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Gamecocks Bottle Up the Vols 37-0

Palmer Stephens wasted no time in finding his Heisman form in the season opener in Columbia on Friday night. Under the lights at Williams-Brice the Gamecocks buried Tennessee with full control of the game from the outset. Stephens' went 21/26 for 354yds and 5 td's and a pick.

Sophomore, Jose McDermott had high praise for his QB, "Two years ago that guy was destined for selling insurance, he's still going to sell it but it'll be along side Patrick Mahomes in commercials!"

McDermott, alongside Freshman John Jeffcoat shared the rock, racking up 190 yds on the ground and helped the Gamecocks out-possess the Vols 39:00 ot 21:00.

Sophomore wideout, John Toney shined bright as Stephens found him 5 times for 197 yards and 3 scores.

Head Coach Steve Chancey: "John [Toney] had a great year for us last year and I don't think people realize just how talented he is." "I think Tennessee fans are clear, now!"

South Carolina's defense smothered an offense that ranked 26th last year, holding the Vols to 153 total yards. "I was very pleased with our defensive unit tonight." "Tennessee certainly is not in a good place right now and have some rebuilding issues but dang it, this was a season opener against a Conference foe!" "These guys did their job tonight and that's all I asked of 'everbody'."

Chancey was asked about Monday's upcoming game against top-ranked ATM: "We have to prepare." "Cliche, right?" "Texas A&M is elite!" "They are easily top 3 in our conference and loaded with talent." "We are going to need a potent run-stop to have any chance against them; if we're exposed anywhere, it's stopping the run." "We have to protect the ball and take it away from them, create opportunities."

A&M is looking to take another win on the road after smashing SEC West enemy, Auburn 29-6. The Aggies rolled up 244yds on the ground behind their own double-pronged ground attack led by sophomore David Rubalcava. Their defense was sharp, intercepting Auburn's Duhon twice, one of those a 54yd, pick-6. The Aggies are favored by 5 coming in to Columbia.

MFN Ranking: Texas A&M #1, South Carolina #16

Cold-Cocked! A&M Smashes U of SC 27-12

Columbia, SC - Monday night college football at Williams-Brice and a sold-out crowd got very little to cheer about. Allan Savage piloted the Aggies directly down the field on their first possession with a masterful 7-play, 77 yard drive, finding Ben Devine on an 18yd strike. Savage and Devine really didn't have to look back after that, building as much as a 27-7 lead and coasting to victory.

South Carolina's running game was non-existent, while the Aggies racked up 200yds on the ground. Palmer Stephen's was also shut down, barely completing half of his throws. The QB was 22/41 for 209 and just one connection for a score with RB John Jefcoat.

"We needed to control the ball." "We didn't.", said HC Chancey. "We needed to stop the run." "We didn't".

Even though the coach is right about those things, the Gamecocks did very little to stop A&M's air attack, either. Savage was 21/30 for 225 and 3 TD's.

"There's a reason they're #1!" "That's a very good team and I'd be surprised to see if they aren't the one's to represent the Super Conference in the Championship game, this year."

The only good news to come from this game, is that there weren't any new set-backs injury wise and a couple of big-time starters are getting close to returning for SC. LT Clayton Gaines has been upgraded to (P) but will still likely sit out for a couple more weeks. WR Leonel Robbins is ahead of schedule but will likely not suit up for Wednesday night's match up with Northwestern. TE John Greenburg will see his first action this week, since a knee injury in the first pre-season game. Starting MLB Greg Watson has also been upgraded to (P) but will probably not see the field for a couple of more weeks.

Northwestern is coming off of an upset over Washington and will match records when they host the Gamecocks tomorrow night. SC is favored by 2.

Gamecocks Come Away With a 'Weird Won'

Evanston, IL - Head coach Steve Chancey had but 2 words for the press following their 17-3 road-win over the Northwestern Wildcats on Wednesday night. "Weird one."

U of SC came away 'down' in some of the more important stat categories; for them to end up with a win would seem pretty unlikely. On the short-end on 1st Downs, less yards gained overall and more importantly, Heisman QB Palmer Stephens got out-thrown by Keith Watson. Palmer did still get in 2 strikes to paydirt, hitting his favorite target John Toney and newcomer [FSU] Lee Cruse for another.

Palmer did execute 2 long drives in the game, accounting for 10 of the Gamecocks' point tally, the other coming on a 'gift' from Watson when he was picked of by Junior-transfer [LSU] CB Joe Goodall. It took the SC offense exactly one play to capitalize when Palmer hit Toney for the score.

The defense did what it had to do, when it had to do it. Holding NW to a paltry 1/15 on third-down conversions. NW actually went 2/3 on fourth-down. Weird. One.

The Gamecocks stay on the road for Friday Night Lights, visiting Neyland Stadium in Knoxville to take on the Vols who are 0-3. South Carolina won their first matchup in Week 1 [37-0] and is favored by 5.

Gamecocks Double Up on the Vols | Another Visit to Lawrence KS in Store

"They were resting their starters, the last time." That was the word after SC downed the Jayhawks in last year's regular season schedule, 27-24.

"Well I hope everyone got some good sleep!" Words from Greg Watson who is FINALLY cleared to play football again after what seems like 2 years on the IR. "Because I know I did!"

Watson and the rest of the defense are going to need to be fully awake. Like 3 or 4 Redbulls and then some because Kansas' team is even better than last year. "They are on a collision course with a championship matchup, I think.", said the John Gittens (K) for SC.

It should be a great game even though MFN Odds has the Jayhawks as 10 point favorites.

Surprising news out of Columbia, SC Head coach Michael Hill has been giving a vote of confidence from the athletic board of directors. The 2 year record of 9 wins and 23 loses didn't seem to be a point of concern. Local radio (107.5 The Game) broke the news late last night.
With rebuild being the talk on campus it would be shocking to see the team make a change at this point. With 2 years remaining on the contract, it will be interesting to see if an extension is
agreed upon by then. This move seemed to have positive effect on the recruiting front. Speaking of which it seems defense is the talk of the town as many high-profile recruits has been seen out and about MLB Dennis Johnson and SS Jerry Johnson to name a few. With so many holes to fill it is hard to predict what direction the staff will move towards
in the next couple weeks.