such special guys when they go off to college. They’re so used to working hard, so that helps them.” VANDY VS. USC

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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What is it with Vandy? Commodores Always a Tough Test for Gamecocks OPINION BY JAMES HARLEY

hen you think of SEC East division powerhouses, Vanderbilt certainly does not come to mind. Though the Commodores defeated North Carolina State in last year’s Music City Bowl and even received a few votes in this year’s preseason polls, they simply do not have the reputation necessary to frighten the likes of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida or even slumping in-state rival Tennessee, for that matter. Indeed, Vandy’s long-established reputation of mediocrity — at best — is precisely why it’s regularly thrown into the same sentence as Kentucky during conversations regarding the bottom half of the division. No one will be picking the Commodores, improving though not yet ready for conference-title prime time, to defeat any of the above-mentioned powers any time soon. This includes this week’s game against Carolina. Yet there is something out there in the atmosphere that seems to make the ‘Dores a particularly challenging opponent for the Gamecocks, even if they do not garner any credibility for it. Despite an overall 18-4 edge in the series and 11 wins in the last 13 meetings, Spurrier’s teams haven’t been able to manhandle Vanderbilt as expected. Why exactly is that? Take a look at the numbers. In 2007, the Gamecocks faced Vandy in Columbia, Carolina coming into the game at 6-1 and ranked No. 6 in the country. The Commodores, so weak that they ended the season at 5-7, held that shining USC squad to a miserable six points and started them on a horrible season-ending five-game losing streak. The Gamecocks plummeted from the rankings and didn’t even make a bowl game. Interestingly, however, USC went on to play strong Tennessee and Clemson teams closer than they played lowly Vanderbilt. The following season, a slightly better Vanderbilt team (7-6, its first winning season in 26 years) again topped a slightly better Carolina team (which also finished 7-6) by a touchdown, once more holding the Gamecocks to peanuts: a measly 17 points. Carolina went back to winning the series in 2009, but again by a

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frustratingly close score, 14-10. The Gamecocks finished 7-6 on the season, but the Commodores wound up a woeful 2-10 was a four-point win really the best we could do? Things progressed slightly in 2010 and 2011 with USC winning 21-3 and 21-7, respectively. These margins of victory are a little better, but still must be considered weak given that the Gamecocks were 9-5 and then 11-2 in those seasons, while Vanderbilt finished 2-10 and 6-7. Top it off with the fact that the 2011 USC squad was able to put up 45 points against Georgia and 30-plus on both Clemson and Nebraska, and it is again simply confounding how successfully Vanderbilt continues to restrain the Gamecocks. Even with another win in 2012, that season’s 11-2 Carolina team could only manage a meager 17-13 season-opening win over the Commodores, making it now seven years since the Gamecocks — on its greatest run ever — have scored more than three touchdowns on this perennial bottom-dweller. All of this is to emphasize Carolina’s consistent inability to beat down the Commodores even in instances where it is clearly expected. Are the Gamecocks looking beyond the Commodores to the next game on the schedule? Is it random chance? Maybe, but it seems more like the Gamecocks are just not taking Vanderbilt seriously enough, especially given the embarrassing 2007 loss that sent them into a death spiral and ruined a legitimate shot at national prowess. A team that wants to win championships must take every game seriously, as nothing will undermine a season’s chances more than losing to or even playing a close game against a school whose mediocrity is etched in stone within the minds of college football fans across the nation. Gamecocks, if you really mean it this year, then show us. Put it to the Commodores for a change we can believe in. A blowout this week won’t guarantee wins over Florida and Clemson later in the season, but it would certainly be a breath of fresh air. Prediction: Gamecocks 38, Commodores 17.

VANDY VS. USC

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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GAMECOCK GALLERY

UNC

vs.

USC

AUGUST 29, 2013

South Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cody Waldrop snaps the ball against North Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013. (Travis Bell/ Sideline Carolina)

South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Bruce Ellington (23) makes the reception as North Carolina Tar Heels cornerback Malik Simmons (11) defends. (Gwinn Davis/SC Press Association)

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South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Connor Shaw (14) breaks free from North Carolina Tar Heels defensive tackle Ethan Farmer (96). (Gwinn Davis/SC Press Association)

South Caroilnaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Phillip Dukes congratulates Skai Moore after Moore made a big hit against North Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in Columbia, S.C. (Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina)

VANDY VS. USC

est. 1998 — inside gamecock sports

IN-DEPTH PRACTICE INFO RECRUITING UPDATES PLAYER PROFILES & FEATURES VIBRANT MESSAGE BOARDS VIDEO & PHOTO GALLERIES ROSTER, SCHEDULE, STATS PROVIDING IN-DEPTH COVERAGE OF GAMECOCK SPORTS & RECRUITING SINCE 1998

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GAMECOCK GALLERY

North Carolina Tar Heels safety Tre Boston (10) upends South Carolina Gamecocks running back Brandon Wilds (22). (Gwinn Davis/SC Press Association)

UNC

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USC

AUGUST 29, 2013

South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney (7) and Victor Hampton are seen during the North Carolina game on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in Columbia, S.C. (Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina)

South Carolina Gamecock Cheerleaders work the crowd. (Gwinn Davis/SC Press Association)

South Carolina Gamecocks cornerback Ahmad Christian (4) chases down North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Bryn Renner (2). (Gwinn Davis/SC Press Association)

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South Carolina’s Cody Waldrop snaps the ball to Connor Shaw during action against North Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013. (Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina)

South Carolina’s Chaz Sutton chases down North Carolina on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013 in Columbia, S.C. (Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina)

VANDY VS. USC

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 | ISSUE #2

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THREE DINING CHOICES.

HREE DINING CHOICES. REE DINING CHOICES.

go gamecocks!

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VANDY VS. USC