Football fans will get to double their pleasure with a very unique mascot this Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium as USC entertains Jacksonville State at 12 noon. For the first time in history, two college institutions with the nickname “Gamecocks” will meet on the football field as Carolina looks to snap a four-game losing streak against their 7-2 barnyard brethren from Alabama.
On Tuesday, Shane Beamer met with the media to size up the matchup with JSU, a former FCS powerhouse that is completing its transition to FBS as a member of C-USA. Saturday also marks the Gamecocks’ second trip to the Palmetto State after falling to Coastal Carolina 30-16 back in September.
Key Comments from Beamer:
- Jacksonville State is the second-fastest offensive tempo in nation (behind Tennessee). Has a lot of respect for head coach Rich Rodriguez and recalls facing him when Rich Rod was OC at Clemson, and he was a GA at Georgia Tech.
- No one is happy with the losses but the way out of this is through positivity. Beamer says Proverbs was a theme for one of his friends in upstate and he’s reminded of Proverbs 18:2 (Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinion).
- No one hurts more than our guys when we lose on Saturday. They’re showing how much they want it through the way they’re practicing. Says he doesn’t want players to dread coming into building. As long as he’s head coach, he wants to find joy in coming to work.
- Beamer confirms Trai Jones is out this week, meaning Gamecocks will field ninth different O-line combination Saturday.
- Said theme of practice is joy and relishing the competitiveness of practice. Guys are showing fire, spirit and focus. These guys are responding and care for one another … Need to be obsessed with becoming a better team.
- DQ Smith suspension has been upheld (1st half). Beamer points says he’d like to see interpretation of rule (helmet-to-helmet/targeting) adjusted. Says he understands ruling but points out Smith was trying to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact but lowered and hit w/crown.
