Head Coach Shane Beamer met with members of the media on Saturday; Following the Gamecock's first scrimmage of the preseason
August 13, 2023 / VIDEO COURTESY OF USC MEDIA OUTLET
The South Carolina football team held its first scrimmage of the fall on Saturday. Beamer said the team ran through about 80 plays, which was the goal heading into the scrimmage. “Some really quality work on both sides of the ball,” Beamer said. “I wanted to really emphasize our younger players today and see what they can do and give them an opportunity to get out there and show if they can have a role this upcoming season or not. And it was good to see a lot of those guys out there flashing today.”
Notes from the scrimmage:
The competition at running back remains heated, with no returning starter in the group. Former quarterback-turned-wide receiver-turned-running back Dakereron Joyner is the favorite to open the season at tailback, but a few backs made a splash during the scrimmage. Converted tight end Kamron Sandlin returned to action after a minor surgical procedure over the summer, and Beamer said he “looked good.” Beamer also said that transfer Mario Anderson broke off a big run. Don’t sleep on true freshman Djay Braswell. Beamer mentioned him multiple times Saturday and seems bullish on his ability. “He’s got a chance to be a really good player for us and did some nice things today,” Beamer said.
Though he’s locked in as the team’s starting quarterback, Spencer Rattler still played with the initial group of starters during the scrimmage, in large part because the Gamecocks are establishing a new offensive system under Dowell Loggains. “He took every rep today with the first group,” Beamer said. “We wanted to do that today. He needed the work. He’s got a lot of new pieces around him. .... We thought it was critical to be treated like a game.”
After not being spotted at Friday’s practice, both tight end Trey Knox and receiver Antwane Wells missed Saturday’s scrimmage along with a handful of other players: defensive edge Terrell Dawkins, receiver Kelton Henderson, linebacker
Howard, tight end Reid Mikeska and defensive back David Spaulding. Beamer said he expects most of those players to return to practice next week, but Wells could be out for a little longer with a lower-body injury. Beamer said he’s optimistic Wells will be ready for the season opener.
With Wells out of action Saturday, Beamer used the opportunity to give younger receivers some run. He pointed toward five-star freshman Nyckoles Harbor and redshirt sophomore O’Mega Blake as two receivers who played significant snaps. Beamer said sophomore defensive back Nick Emmanwori has made it a personal challenge to out-run the track star Harbor, and their competition in practice should benefit both players.
The Gamecocks lost veteran defensive lineman Jordan Strachan and linebacker Mo Kaba to season-ending injuries in Week 2 last season, but both players have recovered and participated in Saturday’s scrimmage, and Beamer expects both to help lead the defense this year. “We missed them last year,” he said. “It’s great to have those guys back. I think both those guys have had really good preseason so far.”
Beamer said he was pleased with the amount of explosive plays the offense generated Saturday. On the flip side, he said the defense needs to work on limiting big plays as well. He also expressed frustration with the amount of penalties the Gamecocks committed and said that’s something they’ll need to clean up.
Beamer met with the media afterward and said receiver Juice Wells, who has been out of practice, will remain out while working on a lower-body injury. However, he said he expects Wells to be back by game one. He also said Trey Knox, who missed practice time this week, will be back Monday. Beamer said there were no other major injuries of note to report.
August 13, 2023 / VIDEO COURTESY OF USC MEDIA OUTLET
The South Carolina football team held its first scrimmage of the fall on Saturday. Beamer said the team ran through about 80 plays, which was the goal heading into the scrimmage. “Some really quality work on both sides of the ball,” Beamer said. “I wanted to really emphasize our younger players today and see what they can do and give them an opportunity to get out there and show if they can have a role this upcoming season or not. And it was good to see a lot of those guys out there flashing today.”
Notes from the scrimmage:
The competition at running back remains heated, with no returning starter in the group. Former quarterback-turned-wide receiver-turned-running back Dakereron Joyner is the favorite to open the season at tailback, but a few backs made a splash during the scrimmage. Converted tight end Kamron Sandlin returned to action after a minor surgical procedure over the summer, and Beamer said he “looked good.” Beamer also said that transfer Mario Anderson broke off a big run. Don’t sleep on true freshman Djay Braswell. Beamer mentioned him multiple times Saturday and seems bullish on his ability. “He’s got a chance to be a really good player for us and did some nice things today,” Beamer said.
Though he’s locked in as the team’s starting quarterback, Spencer Rattler still played with the initial group of starters during the scrimmage, in large part because the Gamecocks are establishing a new offensive system under Dowell Loggains. “He took every rep today with the first group,” Beamer said. “We wanted to do that today. He needed the work. He’s got a lot of new pieces around him. .... We thought it was critical to be treated like a game.”
After not being spotted at Friday’s practice, both tight end Trey Knox and receiver Antwane Wells missed Saturday’s scrimmage along with a handful of other players: defensive edge Terrell Dawkins, receiver Kelton Henderson, linebacker
Howard, tight end Reid Mikeska and defensive back David Spaulding. Beamer said he expects most of those players to return to practice next week, but Wells could be out for a little longer with a lower-body injury. Beamer said he’s optimistic Wells will be ready for the season opener.With Wells out of action Saturday, Beamer used the opportunity to give younger receivers some run. He pointed toward five-star freshman Nyckoles Harbor and redshirt sophomore O’Mega Blake as two receivers who played significant snaps. Beamer said sophomore defensive back Nick Emmanwori has made it a personal challenge to out-run the track star Harbor, and their competition in practice should benefit both players.
The Gamecocks lost veteran defensive lineman Jordan Strachan and linebacker Mo Kaba to season-ending injuries in Week 2 last season, but both players have recovered and participated in Saturday’s scrimmage, and Beamer expects both to help lead the defense this year. “We missed them last year,” he said. “It’s great to have those guys back. I think both those guys have had really good preseason so far.”
Beamer said he was pleased with the amount of explosive plays the offense generated Saturday. On the flip side, he said the defense needs to work on limiting big plays as well. He also expressed frustration with the amount of penalties the Gamecocks committed and said that’s something they’ll need to clean up.
Beamer met with the media afterward and said receiver Juice Wells, who has been out of practice, will remain out while working on a lower-body injury. However, he said he expects Wells to be back by game one. He also said Trey Knox, who missed practice time this week, will be back Monday. Beamer said there were no other major injuries of note to report.
