The USC football team is preparing for a trip to Knoxville Saturday night where a raucous crowd and a revenge seeking Tennessee team will be waiting. The Gamecocks wrecked the Vols season last November with a 63-38 win in Columbia over the then fifth ranked Vols. Not only did the USC offense score touchdowns on nine of ten possessions, the defense knocked out UT quarterback Hendon Hooker who was lost for the rest of the season with an ACL.
The Gamecocks are 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the SEC coming off their win over Mississippi State last weekend. The Vols are 3-1 after a 45-14 win over UTSA last weekend. Thet are 0-1 in the SEC with that loss coming at Florida.
USC coach Shane Beamer addressed the ins and outs of the matchup with the Vols as well as some key items regarding his own team at his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
Some key comments from Beamer:
- Lost OL NI Mansell to season ending injury in practice Sunday, 7 offensive linemen are out right now. Wells is out this week, Brown practiced today, Moore has a banged-up shoulder but should be fine for Saturday night.
- Tennessee has an outstanding running game, rushed for over 300 yards last week, Milton is a dangerous quarterback with a big arm but can also run. Impressed with Vols on defense, have a dangerous punt returner who is averaging 21 yards per return.
- Spaulding is fine, Fortune is fine, Dunn is out this week with ankle sprain.
