South Carolina senior Akeem Auguste has been around long enough to remember when things weren’t so good.
In 2009, the Gamecocks were 7-6, finishing the year with a cold, miserable Papa John’s Bowl loss to Connecticut in Birmingham, Ala.
“It was bad, but we came together and we’ve seen how the older guys did their thing,” Auguste said. “We’ve tried (as seniors) to change it and do things differently, be accountable for everybody. It’s really just worked in our favor.”
Since then, USC has gone on to win an SEC East title and capture 11 wins in a single season, the most in school history.
A lot of winning has led to the 2012 senior class already setting the USC mark for the most victories (35) by a single group for the third consecutive year.
“It’s been a special time around here,” senior center T.J. Johnson said. “Watching the team kind of turn the corner as the years progress. It’s been a fun time, one that I’ll remember the rest of my life.”
Twenty-seven seniors will be honored before the No. 12 Gamecocks (8-2) takes on Wofford (8-2) in their home finale Saturday at 1 p.m.
That group includes: Auguste, Jacob Baker, Reginald Bowens, Kaleb Broome, Andrew Clifford, Justice Cunningham, Travis Ford, Aldrick Fordham, Qua Gilchrist, DeVonte Holloman, Walker Inabinet, Damario Jeffery, Byron Jerideau, Johnson, Blair Lowery, Kyle Madden, Kenny Miles, Davis Moore, D.L. Moore, Jared Shaw, Quin Smith, Seth Strickland, D.J. Swearinger, Devin Taylor, David Wilkins, Shaq Wilson and Adam Yates.
“I just feel like it’s a great opportunity for us to come out there and really put on a show for our fans and let everybody know that this class that’s about to leave is probably the best that ever came through South Carolina,” Auguste said.
The players who walk out for the last time in Columbia represent both the 2008 and 2009 recruiting classes; receiver Alshon Jeffery and cornerback Stephon Gilmore would’ve finished with this class had they not left early for the NFL, making it one of the most talented ever at USC.
USC coach Steve Spurrier said this group will be remembered for its leadership, which gets better with every season.
“Sometimes those other guys, they don’t always listen to us coaches very well. But they will listen to a player who really plays well and plays with tremendous effort,” Spurrier said. “If you don’t play very well and don’t play with great effort, no, you can’t be much of a leader. We have a good bunch of seniors who are that way.”
There are still memories left to make this year: USC can go undefeated at home for the first time in 25 years with a win Saturday; a victory over Clemson would match the longest winning streak in the series by the Gamecocks; winning out, including in the bowl game, would give this program back-to-back 11-win seasons.
“Hopefully these guys, the best feeling is down the road for them,” Spurrier said. “They are trying to set a record that will be tough for the next group to break.”
No matter what, these seniors have plenty of memories to fall back on.
Swearinger said he’ll never forget the win at Florida his sophomore year that clinched the division crown and the Capital One Bowl victory a year ago.
“That’s one of the things I came here to do, come here and make history with the senior class,” Swearinger said. “Hopefully we’ll have a moment this year that will top both those times.”
Johnson said he wants to also remember the moments off the field when the players cut up in the locker room and played pranks on each other.
After all, they’re family.
“We just formed a bond that we are brothers,” Jerideau said about the seniors. “We look out for each other. We’re there for each other.”
link: http://www.independentmail.com/news/2012/nov/13/south-carolinas-record-setting-senior-class-lookin/
In 2009, the Gamecocks were 7-6, finishing the year with a cold, miserable Papa John’s Bowl loss to Connecticut in Birmingham, Ala.
“It was bad, but we came together and we’ve seen how the older guys did their thing,” Auguste said. “We’ve tried (as seniors) to change it and do things differently, be accountable for everybody. It’s really just worked in our favor.”
Since then, USC has gone on to win an SEC East title and capture 11 wins in a single season, the most in school history.
A lot of winning has led to the 2012 senior class already setting the USC mark for the most victories (35) by a single group for the third consecutive year.
“It’s been a special time around here,” senior center T.J. Johnson said. “Watching the team kind of turn the corner as the years progress. It’s been a fun time, one that I’ll remember the rest of my life.”
Twenty-seven seniors will be honored before the No. 12 Gamecocks (8-2) takes on Wofford (8-2) in their home finale Saturday at 1 p.m.
That group includes: Auguste, Jacob Baker, Reginald Bowens, Kaleb Broome, Andrew Clifford, Justice Cunningham, Travis Ford, Aldrick Fordham, Qua Gilchrist, DeVonte Holloman, Walker Inabinet, Damario Jeffery, Byron Jerideau, Johnson, Blair Lowery, Kyle Madden, Kenny Miles, Davis Moore, D.L. Moore, Jared Shaw, Quin Smith, Seth Strickland, D.J. Swearinger, Devin Taylor, David Wilkins, Shaq Wilson and Adam Yates.
“I just feel like it’s a great opportunity for us to come out there and really put on a show for our fans and let everybody know that this class that’s about to leave is probably the best that ever came through South Carolina,” Auguste said.
The players who walk out for the last time in Columbia represent both the 2008 and 2009 recruiting classes; receiver Alshon Jeffery and cornerback Stephon Gilmore would’ve finished with this class had they not left early for the NFL, making it one of the most talented ever at USC.
USC coach Steve Spurrier said this group will be remembered for its leadership, which gets better with every season.
“Sometimes those other guys, they don’t always listen to us coaches very well. But they will listen to a player who really plays well and plays with tremendous effort,” Spurrier said. “If you don’t play very well and don’t play with great effort, no, you can’t be much of a leader. We have a good bunch of seniors who are that way.”
There are still memories left to make this year: USC can go undefeated at home for the first time in 25 years with a win Saturday; a victory over Clemson would match the longest winning streak in the series by the Gamecocks; winning out, including in the bowl game, would give this program back-to-back 11-win seasons.
“Hopefully these guys, the best feeling is down the road for them,” Spurrier said. “They are trying to set a record that will be tough for the next group to break.”
No matter what, these seniors have plenty of memories to fall back on.
Swearinger said he’ll never forget the win at Florida his sophomore year that clinched the division crown and the Capital One Bowl victory a year ago.
“That’s one of the things I came here to do, come here and make history with the senior class,” Swearinger said. “Hopefully we’ll have a moment this year that will top both those times.”
Johnson said he wants to also remember the moments off the field when the players cut up in the locker room and played pranks on each other.
After all, they’re family.
“We just formed a bond that we are brothers,” Jerideau said about the seniors. “We look out for each other. We’re there for each other.”
link: http://www.independentmail.com/news/2012/nov/13/south-carolinas-record-setting-senior-class-lookin/
