Category: Cooper Hill

Why South Carolina Football Fans are so Upset

By: Cooper Hill

This has been a disappointing year to say the least. As I am writing this, the Gamecocks currently sit at 3-5. The Gamecocks are struggling to even make a bowl game at this point. They have had so many chances to win certain games like Alabama and LSU. Whether it was a bad play call, fumble, or just not finishing games, this team has thrown away opportunities. Many people believe that many coaches such as the offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, and the head coach, Shane Beamer are on the hot seat. The Gamecocks also still have to play number 7 Ole Miss and number 3 Texas A&M. Both of these games are also away games which does not help our chances. I really do not know if we can make a bowl game because we would have to beat one of those teams. We also have to finish the year with a decent Coastal Carolina team, and Clemson who is struggling, but it could still be a toss up. This was one of the favorite teams at the beginning of the season to make the playoffs. Carolina fans, including me, need to see something change, whether it is play calling or staff changes. We need something to be different. This team has so much potential to be a playoff caliber team, but those dreams are now crushed. The Gamecocks do not have any chance anymore to make the playoffs.  At this point, do everything it takes to make a bowl game and regroup for next season. To be honest,  this is what it is like to be a South Carolina fan every single year. It is just let down after let down. Hopefully next year is our year, just like I say every year.

Is South Carolina Football in Trouble?

By: Cooper Hill

After a rough game against Vanderbilt, South Carolina needs a serious bounceback game against Missouri. The Gamecocks fell 31-7. It definitely felt worse than that score. Injuries definitely affected the outcome, but I do not believe it was by much. The Carolina offense looked very weak and did not show many signs of life. After Lanorris Sellers went down with a head injury after a targeting call is where it began to go downhill. Although he went down, a bright side was Luke Doty stepping up and taking command. He completed some tough passes and led a few drives. The Gamecocks do have pretty good quarterback depth this year with Cutter Woods, Air Noland, and Brandon Cunningham. All were very highly rated recruits in their respective classes. So if the Doty experiment does not work out, we have some help. Just like me, most Gamecock fans will be praying that Lanorris will be back so we do not have to worry about the quarterback situation. Also, Carolina does not have an easy schedule from here on out so they need to get the ship on the right path. The running game really needs to step up this week, especially with Lanorris being questionable as of the Wednesday injury report. Rashul Faison has rushed for 135 yards on 27 attempts and one touchdown. Oscar Adaway III has 86 yards for one touchdown on 22 attempts. These two need to have big rushing games if Sellers is out this week. As of right now, I think the Gamecocks are fine. They just need to win a big game this weekend. If not, I do believe that Carolina football will be in a bad spot, especially if they have playoff hopes like they did last year.

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.