Game Plan - USC v Texas A&M

a freetimes publication

SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 | USC VS. texas a&m

2

Tailgate with Tacos!!!

Call ahead or stop in on your way to the stadium.

white duck taco shop 612 C whaley st columbia, sc 29201 803-814-0374 sun-thurs 11:30-9:00

fri-sat 11:30-10:00

whiteducktacoshop.com extraordinary food, great service tons of free parking

free-times.com

twitter.com/freetimessc

free app with the purchase of two tacos at regular price dine-in only

facebook.com/freetimes

USC VS. texas a&m | September 28, 2016

Photo by Allen Sharpe

what he says:

KICKOFF

The Basics: A 6-foot-3, 210-pound true freshman from Conway who enrolled during the winter to participate in spring practice. It worked. He became just the sixth true freshman to start a USC season opener since 2009.

the rankings: Tops on team in receiving yards. Third in the nation among freshmen in yards and receptions.

Leader among fans in generating hope.

(Coach Will Muschamp won't allow freshmen to do interviews)

what the coach says: “Bryan is a very mature young man.

He gets it. He has a real good work ethic. He pushes himself through adversity," Muschamp says.

"We've got some other freshman receivers that can't, quite frankly. The intangible qualities you look for in any player, Bryan has."

a run of recent usc receivers: Pharoh Cooper, Bruce Ellington, Ace Sanders, Alshon Jeffery (pictured), Kenny McKinley (all NFL draft picks)

something he tweeted recently

➚ his first four games vs. theris: Edwards: 17 catches — 223 yards

BALLERS

Jeffery: 12 catches — 199 yards Cooper, Ellington, Sanders, McKinley (combined): 14 catches — 158 yards

BRYAN EDWARDS, THE WIDE RECEIVER September 28, 2016 | USC VS. texas a&m

free-times.com

twitter.com/freetimessc

The Gamecocks have yet another bigplay pass catcher in this newcomer who is outpacing recent USC stars.

facebook.com/freetimes

KICKOFF | BALLERS

3

TEXAS A&M AGGIES

OPPO RESEARCH 4

T

Lone Star State's other team visits Columbia with a high-powered offense and an obnoxious fan base

THE BASICS 2016 RECORD: 4-0

NOTABLE WINS: Auburn, Arkansas, Mexico NATIONAL RANK: 9 (Yeah, we're jealous) SERIES RECORD: A&M leads 2-0 (Yeah, not good) LAST VISIT TO WILLIAMS-BRICE: Don't access those memories.

They will only cause you sharp, searing pains in your head. (Score was 52-28 for you masochists.)

WHY USC-A&M MEET EACH YEAR:

They are designated non-division "rivals" in the SEC because of the states' long-standing feud over barbecue sauces.

Josh Reynolds, the Aggies' top receiver, shows us he can count to one.

(Photos: Texas A&M Athletics)

native who became a hero at the battle of the Alamo. Created by former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, it's traded between the states' governors. (The schools took a pass.)

TRADITIONS: Standing in front of you during the entire game as the 12th Man; using "Gig 'em" anywhere in a sentence; participating in the Midnight Yell the night before the game to wake neighbors; reveling in Johnny Manziel's "good days"; going .500 in the SEC

USC 2016 SCHEDULE

HEAD COACH

Record: 2-2 (1-2 SEC)

NAME: Kevin Sumlin WINNING PERCENTAGE: .714 in four-plus

seasons at A&M

HOT SEAT: Seems permanent ACCOMPLISHMENTS HE NEEDS TO PLEASE FANS: National college football

championship, Super Bowl title, Daytime Emmy, Nobel Peace Prize, Powerball jackpot

AGGIES TO WATCH

TREVOR KNIGHT, QB NO. 8

The Aggies traded Oklahoma 20 head of cattle and two cases of Lone Star to land the fifth-year senior.

JUSTIN EVANS, NO. 14

A&M's leading tackler, interceptor and pastry chef

REVEILLE, NO. IX

A&M's collie mascot might look like Lassie but is possesed with an executed mass murderer's soul

KICKOFF | OPPO RESEARCH + schedule

TROPHY: Mini statue of a horse-riding James Bonham, a Saluda County

free-times.com

SEC Game = ★

9/1

at

vanderbilt

nashville, tenn.

★

USC, 13-10

9/10

at

mississippi ST.

STARKVILLE, miss.

★

MSU, 27-14

9/17

vs.

east carolina

columbia, s.c.

9/24 at

kentucky

lexington, ky.

★

UK, 17-10

10/1 vs.

texas a&m

Columbia, s.c.

★

4 p.m.

10/8

georgia

Columbia, S.C.

★

TBA

vs.

USC, 20-15

10/15

bye

10/22 vs.

umass columbia, s.c.

TBA

10/29 vs.

Tennessee

columbia, s.c.

★

TBA

11/5

vs.

missouri

Columbia, S.C.

★

TBA

11/12

at

florida

gainesville, fL.

★

TBA

11/19

VS.

W. CAROLINA

COLUMBIA, S.C.

11/26 AT

clemson

clemson, s.c.

twitter.com/freetimessc

facebook.com/freetimes

TBA TBA

USC VS. texas a&m | September 28, 2016

THE COCKY LIFE

’ n i v i L et n r a G

shoes as comfortable as the gamecocks in garnet

By Anne Wolfe Postic

L

et me start by saying that I approve of all of your game day looks.

You college girls rocking the modern classic? Your black dress and boots are awesome. And Aunt Tanya, I love your old-school spirit sweater, the one you’ve had since our 1984 Gator Bowl appearance. It really is lucky (or it will be, one of these years).

Guys in your chinos covered in Gamecocks, and other guys in your oversized jerseys in honor of your favorite player, I love both of your looks.

And you ladies who wear dresses just like the ones you wear to the Carolina Cup, except they’re garnet and black instead of floral, you are raising the level of everyone’s game.

And you over there? The understated couple with matching black pants and Gamecock garnet V-neck sweaters, y’all are keeping it classy and I’ll be over to your tent shortly for one of those delicious mimosas.

Whatever you wear to show your team spirit, I dig it. You do you!

But what if there were one pair of shoes for all of your outfits? And what if the shoes were as comfortable as they were Gamecock garnet?

Miss Cocky has the pumped up sneaks, reminiscent of your favorite Chuck Taylors, that’ll get you pumped up.

What if everyone at your tailgate had a pair? Matching shoes will show the other fans that when you tailgate, you tailgate serious. And I love you for it.

And if you really don't think Chucks style will work for you, Miss Cocky has a ton of great options, including Gamecock espadrilles (a spring and summer shoe that'll be perfect for baseball, too!), Jack Rogers garnet and black sandals, as well as booties and boots. Go Cocks!

WHAT: SKICKS- brand Gamecock Chuck Taylor-style sneakers WHERE: Miss Cocky, 621 Gadsden St. COST: $59.99 MORE: 803-995-0629

Photo by Anne Wolfe Postic

15,000 SQUARE FEET OF

WINE, BEER & SPIRITS J U S T 1 0 M I N U T E S F R O M T H E S TA D I U M

BEVERAGE SUPERSTORE

LET’S GO

Cocks!

Stock up at Bottles for low prices on all your pre-game beverages.

SHOPBOT TLES .COM |

(8 03 ) 728 - 0737

@ S H O P B OT T L E S

4 41 0 FO RT JAC KSO N B LV D. I N TH E ROS E WO O D S H O PPI N G C ENTER

September 28, 2016 | USC VS. texas a&m

free-times.com

twitter.com/freetimessc

facebook.com/freetimes

LIVIN' GARNET | THE COCKY LIFE

5

GAME DAY GRUB

Photo by Jessica Atwood

The cutest, cockiest cookies

By April Blake

S

avory foods get most of the hype at tailgates what with the barbecue, the wings, the chips and dip, and the other salty snacks that go so well with that other tailgate favorite — beer. But the human tongue is hardwired to want a sweet end to a meal, as a signal to the brain that the meal has been completed, which is where striking Gamecock-themed cookies can come in and make your tailgate way cuter than anyone else’s.

One such purveyor of customizable cookies with elaborate detail is Catherine Kilburn, who is a mild-mannered first grade teacher by day and a wildly talented cookie designer by night after discovering this passion just last year during her summer break.

Most amazing-looking creations suffer in their beauty by being lackluster once they are used for their intended purpose, but these sturdy sugar cookies with royal icing have a hint of almond flavoring to keep them interesting while also being almost too pretty to eat. Kilburn says she does about five large orders a week of 90-plus cookies for all sorts of occasions.

“My cookies have been very popular for college footballl games this year,” she says. “Many people are ordering them to surprise their tailgating group. … I love being part of celebrations. It’s cool to be part of people’s lives in that way.”

The average cookie costs $2.50 each, but pricing varies depending on the level of difficulty and detail per order.

Her creations can be seen on her Instagram account, @cookiesbycat, which is how we came to ogle her edible creations that she posts nearly daily. She takes orders via email at cookiesbycatherine@gmail.com.

6 LIVIN' GARNET | GAME DAY GRUB + Beer Me

BEER ME Bring a Bit of Idaho to the Game

By Doug Aylard Doug Aylard, owner of The Vino Garage in Columbia, offers his suggestion for a good football Saturday brew:

T

ail-gating. This great American institution is steeped in traditions. Like having copious amounts of fried foods, wearing your team’s colors, and drinking beer.

Now, an American Pale Ale fits this tradition like a glove. A case in point is Grand Teton’s Sweetgrass American Pale Ale. Coming out of Idaho, this brewery proves that the Gem State knows more than just growing potatoes.

A Gold Medal winner from the Great American Beer Festival, this beer has credentials without pretension. Light and fragrant, this beer has the flavors of hops, but not overdone on the bitterness. This comes from being both hopped and dry-hopped. (A talented brewer knows what to add when.) Its beautiful maltiness and fruity character give this zymological gem enough heft to accompany any bold flavors from food (like buffalo sauce).

And sitting at only 6 percent ABV, any over-alcoholic flavors or a “hot” feeling just isn’t there. Great foam retention means the aromas of citrus will keep coming. The light amber color reflects the well balanced maltiness that comes from a grain schedule that contains locally sourced grains. Finishes with a touch of spiciness and a clean finish. The only unfortunate part of this beer is when the bottle is empty, but luckily there are five more.

Retailed at many good beer shops across town, this guy will run about $11$12 per six-pack.

free-times.com

twitter.com/freetimessc

facebook.com/freetimes

USC VS. texas a&m | September 28, 2016

ASK GAMECOCK JESUS What are some of your favorite things to eat at a tailgate? — Bill Tailgating before a game is like going to the State Fair — so much to eat, so little time! I love the smells of tailgating. Some of my cousins come up from Orangeburg County and make tremendous meals fit for a family reunion.

As for me and my crew, we prefer to eat out before games, and, of course, after games as well. Wings are my thing, especially pregame. Teriyaki-barbecue wings, to be precise. It just doesn't get any

better than that for me. After the game, we often get pizza or burgers, something easy on the budget. Chicken seems to be the unofficial meal of Gamecock fans. (And my wife thinks that is weird, but who asked her anyway, right?) Believe! Gamecock Jesus Saw USC is going to build a Gamecock statue at the stadium. I think you ought to get one. Who should get a statue, you think?

— Travis A statue of me?!? Oh, pshaw.

I don't think I could stand still long enough for them to make one. I would eventually like to see a statue of one of our most consistent players, Connor Shaw; I think he still has some greatness left in him. But as I look over the roller-coaster history of Gamecock football, it becomes clear to me that the true heroes of the program are fans.

This includes the faithful who show up having to cheer "Wait 'til next year!" And we often forget the other fans — the elderly folks and the families whose budget can't absorb the cost of attending the games; the shift workers or emergency personnel who catch a game or sports talk show on the radio when they can. In spite of our rocky win-loss history (or perhaps because of it,) Gamecock fans are the best in the world. Believe! Gamecock Jesus Got a question for USC’s top super fan? Send it to editor@free-times.com.

If USC Gamecock fans really believe in the Chicken Curse, why hasn't someone checked out a witches' curse book to undo it?

Will someone please tell me how the Uber taxis are charging three times as much as the regular taxis on game day? Is this even legal?

USC sure has a lousy football team.

Gamecocks, stop making me afraid to watch the TV. My beer tab can’t take it.

Watching NFL games is like watching paint dry.

Why does NBC always play Notre Dame football games? Can’t they find a better school?

I absolutely love the new Game Plan insert in Free Times. It rocks and I love it. I also love seeing that Gamecock Jesus. We both went to USC School of Nursing together, passed the exam and are both at the top of our game.

Got a Gamecock or football-related beef or boast?

Call (803) 765-0707 x126 or email RantAndRave@free-times.com

THE FANS SPEAK

THE ORIGINAL DESIGNATED DRIVER.

IF YOU DRINK, LET US DRIVE.

THE BEST CHOICE FOR QUICK AND RELIABLE TAXI TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN THE MIDLANDS

WWW.CHECKERYELLOWCAB.COM • 803-799-3311 September 28, 2016 | USC VS. texas a&m

free-times.com

twitter.com/freetimessc

facebook.com/freetimes

SQuawK

7

T

A M

go GAMECOCKS!!

Handling a legal matter on your own may lead to an undesirable outcome.

Before handling a DUI, criminal charge, personal injury or civil matter on your own, let attorney Marion M. Moses consult with you to explain your options.

Former state Prosecutor, over 15 years experience practicing law.

MENTION THIS AD FOR A FREE CONSULTATION