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Why Lanorris Sellers Could Win the Heisman

By: Cooper Hill

Going into his second year as a starter for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, Sellers is a serious contender for the Heisman. As a redshirt freshman, he threw for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns, while rushing for 674 yards and 7 more touchdowns. Lanorris proved himself early on last year taking Carolina to a bowl game and going 9-4. With receiver weapons, Nyck Harbor, Mazeo Bennett Jr. and true freshman Donovan Murph, Sellers could see a lot of success. All receivers have extremely good potential to have breakout seasons due to Sellers. Not only can Sellers sling the rock, but he is a serious weapon on the ground. Defensive coordinators are going to have a time trying to prepare their team for the dual threat passing and running. Lanorris also has a connection with the new offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, due to the fact that he was the offensive analyst for the Gamecocks last year. In the week one game where the Gamecocks beat the Virginia Tech Hokies 24-11, Lanorris completed 12 of his 19 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 25 yards and another touchdown. These stats are not eye catching, but the 25 yards on the ground are physical, hard runs that got the Gamecocks first downs to win the game. He also had a huge touchdown pass to the former track star, Nyck Harbor. Also, with many quarterbacks, such as Arch Manning and Cade Kulb Klubnik, who were in the preseason Heisman watch, not performing well week one, it gives Sellers an edge to win it. Lanorris just needs to be himself the rest of the year, and keep the mistakes to a minimum. Sellers is for sure a dark horse to win the Heisman trophy this year.

Why Clemson lost to LSU

By: Ben McLaurin

To begin, Clemson was favored going into the game, but for some reason Clemson decides to the game. We were not expecting our star receiver to get hurt on the 2nd drive of the game. LSU does not breed star players, they get them in the portal like Mansoor Delane was a locksmith all night for LSU as a Virginia Tech transfer. Antiono Williams fell with a hamstring injury and he was expected to be Cade’s number one target all night. Clemson’s corner Ashton Hampton played a disappointing game with 3 Pass Interferences, but one was a horrendous call around the fifty-yard line which not only led to a first down on 3rd and 11 but led to a touchdown that put them ahead 17-10. Clemson’s 2nd half and run game was pathetic with 31 total rush yards all night with constant costly penalties that led to drive killers for the Tigers and extenders for LSU. Clemson had a hot start to the 2nd half with a drive until Hauser missed an important kick to extend the lead which fell wide right. The Clemson o-line was experienced and failed to execute unlike LSU’s young o-line that had an effective run game with well over 100 yards. Tj Parker and Demonta Capehart, two projected first round picks, put up 2 total tackles made by Tj Parker which led to 1st year starters like Ronan Hanfan to step up with 12 tackles followed by Sammyn Brown’s 11. In all, Clemson did play a poor game and the ref’s were no help for Clemson. Even without the bad calls, Clemson just played a bad game and were not prepared especially on Garrett Riley’s part with a sorry game plan. Especially in the beginning, instead of getting Cade easy completions he tried to have him read deep concepts against a star studded secondary.

Sonic Pickle Slush Review

By: Hannah-Grace Hagood

Right off the bat, the Sonic Pickle Slush looks like toxic waste. It has pickle boba pearls, pickle slush, and a slightly spicy pickle on top (which is gross). When I tried it I immediately gagged because of the texture and the sour, bitter taste. Then I tried the boba and it was neon green, the taste was 10 times worse than the slush. It was like someone infused boba with pickle juice and let it marinate for a few days. Then here comes the pickle on top, first of all why would you put a pickle on top of a slushie? It was slightly spicy and I don’t know why, no one told me it was SPICY!! Like what? Overall the slushie was awful and I will not be getting it again, 0/10.

Is it Better to Own a Cat or Dog?

By: Madison Grace Hansen

The common question, “is it better to own a cat or dog” circulates through social media at least once a year. Addressing this topic, I personally believe that it is better to own a dog rather than a cat because dogs are easier to clean up after, they can be trained easily, and they are better companions.

Dogs are easier to clean up after because most use the restroom outside and do not require cleaning because they are in the yard. Cats use the restroom in a litter box which is messy and constantly needs cleaning. Although litter boxes have been introduced to society, they are extremely expensive, therefore cat owners purchase the cheaper, messier litter boxes. No cat owner actually enjoys sweeping up the small litter box remnants.

Also, dogs are kinder pets than cats. Cats are not easily trained and they like to scratch and bite which is not good for the owner. Dogs can be trained quite easily if they are trained at a young age. When a dog is trained they can do a multitude of tricks like sitting, spinning, shaking, rolling over, and so much more. Cats do not do tricks, or at least no cat that I have ever seen.

Finally, dogs certainly make for better companions. Although cats can be cute and cuddly, dogs do not get nearly as aggressive as cats and tend to enjoy getting scratches and rubs. Dogs will go on walks and runs with their owners while cats enjoy being lazy around the house. Dogs are also great pets to have if you feel lonely because they are wonderful companions. Once your dog trusts you, they will be your furry companion forever.

All in all, dogs will forever be better pets than cats because they are easy to pick up after, they can be trained effortlessly, and they are amazing companions. Although cats have their own strengths as well, they will never reach the same level as dogs.

NCAA Top 5 Week 1

By: Burns Bateman

To start off with, I will be ranking my top five for the 2025 NCAA college football season. Starting at number one, I have Texas. All eyes for Texas are on Arch Manning. I feel like he will have a breakout season with having a top receiver core in the country. Also having the star running backs like CJ Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner. On the defensive side, they have the top returning defensive unit in the nation. Their defense allowed the third fewest points and yards per game in division one. Coming in second is the Ohio State. With first year quarterback Julian Sayin leading the team, they will have some struggles but he will work it out to lead his team to a top spot in the season. With top receivers like Jerimiah Smith and Quincy Porter, it is going to be hard for other teams to keep up with the Buckeye offense. Number three is the Clemson Tigers. Top defense in the country with players like Sammy Brown, Ashton Hampton, Peter Woods, and TJ Parker. With a defense as strong as Clemson’s, opposing quarterbacks are going to scrambling for their life. They tiger offense is also top tier. Cade Klubnik is going to have a heisman run this year. With Adam Randall running the ball there will be some major rushing yards put up on the board this year. Coming in at number four is Georgia. Kirby Smart always has a strong team and you can never go wrong with putting Georgia in the top five. Gunner Stockton will be a demon on the field this year and with the strong defense backing them up.

Another championship run incoming for the Georgia football team. Lastly, at number five is Notre Dame. Jeremiyah Love is going to be the reason this team stays in the top five all year. The Irish always have a standout defense. That will be the top five for the first week of college football.

Why Contrast Training is Beneficial for Athletes

By: Ford Wilder

The first question you may be wondering is, what is contrast training? Contrast training is pairing a heavy strength movement with a high-velocity, explosive exercise. For example, I might do a heavy squat set and then follow it with a set of box jumps or short sprints. The idea is to use the heavy lift to activate my nervous system, then immediately jump into the activated state to improve power and speed through the explosive plyometric or speed movement. As an athlete, the weight room should not be used for just strength purposes. It should be used to become faster, get more explosive, jump higher, and be a better overall athlete. Training for pure gains and aesthetics will lead to injuries within one’s sport. Also, lifting for only strength will cause one to develop stiff and inflexible muscles. Lacking the necessary fast-twitch fibers and coordination that you need to be a great athlete.

I began contrast training at the beginning of my junior year. I knew it was necessary because of the heavy workload of playing a big role in three different sports throughout the year. I also knew I was going to have to make athletic plays on the court and field. Which would be hard to do if I stuck to my old training habits. As the year went along, I stayed in great shape, got stronger, and did not overly fatigue myself with this new way of training. Contrast training elevated my performance on the football field, basketball court, and track.

Many people believe the main goal in the weight room while in season is to maintain strength without becoming fatigued. I believed this until I began contrast training myself. Through this method, I become faster, stronger, and more explosive throughout the whole course of the year while still being able to perform to my capabilities in game. This allowed me to peak during the postseason of each sport. I played some of my best games/track meets near the end of each season.

Ultimately, I believe once an athlete becomes comfortable and trusts this way of training, they will see their performance skyrocket. Being an athlete is not just about doing sport-specific work. Putting in work in the weight room is where athletes separate themselves from the average. Contrast training is the new and improved best enhancer for athletes

South Carolina v Virginia Tech Preview

By: Benson Elmore

On Sunday, August 31, The Gamecocks travel to Mercedes Benz stadium to play the Virginia Tech Hokies, so here is a breakdown of how I think this game will end up going.

In this game, Carolina is the heavy favorite here by seven and a half points, which I think is pretty valid. I think that Carolina’s offense will be very hard to stop with Heisman candidate Lanorris Sellers, stud wide receivers Nyck Harbor and Mazeo Bennet, and new transfer Rahsul Faison. Also defensive studs like sophomore Dylan Stewart, Jalon Killgore, and Brandon Cisse are going to give Virginia Tech a very hard time moving the ball.

With Mercedez Benz stadium being closer to South Carolina then Virginia, I think that more Carolina fans will be in attendance than Virginia tech. I think the energy will not be as high as a normal college football game, since the location is at a neutral site, and I do not think that this game will be entertaining at all if you are a Virginia Tech Hokies fan. I seriously think that Carolina is going to light Virginia Tech’s defense up and I do not think that Virginia Tech will move the ball well against Carolina either.

Now, a little bit about why Carolina’s stud QB Lanorris Sellers could win the Heisman this year. Lanorris Sellers has a real shot at winning the Heisman this year. He’s got everything you need like crazy arm strength, fast legs, and the ability to make big plays when it counts. Sellers can make all the throws, but what sets him apart is how he moves in the pocket, avoiding pressure and creating chances out of nowhere. He’s a dual-threat QB, so defenses can’t just focus on one thing. If he keeps putting up big numbers and leads his team to wins, he could definitely be in the mix for the Heisman this season. He’s got the tools to be special.

How to Bulk for Football Season

By: Andrew Howle

Bulking for football season is not all about eating everything in sight. There is a perfectly good strategy to bulk with purpose. The bulk is typically initiated to increase muscle, strength, and size for improved performance on the field. Whether you are a lineman looking to strictly improve power, or a skilled position player looking to maintain speed while increasing size. The bulk is an essential tool to this progression of performance within limits.

In order to gain weight, you must eat in a large calorie surplus. This surplus is dependent on what you’re looking to improve with the bulk. It could range from 500-2,000 extra calories on top of your usual intake per day. These calories must contain a large amount of protein and carbs. It is usually recommended to eat about one gram of protein per pound of your body weight. The amount of carbs immensely differs depending on your personal goal of the bulk. It is also important not to skip meals of the day. This specifically calls out breakfast, which many people skip.

These extra calories that are being taken into your body must go to something important like muscle building. It is very important to lift constantly throughout the bulk. This stimulates growth in your body and allows you to put on a bigger frame physically. The most efficient way to put on this size is to track your calories and workouts. This allows you to fill your body with the necessary nutrients to perform at its highest. These extra calories are very pivotal for rebuilding the muscle fibers and tissues of your body.

In conclusion, bulking is a very useful tool to improve performance in football if done right. However, a strict diet and consistent exercise is needed to see the results you are looking for on the field.

Top Travel Destinations I’ve been to

By: Adelaide Eaddy

Out of all of the places I’ve traveled to, I have a list of my favorites that I’ve been to in the past two years. In the past two years I’ve traveled to Harbour Island, New York City, and Rosemary Beach. These three places have been put at the top of my list of recommended travel destinations.

The first destination is Harbour Island, Bahamas. This place is definitely my favorite place I’ve traveled to. In Harbour Island, I went to the beach most of the time, but I also explored the islands on a boat charter that took us to swim with sea turtles, places to snorkel, and beaches to look for conch shells. If someone asked me what to do in the Bahamas, I would tell them to definitely do the boat charter. The guy who took us asked us what we wanted to see and he took us to every place we asked. That was the best thing I did while I was there.

The second destination I would recommend is New York City. New York is a great place to go if you want to take a short trip that you want to always remember. New York is known as the city that never sleeps which I can second that famous phrase. When I was there I went on a boat cruise around new the Statue of Liberty, shopped a lot, and went to a Broadway show. The Broadway show I went to was “The Lion King,” and I would highly recommend it. I would also recommend staying at the Plaza while in New York because everyone there made sure that we had the best stay possible.

The last travel destination I would recommend is Rosemary Beach, Florida. Rosemary Beach is located on 30A that is along the Gulf of Mexico. While you are there, I would recommend going on the beach, of course, and I would recommend going to other towns surrounding it. When I went, my family and I rode bicycles from Rosemary Beach to Seaside and it was beautiful. I would recommend stopping at all of the cute beach shops along 30A as well.

I have made some really good memories in these three places, and I would definitely recommend going to one of these three places at least once.

NFL Super Bowl Prediction

By: Henry Jones

After a long summer break off of cranking out entertaining blogs for everyone in the digital media class, I have had time to refresh my thoughts on my ground breaking sports takes. Which means I am ready to drop more predictions on major sports events such as the Super Bowl. My first prediction of the year is a bold one. Normally I would show bias and say that the Arizona Cardinals (my favorite team) would be taking home the hardware this year, but new year new me. I do believe Cardinals have a good chance at winning the division, the offense just isn’t fully there yet. Now, there are many teams I feel have a shot at the Super Bowl this year. One is the winners of last year, the Philadelphia Eagles. They are still a very strong team despite losing key pieces on defense. Another team, as always, is the Kansas City Chiefs. In my opinion, any team with Patrick Mahomes at the helm is a Super Bowl contender cause he is a straight dog. A negative about this team is Travis Kelce recently getting engaged to that witch, Taylor Swift. Whenever they started dating she stole all his talent and turned him into some hermit crab. Finally, I truly believe that the New York Jets have a real shot this year at the Super Bowl. They have two up and coming offensive linemen and two stud running backs. Also with the addition of Justin Fields they have very solid quarterback play that they haven’t had in multiple years. In conclusion, with the adding of all these new, young pieces, I’d be willing to bet the life of Milling Galloway that the Jets will be taking home the gold this year. This is easy money.