Rivalry Week: Gamecocks’ interviews, “Never Again”and Yams
The Palmetto Bowl has a bit of a different look this year, mainly because the South Carolina Gamecocks are 8-3 and ranked No. 24. But even before last night’s, first ever College Football Playoffs Committee ranking for the Gamecocks, head coach Will Muschamp acknowledged that this team is different.
“Obviously, we’re a deeper football team. We have more depth. We’re an older football team although 70 percent of our roster are freshmen and sophomores. This football team competes.”
In Death Valley last season, his (6-6) team fell 56-7. The fight was taken out of them early, and Muschamp knew it.
“Last year, that was one of the things that I told our team. We had some guys who didn’t flat out compete when the adversity sat in-that’s the bottom line.”
“Never again” was heard in several South Carolina player’s post game 2016 interviews and the phrase is perceived as the 2017 rallying cry for the 2017 Palmetto Bowl. Defensive lineman Daniel Fennell weighed in on the “Never again” approach to this year’s game.
“That “never again” attitude that coach Muschamp took that’s been a whole year deal, so it’s not just, he’s turned it on for Clemson. He had it on all year. It’s just been “never again” for the whole season,” Fennell explained further. “Never again can we go out there and get embarrassed……..it’s emphasized now, but it’s always been around.”
Fennell said that the players feed off of it too.
Muschamp may not have turned the “Never again” motto on just for Clemson, but he knows how important a win over the rival is to the Gamecocks’ faithful. And it didn’t take the devastating loss from last year to get the Georgia native’s attention either. “I get it,” he said. How soon did he “get it?”
“Maybe the first day on the job, when 38 people tell you to beat Clemson.”
In last year’s game, Deshaun Watson had six touchdown passes with three going to receiver Mike Williams. Williams also had six catches and 100 receiving yards.
One of the most indelible moments from the game was the second quarter 19-yard touchdown catch by Williams. On that play, Williams carried cornerback JaMarcus King into the end zone.
Williams talked about King riding his back in the
. “I don’t even know their names. Which one was that?” Oh, yeah. I felt him on my back. I just wanted to give him a little ride,” quipped Williams.
“Never again” is a motivational phrase for King and the image of himself being carried by Williams is a motivational tool. King spoke to the media on Tuesday, about the play.
“I did get in the weight room a lot more and that won’t happen again. I don’t watch it a lot but they(people) tagged me in the picture.
Quarterback Kelly Bryant is on the top of every Clemson football opponent’s scouting report and it’s no different with the South Carolina defense. Although he’s a high percentage passer(66.2), his ability to run makes the headlines. So what part of his game will the Gamecocks focus on?
Safety D.J Smith respects Kelly Bryant’s all-around game, but noted that their defensive strategy is to make him pass the ball, and they plan to minimize his running opportunities by keeping a spy on him.
Defensive lineman Taylor Stallworth emphasized the importance of the defense and specifically, his line mates to be discipline and maintain their gaps to prevent big plays from Bryant. He also re-emphasized the importance of gap control to help contain speedy running backs Tavien Feaster and Travis Etienne.
“Like really, like got to lock in. Ain’t no hopping out, because as soon as you hop out just a tad space-they’re gone.”
Last week, Muschamp decided to honor his seniors against Wofford to avoid any emotional hangovers. Last year, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney did honor his players during the rivalry game, and he gave them a curtain call with about three minutes remaining in the blowout. Dabo was only honoring his players with one last appearance on Memorial field, but Smith and offensive lineman Alan Knott took exception to the gesture.
“It was disrespect. They called the two timeouts to gloat on us last year,” Smith told reporters. “We remember all of that, so it’s in the back of our heads. We’re ready to play.”
Does Knott think Clemson respects them?
“I don’t think so and that’s just personally my opinion. The way they finished the game out last year, was kind of not very good sportsmanship, in my opinion.” Knott continued, “But you know that’s fine. We’re going to get our revenge on them.”
There is a lot on the line for the teams, on Saturday, and honestly, both need a win. South Carolina is trying to get to 10 wins, and a win, plus a bowl victory gets it done. For the Tigers, a win keeps their playoff hopes alive.
Knott is well aware of what’s at stake for Clemson and would love to knock the Tigers out of College Football Playoffs contention.
“My personal opinion, it would be awesome. We’ve only beaten those guys once since I’ve been here. And it would just be a sweet ending to it all.”
With so much at stake, the atmosphere at Williams Brice Stadium should be, as they say, lit. During his press interview, quarterback Jake Bentley discussed the campus vibe thus far.
“Throughout campus there’s a big buzz, just going around. People are excited. I think there is more confidence this year, definitely going into it,” Bentley said. “I think everyone is just fired up for this game knowing what it means for people in this state.”
Thanksgiving is here and the media asked the players what their favorite dishes were for the special day. Stallworth likes turkey, sweet corn bread, collard greens…….and yams. He really likes yams.
“I really love yams though……..and pie-and yams. Honestly, my grandmom has the best yams. I’m a long way from home, so if y’all think y’all got some good yams. I’ll test y’all yams.”
Happy Thanksgiving!!!