Gamecocks rested and ready for Texas A&M; Roderick leaves the team notes and quotes
October 18, 2022/VIDEOS COURTESY OF USC MEDIA OUTLET
Coach Beamer and select Gamecocks players addressed the media, Tuesday, ahead of this weekend’s home game against Texas A&M. The biggest news coming out of the presser was the confirmation from Beamer that safety RJ Roderick is no longer with the team. Roderick (Cane Bay HS) started 33 games for the Gamecocks' but has battled injuries throughout 2022.
Otherwise, South Carolina and A&M should both be well-rested and relatively healthy coming off open dates. Beamer and his staff have found success with extra practice time, going 5-0 with more than a week to prepare since taking the helm at South Carolina But the Gamecocks have a poor record of performance against the Aggies, losing all eight of their matchups, including last year’s 44-14 loss at College Station, Tex. Texas A&M (3-3, 1-2) enters the game off consecutive conference losses to Mississippi State and Alabama, respectively. If the Aggies fall in Columbia, they will find themselves below .500 for the first time since dropping the 2012 season opener to Florida. South Carolina (4-2, 1-2), meanwhile, is seeking its first four-game winning streak since 2013 when Bruce Ellington was catching passes from Connor Shaw.
Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday that quarterback Haynes King, who suffered a foot injury against Alabama, is available to play against the Gamecocks'. Kickoff between the Gamecocks and the Aggies from Williams-Brice Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
QUOTES
Beamer says one of the reasons they've been so good on special teams is the player buy-in. Notes that Pete Lembo keeps it fun with the weekly themes for punt block. "From the movie Airplane to characters from the Sopranos."
Beamer on DK Joyner, "he's nobody we're concerned about injury wise. He's doing a great job for us on special teams. We've been in a lot of two tight end sets, so that means one less receiver is on the field. Plus, we didn't run a lot of snaps against Kentucky."
Shane Beamer says his last visit to the State Fair occurred when he was an assistant at USC. It was easier for him when the football offices were right across the street from the Fairgrounds.
Beamer jokes that he can judge how well his team meetings are going by the reaction he gets from Zaach Pickens, who sits on the front row for those gatherings. Notes how engaged and passionate he is.
Beamer brags on the job Mitch Jeter has done thus far in the kicking game. "He's a weapon for us."
Beamer: "I want to be able to run it when we have to run it, but I also want to be able to throw it. As you run the ball, it opens up more things in the passing game. I've seen signs of being able to do both."
On whom starts Saturday at QB for A&M, Beamer explains that it doesn't really change their practice plan for the Aggies because the two QBs are fairly similar players.
Beamer notes that MarShawn Lloyd has turned into a complete back. "Happy for MarShawn because football is very important to him. He's very passionate about it and it shows on the field."
Beamer says A&M RB Devon Achane is really, really talented and they do so much with him out of the backfield.
Hale McGranahan of The Big Spur first reported that Roderick was in the transfer portal just ahead of Beamer’s press conference.
Beamer says DB RJ Roderick is no longer with the team. Wouldn't elaborate on the reason. Notes that he had a sit down with Roderick and his mom on Sunday and had good conversations with them.
Shane Beamer beginning his weekly press conference with a quick injury update. Says Corey Rucker won't play this week. Other than that, they are pretty healthy.
KEY PLAYER QUOTES
Douglas says he's hoping to go to the State Fair on Sunday, "so that I can splurge on the food. Maybe win a stuffed animal." Adds he loves Italian sausage dogs and funnel cakes.
OL Eric Douglas up first at USC's weekly press conference. Was asked about never having beaten A&M and how this is his last chance to do so. "You have to treat this like any other game, go out and do your job."
Pickens when asked about playing running back early in his career jokes, "I was 18 then, I'm 22 now. I'm too old to be running the ball."
Pickens says the donut burger at the State Fair is "amazing."
Pickens on the aftermath of the UK game, "we really needed Kentucky. Now we've shown that we can play, we just have to keep showing it. We're trying to stay consistent."
Zacch Pickens: "That's our main goal and trying to figure out, how can we beat A&M. I've never beaten them, and we've never been close."
Jeter says he hasn't been over to the State Fair but he's hoping to get over there to grab a fried Oreo. "That's my favorite."
Mitch Jeter on replacing Parker White as the Gamecocks PK. "It's been pretty fun to be able to learn from Parker over the last two years. We've been successful as a unit."
Rattler: "This is a big game for us, and we're excited for the opportunity."
QB Spencer Rattler in the room now, "halfway in the season and we could have done a lot of things better. But we're in a good spot."
Webb says Luke Doty has given the defense a really good look at A&M's QBs by being able to replicate their skill set.
Webb is big on turkey legs at the State Fair.
Webb on the improvement in the pass rush in Lexington, "I feel like at Kentucky we played complementary football on defense. Especially on 3rd downs."
Webb: "Bye weeks aren't a week off. We went really hard last week."
M.J. Webb next up at the presser. Emphasizes that stopping the run is key to winning in the SEC. Notes this week will be no different because of A&M RB Devon Achane.
October 18, 2022/VIDEOS COURTESY OF USC MEDIA OUTLET
Coach Beamer and select Gamecocks players addressed the media, Tuesday, ahead of this weekend’s home game against Texas A&M. The biggest news coming out of the presser was the confirmation from Beamer that safety RJ Roderick is no longer with the team. Roderick (Cane Bay HS) started 33 games for the Gamecocks' but has battled injuries throughout 2022.
Otherwise, South Carolina and A&M should both be well-rested and relatively healthy coming off open dates. Beamer and his staff have found success with extra practice time, going 5-0 with more than a week to prepare since taking the helm at South Carolina But the Gamecocks have a poor record of performance against the Aggies, losing all eight of their matchups, including last year’s 44-14 loss at College Station, Tex. Texas A&M (3-3, 1-2) enters the game off consecutive conference losses to Mississippi State and Alabama, respectively. If the Aggies fall in Columbia, they will find themselves below .500 for the first time since dropping the 2012 season opener to Florida. South Carolina (4-2, 1-2), meanwhile, is seeking its first four-game winning streak since 2013 when Bruce Ellington was catching passes from Connor Shaw.
Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday that quarterback Haynes King, who suffered a foot injury against Alabama, is available to play against the Gamecocks'. Kickoff between the Gamecocks and the Aggies from Williams-Brice Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
QUOTES
Beamer says one of the reasons they've been so good on special teams is the player buy-in. Notes that Pete Lembo keeps it fun with the weekly themes for punt block. "From the movie Airplane to characters from the Sopranos."
Beamer on DK Joyner, "he's nobody we're concerned about injury wise. He's doing a great job for us on special teams. We've been in a lot of two tight end sets, so that means one less receiver is on the field. Plus, we didn't run a lot of snaps against Kentucky."
Shane Beamer says his last visit to the State Fair occurred when he was an assistant at USC. It was easier for him when the football offices were right across the street from the Fairgrounds.
Beamer jokes that he can judge how well his team meetings are going by the reaction he gets from Zaach Pickens, who sits on the front row for those gatherings. Notes how engaged and passionate he is.
Beamer brags on the job Mitch Jeter has done thus far in the kicking game. "He's a weapon for us."
Beamer: "I want to be able to run it when we have to run it, but I also want to be able to throw it. As you run the ball, it opens up more things in the passing game. I've seen signs of being able to do both."
On whom starts Saturday at QB for A&M, Beamer explains that it doesn't really change their practice plan for the Aggies because the two QBs are fairly similar players.
Beamer notes that MarShawn Lloyd has turned into a complete back. "Happy for MarShawn because football is very important to him. He's very passionate about it and it shows on the field."
Beamer says A&M RB Devon Achane is really, really talented and they do so much with him out of the backfield.
Hale McGranahan of The Big Spur first reported that Roderick was in the transfer portal just ahead of Beamer’s press conference.
Beamer says DB RJ Roderick is no longer with the team. Wouldn't elaborate on the reason. Notes that he had a sit down with Roderick and his mom on Sunday and had good conversations with them.
Shane Beamer beginning his weekly press conference with a quick injury update. Says Corey Rucker won't play this week. Other than that, they are pretty healthy.
KEY PLAYER QUOTES
Douglas says he's hoping to go to the State Fair on Sunday, "so that I can splurge on the food. Maybe win a stuffed animal." Adds he loves Italian sausage dogs and funnel cakes.
OL Eric Douglas up first at USC's weekly press conference. Was asked about never having beaten A&M and how this is his last chance to do so. "You have to treat this like any other game, go out and do your job."
Pickens when asked about playing running back early in his career jokes, "I was 18 then, I'm 22 now. I'm too old to be running the ball."
Pickens says the donut burger at the State Fair is "amazing."
Pickens on the aftermath of the UK game, "we really needed Kentucky. Now we've shown that we can play, we just have to keep showing it. We're trying to stay consistent."
Zacch Pickens: "That's our main goal and trying to figure out, how can we beat A&M. I've never beaten them, and we've never been close."
Jeter says he hasn't been over to the State Fair but he's hoping to get over there to grab a fried Oreo. "That's my favorite."
Mitch Jeter on replacing Parker White as the Gamecocks PK. "It's been pretty fun to be able to learn from Parker over the last two years. We've been successful as a unit."
Rattler: "This is a big game for us, and we're excited for the opportunity."
QB Spencer Rattler in the room now, "halfway in the season and we could have done a lot of things better. But we're in a good spot."
Webb says Luke Doty has given the defense a really good look at A&M's QBs by being able to replicate their skill set.
Webb is big on turkey legs at the State Fair.
Webb on the improvement in the pass rush in Lexington, "I feel like at Kentucky we played complementary football on defense. Especially on 3rd downs."
Webb: "Bye weeks aren't a week off. We went really hard last week."
M.J. Webb next up at the presser. Emphasizes that stopping the run is key to winning in the SEC. Notes this week will be no different because of A&M RB Devon Achane.