GAMECOCKS TODAY! presented by Gamecock Traditions Tuesday, Oct. 13 --- Top 5 Gamecocks vs. Vanderbilt according to PFF Grades

[Wes Mitchell]

GAMECOCKS TODAY! presented by Gamecock Traditions Tuesday, Oct. 13 -------

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1. Top 5 Gamecocks vs. Vanderbilt according to PFF Grades 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. TE Nick Muse - 87.6 Muse was South Carolina's leading receiver with five catches for 85 yards and the PFF grading system rewarded him with the highest grade among tight ends in the country this week. It's the first time this season that someone not named Shi Smith was the Gamecocks' leading receiver. LB Ernest Jones - 82.8 You didn't need the PFF grades to tell you that Ernest Jones was running around like a mad man on Saturday. He was the Gamecocks' best player on defense. RT Jakai Moore - 81.0 This could be a great sign for the Carolina offensive line as right tackle has been a big question mark. Moore graded out highest among the Carolina OL in the running game and only allowed one pressure. CB Cam Smith - 80.9 A nice bounceback for Smith who gave up just one reception and had an interception. LB Damani Staley - 77.9 While overshadowed by Jones, Staley quietly collected six tackles of his own, including two STOPs, PFF's description of a tackle that stops an offense from having a "successful" play. - Wes Mitchell

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2. 💪👇 This, that, and the other Football: No South Carolina players will have to quarantine due to Vanderbilt game - The South Carolina athletic department released a statement Monday. (link) Football: Kickoff time set against LSU - There's one game time before the bye week that was unknown entering this week, and now they know they'll head to Baton Rouge for a mid-afternoon game. (link) Football: Hutcherson named SEC O-lineman of the week - After the Gamecocks' first win of the season Saturday came their first SEC honor of the season with Sadarius Hutcherson earning SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. (link) Football: Evaluating Collin Hill's game against Vanderbilt - For the first time in his career, Collin Hill is a winning quarterback in the SEC. (subscription) Football: Inside the snap count - Gamecocks vs. Commodores - In this feature, GamecockCentral.com gives subscribers a closer look at how many snaps each South Carolina football player took in the win over Vanderbilt. (subscription) Football: Muschamp 'really pleased' with early offensive improvement - The Gamecocks have played three games this year and 220 offensive snaps, and it’s enough of a data set to make Will Muschamp pleased with his new offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo. (link) Football Recruiting: Another big night for Stockton, Gamecock commitments in action - Many of the South Carolina Gamecocks football verbal commitments saw high school action over the weekend. (link) PREVIOUSLY... Football: South Carolina dominates Vanderbilt for first win - For the twelfth year in a row, South Carolina defeated Vanderbilt, this time 41-7 to improve to 1-2 on the season. (link) Instant analysis: Vanderbilt (subscription) VIDEO: Will Muschamp Vanderbilt post-game press conference (link) Grading the Gamecocks: Vanderbilt (link) Football: What went right, what went wrong against Vanderbilt - A win is a win, and the Gamecocks got a much needed one Saturday with a 34-point win over Vanderbilt. (subscription) Football - 3-2-1: Vanderbilt - In a new feature, we look at the key moments and players from Saturday’s South Carolina football game and one burning question on our mind. (link) Football - VIDEO: Muschamp Sunday Teleconference - South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp discusses the Gamecocks win over Vanderbilt on his Sunday teleconference. (link) Football: Muschamp disappointed in defensive line run defense - Muschamp didn’t award a defensive lineman of the day after a 41-7 win over Vanderbilt, expressing disappointment in the group’s inability to hold steady in the run game. (link) Football: Muschamp addresses trash talking, end of half - There are times Will Muschamp will let trash talking slide and give players a longer leash than normal. (link) Football: South Carolina opens as small underdog against Auburn - Fresh off its first victory of the season Saturday afternoon against Vanderbilt, the South Carolina football team opened as a small underdog against Auburn, which it will host Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium. (link) Football - Ten stats from Saturday: more on a big offensive performance - An in-depth look at some statistics from Saturday's win. (subscription) Football: Against Vandy, Jones shows leadership, talent - When South Carolina linebacker TJ Brunson graduated last season, there were no qualms about who would step up. There was no uncertainty about who the defensive captain would be, or who would call out adjustments at the line. (link) Football: Harris, Muse carry Gamecock offense to 41 points - Through two games, the Gamecock offense looked a lot like The Shai Smith Show, but things changed Saturday. (link) Football: Dakereon Joyner shows flashes in much-needed win - Despite not getting a single touch in the first two games of the year, Dakereon Joyner showed in one snap the potential he’s oozing with at the receiver position. (link) Football Recruiting: Running back backs off South Carolina pledge - Savannah (Ga.) Beach class of 2021 three-star running back Antario Brown has decommitted from South Carolina, the 5-foot-11, 213-pounder announced on Twitter Sunday afternoon. (link) Insider notes: baseball scrimmage (Oct. 9) - Pitchers dominated Friday. (subscription) Photos: Gamecocks Scrimmage Saturday - The Gamecocks rounded out their scrimmages for the week on Saturday morning. (link) - Jackson Fields

3. 📅 On This Date Oct. 13, 1984 - Carolina continued to inch into the national spotlight, as the 17th ranked Gamecocks pummeled the visiting Pitt Panthers 45-21 as USC took a game that was close at halftime into a runaway in the second half. The first score of the game came midway through the first quarter, as USC linebacker Carl Hill sacked Pitt's John Congemi and forced a fumble that Carolina recovered at the Pitt five. It took just one play to score, as Allen Mitchell found freshman Danny Smith for a five-yard touchdown pass. After the Panthers missed a field goal early in the second USC went on a 71-yard drive that finished with Kent Hagood going from the four to push the lead to 14-0. Pitt was able to counter with a pair of scores thanks to a couple of Gamecock penalties and some grueling running by Craig 'Ironhead' Heyward. One score came on a 1-yard run by Heyward, the other was a 60-yard pass from future New York Mets minor leaguer Chris Jelic to Dwight Scales. Mike Hold then relieved Mitchell at quarterback and drove USC for another score before the half, finishing it off with a 31-yard TD toss to Chris Wade. The two teams traded turnovers to start the second half, then Hold and Wade combined again for a score, this one coming from 33 yards out to make it 28-14. A 34-yard pass from Jelic to Scales set up another rushing score by Heyward but that would be the last the Panthers would score on this day. A key 3rd down 24-yard pass from Mitchell to Wade led to a 43-yard touchdown run by Thomas Dendy. On the next Pitt possession, cornerback Otis Morris celebrated his birthday by picking off Jelic, leading to a Scott Hagler field goal and a 38-21 lead. USC's final score was set up by a long punt return from Jerry Dunlap and a 20-yard run by Quinton Lewis, as Mitchell and Danny Smith combined for a second touchdown, this one from 23 yards out. The win moved USC up to #11 in the polls and set up a key game the next week at Notre Dame. Oct. 13 Birthdays • Wes Clarke (Catcher, 2019-2020) - As sophomore, hit .286 with team-bests of eight home runs and 22 RBI in 16 starts • Ricky Ferguson (Linebacker, 1988-1990) - Walk-on became valuable reserve, had 17 career tackles and an interception • John LeHeup (Defensive Tackle, 1970-1972) - 1972 All-American had 239 career tackles before career in WFL • Otis Morris (Cornerback, 1982-1986) - Talented corner was injury prone but had 64 tackles and 2 picks • Fran Person (Offensive Lineman, 2001-2005) - Played TE, DE, OG and C. Made 3 starts at left guard over 2004-05 • Wes Westbrook (First Baseman, 1978-1979) - 2-year starter hit .252 with 10 HR and 60 RBI. Had 4-5 game with 9 RBI vs Georgia Southern in 1979 John Parker, gamecockarchives.com

4. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown) • Oct. 10 – Football: Auburn (4) • Dec. 16 – Football: Early Signing Day (64) • Feb. 3 – Football: Late Signing Day (113)

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