GAMECOCKS TODAY!
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Gamecock Traditions
Thursday, Oct. 15
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1. Three key matchups vs. Auburn
Below are three matchups that the Gamecocks will need to win if they're going to defeat Auburn on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Kevin Harris and Carolina running game against Auburn's front
Auburn's linebackers are fast and athletic, but they're not the biggest backers in the SEC and the Auburn defensive line has struggled at times this season after losing a ton of talent to the NFL.
Kevin Harris has shown that he can be a bruiser at the SEC level and it feels like he can potentially wear down this defensive front. If he can, then it should mean a good day for the Carolina offense.
Collin Hill vs. Kevin Steele's blitzes
The South Carolina transfer quarterback has been really good against the blitz throughout his career and has shown the ability to diagnose it and get the ball out quickly for the most part at South Carolina as well.
As mentioned above, Auburn's defensive line isn't what it was last year, and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele says that his two starting linebackers are his two best pass-rushers. He'll almost surely be bringing extra rushers against the Gamecocks.
Bo Nix's scrambling ability against the Gamecocks' edge rushers
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix is far from a run-first quarterback, but he's got the ability to extend plays and that's when he can really hurt defenses.
Auburn's offensive line has struggled in pass-protection so far this year, so the Gamecocks will likely be able to get some pressure up front. But they'll need to contain the edges and keep Nix in the pocket to keep him from getting the ball down the field to their talented and speedy receivers.
While supplies last, get a free BEAT AUBURN t-shirt with a $20 in-store purchase from Gamecock Traditions at 5134 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington!
Football - Star power: How starters for Gamecocks, Tigers stacked up as recruits - In this feature, GamecockCentral.com takes a closer look at how projected starters for the South Carolina Gamecocks football program stack up against the Auburn Tigers in terms of past recruiting ranking. (subscription)
Football - South Carolina depth chart: Gamecocks vs. Auburn - Below is Gamecock Central's projected depth chart for the South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Auburn. (link)
Football: Muschamp updates right tackle spot - In the preseason, offensive line coach Eric Wolford said if Jazston Turnetine wasn’t ready to take over at left tackle the coaches would shelve him until he was, and it looks like that time is potentially here. (link)
Football: How PFF graded Gamecock freshmen against Vanderbilt - Thanks to being up 34 late against Vanderbilt, the Gamecocks got a chance to do something they haven't been able to this season: play a lot of young bucks. (subscription)
Football: How Kevin Harris ended up at South Carolina - When Kevin Harris rolled into Columbia for Day 1 of the Will Muschamp Camp on June 5, 2018, he held offers from schools like Air Force, Army, Navy, Cornell, Middle Tennessee, Tulane and Wofford. (subscription)
MBB - Martin: Gamecocks in a 'good place' in recruiting - Entering the 2020 season after a string of solid classes and three players committed in the 2021 class, this stretch in recruiting is what Martin envisioned. (link)
WBB: Practice Begins Wednesday - The Gamecocks will hold their first official practice Wednesday, and afterwards Dawn Staley will preview the season. (link)
Baseball: Kingston updates competition for third weekend starter - The competition for the team’s third weekend spot alongside Thomas Farr and Brannon Jordan with a handful of pitchers vying for that coveted spot. (link)
PREVIOUSLY...
Football - The latest on Mukuamu, Thomas and Dickerson - The South Carolina football team was without starting defensive tackle Keir Thomas and Jaylin Dickerson, a rotational player at safety, in the Gamecocks' win over Vanderbilt Saturday. (link)
VIDEO: Will Muschamp Auburn press conference (link)
Football Recruiting: The Insider Report - In this edition of The Insider Report - presented by Cornerstone Financial Management - we give fans more insight in the Gamecock football program's recruiting efforts. (link)
Football: Gamecocks still looking for answers at tackle - One of the biggest lingering questions through three games for South Carolina’s offense is at the right tackle position, and Saturday gave the Gamecocks a chance to see a few different options. (link)
Football: Gamecocks still waiting on Brooks appeal - The Gamecocks are still spinning their tires waiting for the NCAA to make its decision on Jalen Brooks but the Gamecocks are hoping to hear something this week. (link)
Football: Muschamp confident in protocols after Vandy game postponed - Usually when Will Muschamp’s phone rings and Clint Haggard’s name pops up, it’s not a good thing. Usually it’s the Gamecocks’ head athletic trainer calling to tell the head coach a player is out because of contact tracing or testing positive for COVID-19. (link)
Football - Five Things: Why numbers say Gamecocks could sustain success - Will Helms examines the numbers South Carolina's win against Vanderbilt. (subscription)
MBB: Gamecocks close to finalizing 2020-21 hoops schedule - In a weird year for college basketball, scheduling can be a mess, but it looks like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for South Carolina. (link)
MBB: Martin 'extremely excited' to have Lawson back - One of the biggest pieces returning is AJ Lawson, who opted to come back for his junior season and giving the Gamecocks one of their most valuable pieces over the last two seasons back on the court. (link)
- Jackson Fields
3. 📅 On This Date
Oct. 15, 2011 - No. 15 USC got a good scare in Starkville, but in the end the Gamecocks would go on to defeat Mississippi State 14-12. The Bulldogs scored first in this one, with a touchdown pass from Tyler Russell to Chris Smith coming at the end of a 10-play, 69-yard drive. Carolina turned to the talents of wide receiver Bruce Ellington to match the score - an 80-yard drive saw Ellington catch three passes, rush once and throw a 16-yard pass to Marcus Lattimore, who finished the drive with a four-yard TD run. The game was tied 7-7 at the half and there was no scoring in the third. State would finally break the tie with 9:50 left in the game on a 22-yard field goal, but USC stormed back with a 12 play, 79-yard drive. The possession ended with Connor Shaw hitting Alshon Jeffery from four yards out for a 14-10 lead. State would drive back into USC territory but on a first down at the Carolina 32 Russell got picked by Gamecock safety D.J. Swearinger to lock things up. Carolina gave back two points on the final play of the game as on fourth down from their own nine Shaw ran out of the back of the end zone to end the game. A pall hung over the victory though as Lattimore suffered a season-ending knee injury while blocking on a play. Jeffery's winning touchdown catch moved him into second place all-time in receiving touchdowns.
Oct. 15 Birthdays
• Bryson Allen-Williams (Linebacker, 2014-2018) - Made 25 career starts, had 172 tackles and 27.5 TFL
• Randy Chastain (WR-RB, 1973-1975) - 393 career rushing yards, 145 receiving. Had 2 TDs vs App State in 1973
• Jessie Dukes (Cornerback, 2012) - Made team as walk-on in 2012
• Alexis Lainhart (Women's Soccer, 2017-2018) - Played in 2 games in 2017
• Stevie Lee (Linebacker, 1977-1978) - Shrine Bowler had six tackles over two seasons as reserve LB
• Riley Tanner (Women's Soccer, 2018-2020) - As a sophomore, made one start and appeared in 23 matches
• Michael Williamson (Punter, 2011-2012) - Punted at Columbia U. in 2009, transferred and was backup for two seasons at USC
• Oct. 10 – Football: Auburn (2)
• Dec. 16 – Football: Early Signing Day (62)
• Feb. 3 – Football: Late Signing Day (111)
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