Spurs & Feathers 1105

November 5, 2014 • Volume 36 • Issue 20 • $1.50

Super duper

Cooper

Pharoh’s heroics the bright spot in a heartbreaker

2 • Spurs & Feathers

Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

What’s Inside? - Table of Contents Something to crow about!

Women’s basketball ranked second in preseason AP top-25

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Columbia, SC 29210 (803) 335-1399 To subscribe: Please call 800-559-2311; annual subscription price is $50 Ellen Priest Publisher Aiken Communications, Inc. Tim O’Briant General Manager tobriant@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1400 Ext. 500 Brian Hand Executive Editor bhand@spursandfeathers.com (803) 335-1399 Ext. 506 Ed Girardeau Contributing Editor/ Advertising Account Executive ed@spursandfeathers.com (803) 646-9807 Dee Taylor Advertising Director (803) 644-2371 Kathy Boyette Advertising Sales Manager (803) 295-3654 kboyette@spursandfeathers.com Brooks Rogers Advertising Representative (803) 446-4022 brooks@spursandfeathers.com Reporters Kyle Heck and Collyn Taylor Photographers Allen Sharpe and Jenny Dilworth Mary Watson Graphic Designer Cover Design: Tim O’Briant (photo by Allen Sharpe) Postal Information: SPURS & FEATHERS (USPS 12779) (ISSN 7454368X) is published 26 times annually. The frequency is monthly from December to July and weekly from the third Wednesday in August to the fourth Wednesday in November. SPURS & FEATHERS also publishes three slick-paper magazine issues — one in January, one in July and one in August. The annual subscription price is $50 for non Gamecock Club members. Members of the Gamecock Club receive a discounted subscription as a member benefit. Spurs & Feathers is published by Aiken Communications, Inc., 326 Rutland Drive NW, Aiken, SC, 29801-4010. Periodicals postage paid at Columbia, SC Postmaster: Send changes to SPURS & FEATHERS, PO Box 456, Aiken, SC, 29802.

Cooper only worried about the Gamecocks.........3 Tennessee stuns Gamecocks in overtime...............4 Inside Look with Glenn Snyder...................................5 Postgame notes/quotes................................................6 Junior Gamecock Club Halloween Party.............8-9 View from the Tennessee locker room.................. 10 Martin excited about Charleston Classic............. 11 Recruiting Roundup.................................................... 12 Women’s soccer honors senior class..................... 14 Cremins will always be a Gamecock...................... 15 A friendship that spans two continents............... 18 Inside the Chart.......................................................21-22 Unforgettable evening for Legends Society...... 23 Women’s golf feature.................................................. 27 Gamecock Club upcoming events......................... 28 Men’s golf feature......................................................... 29 Langston Moore column........................................... 30 Unique views with Ed Girardeau............................ 31

South Carolina women’s basketball earned the No. 2 spot in the Associated Press Preseason Poll, the organization announced last week.

It is the Gamecocks’ highest preseason ranking in program history.

South Carolina returns all five starters and 10 letterwinners in all from last season’s SEC Championship squad. The group combined to win 29 games - second-most in school history - and earn a No. 1 seed in the 2014 NCAA Tournament - a program first.

The 2014-15 Gamecocks feature the reigning SEC Player of the Year in Tiffany Mitchell and last season’s SEC Co-6th Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in Alaina Coates along with two-time All-SEC selection Aleighsa Welch and the program’s single-season blocked shot record holder in Elem Ibiam. The veteran group welcomed the No. 2 signing class in the nation, highlighted by the class’ top recruit in A’ja Wilson and the No. 7 recruit in the nation in Jatarie White.

The No. 2 ranking is the program’s highest in the AP’s preseason poll, topping the previous high of No. 4 leading into the 1981-82 season. The highest regular-season or final ranking in program history is also No. 2, which the Gamecocks held for three weeks in the 1981-82 season. The No. 2 spot in the poll is the highest of head coach Dawn Staley’s career, surpassing her previous high of No. 4, which the Gamecock owned for two weeks last season.

South Carolina’s regular-season opener is slated for Sat., Nov. 15, against Southern Cal. Tipoff time for that game will be announced this week following the announcement of South Carolina’s football game time against Florida.

AP Preseason top-25 1.

Connecticut 2.

South Carolina 3.

Notre Dame 4.

Tennessee 5.

Texas A&M 6. Stanford 7.

Duke 8.

Baylor 9.

Texas 10.

Maryland 11.

Kentucky 12.

Louisville 13.

North Carolina 14.

Michigan State 15.

California 16.

Nebraska 17.

West Virginia 18.

DePaul 19.

Iowa 20.

Oregon State 21.

Ohio State 22. Dayton 23.

UCLA 24.

Rutgers 25.

Syracuse (Story courtesy of South Carolina Athletics Media Relations)

Spurs & Feathers • 3

November 5, 2014

Cooper only worried about his ‘Gamecock family’ by collyn taylor Reporter

per said. “Even though I had a big game and set a record we still lost the game. All that stuff goes out the window. It’s just frustrating. We’ve Even with a school-record breaking perforlost five games this year. It’s just frustrating.” mance from Pharoh Cooper the Gamecocks Cooper seemed to haul in everything in the fell short against conference rival Tennessee, game, catching 11 passes, including an 85-yard 45-42, in overtime. pass where he was able to outrun the entire The sophomore standout wide receiver played Tennessee defense. almost every offensive position in the TennesAlong with hauling in 11 catches, Cooper see game, amassing 233 yards through the air, was able to pull in an onside kick with about six rushing for 23 and even throwing a touchdown minutes left in the game. pass to Brandon Wilds in the second quarter.

At the time of the onside kick, Tennessee was The 233 yards receiving broke the school within seven points. The Gamecocks would record for receiving yards in a game and he is drive down and score on that drive, giving only the third player in the nation this season to them a 14 point lead with 4:52 to play. rush for, pass for and catch a touchdown in one “After the onside kick, I thought the game game. He is the first Gamecock to accomplish was over,” Cooper said. “There was like six the rare feat since Connor Shaw in the 2014 minutes left in the game and we had the ball.

Capital One Bowl victory.

As you see, you have to play to the end. They But, even with that standout performance, came back and they beat us. I thought we had the Gamecocks couldn’t hold the game, but they came back on to a victory against their and fought hard.” league rival.

Cooper was able to shatter The loss is the Gamecocks’ the previous school record for fifth of the year and third receiving yards in a game and when they have led by two his 256 all-purpose yards, Pharoh Cooper or more touchdowns in the which was the most by a KeenanSuggs fourth quarter.

Gamecock this year.

Player of the Week “It’s very frustrating,” CooHis 85-yard sprint to the

endzone for a touchdown was the longest play this season offensively.

Even with this record-shattering night, he said that it means nothing since the team lost.

“I had a good individual performance, but all of that goes out the window,” Cooper said. “I’m not even thinking about what I did tonight since we lost. We should have come out with a ‘W,’ but things happened. Besides my performance, I’m really not thinking about it right now.”

Offensively with Cooper, the team was able to put up 625 total yards of offense and 42 points. Cooper accounted for 256 of those yards and four of the six touchdowns.

Defensively, the team then gave up two touchdowns in the last five minutes of the game, sending it into overtime. During overtime, the Volunteers were able to score a field goal and stifle the Gamecocks on their only possession.

Cooper said that he’s not disheartened by the defense and that the team will continue to support each other in practice and in the games.

“Offense is going to do their job and defense is going to do theirs,” he said. “We try to back each other up any time we can. When we’re on the field, they back us up and when they’re on the field we cheer them on and clap them on.

There’s really no conflict between us. We’re still a family. We’re just going to keep pushing

photo by allen sharpe

each other in practice to be better.”

The team was visibly upset after the game, but Cooper said that the team is just focused on getting better.

Cooper said he’s just focused on winning the next three games.

“We’re not worried about us folding,” Cooper said. “We’re going to continue to play the game, have fun and let the season ride out.

We’re going to go out to practice this week and try and learn from our mistakes and get better and try to get ready for the season and the rest of the games we have.”

4 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Tennessee stuns Gamecocks in overtime

by brian hand Executive Editor

be used to it by now, but I have a tough time getting used to these things right now. A lot of guys played well, but we couldn’t hold the COLUMBIA, S.C. - In the first-ever overtime lead,” Spurrier continued. game at Williams-Brice Stadium, Tennessee Neither team was able to get anything going emerged with a 45-42 win over South Carolina. in their first offensive drives of the game, but In a game in which South Carolina (4-5, 2-5 South Carolina methodically marched 78 yards SEC) registered its school-record fourth straight on their second offensive possession of the 500 or more yard game of offense the Gamegame to take a 7-0 lead with 8:34 left in the first cocks were not able to hold off a late Tennessee quarter.

(4-5, 1-4 SEC) charge that saw the Volunteers South Carolina’s first touchdown of the game erase a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to came mostly behind the efforts of Mike Davis photo by allen sharpe come from behind and pick up the three-point and Pharoh Cooper. Davis had a 34-yard recepWilds finished with 143 yards rushing. He averaged 17.9 yards per carry in the game. overtime win. tion on the drive, while Cooper had a 15-yard “I don’t have a whole bunch to say obviously,” reception and scored the touchdown when as South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier said quarterback out of the wildcat formation he game at 7-all with 2:37 remaining. Pig Howard when Thompson found a streaking Cooper for after the Gamecock overtime loss. “A lot of raced in from 11 yards out to cap a seven-play scored the touchdown when he took a reverse an 85-yard touchdown with 13:23 left in the guys had some sensational games: Pharoh Coo- drive that lasted 2:47. from Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs contest. The touchdown was the longest play of per, Brandon Wilds and so forth. There were Tennessee looked as if it would tie things and went untouched into the right corner of the the year for the Gamecocks. one or two calls I wish I could have done over. up on their next offensive possession, but the endzone. The Howard one-yard touchdown run Tennessee would cut the Gamecock advanWe just couldn’t hold the lead as we all saw.

Gamecock defense was up to the task as the concluded a seven-play, 40-yard drive that took tage to seven points when Dobbs found Jalen “We’re just not good enough; not good Volunteers were stuffed on fourth and one at 2:40 off the clock.

Hurd for a 21-yard touchdown with 6:34 left in enough to hold the lead, not coached well the 1-yard line to turn the football back over to The Volunteers would take the lead just over the game. The touchdown capped a six-play, enough overall as a team. We’ve done a lousy the Gamecocks with 5:31 left in the opening four minutes into the second quarter when 47-yard drive that lasted 1:59. job of maximizing what we think we got here. quarter.

Dobbs scored out of the wildcat formation from The Gamecocks would extend their lead back We can score a few points, but we find a way The Gamecocks would not be able to take ad- seven yards out. The seven-yard touchdown to 14 once again at 42-28 shortly thereafter as to lose. This is a tough one. It’ll take a while to vantage though as South Carolina quarterback run garnered Tennessee a 14-7 advantage and Wilds finished off a four-play, 82-yard drive get this one out of your system, but we’ve had Dylan Thompson would throw an intercepfinished off an 11-play, 80-yard drive that enthat lasted 1:42 with a 70-yard touchdown run. three or four like this this year. I guess I should tion that would lead to Tennessee evening the compassed 3:05.

The Gamecocks would not be able to hold the The Gamecocks would even things up their 14-point lead with Tennessee scoring twice in next time with the football as Spurrier dialed the final minutes of the fourth quarter to even up the same trick play that he utilized in South the game at 42-all with 11 seconds remaining in Carolina’s fifth straight win over Clemson last regulation. year with Cooper finding Brandon Wilds for a Tennessee had the first offensive possession 30-yard touchdown reception that tied the game in overtime and the Volunteers were unable at 14-14 with 6:35 left in the first half after Elto score a touchdown, but Aaron Medley’s liott Fry’s extra point. The trick play touchdown 32-yard field goal garnered Tennessee a 45-42 ended a 4:23 scoring drive that saw the Game- advantage. cocks go 88 yards on eight plays.

The Gamecocks from there would not be South Carolina had a chance to take a threeable to get anything going offensively with Fry point lead with 1:20 remaining in the first half, missing a 58-yard field goal to allow Tennessee to pick up the three-point overtime win. but Fry’s 37-yard field goal attempt went just Cooper did a little bit of everything for South wide right to leave the game at 14-14. Fry had Carolina in its loss as he accomplished the made 12 straight field goals before the narrow rare trifecta of passing, rushing and receiving miss. a touchdown in the narrow loss to Tennessee.

The Volunteers would make the Gamecocks Cooper finished his herculean efforts on the pay as Dobbs on fourth and four scored on a evening with a school-record 233 yards receivquarterback keeper from 36 yards out to give Tennessee a 21-14 lead with seven seconds left ing along with 23 yards rushing. He had two in the first half. The touchdown run concluded touchdowns receiving, one touchdown rushing and one touchdown passing. a seven-play, 80-yard drive that took just 1:13 Wilds averaged 17.9 yards per carry on eight for the Volunteers to find the endzone. The Gamecocks would even the game at 21-all with carries for 143 yards rushing. He had two rush9:06 remaining in the third quarter when Bran- ing touchdowns.

Thompson was 20-for-32 with one intercepdon Wilds scored from five yards out to finish tion in the game. He passed for 347 yards and off an eight-play, 74-yard drive. The scoring two touchdowns. drive for the Gamecocks took 3:02.

Jonathan Walton led the Gamecocks in tackSouth Carolina would go ahead 28-21 with les with 11, including eight solo stops. nine seconds left in the third quarter when South Carolina finished its loss with 625 Thompson found Cooper in the right corner yards of total offense on 73 plays. Tennessee of the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown that had 95 plays and 645 yards of total offense. The finished off a nine-play, 72-yard drive that enGamecocks owned a 30:13-29:47 advantage in compassed 4:31. time of possession.

South Carolina pushed its lead to 14 points

Spurs & Feathers • 5

November 5, 2014

Let’s hope for complete ‘team’ game at Florida

I believe it’s official now. South Carolina is the most unlucky, unfortunate, snake bit, cursed – pick your favorite word – team of this college football season. It is mindboggling. A team that easily could be 8-1, 7-2 is instead 4-5 after yet another 4th-quarter collapse against a likewise struggling Tennessee squad.

In recent years when asked if it’s hard to find the words for my columns, my reply has been, “winning writes easier,” so trying to find the words to evaluate a “another one got away” game and this year’s Gamecock team is getting harder and harder.

You can forward your hate mail to me.

When Brandon Wilds broke his 70-yard touchdown run to put the Cocks up 42-28 with under five minutes to go, I texted Mary, “we got this.” When the Vols tied the game with 11 seconds left, she texted me, “we don’t got this.”

You can start with criticism of the coaching, the play calling, Lorenzo Ward’s defense, but this was another “team” loss.

There can be little criticism of an offense that puts 42 points on the board, but on its last two possessions when a couple of first downs would have sealed the victory, it didn’t happen. Poor play calls or poor execution?

The defense stuffed UT on a fourth and goal and forced three punts, but allowed the Vols 645 yards of offense on 95 plays, and once again, could not protect a 14-point 4th-quarter lead. Poor alignments, defensive calls or lack of overall talent and poor execution?

The overtime loss was heartbreaking enough, but even more so was that it negated one of the most brilliant all-purpose performances I have ever witnessed in Williams-Brice. There is no stat kept for all-purpose yards for a game, but I I think because of the loss of talent from doubt few can match Pharoh Cooper’s last year, and some current talent issues, night. The sophomore set a single-game this Carolina team is facing the same school receiving record with 233 yards, battles as the first teams to face an SEC caught TD passes of 12 and 85 yards, schedule. The Gamecocks had recruited scored on an 11-yard run, and threw a well enough to be competitive against 30-yard touchdown pass. He is, by far, the the opponent on their schedule as an inleading candidate for MVP dependent and they could for this year and maybe for put 22 players on the field the starting QB job the next. that could compete with Coach Spurrier is fond of anybody, but suddenly it was saying, “it is what it is,” and apparent that a team needed I’ll repeat what I said last 35-40 “players” to hang with week, which is … this team SEC teams. is one play, on either side of The modus operandi of the ball, away from being SEC teams has been the a good football team. For same for decades – stay Glenn Snyder whatever reasons, that cruahead or close for three Inside cial play at the crucial time quarters and hammer the Look has just not happened. opponent in the fourth.

photo by jenny dilworth

The fact that the Gamecocks have had these leads in the fourth quarter is testament to the fact that there is coaching, there are some players making plays, but maybe not enough coaching, certainly not enough play makers, so “it is what it is,” As fans, we need to hope an open date week of healing and extra practices and film study will prepare the team for their final three game run. We also have to trust the HBC to make any changes if they need to be made, but nothing will happen will until after the season, so we need to support the staff as much as the players. Coach Spurrier has said numerous times that they “are coaching our butts off” and they are. Let’s push forward and hope for that complete “team” game at Florida.

It’s a great time to be a Gamecock!

6 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

South Carolina-Tennessee postgame notes/quotes South Carolina Athletics Media RElations

• For the second time this year, a Gamecock opponent had two players rush for 100 yards (also at Auburn). Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs (166) and Jalen Hurd (125) both broke the cenGENERAL NOTES tury mark on the ground.

• For the fourth time in South Carolina’s history the Game• Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Walton made a careercocks went into overtime. It was the first overtime game for high 11 tackles, eight of them solo. the Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. It was the third • Sharrod Golightly and Jordan Diggs both tallied nine South Carolina-Tennessee game to need more than 60 mintackles, both topping their career bests. utes to determine a winner (2003, 2007 and 2014).

• Also matching or topping their career best in tackles were • Captains for South Carolina were senior quarterback Chaz Elder (6), Rico McWilliams (5), Bryson Allen-Williams Dylan Thompson, senior spur Sharrod Golightly, senior of(5) and Deon Green (2). fensive guard A.J. Cann and senior defensive tackle J.T. Sur• McWilliams also had four pass break-ups, the most in his ratt. career.

• Attendance for the game at Williams-Brice Stadium: • Marcquis Roberts had a season-best six tackles.

81,891.

• Senior strong safety Brison Williams made his fifth career • Senior left guard A.J. Cann made his 47th career start, interception with his pick in the fourth quarter. tying him for second on the career starts list with Cliff MatSPECIAL TEAMS NOTES thews (2007-10).

• Sophomore placekicker Elliot Fry missed from 37 yards OFFENSIVE NOTES in the first half, snapping a streak of 12 straight field goals, • The Gamecocks posted 625 yards of total offense, the three shy of the school record of 15 straight by Collin Mackie fourth time in a row the Gamecocks have topped 500 yards in (1987-88). that category, a school record. It’s the third-best total offense output in the Steve Spurrier era, behind the previous mark Team Totals

UT SC of 639 set against Coastal Carolina in 2013 and Kentucky in FIRST DOWNS 35 26 2011.

Rushing

18 12 • Senior quarterback Dylan Thompson threw for 347 yards Passing

13 14 in a 20-for-32 night. It’s the fifth 300-yard passing game of Penalty

4 0 his career and third of the season.

NET YARDS RUSHING 344 248 • With his tally, Thompson now has 2,588 passing yards on Rushing Attempts 55 39 the year, moving up to sixth on the single-season list at South Average Per Rush 6.3 6.4 Carolina. His two touchdown passes broke a four-way tie for Rushing Touchdowns

4 3 third in a season, putting him two shy of Connor Shaw (24, Yards Gained Rushing

350 279 2013) in second.

Yards Lost Rushing 6 31 • Junior tailback Brandon Wilds ran for 123 yards on seven NET YARDS PASSING 301 377 carries. The 70-yard TD run in the fourth quarter is the lonCompletions-Attempts-Int 23-40-1 21-34-1 gest of his career and matches the Gamecocks’ longest rush Average Per Attempt

7.5 11.1 of the season.

Average Per Completion

13.1 18.0 • Sophomore Pharoh Cooper tallied a school-record 233 rePassing Touchdowns

2 3 ceiving yards on 11 catches, tops in his career. He ran for 23 TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 645 625 yards on three carries while also throwing a touchdown pass Total offense plays

95 73 of 30 yards, the longest completion of his career.

Average Gain Per Play

6.8 8.6 • The 256 all-purpose yards for Cooper is the most for a Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-0 0-0 Gamecock this year, topping Mike Davis’ 191 at Kentucky.

Penalties: Number-Yards 4-31 7-51 Cooper’s previous best was 189 against Vanderbilt.

PUNTS-YARDS 3-98 3-104 • Cooper ran for a touchdown in the first, threw for a touchAverage Yards Per Punt

32.7 34.7 down in the second and caught a TD pass in the third (and Net Yards Per Punt

32.7 28.0 fourth), following Connor Shaw’s performance in the 2014 Inside 20

1 1 Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin in scoring a touchdown 50+ Yards

1 0 in all three ways on offense.

Touchbacks

0 1 • Cooper also recovered the fourth-quarter onside kick atFair catch

1 0 tempt by Tennessee.

KICKOFFS-YARDS 6-330 7-449 • The 85-yard TD pass from Thompson to Cooper ranks as Average Yards Per Kickoff 55.0 64.1 the longest play for the Gamecocks this year.

Net Yards Per Kickoff

40.7 39.4 • Junior tight end Jerell Adams made a career-high four Touchbacks

0 6 catches for 41 yards.

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 DEFENSIVE NOTES Average Per Return 0.0 0.0 • The first-quarter stop of Tennessee on 4th and goal was Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 1-23-0 6-86-0 the first by the Gamecock defense of a fourth-down try this Average Per Return 23.0 14.3 season. Opponents were 7-for-7 previous to that.

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD

1-5-0 1-1-0 • Tennessee’s 625 yards of total offense is the second time Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 the Gamecocks have allowed that many this year, joining the Miscellaneous Yards 0 0 season opener against Texas A&M.

Possession Time 1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

OT Quarter

Third-Down Conversions

Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Touchdowns

Field goals

Sacks By: Number-Yards PAT Kicks

Field Goals

Points off turnovers

UT SC 29:47 30:13 7:10 7:50 5:47 9:13 7:27 7:33 9:23 5:37 0:00 0:00 7 of 16 6 of 13 2 of 3 1 of 2 5-6 3-5 5-6 3-5 0-6 0-5 5-30 0-0 6-6 6-6 1-3 0-2 7 0

PASSING LEADERS Tennessee COM ATT YDS TD INT Joshua Dobbs 23 40 301 2 1 South Carolina COM ATT YDS TD INT Dylan Thompson 20 32 347 2 1 Pharoh Cooper 1 2 30 1 0 RUSHING LEADERS Tennessee CAR YDS AVG TD LG Joshua Dobbs 24 166 6.9 3 36 Jalen Hurd 21 125 6.0 0 16 South Carolina CAR YDS AVG TD LG Brandon Wilds 8 143 17.9 2 70 Mike Davis 16 69 4.3 0 18 RECEIVING LEADERS Tennessee REC YDS AVG TD LG Jalen Hurd 7 58 8.3 1 21 Pig Howard 5 109 21.8 0 31 South Carolina REC YDS AVG TD LG Pharoh Cooper 11 233 21.2 2 85 Jerell Adams 4 41 10.3 0 16 South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward On what to tell players postgame “I don’t know. I’m just speechless. This is the third time we’ve had at least a two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter and lost the ballgame.”

On whether or not defensive struggles are fixable “Of course we can fix it. We’ve got three games to play; we’ve got to fix it. You can’t ever give up on your kids; you can’t ever give up on your system. You keep working at it.”

On what can specifically be altered to improve defense “Keep practicing tackling. Keep working at what you’re doing. It can’t get any worse so you’ve eventually got to get better.”

Senior spur Sharrod Golightly On how the defense is working to improve “We take time to work on the fundamentals every day.

We’ve just got to bring it to the field. That’s all. We’ve got to be game-time performers.”

Spurs & Feathers • 7

November 5, 2014

South Carolina Gamecocks

2014

football Schedule 08/28/14 ..........vs. #21 Texas A&M # ........... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 52-28 09/06/14 ..........vs. East Carolina .................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 33-23

Standings SEC East

W-L PF

PA W-L PF PA

Missouri

4-1 107

91 7-2 259 174 W3

STRK

Georgia

4-2 213 157 6-2 324 178 L1

Florida

3-3 145 173 4-3 210 173 W1

09/13/14 ..........vs. #6 Georgia # ................... Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 38-35

Kentucky

2-4 136 187 5-4 263 218 L3

09/20/14 ..........at Vanderbilt # ...................... Nashville, Tenn. ..................W, 48-34

South Carolina

2-5 249 274 4-5 323 307 L2

Tennessee

1-4 109 155 4-5 236 225 W1

Vanderbilt

0-5 75

174 3-6 179 290 W1

SEC West

W-L PF

PA W-L PF PA

Mississippi State

5-0 182 124 8-0 313 161 W8

Alabama

4-1 166

09/27/14 ..........vs. Missouri # ......................... Columbia, S.C. ..................... L, 21-20 10/04/14 ..........at Kentucky # ........................ Lexington, Ky. ...................... L, 45-38 10/18/14 ..........vs. Furman ............................. Columbia, S.C. ....................W, 41-10 10/25/14 ..........at Auburn # ........................... Auburn, Ala. ......................... L, 42-35 11/01/14 ..........vs. Tennessee # ..................... Columbia, S.C. ............L, 45-42 (OT) 11/15/14 ..........at Florida # ............................. Gainesville, Fla. ...........................TBA 11/22/14 ..........vs. South Alabama .............. Columbia, S.C. .............................TBA 11/29/14 ..........at Clemson ............................ Clemson, S.C. ...............................TBA

STRK

77 7-1 292 112 W3

Auburn

4-1 186 132 7-1 310 176 W2

Ole Miss

4-2 171

LSU

3-2 117 112 7-2 295 143 W3

Texas A&M

2-3 138 198 6-3 328 233 W1

Arkansas

0-5 104 156 4-5 323 222 L1

88 7-2 286 119 L2

8 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Junior Gamecock Club Halloween Part by kyle heck Reporter

Photos by Brian Hand

It was the fifth year of the event that has been growing since it began. After around 900 showed up last year there were over The Gamecock Club hosted its annual 1,000 people that turned in their RSVP to Junior Gamecock Club Halloween Party at this year’s event.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Monday, Oct. “I think a lot of people who come have a 27, providing an opportunity for the young- good time,” said Jordan Gardner, memberer Gamecocks to have a blast. ship services coordinator for the GameWith the zoo doing its “Boo at the Zoo” cock Club, and one of the main people that event, kids dressed up in a wide variety of planned the event. “I think it gives parents costumes and toured Riverbanks Zoo, trick- a good reason to bring their kids out to the or-treated and showed their moves on the zoo.” dance floor among many other things.

A hot dog dinner was provided to those in Cocky posed for pictures and made an ap- attendance while a DJ handled the music. pearance on the dance floor and members South Carolina student-athletes joined the of the Gamecock cheerleading squad and kids and led them in popular dance songs. dance team handed out candy and hugs.

Sand volleyball and women’s soccer were Some of the more imaginative costumes two of the programs in attendance. were a little girl who was dressed as a For Kathryn and Darren McPhail it was nice to see the student-athletes take time out mouse riding a wagon that was made to of their day to come to these type of events. look like a mouse trap and another young “It’s great seeing the athletes too,” Kathchild who was dressed up as a hot air balryn McPhail said. “Children look up to loon. them and it’s really good for them to be here The “Frozen” and the new “Teenage Muas positive role models.” tant Ninja Turtle” movies definitely had an It was the second year coming out to the influence as many children were dressed up event for the McPhail family. Their 4-yearas Elsa or their favorite Ninja Turtle.

Spurs & Feathers • 9

November 5, 2014

ty a treat for all ages

t

old daughter Kaitlyn was dressed up as a “My Little Pony” and she fully enjoyed the festivities.

“She loves the animals anyway, so this is a good way to put together Halloween and trick-or-treating in a safe environment,” Kathryn McPhail said. “We like coming on the Gamecock Club night because they have all the food and the cheerleaders and Cocky and she enjoys that too.”

South Carolina athletics director Ray Tanner and many other other Gamecock coaches and staff have attended the event in recent years as well. With so many interesting people to meet and so much to do in one night it’s not surprising that the attendance at the annual event continues to grow.

“The location is phenomenal,” said Gamecock Club executive director Patrick McFarland, who credited both Gardner and (Gamecock Club assistant) Tracy Murphy for planning the event. “They have it already set up for ‘Boo at the Zoo,’ the kids can come in get something to eat, have their picture taken with Cocky and meet studentathletes, so it’s just a good all-around event that parents and kids enjoy.”

The annual Junior Gamecock Club Halloween Party is just one of the perks available for members. To learn more about joining the Junior Gamecock Club, please visit http://scgamecockclub.com/donate.

Note: The Junior Gamecock Club is only for fans who are 13 years of age and younger.

10 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

photo by jenny dilworth

The view from the Tennessee locker room by kyle heck Reporter

“We wanted the ball first in overtime to kind of put our defense on the field and let them win it,” Jones said. “That’s a very, very Tennessee rallied from a 14-point fourth talented offensive football team. Coach Spurquarter deficit to knock off South Carolina, rier, as we all know, does a great job of creat45-42, in overtime. ing mismatches in one-on-one matchups, It was the Volunteers first win in the league (but) we had a lot confidence offensively and this season and one that head coach Butch that’s why we wanted the ball.”

Jones was obviously happy with.

The Gamecocks had a lot of success out of His team overcame a 625 yard offensive the wildcat with Cooper. The North Carolina performance from the Gamecocks, includnative tossed a 30-yard touchdown pass to ing 288 total yards (receiving, passing and tailback Brandon Wilds in the second quarter rushing) from sophomore receiver Pharoh and that was something that Jones brought up Cooper. in his postgame press conference.

“Cooper is a great player,” Jones said. “But “I give South Carolina a lot of credit,” Jones just proud of our players and everyone associ- said. “They made some great plays.” ated with our football family.”

Tennessee overcame the strong offensive After the South Carolina defense held Ten- performance by the Gamecocks with an nessee to a field goal to start overtime, the equally impressive showing by its own ofVolunteers stepped up the defensive pressure fensive unit. on the Gamecocks offense.

The Volunteers registered 645 yards of ofWhile Jones said that his defense was blitz- fense and sophomore quarterback Joshua ing most of the game, they turned it up in the Dobbs made a huge impression in his first overtime period and sacked South Carolina career start. He passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 166 more quarterback Dylan Thompson twice to push yards and three touchdowns. them out of field goal range.

Spurs & Feathers • 11

November 5, 2014

photo by allen sharpe

Martin excited about showcasing Gamecock basketball in Charleston by collyn Taylor Reporter

and welcome this year’s teams to Charleston as well as to thank the sponsors of the tournament.

With less than a month until tip-off for Martin spoke at the event, saying that he’s men’s basketball, the Gamecocks are getting thankful for the chance to be a part of the ready for opening night as well as a tournatournament and that his team is “working ment that will take place only six days after their tails off” to get ready. the season starts.

“I enjoy being around the people that do The Gamecocks will be playing in the things to support college athletics and that put Charleston Classic, an annual tournament on events like this,” he said. “It’s going to be a bringing teams from across the country to the great experience for all of the teams involved College of Charleston for a three-day tourna- to come to this beautiful city and take part in ment on Nov. 20, 21 and 23. great basketball.”

The event is organized in part by South Joining the Gamecocks in Charleston will Carolina men’s basketball legend in former be Akron, Charlotte, Cornell, Drexel, Miami, College of Charleston head coach Bobby CrPenn State and Southern California. emins.

The tournament is an exempt tournament Cremins was a big factor in bringing the and Martin said that he loves these type of Gamecocks to Charleston for this year’s tour- tournaments because his team can get some nament. added experience.

“This is our home state and we have nu“All three games are against high-level merous Gamecock fans that are involved in completion and it’s a great way to play away this event such as Bobby from home, which your team Cremins,” head coach Frank needs to learn how to play on Martin said. “Coach Cremins a neutral court. You play bigloves his Gamecocks. He time competition, which you was a coach here at the Colgot to do to callous your team lege of Charleston. If he calls to prepare for conference play. and says, ‘Frank, lets do this,’ When you get to do it in your I’m not asking when, I’m own state, you can’t go wrong saying let’s go.” with that,” Martin said.

All Gamecock basketball Martin has stressed changcoverage sponsored by The Classic held an event ing the culture of basketball in Yesterdays Monday, Oct. 27 to announce Columbia since he arrived and

has done everything possible to reach out to fans, including the “8K in 8 Days” campaign over the summer.

To Martin, this tournament is no different and he’s excited to have basketball fans come see the product he and the team have been working on.

“Any time you get to take your product into a different community within your own state it allows people to see you, read about you and embrace the kind of basketball your team plays,” he said. “There’s a lot of folks that maybe can’t make it to Columbia to see us play, so this is a great opportunity to bring our product to this part of the state.”

Martin is excited about this year. He said that he’s got a group of guys that has bought in to his program and that he’s ready to get the season started along with the Charleston Classic.

At the tipoff event, Martin said that he came to South Carolina because he had the opportunity to be in the best conference in the nation in a part of the country that loves basketball.

“You have to be excited about your team, what you represent and basketball,” Martin said. “You have to be willing to get up and let everyone know you’re excited. If I want everyone who’s associated with this University to be excited about basketball, I better be excited about it; because if I’m not, they’re not. I absolutely love what I do … I get to do it in a great, great place like the University of South Carolina.”

To learn more about the Charleston Classic, please visit http://espnevents.com/charlestonclassic/. South Carolina men’s basketball will have two home games before the Charleston Classic. South Carolina opens its 2014-15 regular-season at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14 against North Florida. Baylor visits the Colonial Life Arena as part of the ESPN College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 18.

South Carolina commences the Charleston Classic at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 against Cornell.

12 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

South Carolina Gamecocks

Recruiting Round-up 6-6 PJ Dozier of Spring Valley made his official visit to USC last weekend, the fourth of the five trips he will take before making his decision. His parents joined him on the visit.

For his father Perry, a former USC player, it was a trip back in time to some degree. “It was pretty neat to go on an official visit to a school that I thought I knew so much about,” Perry Dozier said. “I realized there’s a whole lot more I didn’t know. It’s absolutely beautiful. The money that South Carolina has put into that school, I’m telling you I was totally impressed and blown away by how much they have done down there. It’s just amazing.” Of course, the focus of the visit was to let PJ Dozier see the program from the inside and get closer to the staff and players. “I think the relationship with the players and the coaches is what he really got out of the visit,” Perry Dozier said. “The gelling and that good feeling. He sees that the program is on the upswing and I think he sees where he can come in and make a huge impact.

Looking at the future, he likes what he sees.”

The Doziers also have visited Michigan, North Carolina and Georgetown and will visit Louisville next. The decision will be made within a week of the Louisville visit and the plan is to make the announcement in Charlotte via ESPN. “I think every time he takes a visit he gets a feeling (about a Phil Kornblut favorite),” Dozier said.

Contributing “One may be a little bit Writer stronger than the others but for the most part they’ve all been pretty good feelings. I think right now if he had to pick from the schools that he has visited without taking the last visit, he could. But I think his intentions are to make sure each school gets the proper look.” The North Carolina academic scandal has been discussed by the Doziers, and they talked it over with Tar Heel coach Roy Williams on the official visit there. So far, the news hasn’t scared them away from the Tar Heels. “I think he’s putting all that aside and just trying to find out is this the program he wants to go play at, does he feel good about the staff, does he feel good about the players there, is that where he wants to be,” Dozier said.

Dozier said he’s not aware of any coaches coming for visits this week but he expects his son to be on the phone with representatives from all the schools during the week.

6-5 Tevin Mack of Dreher was no closer to making a decision this past Monday night as he was last week. That’s according to his mother

By Phil Kornblut

who said coaches from most, if not all of the five schools on his list, plan to be into see her son this week. VCU coach Shaka Smart got the ball rolling with an in home visit Monday night. Connecticut assistant coaches were in Tuesday with head coach Kevin Ollie coming in on Wednesday. Georgia coach Mark Fox and his entire staff also planned to visit Wednesday. Mack’s mother said she was in touch with Clemson coaches and USC coach Frank Martin Monday but she’s not sure when they or their assistants will be in. Mack and his mother did make it to USC Sunday to watch the exhibition game against Benedict. “They all want him real bad,” Ms. Mack said. “I don’t know when he’ll make his decision. All I know is he’ll make one before signing day.”

Football News: The Gamecocks are going to have to fend off a pair of SEC West rivals to hold on to one of the two remaining junior college commitments in the class. DE Marquavius Lewis of Hutchinson JC and Greenwood has been a Gamecock commit since July 27th. He said the commitment remains firm but he’s getting a strong pull from LSU, and Auburn also remains in the picture. “I recently talked to LSU,” Lewis said. “They are going to come at me hard. They said they had a need for someone with some experience because they are about to lose two ends this year.” Lewis has not visited any schools this season because of his season but said he will take one to LSU if he gets the opportunity. “I’m going to check it out and see if what they are offering is better than what South Carolina is offering.” But right now, USC is still in the driver’s seat with the commitment. “No other school has made me change my mind right now so it (the commitment) is pretty strong,” Lewis said. He talked to USC recruiter Deke Adams recently and Adams was also out to visit him a couple of weeks ago. “He just let me know how big of a need they have (for defensive ends),” Lewis said.

Lewis said he’s also talking to Auburn practically on a weekly basis. He visited there last summer but has not scheduled an official visit yet. Lewis took his official visit to USC last summer. Going into this past weekend’s game Hutchinson was ranked 4th in the country and Lewis was 5th on the team in total tackles with 47 including 17 for loss. He also has 10 sacks and 12 quarterback pressures.

Florida State commitment DL DJ Jones of Wren and East Mississippi JC made an official visit to Auburn over the weekend for the USC game. The Gamecocks also are recruiting him and Jones couldn’t help but notice the play of the Gamecock defense against the Tigers.

It was another night of struggle for the USC

defenders. “South Carolina is a young team,” Jones said. “They have a bright future. The defensive line is just young. I’m not criticizing them but they’re just not where they need to be right now.” Jones has now taken official visits to Florida State, USC and Auburn. He is also considering Ole Miss and hopes to get there before making his decision in early December. “I’m still committed and it’s pretty firm,” he said. “I’m just going out and looking and weighing my options.” Jones said he’s not talked to USC recently. Jones said he will be home when USC plays at Clemson and he might go, but just as a fan. After getting a close look at Auburn, Jones said he now has the Tigers second on his list behind Florida State.

USC commitment LB Sherrod Pittman of Jacksonville suffered a broken leg in his game last Friday night.

DE Quandeski Whitlow of Opelika, AL has been committed to USC since June and he’s held to that pledge thus far. But schools are still coming at him hard and Whitlow his listening. Whitlow has set his official visit with USC for January 24th and he’s also set one with Louisville January 17th. He also plans to set official visits with Kentucky and Mississippi State. But despite those plans, Whitlow doesn’t foresee breaking his pledge to the Gamecocks.

“It’s still good,” he said of the commitment.

“Even though the season probably ain’t what they expected or wanted, I’m a 100% commitment. I just come from a small town and want to get out while I can. Me and coach Botkin have built a good relationship and we talk every week. When you make a commitment to the team you have to be a man of your word.

Coach told me if I work I can get up to number two on the depth chart my freshman year so it’s a great possibility for me to play.” Whitlow has not been to any games this season.

Stanford commit WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside of Dorman recently was named one of the finalists for Mr. Football in South Carolina.

Arcega-Whiteside committed to Stanford earlier this year but expects to hear from USC soon. “They still send me letters and stuff like that and I think they want me,” he said. “I’m not sure what is going on and what is going to happen, but I am definitely curious to find out.”

Arcega-Whiteside added that he is firmly committed to Stanford but will listen to what the Gamecocks have to say. His most recent trip to Columbia was for the Missouri game. He has not taken any other visits. He expects to speak more with USC coaches following the season and said he should have a better idea of their intentions at that point. Arcega-Whiteside also said that he is not speaking to any other schools and is focusing on football. No other visits are

scheduled at this time.

If USC decides to add another piece to its 2015 secondary recruiting haul, Rashad Fenton of Miami could become a target. The Gamecocks offered Fenton several months ago but his last contact with secondary coach and recruiter Grady Brown came early in the season. Fenton has not been to any games this season and has talked with Brown about visiting USC in January but nothing has been firmed up on that. He said he will take official visits to Arkansas and Central Florida.

Juniors: USC is among the top five for ATH Mecole Hardman of Elberton, GA. Hardman visited USC when the Gamecocks hosted Georgia and he was at Clemson Saturday. Tennessee leads for Hardman with Clemson, USC, Georgia and Florida trailing. He plans to return to Clemson for the USC game. His other visits this season have been to Tennessee and Georgia Southern.

He also plans to attend the Georgia-Auburn game and the Tennessee-Missouri game this season.

LB Tre Lamar (6-3 230) of Roswell, GA remains strong on USC and has the Gamecocks in his top five.. Lamar attended the USC-Georgia game and plans to attend the Clemson-USC game at the end of the season. USC, Clemson, Alabama, Mississippi State and Tennessee are his top five in no order. Each of his top five schools has offered. Boston College and Duke are the latest to offer bringing his total number to 16. Lamar does not have a favorite.

DE Ron Johnson (6-3 235) of Camden, NJ has an offer from USC and has already visited Columbia. Johnson spoke highly of this time in Columbia in late March and likes what the Gamecocks offer. “I like the defensive end coach (Deke Adams) and Steve Spurrier,” Johnson said. “They’re telling me that I would have a chance to play early and contribute. It’s a nice area and I like the SEC and Big 10. South Carolina is definitely a school that I am interested in.” His other offers include Ohio State, Rutgers, Pitt, Syracuse, Temple, Penn State, Virginia, Michigan State and West Virginia.

One of four teams will get an early Christmas present from TE Isaac Nauta of Buford, GA. The heavily recruited Nauta has his list down to USC, Florida State, Ole Miss and Georgia and will announce his decision on December 15th.

Nauta was at Florida State for the Notre Dame game and was at Auburn this past weekend.

He’s also been to games at USC and Georgia this season and plans to get to Ole Miss as well. Nauta actually lived in Jacksonville until moving to Buford four years ago, and he will be moving back to Jacksonville for his senior season.

November 5, 2014

Spurs & Feathers • 13

14 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Gamecocks honor ‘really special’ senior class by collyn Taylor Reporter As the clock ticked down to the start of the game four players lined the field with their families. They smiled and hugged and enjoyed the moment, seconds away from their final regular-season game at Stone Stadium.

The four seniors on the women’s soccer team were honored before the game against Mississippi State on Thursday, Oct. 30.

While standing there amidst the crowd and their teammates, the seniors fought through the emotions that come with any senior night.

“There was mixed emotions. It was definitely bittersweet,” senior goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo said. “It was definitely an emotional night before the game but I was able to compose and play the game, but it was definitely bittersweet.”

D’Angelo along with senior defenders Taylor Leach, Christa Neary and Andie Romness received flowers and a framed jersey from the team.

But, once the game started, it was all business for that backline.

The four seniors aren’t strangers when playing on the field, combining for 265 starts and roughly 25,000 minutes on the pitch.

“When you play with people for so long, you tend to know their tendencies and what they’re going to do. If they make a mistake you’re going to be there to back them up and vice versa. It’s nice,” D’Angelo said.

With that hunk of time spent together, the trio of defenders plus D’Angelo has learned to communicate with each other. The defense allowed three shots against Mississippi State, only one of which was on goal.

“Being a defender, it’s not an easy position and you learn by getting experience and getting games. Hard knowledge of how each of us plays has benefitted us over the years,” D’Angelo said.

In the eventual 3-0 win over Mississippi State, D’Angelo posted her 28th shutout, second most in school history. She said that while she gets the stat, the defenders that have been with her for the past four years are just as vital in shutting down the opposing team. “[The shutout] goes for the whole team.

The girls who have been with me since my freshman year, those are theirs too,” D’Angelo said.

To head coach Shelley Smith, she said she has been lucky to have a great group of players for the past four years.

“They’ve been key players for all of their years here,” she said. “They’re really a spe-

photo by allen sharpe

Pictured with the South Carolina women’s soccer coaching left-to-right are: Andie Romness, Christa Neary, Taylor Leach and Sabrina D’Angelo. The four South Carolina seniors have combined for 265 starts and roughly 25,000 minutes on the pitch. cial class.”

Offensively, the Gamecocks came alive with three goals. One of the goal scorers, freshman forward Savannah McCaskill said that the team was playing for their seniors.

“The four of them are such a big part of our team that we play for them anyway,” McCaskill said. “To be able to honor them and get the win for them, it was great.”

Now, the seniors, who helped win the regular-season SEC title in 2011, are ready to make a run in the SEC Tournament and bring home another trophy.

D’Angelo said that wining that title was her favorite moment at South Carolina and she hopes the team can win another one this year.

“Freshman year we won that title,” she said. “That’s something we want this year with the SEC tournament. We’re not done

yet.”

But, before the tournament gets underway, D’Angelo and the rest of the seniors on the team enjoyed their last night of regularseason soccer at Stone Stadium.

The team was laughing, celebrating the win. Teammates were hugging and smiling as they went into the locker room. D’Angelo ran over to some children standing on the sidelines, pen in hand, waiting for her autograph.

She smiled and signed the papers, joking and laughing with the children as her time that night on the field dwindled. The realization that she had just played her final regular-season game had not sunk in yet.

“I’m still excited from the game, but it will definitely hit me in a couple days that ‘wow, that was my last regular-season game,”’ she said.

Spurs & Feathers • 15

November 5, 2014

photo by brian hand

Bobby Cremins, right, talking with Gamecock basketball legend Mike Dunleavy, center, and current South Carolina men’s basketball head coach Frank Martin, left.

Cremins will always be a Gamecock by collyn taylor Reporter

the College of Charleston. During his 19-year stint with Georgia Tech he took the Yellow Jackets to nine straight NCAA tournaments Bobby Cremins will never forget the Univer- including one Final Four. sity of South Carolina.

He then moved to the College of Charleston The point guard from the Bronx with the in 2006 where he coached for six years before thick New York accent was lured down to Co- retiring. lumbia to play for head coach Frank McGuire, But, the draw of basketball didn’t keep him the most successful coach in South Carolina away for two long. basketball history.

Now, he’s part of the selection committee for He started at point guard for three straight the Charleston Classic and when it came time years and was the captain of the team for his to pick the teams for this year’s tournament he senior season. didn’t have to reach any further than his alma Under McGuire, Cremins won 61 games and mater. only lost 17. He said that McGuire was a big “When we started this event our goal was role model during his time as a Gamecock. to have the two main attractions in the state: “Frank McGuire was my mentor,” Cremins Clemson and South Carolina,” Cremins said. said. “I loved playing for him, I loved working “We felt that we needed them to make this for him. Frank McGuire was the man; he was tournament really outstanding. South Carothe man. I’d hate to think where I’d be without lina has been great. Coach [Frank] Martin has Frank McGuire.” been great in coming to this tournament. It’s a Cremins was an assistant coach on Mcmajor boost.”

Guire’s staff from 1973 to 1975. During those The Gamecocks will head to Charleston three years the Gamecocks made it to the in late November to compete in this exempt postseason each of those years including two tournament, welcomed by the former GameNCAA Tournaments. cock himself.

McGuire was the coach during South CaroCremins said that what Martin is doing at lina’s most successful period, taking the team the University is special and that he knows to three straight Sweet Sixteen’s and wining exactly how to make this program as great as both the regular-season and tournament titles it was when he and “The Godfather” Frank in the ACC. For Cremins, he was happy to McGuire walked the court. be apart of something like that with what he “Everybody always talks about that era. It’s called a larger than life coach. an era I hope they never forget, but that was “I was just glad to be there then and we got to talk about in the beginning,” he said. now,” he said. “What I like “Coach McGuire was an about coach Martin is that iconic figure; he was like ‘The he has the track record. I like Godfather.’ Those were great the fact that he’s proven himtimes. Of course we were in self as a high school coach. the ACC and it was a special He’s come through the ranks time.” the hard way. He has the After leaving South Caroknow-how and he’s got the All Gamecock basketball gameplan. It’s not easy, but lina, he went on to coach for coverage sponsored by 37 more years with Appalayou got a guy who knows Yesterdays chian State, Georgia Tech and what he’s doing.”

16 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

South Carolina Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Damiere Byrd WR 1 Rico McWilliams CB 3 Nick Jones WR 3 Chris Lammons CB 4 Bryson Allen-Williams LB 4 Shaq Roland WR 5 Darius English DE 5 Brendan Nosovitch QB 6 Connor Mitch QB 6 Chris Moody SS 7 Shon Carson TB 7 Wesley Green CB 8 Shamier Jeffery WR 8 Kaiwan Lewis LB 9 Deebo Samuel WR 9 Sharrod Golightly SPR 10 Skai Moore LB 10 Perry Orth QB 11 T.J. Holloman LB 11 Pharoh Cooper WR 12 Michael Scarnecchia QB 12 Brison Williams SS 13 Tyler Hull P 13 Grant Davitte QB 14 Shaq Davidson WR 14 Ali Groves CB 15 Austin Hails QB 16 Zack Cimaglia K/P 17 Chaz Elder FS 17 Dylan Thompson QB 18 Cedrick Cooper DE 18 Patrick Fish P 19 Terry Googer WR 19 Landon Ard PK 20 T.J. Gurley SS 21 Marcquis Roberts LB 21 Andrew Bunch WR 22 Brandon Wilds TB 22 Jamari Smith CB 23 Larenz Bryant SPR 24 D.J. Smith DB 25 Kadetrix Marcus FS 26 Jasper Sasser FS 28 Mike Davis TB 28 Jonathan Walton LB 29 Elliott Fry PK 29 Matrick Belton WR 30 Darius Paulk FB 30 Sidney Rhodes CB 31 Al Harris Jr. CB 31 Jordan Diaz FB 32 Rod Talley TB 33 David Williams TB 34 Jonas Price K/P 34 Mason Harris DE

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

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

Hometown/High School/Last College Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Hampton, Ga./Lovejoy Moore, S.C./Byrnes Sunrise, Fla./Plantation Ellenwood, Ga./Ceder Grove Lexington, S.C./Lexington Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Allentown, Pa./Central Catholic Raleigh, N.C./Wakefield McDonough, Ga./Henry County Scranton, S.C./Lake City Lithonia, Ga./Martin Luther King St. Matthews, S.C./Calhoun County Pleasantville, N.J./St. Joseph Inman, S.C./Chapman Decatur, Ga./Southwest DeKalb Cooper City, Fla./University Ponde Verda, Fla./Ponte Verda/Florida State College Stone Mountain, Ga./St. Pius X Havelock, NC./Havelock Fleming Island, Fla./Fleming Island Warner Robins, Ga./Northside/Fork Union Military Mount Airy, N.C./Mount Airy/Guilford College Columbia, S.C./Irmo Gaffney, S.C./Gaffney Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park/North Carolina A&T Union City, Ga./Banneker Boiling Springs, S.C./Boiling Springs Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Shelby, N.C./Burns Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Cairo, Ga./Cairo Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Mt. Pleasant, S.C./Bishop England/Presbyterian Blythewood, S.C./Blythewood Jacksonville, Fla./Fletcher Charlotte, NC./Vance Marietta, Ga./Walton Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson Jacksonville, Fla./Wolfson Atlanta, Ga./Stephenson Daphne, Ala./Bayside Academy Frisco, Tx./Prince of Peace Christian Columbia, S.C./Keenan/Hampton Columbia, S.C./Richland Northeast/North Greenville Easley, S.C./Wren/Western Carolina Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West Laurens, S.C./Laurens/Gardner-Webb Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter Cockeysville, Md./St. Paul’s Fort Oglethorpe, Ga./Ridgeland

Coaches Steve Spurrier - Head Coach Deke Adams - Defensive Line Kirk Botkin - Linebackers/Spurs Grady Brown - Secondary/Assistant Special Teams Coordinator Shawn Elliott - Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive LIne G.A. Mangus - Quarterbacks/Tight Ends Joe Robinson - Special Teams Coordinator Everette Sands - Running Backs Jamie Speronis - Associate AD/Football Operations Steve Spurrier Jr. - Co-Offensive Coord/Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator Lorenzo Ward - Defensive Coordinator Joey Blake - Director of Football Nutrition Robbie Liles - Director - Recruiting Operations Patrick Shine - Administrative Coordinator - Recruiting Scott Spurrier - Quality Control Coordinator (Offense) Shaq Wilson - Quality Control Coordinator (Defense)

# Name Pos. 35 Shannon James DB 39 Demetrius Smalls DB 40 Jacob August TE 41 Kyle Morini LB 41 Connor McLaurin FB 42 Jordan Diggs SPR 43 Benjamin Russell DB 43 Garrison Gist FB 44 Gerald Turner FB 44 Gerald Dixon DE 45 Brandon Sturdivant FB 46 Cedrick Malone SPR 47 Drew Williams LS 48 Nick McGriff TE 49 Garrett Shank SS 49 Devin Potter TB 50 A.J. Cann OG 51 Cody Waldrop OC 51 Devin Washington DE 52 Phillip Dukes DT 53 Corey Robinson OT 54 Clayton Stadnik OC 55 David Johnson DE 55 Na’Ty Rodgers OT 58 Ryland Culbertson LS 59 Coleman Harley LS 65 Brock Stadnik OG 69 D.J. Park OT 70 Alan Knott OC 71 Brandon Shell OT 72 Donell Stanley OL 74 Mason Zandi OT 75 Will Sport OG 76 Mike Matulis OT 77 Malik Young OL 80 K.J. Brent WR 81 Rory Anderson TE 82 Caleb Hines WR 83 Carlton Heard WR 84 Matthew Harvey WR 85 Kane Whitehurst WR 86 Kevin Crosby TE 87 Sean Odom WR 88 Drew Owens TE 89 Jerell Adams TE 90 Cody Gibson TE 90 Taylor Stallworth DT 91 Blake McClain DE 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. DT 93 Deon Green DT 94 Kelsey Griffin DT 95 Michael Washington DE 97 J.T. Surratt DT 99 Abu Lamin DT

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Wgt. 153 170 247 221 243 217 175 260 250 274 218 201 201 220 203 203 311 309 221 323 344 273 275 280 267 246 287 328 280 333 346 301 291 307 318 192 227 160 188 22 8 169 230 190 238 242 278 293 265 323 289 310 237 310 302

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

Hometown/High School/Last College Florence, S.C./South Florence Bluffton, S.C./Bluffton Columbia, S.C./Cardinal Newman/Fork Union Warner Robins, Ga./White Knoll/Gray Military Raleigh, N.C./Garner Fort Myers, Fla./Island Coast Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy Rock Hill, S.C./Northwesterm Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford/York Tech Camden, S.C./Camden/Coastal Carolina Irmo, S.C/Dutch Fork Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville Marietta, Ga./Lassiter Granite Falls, N.C./South Caldwell Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Seffner, Fla./Armwood Orlando, Fla./Jones Manning, S.C./Manning Havelock, N.C./Havelock Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Lithonia, Ga./Lithonia Waldorf, Md./McDonough Laurens, S.C./Laurens Academy Aiken, S.C./South Aiken Greensboro, N.C./Western Guilford Dillon, S.C./Dillon Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek Floydale, S.C./Latta Irmo, S.C./Chapin Milton, Fla./Pace Boynton Beach, Fla./Park Vista Pelzer, S.C./Woodmont Waxhaw, N.C./Marvin Ridge Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern Cornelius, N.C./Hough Athens, Ga./Clarke Central/Gardner-Webb Rock Hill, S.C./Rock Hill Duluth, Ga./Chattahoochee/Arkansas Bamberg, S.C./Bamberg-Ehrhardt Orangeburg, S.C./Orangeburg Prep Charlotte, N.C./Ardrey Kell Pinewood, S.C./Scott’s Branch Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln Mobile, Ala./Murphy Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood Rock Hill, S.C./Northwestern Windermere, Fla./Olympia Buford, Ga./Mill Creek Allendale, S.C./Allendale-Fairfax/S.C. State Winston-Salem, N.C./Parkland Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian/Fort Scott C.C.

Spurs & Feathers • 17

November 5, 2014

Florida Football Roster # Name Pos. 1 Quinton Dunbar WR 1 Vernon Hargreaves, III DB 2 Jabari Gorman DB 2 Ryan Sousa WR 3 Treon Harris QB 3 Antonio Morrison LB 4 Kyle Christy P 4 Andre Debose WR 5 Ahmad Fulwood WR 5 Jalen Tabor DB 6 Jeff Driskel QB 6 Dante Fowler, Jr. DL 7 Duke Dawson DB 7 Will Grier QB 8 Skyler Mornhinweg QB 8 Leon Orr DL 9 Jacob Guy QB 9 Latroy Pittman, Jr. WR 9 Matt Rolin LB 10 Valdez Showers WR 11 Neiron Ball LB 11 Demarcus Robinson 12 Quincy Wilson DB 13 Daniel McMillian LB 13 Christian Provancha 14 Alex McCalister DL 14 C.J. Worton WR 15 Ryan Parrish WR 15 Brandon Powell RB 16 Austin Hardin K 17 Jordan Sherit DL 18 Roger Dixon WR 18 Justus Reed DL 19 Ryan McGriff QB 19 Johnny Townsend P 20 Darius Masline RB 20 Marcus Maye DB 21 Deiondre Porter DB 21 Kelvin Taylor RB 22 Adam Lane RB 22 Nick Washington DB 23 J.C. Jackson DB 24 Matt Jones RB 24 Brian Poole DB 25 Gideon Ajagbe TE 25 Garrett Stephens DB 26 Marcell Harris DB 27 Ben Peacock DB 28 Jeremi Powell LB 29 Evan Schroeder DB 30 DeAndre Goolsby TE 31 Michael McNeely WR 32 D.L. Powell WR 33 Mack Brown RB 34 Alex Anzalone LB 35 Michael Iorio DB

Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/Previous School 6’ 2” 200 RSR Miami/Booker T. Washington 5’ 11” 195 SO Tampa/Wharton 5’ 10” 185 SR Miami/Monsignor Pace 6’ 0” 189 FR Orlando/Lake Nona 5’ 11” 190 FR Miami/Booker T. Washington 6’ 1” 225 JR Bellwood, Ill./Bolingbrook 6’ 3” 198 SR Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg 6’ 0” 195 RSR Sanford/Seminole 6’ 4” 200 SO Jacksonville/Bishop Kenny 6’ 1” 195 FR Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate Acad.

6’ 4” 230 RJR Oviedo/Hagerty 6’ 3” 260 JR St. Petersburg/Lakewood Senior 5’ 10” 195 FR Cross City/Dixie County 6’ 2” 200 FR Davidson, N.C./Davidson Day 6’ 3” 212 RSO Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph’s Prep 6’ 5” 305 RSR New Port Richey/Gulf 6’ 5” 209 RSO Dade City/Pasco 6’ 0” 210 JR Citra/North Marion 6’ 3” 223 RFR Ashburn, Va./Briar Woods 6’ 0” 195 RJR Detroit, Mich./Madison 6’ 3” 235 RSR Jackson, Ga./Jackson WR 6’ 2” 200 Fort Valley, Ga./Peach County 6’ 1” 200 FR Fort Lauderdale/University School 6’ 1” 220 SO Jacksonville/First Coast QB 6’ 6” 219 Cocoa/Cocoa Beach 6’ 6” 245 RSO Clemmons, N.C./West Forsyth 6’ 0” 190 FR Homestead/South Dade 6’ 2” 205 RSR Lakeland/Lakeland Christian 5’ 9” 177 FR Deerfield Beach/Deerfield Beach 5’ 10” 208 RSO Atlanta, Ga./Marist 6’ 4” 247 RFR Tampa/Hillsborough 5’ 10” 185 JR Sanford/Seminole 6’ 3” 213 FR Clearwater/Clearwater Central Catholic 6’ 0” 190 RJR Gainesville/Gainesville 6’ 1” 191 SO Orlando/Boone 5’ 8” 176 RSO Jacksonville/Raines 6’ 0” 200 RSO Melbourne/Holy Trinity Episcopal School 6’ 0” 165 FR Tampa/Jefferson 5’ 10” 210 SO Belle Glade/Glades Day 5’ 7” 222 RFR Winter Haven/Winter Haven 6’ 1” 195 RFR Jacksonville/Trinity Christian Academy 5’ 11” 195 FR Immokalee/Immokalee 6’ 2” 235 JR Seffner/Armwood 5’ 10” 205 JR Bradenton/Southeast 6’ 2” 240 RSR Coconut Grove/Ransom Everglades 5’ 9” 188 RFR Louisville, Ky./Saint Xavier 6’ 2” 210 RFR Orlando/Dr. Phillips 5’ 8” 160 RJR Bradenton/Braden River 6’ 0” 215 RSO Largo/Pinellas Park 5’ 11” 184 RJR New Smyrna Beach/New Smyrna Beach 6’ 4” 230 FR Derby, Kan./Derby 5’ 8” 176 RSR Clearwater/Palm Harbor University 6’ 0” 183 RFR Alachua/Sante Fe 5’ 11” 215 RSR Lithonia, Ga./King 6’ 3” 230 SO Wyomissing, Pa./Wyomissing Area 5’ 10” 179 RFR Nokomis/Venice

Coaches Will Muschamp - Head Coach D.J. Durkin - Defensive Coordinator Coleman Hutzler - Special Teams Coordinator Brad Lawing - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Derek Lewis - Tight Ends Chris Leak - Wide Receivers Travaris Robinson - Defensive Backs Kurt Roper - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Mike Summers - Offensive Line Brian White - Running Backs

# Name Pos. 37 Mark Herndon RB 38 Kerollin Francois DB 39 Ryan Ferguson TE 40 Jarrad Davis LB 41 Hunter Joyer TE 42 Keanu Neal DB 43 Kyle Crofoot LS 45 R.J. Raymond LB 46 Drew Ferris LS 46 LeAndre Rembert LB 49 A.J. Mobley FB 51 Antonio Riles OL 51 Michael Taylor LB 52 Travaris Dorsey OL 52 Steven Stipe LB 53 Kavaris Harkless OL 54 Khairi Clark DL 54 Cameron Dillard OL 55 Darious Cummings DL 55 Roderick Johnson OL 56 Thomas Holley DL 56 Andre Palmer LB 57 Caleb Brantley DL 59 Dakota Wilson DL 60 Zach Shinn OL 63 Trip Thurman OL 69 Nick Davis OL 70 D.J. Humphries OL 71 Nolan Kelleher OL 72 Drew Sarvary OL 73 Tyler Moore OL 74 Trenton Brown OL 75 Chaz Green OL 76 Max Garcia OL 77 Andrew Mike OL 78 David Sharpe OL 79 Matthew Fuchs OL 80 C’yontai Lewis TE 81 Case Harrison WR 82 Bair Diamond TE 82 Moral Stephens TE 83 Jake McGee TE 85 Chris Thompson WR 86 Raphael Andrades WR 87 Tevin Westbrook TE 88 Clay Burton TE 89 Alvin Bailey WR 90 Jonathan Bullard DL 91 Joey Ivie DL 92 Gerald Willis DL 93 Taven Bryan DL 94 Bryan Cox, Jr. DL 95 Francisco Velez K 97 Brooks Abbott K 98 Jorge Powell K 99 Jay-nard Bostwick DL

Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown/Previous School 5’ 9” 195 JR Ocala/Forest 5’ 11” 192 RFR Lake Worth/Forest Hill 6’ 3” 210 FR Largo/Indian Rocks 6’ 2” 225 SO Kingsland, Ga./Camden County 5’ 11” 230 SR Wesley Chapel/Tampa Catholic 6’ 1” 205 SO Bushnell/South Sumter 6’ 4” 220 RJR Windemere/The First Academy 6’ 2” 215 FR Atlantic Beach/Fletcher 6’ 0” 205 RSR Carlsbad, Calif./San Diego Jewish Academy 5’ 8” 236 RFR Alachua/Santa Fe 5’ 11” 235 RSR Fayetteville, Ga./Starr’s Mill/Sante Fe 6’ 4” 295 RFR Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer 6’ 0” 230 RSR Atlanta, Ga./Westlake 6’ 2” 333 FR Jacksonville/Raines 5’ 11” 210 RFR Waycross, Ga./Pierce County 6’ 5” 282 FR Jacksonville/Trinity Christian Academy 6’ 2” 308 FR Hollywood/Chaminade-Madonna 6’ 4” 297 RFR Canton, Mich./Plymouth Canton 6’ 1” 305 SR Titusville/Astronaut/FSU/East Mississippi 6’ 6” 310 RFR Delray Beach/American Heritage 312 FR Brooklyn, N.Y./Lincoln 6’ 3” 5’ 11” 206 RFR Ocala/Lake Weir 6’ 2” 295 RFR Crescent City/Crescent City 6’ 0” 260 RJR Bradenton/Braden River 6’ 2” 283 FR Plant City/Kathleen Senior 6’ 5” 310 RJR Dover, Del./Dover 6’ 3” 251 RFR Salt Lake City, Utah/Buchholz (Gainesville) 6’ 5” 295 JR Union, N.C./Mallard Creek 6’ 5” 311 FR Mount Pleasant, S.C./Wando 6’ 6” 305 JR Tallahassee/N. Florida Christian/FAMU 6’ 5” 325 RJR Clearwater/Countryside/Nebraska 6’ 8” 360 SR Albany, Ga./Westover/Georgia Military 6’ 5” 300 RSR Tampa/Tampa Catholic 6’ 4” 310 RSR Norcross, Ga./Norcross/Maryland 6’ 6” 276 FR Tucson, Ariz./Sabino 6’ 6” 330 FR Jacksonville/Fletcher 6’ 2” 248 RSO Gainesville/Buchholz 6’ 4” 224 FR Alabaster, Ala./Kingwood Christian 6’ 0” 191 RFR Gainesville/Gainesville 6’ 4” 228 RSO Fort Myers/Bishop Verot 6’ 3” 247 FR Perry/Taylor County 6’ 6” 245 RSR Richmond, Va./Collegiate School/Virginia 6’ 0” 170 SO Gainesville/Gainesville 6’ 0” 198 JR Tallahassee/Lincoln 6’ 5” 257 SR Coconut Creek/North Broward Prep 6’ 4” 250 SR Venice/Venice Senior 5’ 11” 185 RFR Seffner/Armwood 6’ 3” 270 JR Shelby, N.C./Crest Senior 6’ 3” 285 SO Dade City/Pasco 6’ 2” 255 FR New Orleans, La./Edna Karr 6’ 5” 260 FR Casper, Wyo./Natrona County 6’ 3” 260 RSO Ft. Lauderdale/St. Thomas Aquinas 5’ 9” 182 RSR Ocala/Trinity Catholic 6’ 1” 180 RSO Jacksonville/Bolles/Virginia Tech 5’ 10” 150 FR Coral Gables/Belen Jesuit Prep 6’ 3” 305 RFR Port Saint Lucie/West Centennial

18 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Gamecock duo’s friendship spans two continents by brad muller South Carolina Director of Content

Mindaugas Kacinas and Laimonas Chatkevicius have come a long way. Not only do the Lithuanian natives have a friendship that spans two continents, but they have taken a lot of calculated steps to get them where they are today and are looking forward to taking another step forward for Coach Frank Martin’s men’s basketball program at South Carolina.

“He’s a good coach,” Kacinas said. “Our coach in Lithuania told us if we do well over the next four years with Frank Martin, then we can go anywhere we want because it’s a good school.”

Kacinas and Chatkevicius, now juniors in their third year with the Gamecocks, grew up in Klaipeda, Lithuania. They played on teams against and with each other for several years and later decided to play for Martin because of his reputation as a coach and also knowing they could trade basketball for an education that would last a lifetime.

“He told me he would toughen me up, so I thought that would be great,” Chatkevicius said. “I’ve improved a lot, but I’ve got a long way to go with mental toughness. I need to push myself harder.”

The 6’7” Kacinas and the 6’11” Chatkevicius can certainly make an impression on the basketball floor. Both feel that the other has improved his game since coming to South Carolina.

“He got a lot stronger,” Chatkevicius said of Kacinas. “He was always able to push himself.”

“Mean,” Kacinas said of Chatkevicius’ evolution. “He’s slimmer and stronger. He can get up the court faster. He’s come a long way with mental toughness, so that’s what I like to see.”

Experiencing Change Both Kacinas and Chatkevicius came to the United States to finish their high school careers

south carolina athletics media relations

with the specific goal of giving themselves a Europe,” Kacinas said. “We’re strong as a better chance of obtaining a scholarship to play country, so we don’t want anyone else to tell basketball in college. Chatkevicius attended us what to do now. The best part about growSouth Kent School in Connecticut, while ing up there is that Lithuania is known as a Kacinas went to Word of Life Fire Traditional basketball country. We’re a small country, but School in Wichita, Kansas. we’re ranked very high in the world for the The duo was certainly happy to be reunited in basketball.”

Columbia when Martin became South CaroliChatkevicius agrees. na’s head coach. They already knew basketball, “Through basketball, you find your best but now they had to adjust to life in the South. friends,” Chatkevicius said. “You travel a lot.

“We don’t have a lot of fried food and fast You meet a lot of people. The hardest part was food restaurants where we are from,” Kacinas school. It’s much harder than it is here. I went said. “That’s why we’re so fit. We eat a lot of to German school, so I had to start learning to mashed potatoes.” speak German in the first grade.”

Kacinas says his favorite thing to eat back The two friends are quick to point out that home is his mom’s salads, but he only smiles having the other here on the team has made and laughs rather than give away any secrets it easier to adjust to life far away from home. as to what is in those salads that makes them “Sometimes you just miss your family and so great. your friends,” Kacinas said. “Having someone “It has special ingredients,” Kacinas laughed. to talk with that’s from your hometown that “I can’t tell you.” For Chatkevicius, the bigyou’ve known for a long time helps a lot.” gest cultural difference between Lithuania and “Sometimes when I get sad, I don’t want to South Carolina is the people. talk to anyone,” Chatkevicius added. “So it “Lithuanian people are not friendly,” Chathelps to have someone that speaks the same kevicius said with a hint of a smile. “They’re language. It reminds you of home.” mean, and I’m used to that. I’m Looking Ahead not used to always answering Both Chatkevicius and when people you don’t know Kacinas are studying hotel, come up and say `hey, how are restaurant and tourism manyou?’ It’s hard, but I’m getting agement and are thankful to used to it.” be able to trade basketball for Kacinas believes history has a college degree. a lot to do with the everyday “After I’m done playing basseriousness back home. ketball, I want to own a hotel All Gamecock basketball somewhere in Europe and go “When you look back in hiscoverage sponsored by tory, the Soviet Union used to from there,” Kacinas said. “I Yesterdays control everyone in Eastern haven’t been in Spain yet. I’ve

been to a lot of other places in Europe. So I’d like to go there and have a business.”

“I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but I thought this major would be great,” Chatkevicius said. “I’ll learn something to manage in hospitality, like restaurants or hotels. My eyes are still open though.”

Before any of that happens, they’re both excited about the upcoming basketball season.

Chatkevicius averaged 4.8 points per game last year, but played his best ball in the final six games, averaging 7.7 points and 6.7 rebounds during that stretch, including 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in three games at the SEC Tournament. He says the way he and his teammates played gives him more confidence going into this season.

“It was like being at the bottom and there was nowhere else to go but up,” Chatkevicius said.

“There was no pressure. You either win or go home. This year, I want to play as well as we did at the Tournament.”

Kacinas averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last year, and also picked up the pace at the end of the year with 13 points and nine rebounds in the regular-season finale win at Mississippi State and back-to-back double-digit rebound performances in a pair of SEC Tournament victories.

He hopes to take the team further this year and win the SEC Tournament.

It’s been a long journey for both, and they’re excited about the road ahead. They both agree that even though they’re far from home, they’re happy to be Gamecocks.

“The best part about being here is that we’re part of a big family,” Kacinas said.

November 5, 2014

Spurs & Feathers • 19

Notice focused on ‘being more explosive and being quicker’ by collyn Taylor Reporter

guard Tyrone Johnson rejoining Notice in the backcourt after an injury he is ready to help Ty lead the team.

As the ball bounded past the “I want to be more vocal and lead Benedict defender sophomore by example,” Notice said. “I feel like guard Duane Notice scooped it up we have our senior Ty back so it’s and sprinted down the floor, slicing good to be playing next to him in the through the Tigers’ defense as if two and transition sometimes into it was butter on his way to the rim the one more than I have last year. To where he finished the play with a vi- me, it doesn’t matter, I just want to do cious dunk. what I can to make our team better.”

That was just one of the explosive Over the offseason, Notice and plays Notice had during the Gamesome of the other players participated cocks’ exhibition game. That transi- in the South Carolina Pro-Am, an tion bucket along with the other plays event to keep student athletes playing Notice made during the game was a basketball over the summer. Notice testament to the work that he put in said playing in that was a big factor in during the offseason making him better. to get better.

“It’s been a great After finishing last experience to play season ranked fourth in the Pro-Am beon the team averagcause I was able to ing 8.2 points per get my confidence game and accumuup,” he said. “That’s lating 99 assists he’s something that I ready to step into a didn’t have last year All Gamecock basketball and I’m just workbigger role for the coverage sponsored by team this year. ing on translating And with senior Yesterdays how I played in the

explosive and being quicker,” he said.

“I’m working on my shooting and my consistency, whether it be a one or a two [guard]. I feel like I have been able to bounce around.”

With the season about two weeks away and rapidly approaching, Notice hopes that he will be ready to step into the role as the second guard in the backcourt and help lead the team.

“We’re on schedule,” Notice said. “I feel strong and I feel like I’m in shape photo by allen sharpe and I feel like I can play the role that Frank Martin wants me to play this year.”

Pro-Am to how to help this team get Even with the setback, the offseaThe Gamecocks have won 14 better.” son has been a good one for the startNotice did suffer a slight setback ing guard. He was able to work on his games in back-to-back years and look to keep improving and keep getting during offseason workouts when he explosiveness, something that was better this season. came down with mono, but that didn’t very evident in the exhibition win For Notice, he doesn’t want lofty faze him. He used the opportunity to over Benedict. lose a little weight before the season He would blow past defenders as if expectations. He just wants to get better and the wins will come. started and is ready to take the court. they were in sitting in park while he “I don’t really like having expecta“I feel like I’m back to 100 percent. was shifting into fourth gear. Notice tions,” he said. “I don’t want to set It was a little setback, but I feel like was able to get into the lane and eiunrealistic goals, but I feel like us as I’ve gotten better,” Notice said. “[Mo- ther score or kick the ball out to his a team work hard everyday and our no] came out of nowhere, but things teammates, finishing the game with goals as a team is for us to make each happen for a reason and it did help me 10 points and nine assists. lose a little more weight.”

“Here I can feel myself being more other better every day.”

20 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Depth Charts for November 15 OFFENSE WR: 4 Shaq Roland

1 Damiere Byrd WR: 11 Pharoh Cooper

80 K.J. Brent 85 Kane Whitehurst WR: 3 Nick Jones

8 Shamier Jeffery

83 Carlton Heard LT: 53 Corey Robinson

74 Mason Zandi LG: 50 A.J. Cann 65 Brock Stadnik C: 70 Alan Knott

54 Clayton Stadnik RG: 75 Will Sport -OR- 76 Mike Matulis RT: 71 Brandon Shell

69 D.J. Park TE: 89 Jerell Adams

90 Cody Gibson QB: 17 Dylan Thompson

10 Perry Orth -OR- 6 Connor Mitch FB: 41 Connor McLaurin

31 Jordan Diaz TB: 28 Mike Davis

22 Brandon Wilds

6-1, 176, Jr. 5-9, 170, Sr. 5-11, 201, So. 6-4, 192, Jr. 5-11, 169, Jr. 5-7, 168, Sr. 6-1, 198, Jr. 6-0, 188, Jr. 6-8, 344, Sr. 6-9, 301, So. 6-4, 311, Sr. 6-5, 287, So. 6-4, 280, RFr. 6-3, 273, So. 6-5, 291, Jr. 6-5, 307, Jr. 6-6, 333, Jr. 6-4, 328, Fr. 6-6, 242, Jr. 6-7, 278, Sr. 6-3, 218, Sr. 6-1, 204, So. 6-3, 211, RFr. 6-0, 243, Sr. 6-1, 236, Sr. 5-9, 223, Jr. 6-2, 230, Jr.

OFFENSE QB: 3 Treon Harris 5-11, 190, Fr.

6 Jeff Driskel 6-4, 230, Jr. RB: 24 Matt Jones 6-2, 235, Jr.

21 Kelvin Taylor 5-10, 210, So. -OR15 Brandon Powell 5-9, 175, Fr.

33 Mack Brown 5-11, 215, Sr. WR: 11 Demarcus Robinson 6-2, 200, So.

4 Andre Debose 6-0, 195, Sr. WR: 5 Ahmad Fulwood 6-5, 200, So.

1 Quinton Dunbar 6-2, 200, Sr. WR: 14 C.J. Worton 6-0, 190, Fr. -OR- 9 Latroy Pittman 6-0, 210, Jr.

10 Valdez Showers 6-0, 195, Jr. TE: 88 Clay Burton 6-4, 250, Sr.

87 Tevin Westbrook 6-5, 257, Sr. 30 DeAndre Goolsby 6-4, 230, Fr. F/B: 41 Hunter Joyer 5-11, 230, Sr.

25 Gideon Ajagbe 6-2, 240, Sr. LT: 70 D.J Humphries 6-5, 295, Jr.

78 David Sharpe 6-6, 330, Fr. LG: 63 Trip Thurman 6-5, 310, Jr.

73 Tyler Moore 6-5, 325, Jr. C: 76 Max Garcia 6-4, 310, Sr.

72 Drew Sarvary 6-6, 305, Jr. RG: 74 Trenton Brown 6-8, 360, Sr.

73 Tyler Moore 6-5, 325, Jr. RT: 75 Chaz Green 6-5, 300, Sr.

55 Rod Johnson 6-6, 310, Fr.

Lexington, S.C. Sicklerville, N.J. Havelock, N.C. Waxhaw, N.C. Duluth, Ga. Moore, S.C. St. Matthews, S.C. Athens, Ga. Havelock, N.C. Irmo, S.C. Bamberg, S.C. Greensboro, N.C. Tyrone, Ga. Greensboro, N.C. Milton, Fla. Boynton Beach, Fla. Goose Creek, S.C. Dillon, S.C. Pinewood, S.C. Tallahassee, Fla. BoilingSprings,S.C. Ponte Vedra, Fla. Raleigh, N.C. Raleigh, N.C. Hamilton, N.J. Atlanta, Ga. Blythewood, S.C.

-OR-

South Carolina

33 David Williams 7 Shon Carson

6-1, 222, RFr. 5-8, 201, Jr.

Philadelphia, Pa. Scranton, S.C.

DEFENSE DE: 44 Gerald Dixon 6-2, 274, So.

4 Bryson Allen-Williams 6-1, 231, Fr.

34 Mason Harris 6-3, 235, Jr. DT: 97 J.T. Surratt 6-2, 310, Sr.

93 Deon Green 6-4, 289, So.

90 Taylor Stallworth 6-2, 293, Fr.

94 Kelsey Griffin 6-2, 310, So. DT: 92 Gerald Dixon, Jr. 6-3, 323, Jr.

52 Phillip Dukes 6-3, 323, Jr.

99 Abu Lamin 6-4, 302, So. DE: 55 David Johnson 6-1, 275, RFr.

5 Darius English 6-6, 241, So.

95 Michael Washington 6-3, 237, Jr. MLB: 21 Marcquis Roberts 6-1, 216, So.

11 T.J. Holloman 6-2, 234, So.

8 Kaiwan Lewis 6-0, 228, Jr. WLB: 10 Skai Moore 6-2, 213, So.

28 Jonathan Walton 6-0, 228, So. SPUR: 9 Sharrod Golightly 5-10, 187, Sr.

42 Jordan Diggs 6-0, 217, So.

23 Larenz Bryant 6-0, 220, So. CB: 3 Chris Lammons 5-10, 172, Fr.

1 Rico McWilliams 5-11, 184, So. SS: 20 T.J. Gurley 5-10, 194, Jr.

Rock Hill, S.C. Ellenwood, Ga. FortOglethorpe,Ga. Winston-Salem,N.C. Windermere, Fla. Mobile, Ala. Buford, Ga. Rock Hill, S.C. Manning, S.C. Fayetteville, N.C. Lithonia, Ga. Powder Springs, Ga. Allendale, S.C. PowderSprings,Ga. StoneMountain, Ga. Mays Landing, N.J. Cooper City, Fla. Daphne, Ala. Decatur, Ga. Fort Myers, Fla. Charlotte, N.C. Sunrise, Fla. Hampton, Ga. Cairo, Ga.

Florida

Miami, Fla. Oviedo, Fla. Seffner, Fla. Belle Glade, Fla. DeerfieldBeach,Fla. Lithonia, Ga. Fort Valley, Ga. Sanford, Fla. Jacksonville, Fla. Miami, Fla. Homestead, Fla. Citra, Fla. Detroit, Mich.

Venice, Fla. Coconut Creek, Fla. Derby, Kan. Wesley Chapel, Fla. Coconut Grove, Fla. Union, N.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Dover, Del. Clearwater, Fla. Norcross, Ga. Tallahassee, Fla. Albany, Ga. Clearwater, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Delray Beach, Fla.

DEFENSE DE: 94 Bryan Cox Jr. 6-3, 260, So.

92 Gerald Willis 6-3, 270, Fr. DT: 90 Jon Bullard 6-3, 270, Jr.

8 Leon Orr 6-5, 305, Sr.

91 Joey Ivie 6-3, 285, So. N: 55 Darious Cummings 6-1, 305, Sr.

57 Caleb Brantley 6-3, 313, RFr.

99 Jay-nard Bostwick 6-3, 305, RFr. Buck: 6 Dante Fowler Jr. 6-3, 260, Jr.

14 Alex McCalister 6-6, 245, So. SAM: 11 Neiron Ball 6-3, 235, Sr.

34 Alex Anzalone 6-3, 230, So. MIKE: 51 Michael Taylor 6-0, 230, Sr. -OR- 40 Jarrad Davis 6-2, 225, So. WILL: 3 Antonio Morrison 6-1, 225, Jr.

13 Daniel McMillian 6-1, 220, So. CB: 1 Vernon Hargreaves III 5-11, 195, So.

12 Quincy Wilson 6-1, 200, Fr. S: 42 Keanu Neal 6-1, 205, So.

22 Nick Washington 6-1, 195, RFr. -OR- 26 Marcell Harris 6-2, 210, RFr. S: 2 Jabari Gorman 5-10, 185, Sr. -OR- 20 Marcus Maye 6-0, 200, So.

7 Duke Dawson 5-10, 195, Fr. CB: 5 Jalen Tabor 6-1, 195, Fr. -OR- 24 Brian Poole 5-10, 205, Jr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. New Orleans, La. Shelby, N.C. NewPortRichey,Fla. Dade City, Fla. Titusville, Fla. Crescent City, Fla. Port Saint Lucie, Fla. St. Petersburg, Fla. Clemmons, N.C. Jackson, Ga. Wyomissing, Pa. Atlanta, Ga. Kingsland, Ga. Bellwood, Ill. Jacksonville, Fla. Tampa, Fla. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Bushnell, Fla. Jacksonville, Fla. Orlando, Fla. Miami, Fla. Melbourne, Fla. Cross City, Fla. Washington, D.C. Bradenton, Fla.

SPECIALISTS K: 16 Austin Hardin

Atlanta, Ga.

5-10, 208, So.

FS:

CB:

25 Kadetrix Marcus 6 Chris Moody 17 Chaz Elder 24 D.J. Smith 12 Brison Williams 31 Al Harris Jr. 30 Sidney Rhodes

SPECIALISTS KO: 19 Landon Ard

16 Zach Cimaglia PK: 29 Elliott Fry

19 Landon Ard P: 13 Tyler Hull

18 Patrick Fish KR: 7 Shon Carson

11 Pharoh Cooper PR: 11 Pharoh Cooper 3 Nick Jones SSN: 58 Ryland Culbertson LSN: 47 Drew Williams H: 18 Patrick Fish

13 Tyler Hull

-ORP:

6-1, 194, Sr. 6-1, 210, So. 6-2, 195, So. 5-11, 189, Fr. 5-11, 208, Sr. 5-11, 162, Fr. 5-10, 182, Sr.

StoneMountain,Ga. McDonough, Ga. Union City, Ga. Marietta, Ga. Warner Robins, Ga. FortLauderdale,Fla. Easley, S.C.

5-9, 178, Jr. 6-1, 170, So. 6-0, 165, So. 5-9, 178, Jr. 6-2, 207, Sr. 6-0, 194, Sr. 5-8, 201, Jr. 5-11, 201, So. 5-11, 201, So. 5-7, 168, Sr. 6-4, 267, Sr. 6-2, 201, So. 6-0, 194, Sr. 6-2, 207, Sr.

Rock Hill, S.C. Charlotte, N.C. Frisco, Texas Rock Hill, S.C. Mount Airy, N.C. Shelby, N.C. Scranton, S.C. Havelock, N.C. Havelock, N.C. Moore, S.C. Laurens, S.C. Irmo, S.C. Shelby, N.C. Mount Airy, N.C.

95 Frankie Velez 5-9, 182, Sr. 4 Kyle Christy 6-3, 198, Sr. 19 Johnny Townsend 6-1, 191, So. KOR: 4 Andre Debose 6-0, 195, Sr. 1 Quinton Dunbar 6-2, 200, Sr.

85 Chris Thompson 6-0, 170, So. PR: 4 Andre Debose 6-0, 195, Sr. -OR- 11 Demarcus Robinson 6-2, 200, So. -OR- 1 Vernon Hargreaves III 5-11, 195, So. LS: 46 Drew Ferris 6-0, 205, Sr. 43 Kyle Crofoot 6-4, 220, Sr. H: 43 Kyle Crofoot 6-4, 220, Sr. 6 Jeff Driskel 6-4, 230, Jr.

Ocala, Fla. Brownsburg, Ind. Orlando, Fla. Sanford, Fla. Miami, Fla. Gainesville, Fla. Sanford, Fla. Fort Valley, Ga. Tampa, Fla. Carlsbad, Calif.

Windemere, Fla. Windemere, Fla. Oviedo, Fla.

Spurs & Feathers • 21

November 5, 2014

P

atrick Harrington surwhere’s the fun in that? At the veyed the scene. The Garnet & Black World Series, gravity of the situation the players make the picks. And put him in a reflective mood. when those picks are made in “This is bragging rights right front of your peers, the dam here. This is for the marbles. of competitive juices starts to This is for everything. We break. The draft turns into a pretty much live for this mofestival of heckling, one-liners, ment,” the Gamecocks’ redshirt and insults. senior said.

“It gets some chemistry and Did Harrington offer this camaraderie. You let the players quote on the eve of the College rag each other a little bit. And World Series? An important it’s always good to see how their SEC matchup? peers think of one another,” said Heck no. Harrington said it Holbrook. before the start of another proud First, the ground rules: in acGamecock baseball tradition, cordance with tradition, the oldAndy Demetra one the players compete in alest players serve as captains and Contributing most as fiercely: the Garnet & pick the teams. Senior first baseWriter Black World Series draft. man Kyle Martin led the Garnet South Carolina wrapped up squad. Senior outfielder Confall practice Sunday with its annual Garnet & nor Bright was scheduled to captain the Black Black World Series, a three-game intrasquad team, but abdicated his duties to Harrington series at Carolina Stadium. But before the because of a class conflict.

Gamecocks took the field, they first had to take Martin said he wasn’t bothered by the potensides. For that, they funneled into the Carolina tial for criticism.

Stadium media room Tuesday, fresh off a prac“I think I’m going to have a good enough tice in 86-degree weather, to pick their rosters draft to where I’m not going to get any abuse,” - and more importantly, to pick on each other.

Martin, a Greenville, S.C., native, said.

“That’s one of the big reasons [why] we do it,” Besides, “We’ve got a lot of good players up head coach Chad Holbrook said. there. Either way, you’re going to have a good Sure, team.”

Holbrook He glanced, by way of explanation, at the and his media room stage, which doubled as the draft’s staff nerve center. Propped on a table were two could whiteboards, sitting side-by-side, which listed have every player by position. A pair of smaller set their boards, one for Garnet and one for Black, stood rosters on easels on opposite sides of the riser. AdminAll Gamecock baseball behind istrative assistants Katherine Brown and Aly coverage sponsored by closed Pane jotted down picks as they came in.

DiPrato’s doors.

Their choice of permanent marker was cerBut emonial. “We do reserve the right to make a

trade in the overnight hours if we deem it appropriate,” Holbrook said during his opening remarks.

“I don’t know if Patrick and K-Mart’s evaluation skills are up to par or not.”

Holbrook serves many roles during the draft.

Few of them involve being a coach. He’s the self-appointed draft Commissioner, making

sure the rosters stay balanced. He’s the master of ceremonies, moving the proceedings along in an orderly fashion. But mostly, Holbrook serves as the draft’s needler-in-chief, offering a running commentary on picks that range from passive-aggressive trolling to unabashed, suityourself ridicule.

ITC, CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

22 • Spurs & Feathers

ITC, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 Clearly, Holbrook relishes this role the most.

Like when he mentioned that each captain could consult his first pick – but only his first pick – on their roster building.

“Not to put any pressure on you, but the first pick could screw the whole thing up,” Holbrook said (I believe Adam Silver starts the NBA Draft the same way).

With that blessing, the 2014 draft got underway. Harrington, hunchbacked from an ice pack that was taped underneath his white workout shirt, studied his roster sheet at the front of the room. He and Martin faced the draft board, their backs turned toward the players.

With versatility in mind, the Virginia Beach, Va., native chose sophomore designated hitter/ pitcher Taylor Widener with his first pick.

“Ooh, a surprise right out of the gates,” declared Holbrook. “Widener, where are you?

You might want to get up here and sit beside Wynkoop, whom Patrick just snubbed.” Harrington was sitting next to junior lefty Jack Wynkoop, his good friend.

Martin countered with righty Vince Fiori, who may have had the strongest fall of any pitcher. Harrington made amends by selecting Wynkoop next.

“I’m out,” Wynkoop said, marching out of the room. He didn’t exactly leave in a huff Wynkoop was running late for his Sport and Entertainment Management class (though he did deliver the draft’s only walk-off).

He’d have company in the scorned veterans department. Several picks later, senior Cody Mincey, the Gamecocks’ setup man from a year ago, remained on the board.

“I know you had a 0.54 [ERA] last year, and I’d have picked you first. But these guys up here, they might be struggling a little bit,” Holbrook said, nodding to Martin and Harrington.

Mincey leaned against the back wall of the room.

“I decline the next offer,” he said drily.

Once the pitchers were picked, the draft moved to the position players, where a debate ensued over the availability of 6’1,” 240-pound junior-college first baseman Collin Steagall.

He missed part of fall practice with a shoulder injury.

“Pinch runner,” suggested assistant coach Brian Buscher.

The room burst into laughter. Steagall smiled. Throughout the draft, Buscher and assistant coach Sammy Esposito were a sort

November 5, 2014

of Statler and Waldorf, dishing out wisecracks like the Muppets’ balcony-dwelling theater duo. “They’re not half-bad / Nope, they’re all bad,” could have easily been mouthed by them.

Case in point: Harrington chose switch-hitting catcher Logan Koch with his first pick of position players. Esposito dared him to scoop up all the catchers. “You’re going to steal all the bases because they don’t have a catcher,” he said to laughs.

Martin saved the biggest coup for a few minutes later. With his fourth pick, he outflanked Harrington by picking Bright, the former captain of the Black squad. The man who collaborated with Harrington on draft strategy now couldn’t suit up for his own team.

“I can already tell that the Commissioner is going to have some deep thoughts with his staff tonight,” said Holbrook. photos by andy demetra On it went, names moved and erased on the whiteboard, until all 41 players had their team. Left: Holbrook talks with his team. Top: Harrington works on his roster at draft party.

Who was picked last is irrelevant – at one of Holbrook’s fall World Series at North Carolina, the final player chosen was Rob Wooten, now a reliever for the Milwaukee Brewers.

But the draft picks– and the insults that come with them– don’t stop at the players. Everyone, from the athletic trainers to the strength and conditioning coaches, gets divvied up for the World Series. That includes Holbrook’s student assistants, Scott Wingo and Justin Dalles, who helped with the on-field coaching during the series.

Holbrook made sure to keep them apart.

“Wingo and Dalles cannot coach on the same team. That would be a train wreck,” Holbrook declared.

A voice piped up from the back of the room.

“I’m right here, buddy,” Scott Wingo said.

His former coach could’ve eased up. But this was the draft.

“You’d have a dog in the dugout, for the love of God,” Holbrook told him.

The draft adjourned a few minutes later.

Coaches and players emptied out of the media room, their rosters and stomachs full. Like last year, I asked Holbrook for his assessment not of the quality of the rosters, but the quality of the ribbing. After all, what’s a game without gamesmanship? What’s a Garnet & Black World Series draft without some good-natured heckling along the way?

Holbrook smiled.

“It was very peaceful tonight,” he said.

“Maybe we’ll see some hostility this weekend.”

November 5, 2014

Legends Society treated to unforgettable evening at Carolina Stadium Athletics development office

These facilities allow players to reach their full potential and play to the best of their ability.

Several weeks ago the Athletics Department We all realize that and we all certainly don’t hosted a special event at Carolina Stadium for take it for granted,” Holbrook said. an exclusive group of donors. Invitees for this Guests in attendance were able to progress event have made significant contributions to through Carolina Stadium on what was truly a the athletics departments’ Garnet Way Campicturesque evening. paign over the past eight years. This unique Stops included a student-athlete panel, dingroup of donors were treated to an incredible ner on the field behind home plate, dessert night, highlighted by dinner on the baseball in the weight room and a chance to end the field at Carolina Stadium. evening hitting batting practice with national The athletics department hosts these special champion pitcher Jay Brown and Coach Ray events as a way to give thanks to those who Tanner. have generously donated funds, providing “It was such a privilege to be able to attend the resources necessary for student-athletes, the Legends Dinner at Carolina Stadium and coaches and staff to compete at the highest certainly a night that we will remember forlevel. ever,” Legends Society member Tami Brooks This particular event honored “Legends stated when asked about the event. “I enjoyed Society members,” those that have given seeing the facility, having dinner on the field $250,000 or more to the Garnet Way Camand ending the evening with Coach Tanner paign. Chad and Jennifer Holbrook hosted the throwing batting practice. It could not have group at Carolina Stadium. been a more perfect evening and I was hon“It was really neat that the baseball program ored to be part of it.” was able to host the event and I think it was “They all had a great time and we certainly great having Coach Tanner speak to our doas hosts had a great time. Getting to watch nors who love this University and baseball guests take batting practice and being able program so much,” Holbrook said. “It was nice to tell stories about Coach Tanner was such a to give our great donors all a big hug and give unique experience,” Holbrook commented. them thanks not only from a coaches’ standLegends Society member Larry Nichols conpoint, but our entire athletics department.” sidered the evening one of his favorite events There is no doubt that the athletics departhe’s been to at South Carolina. ment’s capital campaign has had a tremendous “I’ve been to a lot of events here at the Uniimpact on their coach’s ability to attract and versity over the years and this event was withdevelop the highest quality student-athletes. out a doubt one of the best I’ve ever been to,” This group of donors were able to see firsthand Nichols noted. the impact they are having on the department.

To become a member of the Legends Society “We allowed guests to see first-hand what or to learn about other giving opportunities, goes on behind the scenes. It was neat for please contact Steve Eigenbrot in the Athletics them, but it was just as neat for us because we Development office at (803) 777-8116 or seidon’t have a facility like this without them. genbr@mailbox.sc.edu.

Spurs & Feathers • 23

24 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Gamecock Radio/Television Information

The Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College counts 23 affiliate stations for the 2014-15 season. For Sirius/XM subscribers, follow the Gamecock Radio Twitter (@GamecockRadio) page for weekly updates on channel information for Gamecock broadcasts.

The weekly Carolina Calls show will air from 7-8 p.m. on the flagship station of the Gamecocks, WNKT-FM (107.5 FM), and over the Internet at www.GamecocksOnline.com. The show takes place each week at Wild Wing Café, located at 729 Lady Street in the Vista.

Inside the Roost South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner and Derek Scott from the Gamecock Sports Network from IMG College host an hour long radio show every Monday night at 7 p.m. from Hilton Columbia Center in the Vista. The show is broadcast on 107.5 FM and features discussions on current issues with Ray Tanner and interviews with coaches and athletics department staff.

In-Stadium Frequency For those traveling to Florida, you can listen to the Gamecock IMG Sports Network inside “The Swamp” on 87.9 (primary) and 89.7 (secondary).

South Carolina-Florida television Will be announced soon. Please check local listings.

2014-15 Radio Affiliates

City Call Letters Frequency Football Abbeville WZLA-FM 92.9 X Johnston/Aiken WKSX-FM 92.7 X Allendale WDOG-FM 93.5 X Anderson WRIX-FM 103.1 X Camden WPUB-FM 102.7 X Camden WCAM-AM 1590 X Charleston WWIK-FM 98.9 X Chesterfield WVSZ-FM 107.3 X Columbia WNKT-FM 107.5 X Florence WHYM-AM 1260 X Florence WFRK-FM 95.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-FM 104.3 X Gaffney WZZQ-AM 1500 X Greenville/Spartanburg WROO-FM 104.9 X Hilton Head WVGB-AM 1490 X Hilton Head WVGB-FM 94.5 X Myrtle Beach WSYN-FM 103.1 X Newberry WKDK-AM 1240 X Rock Hill WRHM-FM 107.1 X Seneca WSNW-AM 1150 X Seneca WSNW-FM 94.1 X

November 5, 2014

Spurs & Feathers • 25

Gamecocks continue winning ways in victory over Texas A&M

south carolina athletics media relations

by kyle heck Reporter

team and she’s always supportive and does South Carolina will close out the fall what she’s supposed to do. It’s nice to see portion of its 2014-15 campaign with road someone who does all the right things get The South Carolina equestrian team rewarded.” received a scare from Texas A&M on HalSenior Katherine Schmidt clinched the loween night, but the Gamecocks used a victory with her 90-78 defeat of Texas late charge to pull off the 12-8 win over the A&M’s Anna Rea. Junior Samantha Kraus Aggies. tacked on another point shortly thereafter in No. 3 South Carolina was clinging onto what Major said was “icing on the cake.” an 8-7 lead heading into the final event of It was a much-needed win for the Gamethe day, equitation on the flat. Texas A&M’s cocks, who were playing their final home Haley Buchmiller defeated the Gamecocks’ meet of the fall. After starting the season Samantha Smith, 82-74, to tie things up at with back-to-back losses, they have now eight. won two in a row to even their record.

However, South Carolina won the final “I just feel like we’re getting back on track four rides of the event, pulling away from to where we’d like to be and hopefully we’ll the No. 9 Aggies for the win. just continue the winning ways,” Major said.

“We certainly knew that we had the caSchmidt won a MOP for her equitation pability of doing it,” head coach Boo Major over fences victory where she scored an said. “Hats off to A&M, they put in some event high 93 points. Junior Kelsey Urban very nice rides and gave us a run for our also won a MOP for her hard-fought 74.5money. I really felt like they gave us a good 73.5 win in Horsemanship. Overall, the test to kind of see where we were.”

Gamecocks took three of the four MOP’s.

Senior Amber Henter defeated Alex DeThe Hunt Seat team carried South Carosiderio of the Aggies to put the Gamecocks lina to victory with its 8-2 win over the up 9-8. Fellow senior Adele Norton folAggies. On the other side, the Western team lowed that up with the ride of her career. She was outscored 6-4 by A&M. knocked off her opponent 88-75 to put her Surprisingly, it was the Gamecocks first team up by two points. The outstanding ride victory at home this year. They lost an 11-9 earned Norton her first Most Outstanding heartbreaker to Georgia earlier this month.

Player award of her career.

With the win on Halloween, Major believes “She was very confident,” Major said her team is now headed in the right direcof Norton. “That was one thing that was tion. impressive that she was going to go in and “I think we’ve definitely improved since get the job done today and she did. I’m so our last meet that was here,” Major said. “To thrilled for her because she’s just a fantastic me, that is one of the big things that we want teammate. She puts in 110 percent to this to see is improvement, win or lose.”

meets at Fresno State (Nov. 7) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 21).

26 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Roy working hard to be able to perform well for the Gamecocks by collyn Taylor Reporter

don’t practice well then you don’t perform.”

As a sophomore, Roy averaged four points per game and was a force on the glass, hauling The women’s basketball team hopes to raise a in 69 total rebounds on the season. banner at the end of this year.

Roy is entering her third season with the team Expectations are high and the team has been and looks to improve on her shooting on the named an overwhelming favorite to repeat as hardwood as well as her defensive game.

SEC regular-season champions.

“Offensively, I want to knock down shots,” But, to the team, they’re not changing anyshe said. “Me personally, I have been working thing from last year to this year. The coaching on my defense that I need to work on. So that’s staff stays the same, all of the what I’ve been working on in starters are returning, the leadpractice. The offense is going ership on the team has stayed to come.” the same and the mindset For Roy, the success that hasn’t changed in practice. the team will have this season “The fact that we’re talking starts in practice. The Gameabout a national championship cocks brought in five newa lot of people are expecting us comers to the team, who are to get there,” junior guard Tina trying to find their roles during All Gamecock basketball practice.

Roy said. “[There’s] a mindset coverage sponsored by of going in there and being the Roy said that with the five Yesterdays best that we can be in practice. new players in practice it helps It all starts with practice; if you them create intensity and

makes practice entertaining.

“It’s been exciting and real fun,” she said.

“We have a deep team so it makes practice more fun and competitive. Everyone wants to do good.”

The consistent figure in practice has been head coach Dawn Staley. Roy said that she hasn’t changed from one year to the next when it comes to practice; she’s levelheaded.

Roy said that having the stable figure in Staley has made her work harder in practice and helped her get better and prepared for her third season and it’s what makes going to practice fun.

“Coach Staley doesn’t change, so it’s about the same,” she said. “The fact that we have a team and it’s more competitive it makes it more fun.”

The team is gearing up for a run at a national title and for Roy she’s been following Staley’s lead and been staying consistent in practicing and working hard.

“I’m happy, I just got to get a little bit better,”

photo by jenny dilworth

Roy said. “I just have to work hard in practice and do what [Staley] wants me to do.”

The team has reached the NCAA tournament for the past three seasons and has reached the Sweet 16 during two of those trips.

As they gear up to go deeper than any women’s basketball team at the University has ever gone they are still focusing on working in practice to achieve the ultimate goal.

“I think that’s every team’s goal to be a national champion,” Roy said. “The fact that we have the team to do it and we have the coach to get us there, I think we can be really good.”

Spurs & Feathers • 27

November 5, 2014

Gamecocks put together impressive fall campaign by kyle heck Reporter The South Carolina women’s golf team has done just about as good as you can do so far this year. At the end of the fall season, the Gamecocks find themselves ranked No. 1 in the country, the first time that has happened in program history.

Now they have almost four months to prepare for the very important spring season and a hopeful run at an SEC and NCAA championship.

“Overall, they did a phenomenal job,” head coach Kalen Harris said. “The team has so much heart and so much guts and so much competitive fire.”

South Carolina showed from the start of the season that they were one of the top teams in the country. The inaugural ANNIKA Intercollegiate title was the first event of the fall for the Gamecocks and it was probably the toughest.

The 12-team field included 11 of the 13 teams in the Golfweek preseason poll.

South Carolina blew the field away and won the title by seven strokes. Senior Justine Dreher was the individual champion, finishing 9-under par for her first collegiate win.

“They were more than ready to go and then to go and really start on fire like that was good,”

Harris said.

With that performance, the Gamecocks jumped to No. 2 in the nation heading into the Tar Heel Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. They held first place after the first two days of the event, but a one-over par performance on the final day cost South Carolina a chance to win their second straight tournament. Defending NCAA champion Duke claimed the Tar Heel title.

Harris said her team made some mistakes that they could learn from in North Carolina.

That they did, as they took first place at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate championship in Knoxville, Tenn. a week later.

Three Gamecocks finished in the top four places and junior Mary Fran Hillow shot a program and tournament record 65 on the final day to help South Carolina take the top spot.

Freshman Nanna Madsen shot 1-under for the tournament to take the individual title.

With that performance, the Gamecocks jumped to No. 1 in the country for the first time ever.

The team got off to a rough start in the final fall event of the season, the Landfall Tradition, but regrouped to finish in a tie for third at the end of the weekend.

In all four fall events, South Carolina finished

south carolina athletics media relations

no worse than third and won two of them.

“They know they can win and they know they always keep themselves in it,” said Harris about her team. “But I couldn’t be prouder of them and I know we’re going to take some much needed rest and then address some things individually.”

The Gamecocks need a rest, as they played the last three tournaments in three consecutive weeks, something that does not happen often.

Harris said her team probably won’t ever do that again, but is proud of her team for fighting through the fatigue.

“They really stepped up to play those three weeks in a row and did an amazing job,” Harris

said.

South Carolina knows it can’t be content with being the No. 1 team in the fall and must continue to work throughout the winter. Once the team is rested up, they will be right back at it, working individually in areas they need to improve in. Then, they can hopefully pick up where they left off when the spring rolls around.

“We’ve still got some things to address, we’ve still got things to work on and we still need to get better,” Harris said. “We’re going to stick with what we’ve done and our goal is to get better every day, every practice, every tournament.

We’ve got to continue to do that and if we do that, we’ll continue to have success.”

28 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014

Upcoming Events: Gamecock Club Florida Parking Information General Public Parking: • Public parking lots are very limited around the Stadium. All lots that are not reserved are available on a first-come, first-served basis (see map). As always, parking on the grass and sidewalks is NOT permitted and any vehicles doing so are at risk of being towed.

• Game Day Shuttle Information Utilize the RTS Shuttle service to avoid the limited parking on campus on game days.

Park at one of five convenient locations around Gainesville for a quick ride to the game: The Oaks Mall, Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, The Village Center in Haile Plantation, Tioga Town Center, and Downtown Parking Garage. The RTS Shuttle service costs $10/game or $40/season; which includes Gator Growl. Service is offered from 3 hours before the game until kickoff, with return shuttles beginning in the 4th quarter. For more information, call 352334-2600 or visit go-rts.com.

Handicap Parking: • Disabled Parking for Visitors is located at Garage IX, which is located on the south side of Archer Road on Gale Lemerand Dr. • From Garage IX there are ADA shuttles.

The shuttles begin running 4 hours prior to kickoff and drop off at Gate 18 of the Football stadium. The Shuttles from Garage IX are running continuously until kickoff and then pick back up at the start of the fourth quarter.

• Golf carts are available at Gate 18 to assist patrons who need further assistance to their gate.

RV Parking: • Free first-come, first-serve RV parking is located on Hull Road west of SW 34th Street behind the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center. Once you enter the parking area the road will fork and the free RV parking is to the left (south portion of the lot).

• The lot opens at 6pm on Friday night and is open until Sunday at 12:00pm (Noon).

The only exception is the Homecoming weekend when the lot opens on Thursday at 6pm.

NYC Gamecocks Game Watching Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: The NYC Gamecock Club home, The Mason Jar, at the intersection of 30th St. and Park Ave. Come out and enjoy Gamecock Football with the best NYC Gamecock fans you will ever meet. Enjoy drink specials, giveaway items, cool raffle items, great food and dozens of TV’s with only Gamecock Football!

Wear your gameday gear, take a photo with our inflatable Cocky mascot and be proud to be a Gamecock in NYC! If you are not at Williams-Brice, you want to be here!

Charlotte Gamecock Club Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecocks play football this season Where: Icehouse in Southend; 2100 South Blvd., Charlotte, N.C. 28203 Guaranteed to watch the game, listen to the audio with free parking, free entry and right off the light rail. Come watch the game with plenty of Gamecocks with Gamecock trivia, specials and a revenue share to help the University!

DC Gamecocks Game Watch Party When: Every time the Gamecock play football this season Where: Greene Turtle Ballston: 900 N Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. or Redline DC: 707 G Street, NW Washington, D.C.

South Carolina Athletic Events: This Week

Friday, Nov. 7 ** Equestrian at Fresno State................................................................................... 10 a.m. ** Men’s soccer at New Mexico................................................................................9 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8 ** Swimming and diving vs. College of Charleston and East Carolina.................12 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 9 ** Volleyball vs. Alabama............................................................................... 4 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 9 ** Men’s tennis at Bulldog Scramble and National Indoor Champs...................... All Day ** Women’s tennis at Kitty Harrison Invitational............................................................ All Day All Week (Nov. 3-9) ** Women’s soccer at SEC Tournament................................................................................... TBA

Bold................................................................................................................. Home game **For more South Carolina schedule information, visit: www.gamecocksonline. com/calendar/events/ for a complete master calendar.**

Join your fellow Gamecocks at Greene Turtle Ballston for “2001,” “Sandstorm,” the Game-Cocks chant and the other great traditions you miss so much from Columbia.

As always, we will host a raffle, provide free Gamecock swag, and offer great food and drink specials.

Food: $5.00 Chicken Quesadillas, Hog Hammers, Chicken Tenders, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fried Pickles. Drinks:$3.00 for 16 oz. Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite Yuengling, Budweiser, Bloody Mary, and Mimosas; $5.00 for Firefly, Fireball, and Jager Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you all there or at our D.C. game watch location, Redline DC. Fairfield County November Meeting When: Tuesday, Nov. 18; 6 p.m.

Where: Fairfield Cove Restaurant, 1418 US Hwy. 321, S. Winnsboro, S.C. There will be door prizes and drawing for prizes at the meeting. All Gamecock Club members and fans are invited. For more information call Gene Schofield - 803-3378850 or Chris Blackwelder - 803-718-3276.

The Gamecock Club remembers a member of Gamecock Nation who has recently passed away...

Ernest L. Cook - Born in Hartsville, SC, he was a son of the late Judge Don Carl and Lucille Padgett Cook. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was a loyal Gamecock fan and a member of the Gamecock Club. He practiced law in Hartsville and was a member of the S.C. Bar Association. He served in the S.C. House of Representatives, and he served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

photo by allen sharpe

Spurs & Feathers • 29

November 5, 2014

Gamecocks excited for prospects of spring after strong fall slate

by Collyn Taylor Reporter

seven shots back to best the field and claim the Camden Collegiate Invitational.

The trio of Sturgeon, NeSmith and Starke, After the men’s golf team saw their fall seaall of whom shot under par on the final day, son come to an end they can’t wait for tournacharged for the dramatic one-stroke victory. ment play to come back because coming back “Matt and especially Will Starke both played is something that the team has been doing all really well at Nashville (Dick’s Collegiate Chalseason. lenge Cup) and that kind of really carried us,” The team started their fall campaign in late McDonald said. “I thought the rest of the team August and it continued until Oct. 18. Of the was a little bit sloppy there and then the final four tournaments the Gamecocks played in round in Camden was one of the better rounds they won two, coming back in dramatic fashion that we’ve had in awhile. I saw a lot of good on the last day of competition to snag the victhings. I still think we could’ve played a little tory. bit better, but I think to win twice and have The first comeback came at the Carpet Capi- everyone looking pretty good going into the tal Collegiate on Sept. 7 when the Gamecocks break is about all I can say.” shot 12-under on the final day to earn their first But, the victories didn’t come without a cost. tournament win of the season. Entering the During the match against Virginia, Murphy final day, there were eight teams under par and injured his wrist and hasn’t played much since four shots back from the lead. then.

“To me, the real highlight of the fall was the “I’d say in the offseason, that’s my primary way they came back at Dalton and the Carpet concern is Will’s health and all,” McDonald Capital and especially the last round,” head said. “I think we get him healthy and we have coach Bill McDonald said. “With 11 teams good depth with Sean Kelly and freshman within eight shots (we) just dominated. I Keenan Husky and Blaine Woodruff, so I think thought that was a huge turning point for our we should be fine going into the spring. I think program.” firing on all cylinders we’ll need Will Murphy After picking up a 3-1 win over Virginia in healthy for sure.” match play at the DICK’s Collegiate Challenge Now, with the fall season over the GameCup on Sept. 21, the Gamecocks came from cocks are resting up and catching up on class-

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work. He said that during the holiday break players will get a chance to focus on some other things and play in tournaments back home to improve their game.

“I think some will use the opportunity to get in the weight room and put some more work there,” McDonald said. “A lot of times it’s difficult, with the conditioning side of things, it’s tough to do things at a really high level during the season because you make yourself sore and you can’t play golf sore, so I think the guys are ramping it up a little bit, I know quite a few of them are.”

The Gamecocks resume play with their 201415 schedule on Feb. 20, 2015 and McDonald said that the team is getting ready for the start of the spring season by getting in shape and bonding as a team.

“We’ll play two events in a week over spring break. I think it all plays into getting the body stronger, getting the mind stronger,” he said.

“I think it’s a good for the camaraderie of the team has developed in the weight room in a lot of ways.”

Presently ranked seventh, the Gamecocks were able to end their fall season on a high note.

McDonald said that finishing that part of the season like that is good for the team because it builds momentum.

“Golf is a game where sometimes coming close is not bad, but there’s nothing like winning,” McDonald said. “I think that if you really want to achieve your goals of winning an SEC or NCAA that doesn’t need to be your first win of the year typically. You need to taste it a little bit and know what to expect.”

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November 5, 2014

Looking for the ‘Great Pumpkin’ It’s only fitting this time of year with the onset of fall weather, leaves changing and the Tennessee Vols being the next game on the schedule that we talk about the classic “The Great Pumpkin.” The Charles M. Schultz holiday classic played around Halloween signifies that we are moving into the last quarter of the season and embarking on the “orange crush” portion of our schedule. Usually at this time of the year we can gauge our SEC hopes, bowl hopes and bragging rights on how many wins we have and start to peer back at that preseason check list of goals.

Much like “The Great Pumpkin’s” main character Linus, the Gamecock faithful look to have there “list” granted by the great and magical pumpkin, but it never seems to show.

“This is the time of the year when the Great Pumpkin arrives from the pumpkin patch” Linus in the movie is typical of most Gamecock fans. We make a mental list and have expectations on the season to come. Full of hope and optimism especially with recent teams having success, the wins & losses accumulated were nothing more than expectations and wishes to begin with. The season unfolded how it did and we enjoyed the outcome even though it didn’t follow “your preseason checklist.” The Gamecock squad had their own expectations dashed that opening Thursday against a Texas A&M team that looked unstoppable against our stagnant defense. Starting the progression into “Charlie Brown” fan mode of doubt and suffering the uncertain of “what kind of team are we.”

Making the way for a Tennessee team led by a freshman QB to come into a once impossible place to win over the last three season and roll up yards at a seniors’ pace.

Trekking down to our now pumpkin patch Except we’re receiving rocks in the form of of a stadium, our field hunted by the ghost of “L’s.” Maybe it’s because our play has been 600 yards made possible by a gang of Tenas bad as Charlie Brown’s ghost costume in nessean underclassmen sporting pumpkin the movie? orange that “overperformed.” We will be “When Linus sees a shadowy figure rishunted by the shadows of what could of been ing from the moonlit patch, he assumes the this season with self produced “ghost” scarGreat Pumpkin has arrived and faints.” ing us and invariably playing With a 14-point lead at like we’re scared of somehome, being in the same situthing. Just like Linus in “The ation (ahead two touchdowns Great Pumpkin,” we will in the forth quarter) our fancontinue to miss the festivibase collectively “fainted” ties (championship, final four when the ball fell some 20 playoff team) while the rest of yards short on a missed overour SEC peers enjoy the treats time 58-yard field goal. Just and assorted “sweet” wins plays removed from a quick while waiting for this magical three and out from an ofcharacter. This season feels fensive series that saw three for USC to be like Charlie passes & two sacks as a result Langston Moore Brown in the movie who colof those plays called, scaring Contributing lected “rocks” from every the life out of a possible win Writer house they trick-or-treated. for our guys and treating the

photo by allen sharpe

Vols to their first SEC victory of the season.

Adding another signature victory for that Tennessee program that is struggling to find quality wins under Butch Jones.

“At 4 a.m. the next morning (November 1st), Lucy realizes that Linus is not in the bed. She finds her brother asleep in the pumpkin patch, shivering.”

Many of our loved ones probably found their respective “Linus” Gamecocks lingering around the “pumpkin patch” after that Tennessee loss. Lost cold and shivering looking for some answers. Many of them having to console “Linus” after making it three forth quarter leads blown on the season.

Shivering from the heartache and disappointment of missed opportunities compounded by uncharacteristically weak effort amongst the players. Fearful of the uncertainty of what team will show up for the final three contest sof the season. Much like Lucy coming to bring Linus home in the movie, Game-

cock fans need to go home, “get in the bed” and sleep this one off. Avoid the attempts to be consoled by those “Charlie Brown” fans who will probably tell you of how they’ve done “stupid things” in life, like believed the hype of preseason or over estimated the capacity of past Gamecock teams. Allowing themselves to get jaded and live like “Charlie Brown,” pessimistic and tormented. Like the movie, the credits will roll on this season and the “Linus” Gamecock fans will continue to campaign for the “Great Pumpkin” to show itself next year in the form a SEC championship and just like the movie, the “ Charlie Brown’s “within Gamecock Nation will sit and listen looking visibly annoyed and reply “oh, brother…”

Follow Langston Moore on Twitter at: @reMovetheChains #justachicken #eat2win

Spurs & Feathers • 31

November 5, 2014

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It is 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. Actually, it is 1 year. am since this is the night that we fall back. I We were 6-1, ranked in the top-10 and am not use to writing at this hour. Brian Hand seemingly on our way to what would be a is commonly still hard at work until the wee glorious season, having beaten a top-10 Kenhours of the morning. On the other hand (pun tucky team in Williams-Brice two weeks intended), I am not. before and Vandy posed no threat. At least we However, after much coffee, a long ride thought so. home and watching about as disappointing of I can remember in the parking lot after a football game as I have ever watched, I am the loss to the Commodores and realizing not going to be able to sleep so I might as well we might not win another game. We didn’t, write. ironically losing at Tennessee by three in OT For the most part, I am a very positive perthe following week and finished 6-6 on the son, thus, it is easy to write a column that is, season. for the most part, positive. This one may be The feeling after tonight’s loss is very simichallenging. lar. Don’t get me wrong; I believe It’s not like we haven’t had we will beat South Alabama. Not disappointment in the past, but without a struggle, but we should we have become accustomed be able to handle the Jaguars. to not having it, at least not The other two, quite frankly, to this extent. Three 11-win who knows? seasons in a row will do that The truth is we have a defense to you. that cannot stop a Division 1 opThe most recent disappointponent. It is painful to watch. I ment that I can think of was am hard pressed to come up with the 2007 season. I call that the a team that played this poorly on “game on” season where the defense. Perhaps the 2003 team, Ed Girardeau catch phrase was used to get which, ironically, lost at TennesContributing the crowd fired up before the see by three in OT as well and Editor game against Vanderbilt that struggled mightily to finish that

season.

This team with its three meltdowns with two touchdown leads in the fourth quarter to Missouri, Kentucky, and now Tennessee, may be setting a new standard for futility. I don’t remember any season having these types of losses.

As Coach Spurrier pointed out in the postgame, the offense, which is setting and will set all kinds of records this year, is not without fault either. The lack of clutch play in the fourth quarter is just uncanny. How can it be so good for three quarters only to fall flat at the end?

Yes, I am frustrated and I know you are, too, but as frustrated as we are, don’t think that we are as frustrated as the coaches and players.

I can tell you from sitting next to the coaches press box, it’s a good thing there are no open windows up there or we may have lost a few.

Make no mistake; everyone is trying as hard as they can. That doesn’t make it easier, but nobody on the staff or on the team has given up.

The difference of this team from the ones in the past is that this one is so close to getting it right, at least from a win point of view. Win the three games with two touchdown leads and we are looking at a very respectable re-

photo by jenny dilworth

cord and a tie for first in the East of the SEC. I know that’s hard to believe, but that is the frustrating truth of the matter.

It seems that an adjustment here or an adjustment there and this would be a pretty good team. However, time is running out.

Better find these adjustments quickly. Nobody left on the schedule is a world-beater.

I have no doubt that all of these games will be close. We’ve got to find a way to close the deal on these games.

The alternative is unthinkable. I did want to sleep tonight.

32 • Spurs & Feathers

November 5, 2014