GAMECOCKS TODAY! pres. by Gamecock Traditions - Tuesday, Sept. 29 - Top PFF Grades from UT game

[Wes Mitchell]

GAMECOCKS TODAY! presented by Gamecock Traditions Tuesday, Sept. 29 -------

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1. PFF Grades - Top 5 Gamecocks vs. Tennessee Rivals.com (and thus Gamecock Central) has again partnered with Pro Football Focus to bring their unique perspective to college football games to our subscribers on Gamecock Central. While subscribers will receive a more in-depth look at some of the grading aspects that PFF offers, here's a look at the top five performers from Saturday's game, for all to read. For those not familiar with PFF, here's a breakdown of how its grades are formulated. QB Collin Hill - 84.6 There have been mixed reviews from the fanbase on Hill's performance but PFF was high on the Gamecocks' transfer quarterback. Not only was his 84.6 the highest grade on the team, but it was also fourth-highest in the SEC among quarterbacks this past week. WR Shi Smith - 74.7 A career day for Smith was dinged by a couple of drops and an INT that he was deemed partially responsible for in their grading system. Smith was targeted an astounding 15 times with 10 catches and a TD the result. CB Jaycee Horn - 73.9 Another game of teams refusing to throw to Horn's side of the field. The Vols targeted his receiver twice the entire night with a result of zero completions. RB Deshaun Fenwick - 72.0 It wasn't a jaw-dropping type night for Fenwick, but he did a little bit of everything, running hard in that facet, making an impact in the receiving game with a couple of key catch and runs, and then making an impressive blitz pickup to allow a completion in the second half. RB Kevin Harris - 71.3 Fenwick was the highest graded of the South Carolina running backs, but it's Harris who actually had the highest "run" grade. Of Harris' 55 yards on the ground, 39 came after contact. - Wes Mitchell

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2. This, that, and the other Football: Vanderbilt game time announced - South Carolina knows when it'll kickoff against the Commodores two weeks from now in Nashville. (link) Football: The Insider Report - In this edition of The Insider Report - presented by Cornerstone Financial Management - we give fans an in-depth look at the Gamecocks' season opener against Tennessee. (link) Football: The issue with the Gamecocks' run game Saturday - After the 31-27 loss, Will Muschamp isn’t as concerned with the running back position and focused on improving blocking up front. (link) Football: Muschamp, Hill reflect on offense after Week One - A lot has changed this offseason for South Carolina. In addition to changing offensive coordinators, schemes and losing several key parts of the offense, the Gamecocks debuted a new quarterback against Tennessee. (subscription) Football: Big nights for several Gamecock commitments over the weekend - Many of the South Carolina Gamecocks football verbal commitments saw high school action over the weekend. (link) Football Recruiting: Gamecocks deliver first SEC offer to senior WR from Alabama - Eufaula (Ala.) class of 2021 wide receiver Radarius Thomas is off to a fast start to his senior season and South Carolina has taken notice. (subscription) Baseball - Gamecocks in the bigs: two alums have career years - The Gamecocks have alums on both sides of the line, and before the playoffs start GamecockCentral takes a look at those with a few guys just now ending career years. (link) PREVIOUSLY... Football: Gamecocks drop heartbreaker to Vols - There have been a lot of ways over the years South Carolina's lost games, but Saturday's might be the most heartbreaking. (link) VIDEO: Muschamp Tennessee postgame (link) Instant Analysis: UT-SC (subscription) Football: Gamecocks still deciding on right tackle starter - Right before the game Saturday one of the biggest position battles was settled, but the Gamecocks are reopening the competition this week. (link) Football: Muschamp updates Mukuamu, other injuries - South Carolina is going to have to wait a few days to know if two of their injured starters will be back next week against Florida. (link) Football: Gamecocks will make more 'concerted' effort to get Doty involved - The freshman didn’t play on offense, and head coach Will Muschamp said the plan is to see him on the field against Florida. (link) Football - 1st and 10: more on Gamecocks' struggles, a few offensive standouts - A few intruiging stats from Saturday's game. (subscription) Football - Grading the Gamecocks: Tennessee - The 2020 season is officially underway, and with it comes the weekly report card evaluating anything and everything that happened in Saturday's game. (link) Football - Three up, three down: Tennessee - What we liked and what we didn’t like from the season-opening game. (link) Football - Key Plays: Tennessee - Gamecock Central looks at five key moments from the loss to Tennessee. (link) Football: What Muschamp, players said about muffed punt - After getting a crucial stop with two minutes left and trailing by four, a special teams disaster cost South Carolina a chance to win the game. (link) Football: Muschamp discusses decision to kick late in the fourth quarter - Late in South Carolina’s four-point loss to Tennessee, Will Muschamp had a decision to make. (link) Football: Hayden Hurst wasting no time Sunday with early TD - At the goal line, Hurst leaked out on play action and skied up over a defender, making a jumping catch for his second touchdown of the season. (link) MBB: Silva, Heat heading to NBA Finals - Even though he might not be playing, Chris Silva will be representing South Carolina in the NBA Finals this season. (link) Insider notes: baseball scrimmage (Sept. 26) - After lightning and rain delayed a scrimmage Friday, the Gamecocks scrimmaged six innings Saturday before the football game. (subscription) Photos: Gamecocks hold second Baseball scrimmage (link) - Jackson Fields

3. On This Date Sept. 29, 2001 - Off to a 3-0 start, the Gamecocks hosted 2-1 Alabama at Williams-Brice and the two teams put on one of the great topsy-turvy scoring shows in Carolina history. The Gamecocks would eventually prevail 37-36 but the only time they had a lead was in the final 2:18 following a touchdown pass from Phil Petty to Rod Trafford. Alabama led 6-0 at the end of the first and would hold a commanding 23-10 halftime lead. USC's only first-half scores came on a Daniel Weaver 43-yard field goal and a 43-yard touchdown pass from Petty to Brian Scott. Carolina scored on its first possession of the second half with a 9-yard pass from Petty to Ryan Brewer to cut the lead to six, but Alabama answered to make it 29-17. Andrew Pinnock's touchdown run with 1:40 left in the third made it a five-point game, but again the Tide answered as QB Tyler Watts rushed nine yards for a score to make it 36-24 with just nine minutes left in the game. The Gamecocks again got within six as Derek Watson's 2-yard run made it 36-30 (the extra point was missed), setting up the critical final six and a half minutes. The Carolina defense then rose up, stuffing Ahmad Galloway for a loss of three on second down, and then LB Kenneth Harney and safety Antione Nesmith stopped Santonio Beard for just two yards on third down, forcing a punt. USC took over at their own 44 and after two Petty rushes for 12 yards he found Andrea Gause for 37 yards to move to Alabama's 7-yard line. On the next play, Petty found tight end Trafford for seven yards to tie the score. Weaver's extra point gave USC their first lead. Alabama had time for one last possession, but Langston Moore tackled Watts for no gain on first down, then after a short pass, John Stamper stopped Watts after 2 yards on third down. That forced fourth down and four with time running out, and the Gamecocks forced an incomplete pass to clinch the win. Sept. 29 Birthdays • Chad Gray (Forward, 2006-2008) - Played in 33 games, averaged 2.3 PPG and 1.2 REB • Wesley Green (Cornerback, 2014) - Redshirted then transferred to Indiana • Sean Healy (Tight End, 1992-1994) - Walk-on was reserve tight end for three seasons • Zac McCamie (Pitcher, 2004-2005) - Went 16-4 over two seasons with 3.37 ERA • Stanley Nix (Catcher, 2001) - Walk-on played in four games in 2001 • Ricky Payne (Offensive Tackle, 1974-1977) - Started some at LB in 1974-75, started at offensive tackle in 1977 • Joey Scribner-Howard (Kicker, 2009-2011) - Handled kickoffs in 2010, punted in 2011 • Casey Sherman (Long Snapper, 2003-2004) - Walk-on JuCo transfer worked at tight end and as deep snapper • Chris Smelley (Quarterback, 2006-2008) - Made 15 starts, passed for 3210 yards and 23 TDs. Big wins on road at UNC and Ole Miss • Nat Veal (Safety, 1976-1978) - Started at strong safety in 1978, had big fumble recovery in win over UGA John Parker, gamecockarchives.com

4. Key Events (Countdown) • Oct. 3 – Football: Florida (4) • Dec. 16 – Football: Early Signing Day (78) • Feb. 3 – Football: Late Signing Day (127)

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