King’s Reign
If you haven’t noticed one of the big differences in the defensive backfield this season for South Carolina, he wears the number 7.
Jamarcus King has been a solid performer for the Gamecocks. The Coffeyville Community College product finished the night against the Volunteers with five tackles and two critical interceptions for USC.
“Jamarcus in instinctive,” Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp said. “He’s got length. He’s got all the physical attributes we like and he’s been a very coachable guy since he’s been here. He’s a guy that goes out and works. He listens. He’s very correctable. When you correct him, he doesn’t take it personal.”
Muschamp spoke highly of King on signing day noting that King had “really good top end speed and length at the position to play corner the way we want to play corner here at South Carolina.” Granted, King needed some time to get adjusted to the scheme Muschamp installed for the Gamecocks, but he seems to be doing just fine now.
The Freshmen Shall Lead the Way
Usually, a team depends on their seniors to lead the way on the field when times get tough. However, South Carolina is a bit different.
Sure, there are seniors on the defensive side of the ball that are helping that unit stand tall in the face of adversity when opponents are looking for points. But on offense, the youth movement is making waves. Jake Bentley, Rico Dowdle, and Bryan Edwards have each provided the Gamecocks with a spark that the fans have desperately been looking for. Against Tennessee, the young USC trio accounted for all three touchdowns for the home team.
Bentley was 15-of-20 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Dowdle rushed for 127 yards and a score on 27 carries. Edwards was the second-leading receiver behind Deebo Samuel with 4 catches for 41 yards and a score.
While the expectations are high for these three, Muschamp told reporters that’s to be expected.
“If we put them on the field, we expect them to play at a high level,” Muschamp said. “In order to win in our league, you have to. Only on Sunday as we’re having dinner do we say, ‘You know what? These guys are just freshmen.’ But on gameday and in our preparation and our meetings, that’s not an excuse around here. It is what it is. It’s the situation we’re in, but I’m glad I’ve got the guys we’ve got.”
Home Sweet Home
There’s no place like home and the Gamecocks have enjoyed the time they’ve spent at Williams-Brice Stadium. So far, the Gamecocks are 3-2 at home including the last two wins against UMass and Tennessee. More importantly, the Gamecocks have put up more than 20 points in the last two games. Before October, 20 was the offense’s scoring benchmark. But Coach Muschamp will tell you, that may not be the best recipe for success.
“We’re a different team at home in my short time here as far as how our guys approach and play,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a good thing. We need to be the same all the time.”
Still, Muschamp understands that playing in front of what T.J. Holloman called “the best fans in the world” provides his players with a different energy and it shows.
“They came out tonight rowdy, loud,” Holloman said. “You could see it in Tennessee’s faces that our crowd was there. It was affecting them on offense from a defensive standpoint. The crowd was just amazing tonight and we just want to give a big thanks to them for coming out and supporting us tonight. They were a major part of our victory tonight.”
If you haven’t noticed one of the big differences in the defensive backfield this season for South Carolina, he wears the number 7.
Jamarcus King has been a solid performer for the Gamecocks. The Coffeyville Community College product finished the night against the Volunteers with five tackles and two critical interceptions for USC.
“Jamarcus in instinctive,” Gamecocks head coach Will Muschamp said. “He’s got length. He’s got all the physical attributes we like and he’s been a very coachable guy since he’s been here. He’s a guy that goes out and works. He listens. He’s very correctable. When you correct him, he doesn’t take it personal.”
Muschamp spoke highly of King on signing day noting that King had “really good top end speed and length at the position to play corner the way we want to play corner here at South Carolina.” Granted, King needed some time to get adjusted to the scheme Muschamp installed for the Gamecocks, but he seems to be doing just fine now.
The Freshmen Shall Lead the Way
Usually, a team depends on their seniors to lead the way on the field when times get tough. However, South Carolina is a bit different.
Sure, there are seniors on the defensive side of the ball that are helping that unit stand tall in the face of adversity when opponents are looking for points. But on offense, the youth movement is making waves. Jake Bentley, Rico Dowdle, and Bryan Edwards have each provided the Gamecocks with a spark that the fans have desperately been looking for. Against Tennessee, the young USC trio accounted for all three touchdowns for the home team.
Bentley was 15-of-20 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Dowdle rushed for 127 yards and a score on 27 carries. Edwards was the second-leading receiver behind Deebo Samuel with 4 catches for 41 yards and a score.
While the expectations are high for these three, Muschamp told reporters that’s to be expected.
“If we put them on the field, we expect them to play at a high level,” Muschamp said. “In order to win in our league, you have to. Only on Sunday as we’re having dinner do we say, ‘You know what? These guys are just freshmen.’ But on gameday and in our preparation and our meetings, that’s not an excuse around here. It is what it is. It’s the situation we’re in, but I’m glad I’ve got the guys we’ve got.”
Home Sweet Home
There’s no place like home and the Gamecocks have enjoyed the time they’ve spent at Williams-Brice Stadium. So far, the Gamecocks are 3-2 at home including the last two wins against UMass and Tennessee. More importantly, the Gamecocks have put up more than 20 points in the last two games. Before October, 20 was the offense’s scoring benchmark. But Coach Muschamp will tell you, that may not be the best recipe for success.
“We’re a different team at home in my short time here as far as how our guys approach and play,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a good thing. We need to be the same all the time.”
Still, Muschamp understands that playing in front of what T.J. Holloman called “the best fans in the world” provides his players with a different energy and it shows.
“They came out tonight rowdy, loud,” Holloman said. “You could see it in Tennessee’s faces that our crowd was there. It was affecting them on offense from a defensive standpoint. The crowd was just amazing tonight and we just want to give a big thanks to them for coming out and supporting us tonight. They were a major part of our victory tonight.”
