Last Thursday, Spurrier's team whipped the Ole Miss Rebels, ranked number four nationally at the time. That was the first time in South Carolina history that the Gamecocks have ever beaten such a high ranked opponent at the home stadium. In honor of Spurrier's achievements, I decided to create a picture of him on Facebook Grafitti. Click on the replay button to watch the Spurrier creation.
September 30, 2009
September 29, 2009
U.S. Navy Nuke School
They come with IQs off the charts and ASVAB scores that number higher than their life expectancy, but that's what a 22-year-old needs to succeed when he's asked to run a nuclear power plant on a U.S. Navy warship
Gibberish. To the average "idiot," this talk is nothing more than gibberish: "Twenty k is 2R and 20k in parallel with 20k is 10k," says the man in a white lab coat, scribbling on a chalkboard as fast as he talks. Twenty-five students look on, seemingly absorbed. "To determine the voltage out we consider that the step is Vin over 3R, times one half to the N, times feedback resistance. N is equal to the number of nodes slash digits; therefore, the Vstep is equal to (Vin/3R)(1/2)n(RFB). Based on that, who knows what the step voltage is?"
A dozen hands go up. For these young men and women - students at the Naval Nuclear Power Command, Charleston, S.C. - the gibberish is decipherable; for them, digital to analog conversion is easy. They could do it in their sleep.
But we digress. Two months earlier most of these dungaree-clad students were in high school. Many of them got satisfaction from $15 lawn mowing jobs or quarter tips on a newspaper delivery route. But now, as they scribe notes on atomic and nuclear physics, it's clear they're preparing for something monumental: an education that will teach them how to run a nuclear power plant aboard a U.S. Navy submarine or aircraft carrier.
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Gibberish. To the average "idiot," this talk is nothing more than gibberish: "Twenty k is 2R and 20k in parallel with 20k is 10k," says the man in a white lab coat, scribbling on a chalkboard as fast as he talks. Twenty-five students look on, seemingly absorbed. "To determine the voltage out we consider that the step is Vin over 3R, times one half to the N, times feedback resistance. N is equal to the number of nodes slash digits; therefore, the Vstep is equal to (Vin/3R)(1/2)n(RFB). Based on that, who knows what the step voltage is?"
A dozen hands go up. For these young men and women - students at the Naval Nuclear Power Command, Charleston, S.C. - the gibberish is decipherable; for them, digital to analog conversion is easy. They could do it in their sleep.
But we digress. Two months earlier most of these dungaree-clad students were in high school. Many of them got satisfaction from $15 lawn mowing jobs or quarter tips on a newspaper delivery route. But now, as they scribe notes on atomic and nuclear physics, it's clear they're preparing for something monumental: an education that will teach them how to run a nuclear power plant aboard a U.S. Navy submarine or aircraft carrier.
September 28, 2009
Gamecock Defensive Tackle Position
Travian Robertson is Out For Year
Starting defensive tackle Travian Robertson, a Junior and one of the most experienced starters on the Gamecock defense, sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee and is now out for the season. This post looks at the Gamecock defensive tackles that will have to step into a big hole left by Robertson.
Robertson was a workhorse in the first three games playing a ton of snaps. Many of those snaps will now be played by the projected, pre-season starters at the tackle position, Ladi Ajiboye and Nathan Pepper, from Greenville.
Ajiboye was suspended for the first three games of the season. Losing Robertson is disappointing because the prospect of Ajiboye playing alongside of Robertson could have given opposing offensive linemen headaches. Pepper has also played sparingly through the first four game after having suffered an ankle injury early in the Georgia game and playing through a creaky knee. Thus, two solid starting defensive tackles are set for the rest of the season.
However, in the SEC it is definitely unwise to go to war with just two tackles. That is not enough depth to withstand the rigors of four quarters against an SEC offensive line. A defense needs a minimum of four sound tackles . . . if not six . . . who can rotate in and out. Big defensive tackles have to have fresh legs because there is no resting in the battle at the line of scrimmage. If you don't have quality depth in the SEC, the offensive lines will wear down the tackles anchoring the middle of the defense, and the defense will collapse in the second half.
The first of the backup players is Melvin Ingram (6'2, 297), number 6. Fans were disappointed that Ajiboye was unavailable due to a suspension earlier in the year. However, his absence now should be viewed as a blessing in disguise. Ingram played a lot of snaps and gained valuable experience against several strong offensive lines in the first four games. Ingram is a redshirt sophomore who, after undergoing foot surgery in 2008, did not play last season. In the 2007 season, Ingram, then a freshman, played a lot of linebacker (after Jasper Brinkley was injured against LSU). He also returned kickoffs.
After Ingram, there are no tackles left with much experience on the roster. The only scholarship defensive tackle is redshirt freshman Kenny Davis (6-3, 287), from Newberry. Davis plays with number 94. His biography on USCSports.com says he is a, "raw but talented player who is continuing to learn the game." Davis was a three star recruit by the Rivals ranking service. Davis chose the Gamecocks over North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Stanford and Virginia Tech. He played a good bit against Ole Miss when Robertson went down.
The only other uninjured defensive tackle listed is Darantzy Brunson, a 258 pound Junior walkon from Wade Hampton High School. I love Wade Hampton and their exciting Delaware Wing T offense, but it is probably safe to speculate that the Gamecock coaches may be considering position switches to shore up the defensive tackle spot rather than playing Brunson, who is also undersized for tackle in any case.
One possibility is JUCO transfer Steven Singleton (6-3, 300). Singleton (number 75) was rated as a three star offensive linemen coming out of junior college. He was signed out of high school by LSU as a four-star offensive lineman prospect. Already this season, the Gamecock coaches have mentioned that moving Singleton to defensive tackle might be needed. Singleton is not currently listed on the offensive line depth chart so he could get some playing time on the defensive side.
Another offensive lineman who might play some defense is Ryan Broadhead (6-5, 261). Broadhead (number 65) was a terror playing defensive end in the spring game. He is a bit smallish for the tackle position, but possibly he could provide needed relief for the starters.
The other option is moving a defensive end to the tackle spot. Clifton Geathers (6-8, 281) has the size and talent to step into the position. Nevertheless, the coaches have not indicated he would be shifted to tackle. Perhaps they like his huge 6-8 wingspan out on the end to swat away pass attempts. However, the other defensive ends are probably too small to play tackle and Geathers is likely the only player who could step into the job.
Technorati Tags: gamecocks, defensive, line, depth
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Robertson was a workhorse in the first three games playing a ton of snaps. Many of those snaps will now be played by the projected, pre-season starters at the tackle position, Ladi Ajiboye and Nathan Pepper, from Greenville.
Ajiboye was suspended for the first three games of the season. Losing Robertson is disappointing because the prospect of Ajiboye playing alongside of Robertson could have given opposing offensive linemen headaches. Pepper has also played sparingly through the first four game after having suffered an ankle injury early in the Georgia game and playing through a creaky knee. Thus, two solid starting defensive tackles are set for the rest of the season.
However, in the SEC it is definitely unwise to go to war with just two tackles. That is not enough depth to withstand the rigors of four quarters against an SEC offensive line. A defense needs a minimum of four sound tackles . . . if not six . . . who can rotate in and out. Big defensive tackles have to have fresh legs because there is no resting in the battle at the line of scrimmage. If you don't have quality depth in the SEC, the offensive lines will wear down the tackles anchoring the middle of the defense, and the defense will collapse in the second half.
The first of the backup players is Melvin Ingram (6'2, 297), number 6. Fans were disappointed that Ajiboye was unavailable due to a suspension earlier in the year. However, his absence now should be viewed as a blessing in disguise. Ingram played a lot of snaps and gained valuable experience against several strong offensive lines in the first four games. Ingram is a redshirt sophomore who, after undergoing foot surgery in 2008, did not play last season. In the 2007 season, Ingram, then a freshman, played a lot of linebacker (after Jasper Brinkley was injured against LSU). He also returned kickoffs.
After Ingram, there are no tackles left with much experience on the roster. The only scholarship defensive tackle is redshirt freshman Kenny Davis (6-3, 287), from Newberry. Davis plays with number 94. His biography on USCSports.com says he is a, "raw but talented player who is continuing to learn the game." Davis was a three star recruit by the Rivals ranking service. Davis chose the Gamecocks over North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Stanford and Virginia Tech. He played a good bit against Ole Miss when Robertson went down.The only other uninjured defensive tackle listed is Darantzy Brunson, a 258 pound Junior walkon from Wade Hampton High School. I love Wade Hampton and their exciting Delaware Wing T offense, but it is probably safe to speculate that the Gamecock coaches may be considering position switches to shore up the defensive tackle spot rather than playing Brunson, who is also undersized for tackle in any case.
One possibility is JUCO transfer Steven Singleton (6-3, 300). Singleton (number 75) was rated as a three star offensive linemen coming out of junior college. He was signed out of high school by LSU as a four-star offensive lineman prospect. Already this season, the Gamecock coaches have mentioned that moving Singleton to defensive tackle might be needed. Singleton is not currently listed on the offensive line depth chart so he could get some playing time on the defensive side.Another offensive lineman who might play some defense is Ryan Broadhead (6-5, 261). Broadhead (number 65) was a terror playing defensive end in the spring game. He is a bit smallish for the tackle position, but possibly he could provide needed relief for the starters.
The other option is moving a defensive end to the tackle spot. Clifton Geathers (6-8, 281) has the size and talent to step into the position. Nevertheless, the coaches have not indicated he would be shifted to tackle. Perhaps they like his huge 6-8 wingspan out on the end to swat away pass attempts. However, the other defensive ends are probably too small to play tackle and Geathers is likely the only player who could step into the job.Technorati Tags: gamecocks, defensive, line, depth
September 26, 2009
Generals Win Wild Shootout
Defense Stuffs 'Em in Second Half
The Wade Hampton Generals defeated Riverside 63-50 in a wild football game on Friday night.The Generals opened the game with a kickoff return for a touchdown by Blake Hayes, the first of his five touchdowns for the game, and jumped out quickly to a 20-0 lead.
However, Riverside stormed back and took a 28-27 lead around five minutes into the second quarter. The touchdowns were raining down on the field in the first half, which ended with Riverside holding a slim 43-42 lead over the Generals. That is a lot of points for an entire game, to say nothing of just one half of football.
When the Generals came back following a halftime instructional period, you could hear in the boys voices as they whooped and hollered, that the Generals were ready to correct the defensive breakdowns that allowed Riverside's 43 first half points to flow. The Generals defense stuffed Riverside on their first possession and the offense promptly scored to take a 48-43 lead.At that point, lightning, coming down from Travelers Rest, struck nearby and the game was halted for fear a thunderbolt.
When the game resumed in a torrential downpour later that evening, the Generals defensive personnel struck the Warriors offensive guys like thunderbolts from the sky. The weather man should have called the Warriors at halftime and given them a warning to stay indoors because their offense looked dazed against the inspired Generals defense. The Warriors could muster only one long run in the second half for their only TD to make the game close on the scoreboard.
Meanwhile, the Generals offense, thanks to Hayes and Nick Grove, put up another couple touchdowns.
In the fourth quarter, the Generals offense methodically marched on a long sixty yard drive, eating up the clock on a sloppy field. The game ended with the Generals in a victory formation at the Riverside ten yard line.
Technorati Tags: wade, hampton, generals, football, riverside, warriors, 63-50
September 25, 2009
September 24, 2009
Rebels Made Gamecocks Homecoming Opponent
Now They Want to Revenge Gamecock 31-24 Victory
Before the 2008 Gamecock victory over Ole Miss, the Rebels were on the cover of Sports Illustrated for defeating Florida. Some Rebel fans think they were upended because of the SI jinx. However, the final result might have been more closely linked to the fact that the Rebels underestimated the Gamecock football team.In 2008, the Rebels made the Gamecocks their Homecoming opponent. Traditionally, a team picks an easy game so the Homecoming celebration is a happy one.
Now, it looks like they Rebels do not think the Gamecocks were a very good team last year. Rebel defensive end, Kentrell Lockett, made this comment: "You never know. This Thursday might be a replay of the Mississippi State game. We might have 11 or 12 [sacks on Garcia]." Clarion Ledger (Sep. 22, 2009).
That comment makes me think that the Rebels don't have a lot of respect for the Gamecock offensive line. It also looks like they regard the game last year as a fluke or some kind of mojo rather than a loss to a quality opponent. Hopefully, this evening the Gamecocks can prove they deserve to be on the field against the great Ole Miss.
September 22, 2009
Gamecocks Versus Rebels
The Ballad of Archie Who
Yesterday I wrote about the latest great Rebel quarterback, Jevan Snead. I figured it would only be appropriate to review the greatest Rebel quarterback of all time, Archie Manning.
Here is a picture of the Gamecock's Good Old Number 18
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Jevan Snead: Quarterback Extraordinaire
Need4Snead.Com
Ole Miss, a school with a tradition of producing great quarterbacks, is manufacturing another. His name is Jevan Snead, a 6'3”, 220 Junior. Snead is now a genuine quarterback superstar with his own website, Need4Snead.com.The website tells the story about Snead's roundabout path to stardom. He was a highly ranked quarterback coming out of Stephenville High School near Dallas, Texas. He originally committed to play for Urban Meyer at Florida, but reneged on his pledge when Tebow committed to Florida. Instead of Florida, Snead signed a Letter of Intent with Texas. However, when he got to Texas there was another good quarterback on their roster, Colt McCoy. McCoy beat Snead out for the starting job, and in 2006, he transferred to Ole Miss. Now Snead is a big time star for the Rebels.
Snead's self-touting website, Need4Snead.com, reluctantly makes the claim he is the best quarterback in the SEC, i.e., that he is better than Heisman winner, Tim Tebow. “[M]any in the NFL ranks think Snead will be drafted higher than Tebow.” The article on Need4Snead.com justifies the viewpoint, “In their only head-to-head matchup, Snead came out on top a year ago.” Need4Snead.Com News.
Ironically, it was South Carolina's initial coaching ballot for the preseason All-SEC team had Mississippi's Jevan Snead as the first-team SEC quarterback, not Tim Tebow. That Spurrier ballot created the Tebowgate mystery at SEC Media Days. In the face of a media firestorm, Spurrier changed the South Carolina ballot to Tebow. Tebow is great, but it is certainly understandable why Snead's traditional quarterback skills would attract Spurrier's vote.
Here are some of the tout's comments listed on Snead's website:
"Jevan has a rocket arm and good mobility and has improved as a leader and decision maker with each game. He is the best passing quarterback in the SEC, a Heisman sleeper and quite possibly the first quarterback taken in a nearby draft."
- Joe Schad, ESPN College Football Live
"Everybody loves Ole Miss. Everyone's on the Ole Miss bandwagon. The only thing they love more is Jevan Snead, their quarterback. He is, you have to admit, the best NFL-style quarterback in the SEC."
- Randy Cross, SEC Gridiron Live, NFL Network
"He's a tremendous player. Great release. One of the best releases in college football."
- Urban Meyer, Florida Head Coach
"Jevan always throws the ball where it needs to be. He just has a knack for putting the ball in the right spot. He will throw a bullet to your left shoulder when you have a defender on your right hip and he'll throw it soft over your shoulder when you have a step on your defender. Its always a tight spiral and always catchable."
- Shay Hodge, Ole Miss Receiver
"(He) could have a pro career similar to that of former Rebel Eli Manning."
- Mel Kiper, Jr., ESPN
"He is the type of quarterback that can throw it anywhere, anytime."
- Houston Nutt, Ole Miss Head Coach
Rated the No. 2 pocket quarterback in the nation by Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN
"The stars have aligned for the Ole Miss junior, who is generating Heisman buzz."
- Cory McCartney - Sports Illustrated. Comments, Need4Snead.com.
It is apparent that the great Snead and 5th ranked Rebel team are unhappy with their loss in 2008 to the lowly Gamecocks. According to Mississippi journalist David Brandt of the Clarion Ledger, “Snead said last year's loss to South Carolina was certainly one of the most painful games of last season 'You look at the loss we had last year and it kind of stung. I feel as a team we can play much better.'”
Translation: The Rebels were the better team and had an off game.
The Press Conference yesterday fed Snead some more interesting questions about the Gamecocks.
Q: What stands out to you about South Carolina?University of Mississippi Press Release (Sep. 21, 2009). It is interesting that to the hugely talented Snead "coaching" is the "standout feature" of the Gamecocks . . . not the players.
I think they’re well coached. Everybody knows about the coaches there and they’ve done a tremendous job just from watching film. They go extremely hard and don’t take plays off. Like I said, they’re physical, fast and have good motors.
Here's another question for Snead:
Q: Did you follow South Carolina at all growing up?
Honestly, I didn’t really have any background with them and didn’t really get a chance to watch them a whole lot.
University of Mississippi Press Release (Sep. 21, 2009).
One thing is sure about the game Thursday. The unranked Gamecocks are going to be underdogs against the media darling Rebels, a team ranked fifth nationally.
Technorati Tags: Jevan, Snead, Rebels, Gamecocks, Need4Snead.com, quarterback
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September 21, 2009
Citadel
The Princeton Band played Dixie at halftime and proved themselves to be very gracious hosts. See Karen Keller New Jersey Real Time News (Sep. 19, 2009). Meanwhile, Citadel overcame Princeton on the football field 38-7 on Saturday. All in all, it was a very good day for the Citadel Cadets . . . if not a bit anti-climatic.September 20, 2009
Stephen Colbert on Corporate Personhood
A South Carolinian Uses Humor to Expose the Truth About Corporatism
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| The Word - Let Freedom Ka-Ching | ||||
| ||||
September 19, 2009
Citadel Verses Princeton
Today's football game include an intriguing rematch between The Citadel and Princeton.
Last year, Citadel won 37-24. At half-time, the Princeton Band, known for its irreverent performances, attempted to perform one. However, the performance was drowned out by booing from the Citadel Cadets, upset at the Band's disrespectful actions regarding the military school's traditions earlier on the campus. Several of the band members' performance, which was a departure from the approved script, included sexual suggestive acts. Championship Subdivision Log (Sep. 26, 2008).
In the second half, feelings still high, the Citadel Cadets surrounded the Princeton Band as it sat in the stands. “Thirty cadets had surrounded us in the stands and were screaming in our faces," said Barnard, a 21-year-old sociology major from Flagstaff, Ariz., today. New Jersey Real-Time News (Sep. 28, 2008).
Today, the Cadets travel to Princeton and face the Tigers on their home field. It will be interesting to see the Tiger fans welcome the Cadets in New Jersey. It will be facinating to find out if The Citadel can win this War of Northern Agression.
My Suggestions to President Obama re ACORN
The Census Bureau has decided to cut off its affiliation with the criminal enterprise known as ACORN. The undercover videos of two journalists working for Big Government Dot Com, have brought the organization's criminal activity once again into the attention of the public. The outrageousness of the ACORN corruption coupled with the prospect of federal funding of it is forcing political action.The House and Senate have both recently voted to defund aspects of federal funding for the organization. However, this has only happened since the media storm raised by Big Government Dot Com. A previous seven attempts to bring such votes to the Floor of the House were blocked by Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker. The attention has forced her hand and caused desperately needed legislative action.
That leaves the Obama Administration. It has a terrible problem.
President Obama and ACORN are very closely affiliated. Obama represented and trained ACORN in Illinois. His Presidential Campaign paid the organization over $800,000. That money was translated by the supposedly neutral 40(c)(3) corporation (i.e., ACORN) into a “get out the vote” effort. The ACORN voter registration fraud associated with that effort was reported to some degree during the Obama Presidential campaign, but perhaps the ACORN corruption was mostly overlooked by the MSM. Moreover, six months ago the NY Times spiked a corruption story based on documents provided by an ACORN whistleblower. See Ed Morrisey HOT AIR (Mar 31, 2009).
With polls showing President Obama's popularity plummeting, he needs to take steps to totally distance himself from ACORN or it could drag him down even further. If he does not, the remnants of the President's credibility will be eroded. Next Sunday, when he appears on the Sunday morning shows to tout his healthcare ideas, watch for President Obama to be asked questions about ACORN on the Sunday talk shows.
Here are two suggestions on steps the Obama Administration might take to further separate itself from ACORN and save the President!
First, Mr. Obama should immediately order Eric Holder, his Attorney General, to conduct an extremely thorough, national investigation. The investigation must be without Democrat political influence or a whitewash might still taint the President. Holder's prosecution should reach the highest levels of the ACORN corruption and should not deviate from prosecuting all persons whose fingerprints are involved, whether that is George Soros or Christopher Dodd.
Second, Obama should issue an Executive Order along the lines of that issued by Louisiana Governer Bobby Jindal. According to WWL Newstalk, “Jindal has . . . blocked any state agency for entering into contracts with the organization.” See also NY Daily News (Sep. 18, 2009) (New York Governor Patterson issues similar executive order).
A Presidential Executive Order ordering federal agencies to make no contracts with ACORN or its related entities would help preserve the $8 Billion in funds that were included in the Obama Stimulus Bill that could go to ACORN groups if not blocked.
Maybe a journalist will ask the President if he will issue such an Executive Order.
Technorati Tags: ACORN, obama, execute, order, investigation, corruption
September 18, 2009
September 17, 2009
Outrageous!
Bob Inglis Votes to Disapprove Joe Wilson
On September 15, 2009, the Pelosi-led House Democrats brought to a vote a resolution to disapprove of Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's speech on September 9. Even though what Wilson said was true, nobody disputes the notion that Wilson was wrong for shouting out, "You Lie!" during President Obama's partisan speech made to a joint session of Congress. The outburst violated the rules of decorum.However, the House had no need to make a formal resolution. Wilson quickly apologized to the President, his apology was sincere, and the President accepted it. Moreover, House Democrats violated the same rule repeatedly in speeches where they accused President Bush of lying. The only reason for the double standard is pure politics.
What is distressing if not surprising is that 4th District Congressman Bob Inglis voted with the House Democrats. Here is a voting Link to HR 744 roll call proving Inglis made the vote.
Whereas on September 9, 2009, during the joint session of Congress convened pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 179, the President of the United States, speaking at the invitation... (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by House)
HRES 744 EH
H. Res. 744
In the House of Representatives, U. S.,
September 15, 2009.
Whereas on September 9, 2009, during the joint session of Congress convened pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 179, the President of the United States, speaking at the invitation of the House and Senate, had his remarks interrupted by the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson; and
Whereas the conduct of the Representative from South Carolina was a breach of decorum and degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives disapproves of the behavior of the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson, during the joint session of Congress held on September 9, 2009.
Attest:
Clerk.
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Below is a copy of my letter to Bob about this vote:
Dear Bob,
Why in the world did you vote with the Democrat leadership to disapprove of Joe Wilson?
Joe has apologized to the President and I believe his apology was sincere.
Moreover, it was understandable why Joe would shout out, "You lie," during that speech. The President WAS actively lying in his speech. The speech was deceptive and entirely partisan.
Additionally, the Democrats did called President Bush a liar on other occasions with no formal sanction.
Finally, some of your fellow House members have openly accused Joe Wilson of being a racist. Why aren't we going to sanction that kind of slanderous commentary from Democrats directed at Wilson?
In view of the above, I do not understand your political vote against a fellow Republican. You seem to be endorsing the notion that Obama was NOT lying, and that Wilson is a racist. Are you now on Pelosi's side of things politically?
Please let me know your reasons for siding with the Democrats on this one. I am scratching my head.
Sincerely,
Your friend,
Edwin Turnage
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Hank Johnson, Georgia Democrat, talks about KKK Riding if Wilson not sanctioned.
Pete Stark Says Bush Lies
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Bob's response:
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September 16, 2009
September 15, 2009
Blogging in Boca
FAU Owls Target the Gamecocks
Gamecocks beat the Florida Atlantic Owls 45-6 in 2006. After the game, Spurrier made some comments that will show up on the opponents bulletin board. "Florida Atlantic's not a great team. They're not a very good team," Spurrier said . . . then pausing as if he were about to retract that statement, he added: "If they hear that, they can hear it. They know they're not a very good team."Sun Sentinal (Sep. 13, 2009).
A lot has changed since 2006, including a significantly improved Owl football program that has won two straight bowl games in 2007 and 2008. On Sunday, Spurrier was complimentary of the Owls. "They are a very good team. I was just watching them play Nebraska. They stacked up for about a half, then Nebraska had some big plays and beat them pretty good."
As they have now had two weeks of time to prepare for the Gamecocks since the 49-3 loss to Nebraska, the Owls see the Gamecocks as a chance for payback.
The nonconference game against the Owls is sandwiched between two big SEC conference games (Georgia and Ole Miss). It is a classic trap game.
After playing 2008 nonconference games against Texas and two Big Ten teams, Minnesota and Michigan State, FAU sees their schedule in 2009 as a definite downgrade in terms of the quality of its nonconference opponents, including the Gamecocks. Here's how the Fushino Football Flog Blog put it:
The non-conference schedule will be a little easier to manage than 2008 has been. . . . All three of those teams are going to be pretty large question marks next year, as far as how successful their teams will be.Fushino's Flog Blog then focused on Spurrier:
I'm already planning to attend the South Carolina game which I hope to be more competitive than the last match up. South Carolina is not known for being a potent high scoring team, but they managed to put more than 50 points on the owls a few seasons ago. When Steve Spurrier was asked what he thought about FAU's football team last time they played he responded, that FAU isn't very good and he stated that he didn't care if FAU fans read that. I'm ready for a re-match Stevy boy! You might want to settle on just one QB to play with before next season starts. We'll have ours all picked out and prepared for some Owl payback on the Gamecocks.Florida Atlantic Football - Making History (emphasis added).
Hopefully, the Gamecocks will be ready for a revenge minded group of Florida athletes. The FAU team has some talent, especially with Rusty Smith at the quarterback position. The Gamecock defense will face a stiff challenge this Saturday.
Technorati Tags: revenge, spurrier, owls, gamecocks, 2006,
September 14, 2009
Here is a video showing a report on the estimated crowd of 1.2 million, September 12 anti-government protest. More pictures at this link.
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Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
September 13, 2009
FAU Next Gamecock Opponent
Owls Coaching Legend Visits Columbia
The Florida Atlantic Owls are coached by Howard Schnellenberger (75). Schnellenberger is the third-oldest Division 1 coach, after Penn State's Joe Paterno and Florida State's Bobby Bowden.Howard Schnellenberger's football office at FAU has an “I love me” wall. Schnellenberger asserts the wall is not a testament to his own ego, but to help with recruiting and fund raising. When visiting top recruits or potential donors come to FAU, he takes them into the office with the wall. "I want them to look around and compare me with Bobby [Bowden] or Steve Spurrier." Greg Cote, Miami Herald (Aug. 10, 2009).
Like those other two coaches, Schellenberger has had an amazing career.
His fame took off after his performance in 1972 as the offensive coordinator under Don Shula's Dolphins. One of those teams, the 1972 Miami Dolphins, are still the only National Football League team to have a perfect season.
Schnellenberger's running backs on that Dolphin team were Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris. They were the first backfield backs to each rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He also had Paul Warfield as one of the receivers in that explosive Dolphin offense. Warfield averaged over 20 yards per catch. As is shown in the picture to the right, Schnellenberger wears the Super Bowl championship ring.
Schnellenberger also won a national championship in 1983. That was while he was the Head Coach of the Miami Hurricanes.
After the 1983 championship, Schnellenberger coached for ten years at Louisville. Schnellenberger pretty much built the Louisville program into an outside-the-BCS national championship contender. Schnellenberg is revered in Louisville. The athletic training complex at the school is named after him.
Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger has taken his Owl team on a, "trip to the woodshed" during the bye week as his team prepares for the Gamecocks. With FAU having had extra week to scheme, the Gamecocks will certainly be facing a team operating on a plan and scheme aimed at an upset.
September 12, 2009
Wade Hampton Falls to Eastside 50-41
Four Turnovers Doom Young Generals
The Wade Hampton Generals could not overcome four turnovers and impressive quarterback play by Eastside star, Drake Thomason, falling to the rival 50-41.Thomason, who also plays baseball as the Eastside shortstop and pitcher, passed for 2,500 yards during 2008 football season. His performance on Friday night indicates he will surpass the gawdy 2008 numbers.
On Friday against the Generals, Thomason was 15 of 31 attempts passing. He passed for 256 yards in the game, and also threw 4 touchdowns with no interceptions. On the year, Thomason now has completed 51% of his passes for 801 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions in 100 attempts. He also rushed for 73 yards in the game. (The Greenville News, Detailed Game Statistics (Sep. 12, 2009)).
In putting up 41 points on Eastside, the Generals offense generated 441 yards on the ground (more than 10 yards a carry) and a few big plays through the air. Both Blake Hayes and Nick Grove (126) rushed for more than 100 yards during the game. Grove had a long 90 yard touchdown run on a fullback dive in the first half. Hayes carried the ball 19 times for 188 yards including four runs of more than twenty yards.Still, the offensive firepower was not enough to overcome the four turnovers.
In the third quarter, with the scored tied 29-29, the Generals looked like they would take control of the game. Their offense was gashing the Eastside defense on the ground. It had just tied the game 29-29 minutes before in a 78 yard, three play drive made up of running plays.
After the kickoff, with the third quarter clock slowly expiring, the Generals defense forced Eastside to punt. On the ensuing drive, the offense was looking as strong as the previous drive. It moved quickly from the Generals 43 yard line to the Eastside twenty five on only five running plays. As Garfield Dandridge, a wingback, carried for a first down at the 25 yard line the three Eastside defenders stopped his forward progress but held him up instead of tackling him. The referee was late with his whistle and an Eastside linebacker to wrestled the football away from the captured Dandridge. A score on that drive would have given the Generals a one touchdown lead, and perhaps insurmountable momentum heading into the fourth quarter. However, as it turned out, the momentum shifted to Eastside. They followed the fumble recovery by scoring three more quick, fourth quarter touchdowns to make the score 50-29 with only around 6:00 minutes left in the game for a Generals comeback.
The never-say-die Generals tried to get back in the game. They scored another two touchdowns after that, but still could only claw their way back to within nine points when a two point try with about a minute left in the game failed. That final Generals TD made it 50-41 leaving Eastside to run out the clock and get a win.
Technorati Tags: Wade, Hampton, Generals, Eastside, Eagles, Drake, Thomason, 50-41, football
September 8, 2009
Obama's Speech to the School Children
I read over President Obama's speech to the children that he will make later today. It is a pretty good speech. There is not much in it that has anything to do with politics, or brainwashing anyone.
However, the brainwashing controversy arose more over the Department of Education study materials that were recommended to accompany the President's speech. Those included proposed assignments where the students would write about such things as how they, "can help the President."
In this case, with President Obama's focus being on the students doing their best and making the most of their educational opportunities no matter what their circumstance, it seems like that assignment would have been fine.
Read on to see some lengthy excerpts of his text.
Now I know it’s not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.
I get it. I know what that’s like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn’t always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn’t fit in.
So I wasn’t always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I’m not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.
But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn’t have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.
Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right.
But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.
Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.
. . . .
That’s why today, I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you’ll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.
Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.
. . . .
The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.
It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.
. . . .
Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
However, the brainwashing controversy arose more over the Department of Education study materials that were recommended to accompany the President's speech. Those included proposed assignments where the students would write about such things as how they, "can help the President."
In this case, with President Obama's focus being on the students doing their best and making the most of their educational opportunities no matter what their circumstance, it seems like that assignment would have been fine.
Read on to see some lengthy excerpts of his text.
Now I know it’s not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.
I get it. I know what that’s like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn’t always able to give us things the other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and felt like I didn’t fit in.
So I wasn’t always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I’m not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.
But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn’t have much. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.
Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don’t have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job, and there’s not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren’t right.
But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you’ve got going on at home – that’s no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude. That’s no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. That’s no excuse for not trying.
Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.
. . . .
That’s why today, I’m calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you’ll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you’ll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you’ll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, I hope you’ll all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.
Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it.
. . . .
The story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough. It’s about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.
It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.
. . . .
Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too. So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
Read More......
Graffiti Self Portrait
I am continuing to experiment with a Facebook Application called "Graffiti." The application reminds me of executing a water color. Click replay to watch the creation played out.
September 6, 2009
Gamecocks Face Big Georgia Line
Georgia O-Lineman, Trinton Sturdivant, Lost For Season
Last Thursday night the Gamecock defensive lineman and Eric Norwood ran circles around the extremely heavy Wolfpack offensive line. The Wolfpack's starting OL averaged 311 pounds. In our August 28, 2009, Post, we stated:
The speedy Gamecock defensive line won the battle against the heavy Wolfpack O-line. The Wolfpack offense was held to just 59 yards on the ground. The Pack passing game was also ineffective as the Gamecocks sacked all ACC star quarterback Russell Wilson six times and held him to 75 yards passing.
The Gamecocks next opponent on Saturday September 12 is the 13th ranked Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are favored by the touts to beat the Gamecocks by more than a touchdown.
The Georgia offensive line represents a way more difficult challenge for the Gamecock defense than was the Pack. Generally speaking, SEC lines are big. Still, you do not see a lot of SEC offensive lines that have players sporting giant bellies or carrying weights grossly exceeding 300 pounds. To the contrary, SEC lineman have to be great athletes because of defensive speed. Many SEC defenses are so fast across their defensive fronts that a large ponderous lineman cannot handle the quickness.
At an average weight of 307 pounds a man, the Georgia O-Line is nearly as big as the Wolfpack line (311). However, unlike the Wolfpack O-line, three of the projected Bulldog starters weigh less than 300 pounds. Only the Wolfpack center (296) was less than 300 pounds.
The smaller size of the Bulldog O-Line likely translates into a quicker line. That advantage should help to neutralize some of the advantage that the Gamecocks enjoyed against the Wolfpack. Thus and obviously, the Gamecocks will face a significantly more difficult challenge Saturday.
Here is a chart showing the projected Bulldog starters.
Sadly, the Bulldog O-line just got significantly bigger than it was before last Saturday. The reason is the tragic season ending knee injury to former left tackle Trinton Sturdivant (306), who was hurt in the Bulldogs loss at 9th ranked Oklahoma State. See The Associated Press (September 6, 2009). Vincent Vance, a 325 Junior, will replace Sturdivant.
The Bulldogs also have a 330 pound guard, Cordy Glenn, on their starting O-line. With two O-linemen of such significant girth (325 and 330), perhaps the Gamecocks will still have a slight speed and quickness advantage.
Now, there is zero chance that the Bulldog offensive line will prove to be anywhere as inept as the ACC line that the Gamecocks just clobbered. On the other hand, just maybe the slight speed and quickness advantage will again open opportunities for the Gamecocks to get sacks, fumbles, and other defensive big plays.
Read More......
The game on September 3, 2009, should be an interesting matchup. The speed, quickness, talent, and youth of the Gamecock defensive line will face up against the size and experience of a big ACC line. In the trenches this Thursday night, it should be a classic battle between Gamecock speed and Wolfpack bulk.
The speedy Gamecock defensive line won the battle against the heavy Wolfpack O-line. The Wolfpack offense was held to just 59 yards on the ground. The Pack passing game was also ineffective as the Gamecocks sacked all ACC star quarterback Russell Wilson six times and held him to 75 yards passing.
The Gamecocks next opponent on Saturday September 12 is the 13th ranked Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are favored by the touts to beat the Gamecocks by more than a touchdown.
The Georgia offensive line represents a way more difficult challenge for the Gamecock defense than was the Pack. Generally speaking, SEC lines are big. Still, you do not see a lot of SEC offensive lines that have players sporting giant bellies or carrying weights grossly exceeding 300 pounds. To the contrary, SEC lineman have to be great athletes because of defensive speed. Many SEC defenses are so fast across their defensive fronts that a large ponderous lineman cannot handle the quickness.
At an average weight of 307 pounds a man, the Georgia O-Line is nearly as big as the Wolfpack line (311). However, unlike the Wolfpack O-line, three of the projected Bulldog starters weigh less than 300 pounds. Only the Wolfpack center (296) was less than 300 pounds.
The smaller size of the Bulldog O-Line likely translates into a quicker line. That advantage should help to neutralize some of the advantage that the Gamecocks enjoyed against the Wolfpack. Thus and obviously, the Gamecocks will face a significantly more difficult challenge Saturday.
Here is a chart showing the projected Bulldog starters.
Sadly, the Bulldog O-line just got significantly bigger than it was before last Saturday. The reason is the tragic season ending knee injury to former left tackle Trinton Sturdivant (306), who was hurt in the Bulldogs loss at 9th ranked Oklahoma State. See The Associated Press (September 6, 2009). Vincent Vance, a 325 Junior, will replace Sturdivant.
The Bulldogs also have a 330 pound guard, Cordy Glenn, on their starting O-line. With two O-linemen of such significant girth (325 and 330), perhaps the Gamecocks will still have a slight speed and quickness advantage.
Now, there is zero chance that the Bulldog offensive line will prove to be anywhere as inept as the ACC line that the Gamecocks just clobbered. On the other hand, just maybe the slight speed and quickness advantage will again open opportunities for the Gamecocks to get sacks, fumbles, and other defensive big plays.
Lay Down You Dogs
1993 South Carolina vs Georgia--Larry Munson Call
Another great memory in the history of this rivalry.
September 3, 2009
Gamecocks Win!!!!!!
Gamecocks missed two field goals on the road in the ACC. I'm having trouble typing this. Go Gamecocks.
Read More......
Audit the Fed Interview--Transparency!
Fox interviewed Ron Paul about auditing the Federal Reserve Bank. The corporate cronies in both parties are going to raise a hue and cry as Representative Paul's Audit the Fed Bill (HR 1207) creeps closer to an actual vote.
Read More......
September 2, 2009
PTT's Weight Loss Battle
Another month. Time is going by fast. Here is a chart showing my lack of progress in losing weight during the month of August. Hopefully, the month of September is better than this past month.
The chart below gives a three month perspective.
Read More......
The chart below gives a three month perspective.
September 1, 2009
First the Bloggers, Now the Defensive Players
Starting State Defensive End Willie Young Insults Spurrier
Star Defensive End Willie Young does not think much of Steve Spurrier. At least, he doesn't if you believe former Clemson beat writer, Ken Tysiac, of The News and Observer: Young was asked if Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier - who's renowned as one of the most innovative minds in college football - is an offensive genius and whether the way he commands his offense is impressive.Young's comments sound like Young has been reading State Fans Nation Blog, which insulted Spurrier last week.
"No," Young said. "No. I think you can be as sophisticated as you want to. Coach (Dana) Bible (N.C. State's offensive coordinator) can be sophisticated. But if you can beat somebody with basic plays, then you can whip them.
It all comes down to their individuals against our individuals. And if you have a better individual, that individual can shake and bake, probably, and break the other individual down and make a play. That's just generally speaking.
"He (Spurrier) knows his offense. Don't get me wrong. No doubt. No doubt whatsoever. And I think he's confident. But it's going to come down to individual play."
That NC State blogger wrote:
“Don’t know about you, but the words “butt” and “chicken” make me think of the Ole Ball Coach, and I for one will be extremely happy if we sit in the parking lot post-game enjoying some crispy leftovers and savoring the first Pack win of the year.”I wrote about that insult back in my August 24 post.
Last year, the Gamecocks beat the Wolfpack 34-0. However, the Wolfpack are big favorites with the touts to beat the Gamecocks on Thursday. Their players, bloggers, and fans sure seem extremely confident in the outcome. Still, it is pretty amazing that the Pack players are so bold that they would go so far as to insult Coach Spurrier.
A lot has changed in the last decade of college football. Back in the 1990s, it was rare to find an opposing player who would announce how unimpressed he was with Steve Spurrier's coaching. Nor would you hear an opposing defensive player say his team would easily beat Spurrier's offense with “basic plays.” Back in the day, opposing players respected Spurrier.
You've got to give it to NC State.
For a 6-7 team that lost last year to the Gamecocks 34-0, they are bold. Read More......
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