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Wednesday, Oct. 7
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1. What you need to know from Muschamp's press conference
South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp met with the media Tuesday afternoon as he always does during the season and previewed this Saturday's matchup with Vanderbilt.
Here are the three things you need to know:
• Gamecocks hope to get Brown back soon
South Carolina could have sophomore DIME linebacker Jahmar Brown back in action soon, Muschamp said, after Brown missed the first two games with a knee injury.
"He played really well at the DIME linebacker and I'm hoping he'll practice tomorrow," Muschamp said Tuesday. "He moved around today. I have not talked to (head athletic trainer) Clint Haggard to see how he did yet, but he did move around today a good bit."
Muschamp also added that sophomore wide receiver Xavier Legette was replaced in Saturday's game by Rico Powers due to a minor groin injury but that he's been back practicing this week and is fine.
• Who starts in the secondary?
Muschamp revealed that the reason junior DB Israel Mukuamu played safety instead of cornerback against Florida was to help protect the groin injury that forced him to miss parts of practice last week.
Muschamp said that Mukuaumu would be back at cornerback this week, but did praise the job Johnny Dixon did at cornerback in place of Mukuamu in Gainsville and did leave the door open to Dixon getting another start.
Muschamp also said that he feels the biggest issue facing his defense right now is the explosive plays allowed in the passing game.
• Burch, Hemingway will play more
It’s been a struggle for the Gamecock defense through two games, but two of the brighter spots have come on the defensive line in the form of two freshmen with Jordan Burch and Tonka Hemingway.
Both were highly regarded members of South Carolina’s 2020 recruiting class, and have made an impact early in their careers.
They haven’t gotten a lot of run to start the season, but that could change Saturday against Vanderbilt.
“They’re going to continue to play more,” Muschamp said. “They’re both playing really well.”
Football - Tale of the Tape: Observations from South Carolina vs. Florida - With the return of the Tale of the Tape, we'll dive into some observations that you may have missed when watching the game live. (subscription)
Football - South Carolina depth chart: Gamecocks vs. Vanderbilt - Below is Gamecock Central's projected depth chart for the South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Vanderbilt. (link)
Football: Gamecocks still deciding between Mukuamu, Dixon at corner - South Carolina’s secondary hasn’t been the strong point of the Gamecock defense this season, but one young player is standing out and off to a strong start through two games. (link)
Football: Burch, Hemingway 'going to continue to play more' - It’s been a struggle for the Gamecock defense through two games, but two of the brighter spots have come on the defensive line in the form of two freshmen with Jordan Burch and Tonka Hemingway. (link)
Football: Gamecocks hoping to get Jahmar Brown back soon - Muschamp said that Brown gives the Gamecocks a lot of flexibility in which coverages they can call when he's on the field and they hope to get him back in the fold soon. (link)
Football - Five Things: John Dixon, Kevin Harris, coaching philosophy - As I do every week, here are five things I observed Saturday. (subscription)
Football - VIDEO: Will Muschamp previews Vanderbilt at 12:30 - South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp previews the Vanderbilt Commodores as the Gamecocks prepare for a trip to Nashville. (link)
Insider notes: baseball scrimmage (Oct. 6) - Three pitchers made their fall debuts Tuesday with all three guys arms that will factor into the pitching staff in some way this season. (subscription)
Gamecocks in the NFL: Davis, Fenton, others have big days - South Carolina had a handful of alums not only play but make impact plays for their respective teams this week, including one player making his debut on Monday Night Football. (link)
Gamecocks in the Pros: WNBA Finals part 2 - The Gamecocks in the WNBA list is down to one and on life support. A’ja Wilson and the Aces are down 2-0 in the Finals and face elimination. (link)
PREVIOUSLY...
Football: Game time set for Auburn game - The game time for the Gamecocks' second home game of the year is officially set, and the Gamecocks are getting another early start. (link)
Football: Sizing up Collin Hill after two starts - Hill has been a bright spot so far behind center, and the Pro Football Focus numbers have actually been kind to him as he tries to get South Carolina its first win of the year. (subscription)
Football: Gamecocks trying to find answers in secondary - Heading into the season, South Carolina’s secondary was expected to be the strength of this Gamecock defense, but two weeks in and the Gamecocks are searching for answers on the back end. (link)
Football Recruiting: Newly offered wide receiver target gives new decision timeline - Eufaula (Ala.) class of 2021 three-star wide receiver Rodarius Thomas landed an offer from South Carolina last week and his first SEC offer may be accelerated his commitment timeline. (subscription)
Football: Inside the snap count - Gamecocks vs. Gators - In this feature, GamecockCentral.com gives subscribers a closer look at how many snaps each South Carolina football player took in the loss to Florida. (subscription)
Football Recruiting: Gamecock football commitments perform on Friday night - GamecockCentral.com has compiled a list of how each's team fared, plus some statistics, in this weekend rundown. RB commitment Caleb McDowell had a huge night on the ground on Friday, and we have notes on his performance, plus others. (link)
WBB: 2022 Top Ten target announces top 13 - 2022 Top ten prospect Maya Nnaji announced her top 13 on Monday. (subscription)
- Jackson Fields
3. 📅 On This Date
Oct. 7, 1995 - A record-setting day for the Gamecocks, as they broke two records in a 77-14 pasting of Kent State. USC had struggled to a 1-3-1 start entering this one, but the offense exploded as they set a school record for most touchdown passes in a game and Reed Morton broke the record for most extra points (11) in one game. USC started fast, as Carolina scored on its first possession. The defense and special teams had set up good field position after Joe Troupe tackled the Kent kickoff returner at his own 14 and then Selvesta Miller and Eric Sullivan stuffed the Flashes for a six-yard loss on third down. USC then drove 41 yards in five plays, with Steve Taneyhill hitting Monty Means for the final four yeards and a 7-0 lead. Next time the Gamecocks had the ball they went 83 yards, with Taneyhill hooking up with Duce Staley for a 10-yard score and a 14-0 lead. Kent then suffered through a miserable offensive possession which included an illegal procedure penalty then three straight sacks as Patrick Garth, Sullivan and Henry Taylor all got to the QB. Backup QB Anthony Wright entered the game and drove USC 46 yards for another score, this one on a 2-yard run by Reggie Alexander. The first quarter mercifully ended but the second didn't start any better - Kent punted from their own 29 and Lee Wiggins blocked it, with Benji Young recovering and taking it 17 yards for another touchdown. After another punt Taneyhill engineered a 59-yard drive, ending it with an 11-yard TD pass to Zola Davis for a 35-0 lead. Carolina opened the second half with another score, this one a 16-yard pass from Taneyhill to Davis as the lead grew to 42 points. An interception by Terry Cousin gave Carolina a short field and Stanley Pritchett added another score, this one a 5-yard touchdown run. The offense then made it three drives and three scores in the third quarter as Wright tossed a 37-yard scoring pass to Davis to make it 56-0. A fumble recovery by Miller gave USC a first down at the Kent 15 and a 14-yard pass from Wright to Mike Reddick pushed the lead to 63-0. After the kickoff Kent lost three yards on first down, then five on second down and fumbled, with Ben Washington returning the fumble for a score and a 70-0 lead. Kent then fumbled again on their next play from scrimmage with Garth recovering at the Flashes' 20. USC mercifully turned the ball over back to Kent State who drove for their first score but a failed onside kick gave Carolina the ball at the USC 49. Scott Moritz then went 33 yards for another touchdown and a 77-7 lead. USC gave up one late score, but the offensive output in the game was staggering.
Oct. 7 Birthdays
• Keith Amos (Offensive Guard, 1989-1992) - USA Today honorable mention All-American in HS, spent 2 years on DL, 2 at OG
• Joe Brooks (Safety, 1983-1985) - Brother of NFL RB James Brooks was 2-year starter at free safety, All-South Independent in 1984
• Jared Gulden (Men's Soccer, 2017-2020) - Took over as regular mid way through 2018 and has started since
• Tom Mixon (Second Baseman, 1976-1978) - Backup infielder hit .343 over his career
• Courtney Weber (Volleyball, 2018-2020) - As a redshirt freshman, played in 19 matches
• Oct. 10 – Football: Vanderbilt (3)
• Dec. 16 – Football: Early Signing Day (70)
• Feb. 3 – Football: Late Signing Day (119)
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