Marcus Freeman talks South Carolina, calls Spencer Rattler 'special' talent
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman hasn’t watched a lot of South Carolina this season, but of the plays he has watched one thing jumps of the film: Spencer Rattler is a problem.
The Gamecocks’ quarterback is coming off his two best games of the season and Freeman knows he’ll present a big challenge for the Irish in the Gator Bowl later this month.
“They have an explosive offense and it all starts with their quarterback. Spencer is an extremely talented individual. I’ve seen him extend some plays with his legs, ability to throw the ball into tight spaces and make good decisions,” Freeman said Sunday night.
“He’s a talented quarterback. We’ve faced some talented quarterbacks this season and he’ll be just as good as those talented quarterbacks we’ve faced. It’ll be a huge challenge, but there are playmakers across the field.”
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Freeman’s South Carolina viewing so far this year has been centered around two games: Tennessee and Clemson. He hasn’t watched those in full, just some series in passing, but what he’s seen has been impressive.
Those were easily Rattler’s two best performances of the year. He went 55-for-76 for 798 yards and eight scores to just two interceptions. The Tennessee game might be the best quarterbacking day ever at South Carolina: 30-for-37, 438 yards and six touchdowns.
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“Whew,” Freeman said, his eyes widening talking about Rattler. “I did take a couple of minutes to peek at just the offense versus Clemson. Then obviously watched a little bit of the Tennessee game. He’s special.”
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Freeman and the rest of the college football world have seen South Carolina in the news after upset wins over both Tennessee and Clemson. The Gamecocks dashed both teams’ playoff hopes, sending them each to the Orange Bowl.
Freeman also welcomes the challenge of a South Carolian team playing maybe its best football of the season.
“For them to beat a common opponent with Clemson,” he said, “that’s an extremely talented team that just won the ACC yesterday, you know you’re facing an extremely talented opponent.”
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The Gamecocks (8-4) and Irish (8-4) will kick off Dec. 30 at 3:30 p.m. from Jacksonville, Fla.
“I can’t tell you how excited we are to play in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against a great opponent in South Carolina,” Freeman said. “We’re all college football fans and to see what they’ve done to finish off the season has been remarkable.”
