DJ Swearinger has started 24 of the last 26 games on the USC defense, but the pre-season All-SEC safety will be on the sideline this Saturday for the Gamecocks’ SEC home opener against Missouri. Swearinger was suspended for the game by the SEC for his personal foul hit on a UAB receiver in last Saturday’s win.
Swearinger has had a solid start to the season with 10 tackles, 1 interception, 3 passes broken up and a 65 yard fumble return for a touchdown. But the senior from Greenwood means more to the defense than stats. As the free safety, he’s that last line of defense. He brings a physical attitude to the Gamecock defense, perhaps more than any other player.
Swearinger will be replaced by true freshman TJ Gurley who has played in all three games this season and totaled six tackles. Here’s what Steve Spurrier said about Gurley Tuesday:
“T.J. has been with us since the summer. He’s been here a while. He’s a quick learner, tough kid and good athlete. He can play football. He’s on almost all the special teams, which tells you he can run and make tackles. Our scheme isn’t too complicated. We think he can play well. He’s played a little behind D.J. Swearinger). Hopefully he’s ready to go out there and play well.”
Two of the Gamecock defensive leaders, LB Shaq Wilson and DE Devin Taylor, agree Swearinger will be missed but the defense will still be salty.
“TJ is a very hard worker,” Wilson said. “Ever since he stepped on campus he’s worked hard every day and stayed out there with DJ and Rico (McWilliams) and (Jordan) Diggs. I remember them in the summer always staying out there and and going extra. Ever since camp started, he’s worked hard, studied his playbook to learn the plays. He’s been out there a lot with us, especially out there in the dime package. He definitely can cover and make plays. He’s made plays already. You know, its next man up. You just have to go out there and have fun and enjoy playing football.”
AUDIO:
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0:00
Shaq Wilson [2:43]
AUDIO:
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0:00
Devin Taylor [2:25]
Going into Saturday, USC’s defense is ranked 29th nationally, sixth against the run and seventh in scoring.
link: http://sportstalkgolive.com/index.php/2012/09/19/gamecocks-swear-by-defense-even-without-swearinger-audio/
Swearinger has had a solid start to the season with 10 tackles, 1 interception, 3 passes broken up and a 65 yard fumble return for a touchdown. But the senior from Greenwood means more to the defense than stats. As the free safety, he’s that last line of defense. He brings a physical attitude to the Gamecock defense, perhaps more than any other player.
Swearinger will be replaced by true freshman TJ Gurley who has played in all three games this season and totaled six tackles. Here’s what Steve Spurrier said about Gurley Tuesday:
“T.J. has been with us since the summer. He’s been here a while. He’s a quick learner, tough kid and good athlete. He can play football. He’s on almost all the special teams, which tells you he can run and make tackles. Our scheme isn’t too complicated. We think he can play well. He’s played a little behind D.J. Swearinger). Hopefully he’s ready to go out there and play well.”
Two of the Gamecock defensive leaders, LB Shaq Wilson and DE Devin Taylor, agree Swearinger will be missed but the defense will still be salty.
“TJ is a very hard worker,” Wilson said. “Ever since he stepped on campus he’s worked hard every day and stayed out there with DJ and Rico (McWilliams) and (Jordan) Diggs. I remember them in the summer always staying out there and and going extra. Ever since camp started, he’s worked hard, studied his playbook to learn the plays. He’s been out there a lot with us, especially out there in the dime package. He definitely can cover and make plays. He’s made plays already. You know, its next man up. You just have to go out there and have fun and enjoy playing football.”
Download
0:00
Shaq Wilson [2:43]
Download
0:00
Devin Taylor [2:25]
Going into Saturday, USC’s defense is ranked 29th nationally, sixth against the run and seventh in scoring.
link: http://sportstalkgolive.com/index.php/2012/09/19/gamecocks-swear-by-defense-even-without-swearinger-audio/
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