Gamecocks Connection: a perfect match

The perfect match.

Hey, I’m Chris Clark with GamecockCentral.com, and welcome to Gamecocks Connection.

This weekly newsletter will consist of a summary of some of the latest happenings in Gamecock Country, reader questions, and one “main idea” that’s on my mind. Plus, there will be some other goodies along the way.

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What’s on the docket today?

The 2023 season is getting closer and closer, and a Gamecocks fan favorite seems poised to, at last, unlock his full potential.

More on why Dakereon Joyner at running back just seems like the ideal fit for everyone involved.

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Get caught up.

Three quick things to know about your Gamecocks from the last few days.

🏈 USC opens the season with North Carolina in Charlotte, and one of the biggest expected impact players from the Tar Heels was recently ruled ineligible by the NCAA.

🏈 Shane Beamer sat down recently for an interview with On3’s Andy Staples, in which he sang the praises of Dakereon Joyner and noted that some other programs tampered with him in the offseason following the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

🏀 Freshman Collin Murray-Boyles is really starting to turn some heads around the USC program.

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The main idea.

— Dakereon Joyner is now heading into his sixth year as a Gamecocks football player.

In that time, he’s played multiple positions for two head coaches and four different offensive coordinators. He’s dealt with injury. He’s dealt with misuse. 

Fans have constantly wondered why it has seemed almost impossible, save for a few instances, to unlock Joyner’s skill set on the field.

They will not be wondering any longer this season with the Lowcountry product finally putting down roots at a position that now just seems perfect for him.

Dowell Loggains thought during bowl practice, when he was still just observing USC’s players instead of coaching him, that Joyner looked like a running back.

Montario Hardesty has thought the same. Joyner grew up idolizing Reggie Bush. The team happened to be short on depth at this season.

Shane Beamer called Joyner into his office and asked if he would be willing to give it a shot.

Credit Beamer for pulling that trigger.

Credit Joyner for being willing to give it a try after a college career rife with moving from spot to spot and once again taking a chance on  something totally new.

A bunch of factors came together to make this move happen. However it happened, it makes so much sense now.

Joyner finally gets to impact the game every time he’s on the field – and he will indeed be on the field more.

He finally has a role – albeit different than the one back in 2018 – where he can touch the ball a lot.

USC fans finally get to see what Joyner can do on a more consistent basis.

Going into his final year in Columbia, Joyner has come a long way since arriving at USC as a dual-threat quarterback. This position move has come a long way, too, going from a thought experiment for spring to Joyner winning the RB1 job.

It may have taken longer than anyone envisioned, but it seems everyone has found the perfect match.

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Meet Nyck Harbor and others!

The third annual GamecockCentral Preseason Kickoff Party date is set!

We’ll be out at Steel Hands Brewing on August 19, and Patrick Davis is playing once again.

It’s a free event, with VIP tickets available. VIP attendees will have the chance to meet Nyck Harbor, Dakereon Joyner, Juice Wells, and others!

VIP tickets are going fast! Get some now!

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Win free USC tickets

107.5 The Game and GamecockCentral.com are giving away the Ultime Gamecock Season Ticket – two season tickets to the South Carolina football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball games for the 2023-2024 school year!

Enter here for your chance to win.

A thanks and a request.

I sincerely thank you for reading this newsletter and hope it’s informative and enjoyable for you.

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