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GNToday: Five things to know for the spring game

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Gamecock Nation Today
Friday, April 5, 2019


Good morning.

The spring game is Saturday, and everything you need to know is below.

Due to the threat of heavy rain, Thursday's baseball game versus Alabama was rescheduled for today and will be part of a doubleheader. Both games will be televised.

If you were forwarded this newsletter or found it on social media, you can sign up here to get it each morning.

1. Five things to know for South Carolina's spring game

South Carolina's annual Garnet and Black spring game is here with kickoff scheduled for noon Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium on the SEC Network.

Here's a look at five things to know for the annual end-of-spring contest.

Young quarterbacks will see plenty of action

Starting quarterback Jake Bentley is expected to get at most three or four series in Saturday's game, meaning plenty of snaps for South Carolina's trio of quarterbacks who are fighting for the No. 2 spot.

The debut of blue chip quarterback recruit Ryan Hilinski will certainly be the focus of a large portion of the fan base, but Dakereon Joyner has also reportedly looked much more comfortable this spring than last. Jay Urich, one of the team's best athletes, also remains in the mix.

With Hilinski only just arriving in June, and Joyner and Urich just playing very limited snaps in one game last season, this is a key opportunity for all three players to play in front of a crowd. And who knows, a big performance from one of the three could provide momentum in the backup quarterback race heading into the offseason.

It's the debut of Pickens and several young defensive linemen

Will Muschamp's first five-star signee at South Carolina, Zacch Pickens will make his debut in front of Carolina fans, but he won't be the only freshman to watch on the line.

Pickens is off to a strong start to his career this spring, for sure, but fellow freshman early enrollees Joseph Anderson and Rodricus Fitten have also flashed. That trio could help form the nucleus of Carolina's front for the next few years.

Pickens has settled in as a three-technique defensive tackle, with Anderson playing defensive end, and Fitten playing the BUCK. All three should get a bunch of snaps Saturday.

Don't forget about freshman offensive tackle Jaylen Nichols either. He's garnered plenty of praise already and has a bright future in the program as an athletic tackle prospect.

Several key projected contributors for 2019 won't participate

Spring games have their place, for sure, but it's important not to forget that the team that runs out to 2001 Saturday isn't the full group that will suit up this fall.

Several major contributors have been held out this spring as they recover from injuries and will likewise be held out of the game: LB T.J. Brunson, DT Javon Kinlaw, WR OrTre Smith and LB/BUCK Danny Fennell.

Several others have been limited to non-contact throughout spring and it remains to be seen how much they'll participate Saturday: DB Jamyest Williams, LB Eldridge Thompson and RB Rico Dowdle.

Senior D.J. Wonnum likely won't play much in the spring game either, primarily because he's a proven commodity and it's not worth risking an injury.

Will Muschamp said Thursday that safety Jonathan Gipson (meniscus) would miss this game and that offensive linemen Hank Manos and Chandler Farrell were considered day-to-day with ankle injuries.

The alumni game is set for 11 a.m.

Carolina fans will want to leave their tailgates early as over 200 former Gamecock players will be on the field for the 11 a.m. alumni flag football game, which will take place on the north end of Williams-Brice Stadium, and the list is extensive.

Such Gamecock Greats as Ryan Brewer, Jeff Grantz, DeVonte Holloman, Hayden Hurst, Marcus Lattimore, Syvelle Newton, George Rogers, Connor Shaw, D.J. Swearinger and Steve Taneyhill - just to name a few - are on the list of players who will be on the field for the game.

Check out the full list of players expected in town here.

Don't forget D.J. Swearinger's Celebrity Charity game

D.J. Swearinger's annual Celebrity Charity Basketball game is set for 6 p.m. at the Carolina Volleyball Center following the spring game.

The event, which will support the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, will feature former Gamecocks Melvin Ingram, Pharoh Cooper, Hayden Hurst and Super Bowl Champion Stephon Gilmore among others.

The former Gamecocks and other former SEC players will take on former Clemson and S.C. State players in the contest.

Click here to get your tickets

Doors open at 5:30 pm
Advance tickets - $15
Door Admission - $20
All students must have a valid student ID for entry.
Student Admission - $5

Parking, TV, Gamecock Walk, and other spring game info

* Parking for the Garnet & Black Spring Game will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Key Road lot will open at 8 am and is free to the public. The Fairgrounds lots (entrance through gates 6 and 10 only) and Gamecock Park will also open at 8 am, with spots available for $10 per vehicle. Gamecock Park will close two hours following the conclusion of the game.

* Fans are encouraged to welcome the team for the traditional Gamecock Walk, which is scheduled for 10 am at Gamecock Park.

* The Williams-Brice Stadium gates will open at 10:30 am. The clear bag policy will be enforced for the game and concessions will be available. General admission seating will be available in the lower bowl of the stadium. In addition, there are several upgrade opportunities, such as 50-yard line seating, available within the official South Carolina Gameday app, which can be downloaded both for iPhone and Android devices.

* The 2019 schedule poster can be picked up in Gamecock Village, which will open at 10 am. Fans are allowed up to five posters per person while supplies last. Lettermen will once again be selling the official spring game program for $5.

* The game will be televised on SEC Network, with Matt Schick and Matt Stinchcomb in the booth and Taylor Davis working the sidelines. 107.5 The Game, the flagship radio station of Gamecock Athletics, will also have gameday coverage.

From USC Media Relations

Wes Mitchell

2. ⚾ Baseball series postponed

After rain washed out USC's Thursday night game against Alabama, the two teams will play a doubleheader today, consisting of two nine-inning games. Game one will be broadcast on the SEC Network Alternate channel with game two on the SEC Network.

• Game 1: SECN Alt. - listen - stats
• Game 2: SECN - listen - stats
• Game 3: SECN+ - listen - stats

Gamecock Central is in Tuscaloosa covering the series. You can find updates on The Insiders Forum and @GCgameday (Twitter).

The Arkansas-Auburn series was set to begin Thursday, but was also rained out. The Razorbacks and Tigers will play a doubleheader today.

Friday
2:30 pm - South Carolina at Alabama - SECN Alt.
3 pm - Arkansas at Auburn - SECN+
TBD* - Arkansas at Auburn - SECN+
6:30 pm - Mississippi St. at Tennessee - SECN+
7 pm - Vanderbilt at Georgia - SECN+
7 pm - South Carolina at Alabama - SECN
7:30 pm - Kentucky at Missouri - SECN+
7:30 pm - Florida at Ole Miss - SECN+
8 pm - Texas A&M at LSU - SECN+

* Will start 45 minutes after conclusion of game one

Saturday
2 pm - Vanderbilt at Georgia - SECN+
2 pm - South Carolina at Alabama - SECN+
3 pm - Arkansas at Auburn - SECN+
3 pm - Kentucky at Missouri - SECN+
6 pm - Mississippi St. at Tennessee - SECN+
8 pm - Florida at Ole Miss - SECN
8 pm - Texas A&M at LSU - ESPN2

Sunday
12 pm - Vanderbilt at Georgia - SECN
2 pm - Kentucky at Missouri - SECN+
2 pm - Mississippi St. at Tennessee - SECN+
2:30 pm - Florida at Ole Miss - SECN+
3 pm - Texas A&M at LSU - SECN

Collyn Taylor

3. Did you say football recruiting?

*** The following items require a Gamecock Central subscription to view.

Spring game visitors – Continuously updated list of prospects expected to be in Columbia on Saturday for the Spring Game. (subscription)

Jordan Burch update – Five-Star Jordan Burch is the subject of a heated recruiting battle between South Carolina and Clemson. (subscription)

Fast-rising junior recaps visit – Lawrenceville, Ga., Daejon Reynolds has seen his stock quickly rise among college coaches, picking up several offers, and he was in Columbia on Tuesday getting a look at the USC program. (subscription)

USC first to offer in-state receiver – The 6-foot-6, 195-pounder has been on USC's radar and was the only freshman invited to a junior day event earlier this year. On Wednesday, the Gamecocks upped the ante by extending an offer. (subscription)

4. This, that, and the other

Football: Video - Werner breaks down QBs, offense during spring ball – USC's veteran quarterbacks coach discusses USC passers and the offense during spring ball. (link)

  • Related: Werner on each quarterback's spring (link)
Baseball: Whit Merrifield of the Kansas City Royals extended his hitting streak to 26 games, the third-longest streak in franchise history.

Softball: Special plans this weekend for Alabama series (link)

  • The 1989 Women's College World Series team will be honored prior to tonight's game; legendary former head coach Joyce Compton will throw out the first pitch
  • On Saturday, Trinity Johnson will have her jersey retired during pregame ceremonies; it will mark the first time in softball program history a jersey has been retired
  • The first 250 fans and 50 students will receive a limited-edition Trinity Johnson "shirzy"
Track & Field: Gamecocks head to Spec Towns Invitational – The outdoor season continues this weekend for the track & field team as the Gamecocks take part in the Spec Towns Invitational in Athens, Ga. (link)

Women's Basketball: Harris named WBCA honorable mention – Junior guard Tyasha Harris earned WBCA Honorable Mention All-America status, the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association announced Thursday. (link)

Women's Golf: Olarra makes the cut – Former Gamecock golfer Ainhoa Olarra made the cut at the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur, winning the second playoff hole to qualify for the final round at Augusta National on Saturday. (link)

Men's Tennis: Gamecocks travel for pair of SEC matches – The No. 18 men's tennis begins a three-match road stretch to close out the SEC season with a weekend trip to face Auburn and No. 26 Alabama. (link)

Women's Tennis: South Carolina defeats Auburn – Senior Ingrid Martins clinched the win for USC, 4-0, against Auburn in the first match of Senior Weekend at the Carolina Tennis Center. (link)

Women's Soccer: Unique opportunity provides inspiration – Even when the score doesn't matter, an off-season scrimmage can make an impact on a team. The women's soccer team recently traveled to Cary, N.C., to scrimmage 2018 National Women's Soccer League champion NC Courage. (link)

Jackson Fields


5. This Date in Gamecock History

April 5, 1972 – Freshman pitcher Earl Bass began to grow his legend at Carolina, as he struck out 14 Clemson batters on his way to a 2-1 win.

  • Bass allowed just one run, and it was unearned, as he held the Tigers to two singles.
  • USC actually trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the seventh, but John Gambrell scored to tie the game.
  • Then pinch hitter Mike Sisk doubled to bring in catcher Drew Choate with what would be the winning run.
  • Bass' record stood at 4-1 after the win and he would finish the year 5-1 with a 1.51 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 65.2 innings.
John Parker, gamecockarchives.com

6. Birthdays and Celebrations!

Joe Regalis – Regalis played on the freshman team in 1967, was a reserve in 1968 and redshirted in 1969 while playing on the offensive line, before making an impact in 1970. He was a top reserve at defensive tackle, making five tackles in the season opener against Georgia Tech, and had two tackles for loss in a win over Wake Forest. Regalis took over as a starter as a senior in 1971 and recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown during USC’s 34-14 win over Virginia. He won the Garnet Spur as the top defensive lineman in the Duke game and had eight tackles, two for losses and a sack against Memphis State. He was sixth on the team in tackles that year. Regalis had a free agent tryout with the New York Jets in 1972.

• Scott Hall (football/linebacker, 1982)
• Kyle Nunn (football/offensive tackle, 2007-11)
• Travis Weston (football/linebacker, 2001-02)

Gamecock Central birthdays

@BrentRGilbert (member since 2003)

If you have a Gamecock Central account - free or subscription - you can add your birthday here.

John Parker, gamecockarchives.com

7. Weekend schedule

Friday, April 5
• 12 pm - Track & Field: Spec Towns Invitational (Athens)
• 2:30 pm - Baseball: at Alabama, SECN Alt.
• 4 pm - Men's Tennis: Auburn, video
• 6 pm - Softball: Alabama, SECN+
• 7 pm - Baseball: at Alabama, SECN

Saturday, April 6
• 8:30 am – Junior Gamecock Club Punt, Pass & Kick
• 8:30 am - Men's Golf: Augusta Haskins Award Invitational
• 9 am - Track & Field: Spec Towns Invitational (Athens)
• 11 am - Football: Alumni game
• 12 pm - Football: Garnet & Black Spring Game, SECN
• 2 pm - Baseball: at Alabama, SECN+
• 2 pm - Beach Volleyball: vs Texas A&M-Kingsville (Baton Rouge)
• 6 pm - Softball: Alabama*, ESPN
• 6 pm - DJ Swearinger Celebrity Basketball Game
• 7 pm - Beach Volleyball: at LSU (Baton Rouge)

* Includes Trinity Johnson jersey retirement

Sunday, April 7
• 8:30 am - Men's Golf: Augusta Haskins Award Invitational
• 10 am - Beach Volleyball: vs TCU (Baton Rouge)
• 12 pm - Beach Volleyball: vs Houston Baptist (Baton Rouge)
• 1 pm - Women's Tennis: Alabama, video
• 1 pm - Softball: Alabama, SECN+
• 2 pm - Men's Tennis: at Alabama, video
• 3 pm - Women's Soccer: CofC & Coastal (Charleston)

8. ⌚ Key Events (Countdown)

• April 6 – Football: Spring game (1 day)
• April 10 – Give 4 Garnet (5)
• April 25 – NFL Draft begins (20)
• May 8 – SEC Softball Tourney (33)
• May 21 – SEC Baseball Tourney (46)
• July 15 – SEC Media Days begins (101)
• July 20 – Muschamp Ladies Football Clinic (106)
• Aug. 31 – Football: Gamecocks vs UNC (148)

More happenings


• April 6 – Football: Alumni Game
• April 6 – Junior Gamecock Club Punt, Pass & Kick
• April 6 – DJ Swearinger Celebrity Basketball Game
• April 6 – Softball: Trinity Johnson jersey retirement
• April 10 – Women's Soccer: Fan Appreciation Clinic
• April 13 – Track & Field: Terrance Trammell, Miki Barber jersey retirements
• April 16 – Football Recruiting: Michael Wyman announcement
• April 23 – Augusta, Spurs Up Tour
• April 24 – Midlands, Spurs Up Tour
• April 29 – Lancaster, Spurs Up Tour
• April 30 – Greenville, Spurs Up Tour
• May 2 – York, Spurs Up Tour
• May 4 – Baseball: Earl Bass jersey retirement
• May 7 – Sumter, Spurs Up Tour
• May 8 – Myrtle Beach, Spurs Up Tour
• May 9 – Atlanta, Spurs Up Tour
• May 14 – Charleston, Spurs Up Tour
• May 18 – SC Legends Camp

Will Muschamp is scheduled to appear at all of the Spurs Up Tour events. More information, including specific locations and ticket prices, will be announced as it becomes available.
 
Thanks. Always enjoy these.
I have to admit it was hilarious at the end of Werners video when he shot that guy down.
 
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