Story by Matt Smith
In an era of closed practices, Gamecock fans hadn’t gotten to see much of reserve quarterbacks Dakereon Joyner and Ryan Hilinski. But the 25,832 in attendance at Saturday’s Garnet and Black Spring Game saw the duo throw a combined 59 passes for 391 yards.
Hilinski finished 24 of 36 for 206 yards. Joyner was 10 of 23 for 185 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Joyner also flashed his athleticism, rushing for 60 yards on 8 carries. Each player led multiple scoring drives for both squads and it shook out to a 28-16 Garnet final.
As expected, Jake Bentley and most Gamecock starters saw limited action in the scrimmage. Bentley finished 9 of 14 for 96 yards. Bentley’s final pass was a 25-yard “touchdown” to his old teammate Deebo Samuel, who was acting as this year’s mystery celebrity pass catcher.
Samuel may have been the day’s celebrity, but Jay Urich became its star. Urich caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, amidst completing 6 of 8 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown from the quarterback position. Urich’s 62-yard catch and run on a pass from Joyner was the game’s longest play and got the loudest pop from the crowd. In his postgame comments, head coach Will Muschamp made it clear Urich would stay in the quarterback room but continue to see time at wide receiver, as well.
The biggest winner coming out of the Spring Game was kicker Parker White, who was surprised with a video revealing he had been awarded a scholarship.
FINAL STATS:
WILL MUSCHAMP POSTGAME:
JAKE BENTLEY POSTGAME:
DAKEREON JOYNER AND PARKER WHITE POSTGAME:
JAY URICH AND DONNELL STANLEY POSTGAME:
REPORTING FROM WILLIAMS-BRICE:
— SportsTalk (@sportstalksc) April 6, 2019
