VIDEO: Gamecock Central and Blue and Gold Gator Bowl Preview
Gamecock Central’s Wes Mitchell and Blue and Gold’s Tyler Horka join On3’s Jeff Cameron to give some quick thoughts on South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Gator Bowl.
The matchup is set for 3:30 p.m. on Friday with ESPN carrying all of the action.
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Gamecocks not letting roster turnover effect bowl game offense
By Michael Sauls
Last year in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, South Carolina had to get creative on offense. One year later they’ll have to do so again in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
In 2021 Dakereon Joyner made a surprise start under center and was a perfect 9-for-9 passing for 160 yards and one touchdown.
Joyner won’t have to shoulder that load as much this time around with Spencer Rattler commanding the offense this time around. But his versatility still helps out.
“DK and what he’s done throwing the ball, catching the ball, and running the ball. He can do so much,” Beamer said.”Certainly from a defensive standpoint, he presents problems to defenses because he can do so much.”
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Beamer also brought up players like Tonka Hemingway and Kai Kroger. South Carolina has used both on special teams to help execute fakes and be swing men in their own ways. With roster depth thin in bowls, versatility and multiple uses can be a big benefit.
“We want to be aggressive in all three phases, offense, defense, special teams, and to have guys that can do different things. It certainly helps you know for sure,” Beamer said. “The more that you do as a football player, the better. And those guys are all really good football players, really good athletes.”
With all the roster turnover in this new age of college football caused by opt-outs, the transfer portal, and more, Beamer said it’s vital for players to have that versatility.
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“I’d say we got a lot of guys like that as well,” Beamer said. “Particularly when you get into bowl games, the more you can do, the better when you have rosters that aren’t quite the same as what they were during the regular season. And then it only helps them in their future too, as you go to the next level. The more things that you can do in all three phases, the more value you bring to a team.”
Win a football autographed by Rattler, Emmanwori, Kroeger, and others
Beamer was quick to acknowledge that the struggle isn’t unique to South Carolina.
“It’s kinda the way college football is now,” Beamer said. “Turn on the bowl games, a lot of times it’s a completely different team in some ways. And we’re not in nearly as – I don’t want to say bad shape – but a lot of teams, their whole roster is gone. That’s not the case here.”
Even with the roster turnover though, a majority of South Carolina’s playmakers are still on the roster.
“You look at some of the big plays in that Clemson game, and Tennessee game, and throughout the year. The guys that made plays in those games are still here in Jacksonville with us right now.”
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The players that are getting their first real opportunities to make a difference during the Gator Bowl.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, special teams as well,” Rattler said. “We’ve been just helping these guys who are great ballplayers and showing up throughout practice. We’re bringing their confidence along and showing them the way, knowing that they’ll make plays for us on Friday.”
