The Verdict: Gamecocks must get mean against Kentucky

South Carolina football superfan Chris Paschal writes a weekly column during the season for GamecockCentral called “The Verdict.” Chris is a lawyer at Goings Law Firm in Columbia.

We could have lost. We really could have. And it would have stunk.

Ask Virginia Tech, who lost to Old Dominion in 2022. Or ask Virginia Tech again when they lost to Old Dominion in 2018. Or ask A&M who lost to App State in 2022. Or North Carolina who lost to App State in 2019. (I am skipping over the fact that we, too, lost to App State in 2019.) Or what about Tennessee who lost to Georgia State in 2019. And didn’t Marshall beat Notre Dame in 2022? 

Sun Belt teams are good. And when they are motivated and hungry, they are dangerous. We could have lost, but we didn’t. And while there was a lot to be upset with this past Saturday, it’s a heck of a lot easier to stomach what we saw knowing we are 1-0 and not 0-1. 

While others were at the pool or the beach or enjoying their last little bit of summer, I was locked inside my house pouring over the game. I read every article I could, I talked to over a dozen and a half people about their thoughts on the game, and I watched and rewatched the entire game. Some of what I watched on TV confirmed what my eyes saw in Williams-Brice. Some changed my opinion.  In the words of former Montana Tech football coach Bob Green, “in some aspects we looked like we were really ready to play, in a couple of other aspects we looked like we just walked off Willie Nelson’s tour bus.” 

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There has been fantastic coverage by the staff at GamecockCentral breaking down schematics, individual performances, and coaching decision. I join in the chorus of many that Dylan Stewart looked like a man among boys. So did Kyle Kennard. And I was very impressed by Jules, Knight, and Kilgore. This defense is salty.

ODU’s touchdowns came off Carolina mistakes. DQ Smith got lost in space on the long touchdown pass, and both of our defensive tackles lined up in three techniques on the quarterback draw. Do you want costly mistakes to happen? Of course not. But in my eyes, I would much rather see a couple of costly mistakes in week one than two long sustained drives for touchdowns. 

Offensively, there were a whole host of issues. Some chalk it up to execution, others chalk it up to poor play calling, and some chalk it up to both of those things and a myriad of other issues. I am not going to give my two cents on what I think happened. Plenty of others have done that, and quite frankly, most of us don’t know that answer. What I will do is go off of what players and coaches have said in the hours and days following the conclusion of the game. 

Yesterday during his press conference, Kennard mentioned that it was great to see all the hard work he put in during the offseason manifest itself on the field, but then acknowledged that “hard work doesn’t always guarantee you anything.” Something that was said by multiple players, coaches, media, and staff throughout this offseason and throughout summer workouts and throughout fall camp was that no other Carolina team has worked as hard as this 2024 Gamecock squad. Justin King commented on one of the summer hype videos done by his amazing team that this was “without a doubt, the best offseason I have seen a team here have.” 

This team worked hard. I have been told by multiple people inside the program that this was the toughest offseason yet. Players stayed back in Columbia to get extra work in when in years past they would have gone home. This team, from what I have heard, is the strongest, biggest, most well-conditioned, in-shape team Shane Beamer has had. 

But are they mean? Do they want to dominate their opponent? Do they want to physically assert their will? Just because you work hard, doesn’t mean you will automatically win. Working hard is the bare minimum. Working hard is a prerequisite. You can be the baddest guy on the football field, but if you didn’t put in the time in the offseason and you’re sucking wind in the second half, you will turn into a teddy bear. You must work hard in the weight room and under the brutal August sun if you want to give yourself a chance to win. 

But that is all you’re giving yourself: a chance. It is not a guarantee. 

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How does Carolina beat Kentucky this Saturday in Lexington? Well, as already mentioned, they checked the first box. They put in the long hours January through August to get their bodies in peak physical condition to withstand the grind of a SEC football game. The second box remains unchecked.  When asked about the perimeter blocking woes this past Saturday, Coach Shane Beamer mentioned yesterday in his press conference that at times it was schematic issues, but that “there were also times where we didn’t go in there with the intent and strain that we needed to.”

Hines Ward loved blocking as much as he loved catching passes. Steve Smith was usually one of the smallest guys on the field every single Sunday in the NFL. Not a soul wanted to go against him.

Does this team have a killer? The staff has a few of them. I know Travian Robertson has a mean streak. I know Shawn Elliott has a mean streak. Is there one on the team? I truly don’t know. I am not in that locker room. But if anyone on this roster does have the mindset of a ticked off dog, we need to see it this weekend. 

When a wide receiver is asked to block J.J. Weaver, or when an offensive lineman is asked to block Deone Walker, or when a defender is asked to run downfield and make a crucial tackle, they must go about that job with the intent of not only winning but dominating. 

One of my favorite sayings is “never take counsel of your fears.”

LaNorris Sellers mentioned he was nervous and timid at times during his first ever start. And that is to be expected, especially for a young man in his position. But even LaNorris acknowledged, fair or not, that he needs to play better. “I’m very excited to move from week one to week two.” That’s the right mentality. 

This team – this program – took the next step by competing and working like they never had before this offseason. The next step is finding out who on this roster is willing to play fearless.   

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