South Carolina’s signature win over Tennessee
Nov. 20, 2022
So, the Gamecock performance came out of nowhere. South Carolina (7-4, 4-4 SEC) did the unthinkable on Saturday night, downing No. 5 Tennessee (9-2, 5-2) 63-38 in a game that wasn’t really as close as the final score indicated. So what did we know? Here are a few thoughts on the Beamer's first signature win for his program:
QB SPENCER RATTLER IS VERY TALENTED
It took 11 weeks, but we finally saw the real Spencer Rattler we all thought was coming to Columbia when he committed back in December of last year. Rattler was borderline flawless. He had almost as many touchdowns (6) as he did incompletions (7) in Saturday night’s contest. The throws he made up, down, and over Tennessee's defense offered shades of the absurd arm talent he’s always possessed, but rarely showed this fall. The ex-Oklahoma signal-caller finished the night 30 of 37 for 438 yards. His six passing touchdowns set a program record. Most importantly, he didn’t record a single turnover.
South Carolina did plenty of good things on Saturday night. Jaheim Bell showed up in the running game. Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. was a monster target (more on him in a second), but the Gamecocks won on Saturday because of Rattler. We hadn’t seen that all year. I figured it might happen sooner. But in a game I, nor just about anyone, gave the Gamecocks a shot in, Rattler showed up in the biggest way possible.
GAMECOCKS YOUNG SECONDARY LIMITED THE BIG PLAYS
There’s no real stopping Tennessee’s offense. It’s lightning fast. It’s dynamic. It’s flat-out better than just about anyone. But South Carolina managed well enough on a night when its own offense was electric.
Vols QB and perceived Heisman front-runner Hendon Hooker were off his mark most of the night, before being sidelined due to injury. Hooker finished the night 25 of 42 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. His 60% completion rate was his lowest in a game this season. His 132.5 quarterback rating was also almost 50 points lower than his season average. Cornerback Cam Smith, despite a handful of penalties, kept top Vols receiver Jalin Hyatt in check throughout the night. Hyatt, who entered the game leading the nation in touchdown receptions (15), was held to just six catches for 65 yards.
The former Dutch Fork standout’s longest catch of the night only went for 16 yards, while being held to a 46% catch percentage. No one aside from No. 1 Georgia had been able to solve the Volunteers’ offensive puzzle. South Carolina wasn’t completely without a few whiffs, but only four of Tennessee’s nine chunk passing plays went for more than 17 yards. Against an offense that explosive, that’s as good as it’s going to get.
ANTWANE ‘JUICE’ WELLS IS THAT GOOD
South Carolina’s offense has been an absolute mess in spurts this season last week’s loss to Florida, in particular but Wells has been a hell of a weapon for this squad. The James Madison transfer was an absolute nightmare for a Tennessee secondary that had been semi-susceptible to big plays this fall. He finished the night with 11 catches for 177 yards (!!). He added a three-yard touchdown run on an end-around. Where Wells was most dangerous, though, was late in possessions. Four of his 11 catches came on third or fourth down. His catch on fourth-and-6 on the Gamecocks’ opening drive set up a 19-yard touchdown pass to Bell the following play. Wells picked up another crucial snag with a 25-yard grab on third-and-20 late in the third quarter. South Carolina would score the game-sealing touchdown on a pass from Rattler to Bell to end the drive. Running back MarShawn Lloyd has drawn ample headlines this year, and rightfully so. That said, Wells has been an absolute stud for this South Carolina team and his star shined as bright as it could on Saturday.
NEVER COUNT OUT BEAMER’S GAMECOCKS
I’ve done pretty well on weekly score predictions this year. Saturday? Well, yeah. I had the Gamecocks losing this one 55-10. I had zero faith the offense we saw at Florida could improve enough in a week to be in the same stratosphere as Tennessee, let alone run it off the field. But here we are. Beamer’s squad has shown some serious resiliency in recent weeks. Wins over Kentucky, Texas A&M and, on Saturday, Tennessee took some guts. The Volunteers pushed back plenty in the second half. The Gamecocks never wilted. Folks argue that Beamer’s persona can come across as corny. Personally, who cares if it might be a little cliché? South Carolina just beat one of the odds-on best teams in college football and did so running away. Next up: How about No. 9 Clemson? With Tennessee’s and North Carolina’s losses on Saturday, the Tigers are inching back in to the mix for a College Football Playoff berth. Now, maybe I should take my own advice and stop picking the Gamecocks to lose by six touchdowns in games like this going forward.
Nov. 20, 2022
So, the Gamecock performance came out of nowhere. South Carolina (7-4, 4-4 SEC) did the unthinkable on Saturday night, downing No. 5 Tennessee (9-2, 5-2) 63-38 in a game that wasn’t really as close as the final score indicated. So what did we know? Here are a few thoughts on the Beamer's first signature win for his program:
QB SPENCER RATTLER IS VERY TALENTED
It took 11 weeks, but we finally saw the real Spencer Rattler we all thought was coming to Columbia when he committed back in December of last year. Rattler was borderline flawless. He had almost as many touchdowns (6) as he did incompletions (7) in Saturday night’s contest. The throws he made up, down, and over Tennessee's defense offered shades of the absurd arm talent he’s always possessed, but rarely showed this fall. The ex-Oklahoma signal-caller finished the night 30 of 37 for 438 yards. His six passing touchdowns set a program record. Most importantly, he didn’t record a single turnover.
South Carolina did plenty of good things on Saturday night. Jaheim Bell showed up in the running game. Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr. was a monster target (more on him in a second), but the Gamecocks won on Saturday because of Rattler. We hadn’t seen that all year. I figured it might happen sooner. But in a game I, nor just about anyone, gave the Gamecocks a shot in, Rattler showed up in the biggest way possible.
GAMECOCKS YOUNG SECONDARY LIMITED THE BIG PLAYS
There’s no real stopping Tennessee’s offense. It’s lightning fast. It’s dynamic. It’s flat-out better than just about anyone. But South Carolina managed well enough on a night when its own offense was electric.
Vols QB and perceived Heisman front-runner Hendon Hooker were off his mark most of the night, before being sidelined due to injury. Hooker finished the night 25 of 42 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. His 60% completion rate was his lowest in a game this season. His 132.5 quarterback rating was also almost 50 points lower than his season average. Cornerback Cam Smith, despite a handful of penalties, kept top Vols receiver Jalin Hyatt in check throughout the night. Hyatt, who entered the game leading the nation in touchdown receptions (15), was held to just six catches for 65 yards.
The former Dutch Fork standout’s longest catch of the night only went for 16 yards, while being held to a 46% catch percentage. No one aside from No. 1 Georgia had been able to solve the Volunteers’ offensive puzzle. South Carolina wasn’t completely without a few whiffs, but only four of Tennessee’s nine chunk passing plays went for more than 17 yards. Against an offense that explosive, that’s as good as it’s going to get.
ANTWANE ‘JUICE’ WELLS IS THAT GOOD
South Carolina’s offense has been an absolute mess in spurts this season last week’s loss to Florida, in particular but Wells has been a hell of a weapon for this squad. The James Madison transfer was an absolute nightmare for a Tennessee secondary that had been semi-susceptible to big plays this fall. He finished the night with 11 catches for 177 yards (!!). He added a three-yard touchdown run on an end-around. Where Wells was most dangerous, though, was late in possessions. Four of his 11 catches came on third or fourth down. His catch on fourth-and-6 on the Gamecocks’ opening drive set up a 19-yard touchdown pass to Bell the following play. Wells picked up another crucial snag with a 25-yard grab on third-and-20 late in the third quarter. South Carolina would score the game-sealing touchdown on a pass from Rattler to Bell to end the drive. Running back MarShawn Lloyd has drawn ample headlines this year, and rightfully so. That said, Wells has been an absolute stud for this South Carolina team and his star shined as bright as it could on Saturday.
NEVER COUNT OUT BEAMER’S GAMECOCKS
I’ve done pretty well on weekly score predictions this year. Saturday? Well, yeah. I had the Gamecocks losing this one 55-10. I had zero faith the offense we saw at Florida could improve enough in a week to be in the same stratosphere as Tennessee, let alone run it off the field. But here we are. Beamer’s squad has shown some serious resiliency in recent weeks. Wins over Kentucky, Texas A&M and, on Saturday, Tennessee took some guts. The Volunteers pushed back plenty in the second half. The Gamecocks never wilted. Folks argue that Beamer’s persona can come across as corny. Personally, who cares if it might be a little cliché? South Carolina just beat one of the odds-on best teams in college football and did so running away. Next up: How about No. 9 Clemson? With Tennessee’s and North Carolina’s losses on Saturday, the Tigers are inching back in to the mix for a College Football Playoff berth. Now, maybe I should take my own advice and stop picking the Gamecocks to lose by six touchdowns in games like this going forward.
