Gamecocks A Little Too Cocky

Week three, Georgia VS South Carolina. Last time we faced the chickens (excuse me, the Gamecocks) we stomped on them for a 48-7 win. But last year was a very different team. We had our veteran Quarterback, our offensive coordinator, our consistent placekicker and most of our best players on the field without major injuries. But this year, we are far from that. And that’s ok. We aren’t trying to be the same team as last year’s. That team was legendary. But this year’s team wants to make a legend of their own. And we’ve got work to do. The Gamecocks came on to that field with fire. They wanted to beat the two-time and still reigning National Champions (it seems every team does) but their own penalties were against them. The bulldogs came out of the tunnel with a fire of their own, as they had big plans for their first SEC opponent of the season. But the Dawgs fire seemed to burn out quickly in the slow start for the Bulldogs. No matter how close Georgia got we just coukdn’t score. Before we knew it, halftime was here and we had let the Gamecocks out score us 14-3. Now that was some what of a shock to the Georgia fans and program. “Georgia? not scoring? I just don’t see it.” And that is what everyone was asking themselves. Yes I have seen us with many slow starts in many different games. But not halftime with only 3 points. That just isn’t Georgia. And that is why it is surprising. Everyone knows the team we are apart of. I am proud of the job these Dawgs did and I know they have worked so hard. I am not all that disappointed. And for a simple reason. I know the team we had last year and how different this team is. It’s a very young team. New players in key positions and too many injuries to count. I can’t help but believe in my team and that they're gonna keep getting better. Georgia went into the tunnel at halftime with their fans booing (I was not booing in front of my tv). There are a couple reasons for the boos. One, it was halftime and we had nothing to show for but a field goal. And the fans were booing hoping Quarterback Carson Beck and Offensive Coordinator Mike Bobo would hear, and just maybe we would come together as a team in the second half and score some touchdowns. That’s what the fans were missing. The Touchdowns. We’ve still got the Dawgs Touchdowns vs TCU in our dreams. But this is a new season and a new team. And this football game was new to all the young players this season. This was an SEC battle. And oh how South Carolina thought they had it. But the Dawgs came out of that tunnel with a fire that steadily grew bigger the rest of the game. Suddenly the game was changing and it was Georgia’s offense scoring and Georgia’s defense dominating. Maybe Georgia didn’t have as big of a lead as everyone thought we should, but we came together and did our very best to win. And maybe the Gamecocks came out of the tunnel at halftime a little too cocky. As fans, we are still waiting on those explosive plays that we’ll need to win big games but so are the players. They’re working hard hoping to find that right play that brings to life their explosiveness. Some fans were frustrated with Beck for not helping our offense score more touchdowns, Bobo for his play calling and Woodring for his two missed field goals. I get it. Every fan wants to see their team score a lot and win. And it can be frustrating when you watch your football team on the field and see them getting no where. But we cant imagine how frustrated the coaches and players are on the field. They are doing their very best and it’s easy to forget that. And we have to remember, the team is never going nowhere. They are always working and learning and growing in every game. Anytime someone complains about a player or their team I always think why dont we just ask ourself “could I do any better?” why don’t the haters get on that field and try to tell these hard working players what they’re doing wrong. Woodring missed 2 field goals. But he’s a freshman. You’ve gotta give these players grace. Smart talked about how good he was doing in practice with his field goals and if Smart puts him on the field then we know he can do the job. We cant imagine how nerve-racking it would be to line up on the field in the midst of the noise and kick a field goal that could quite possibly win the game. In the past when Podlesny would miss a field goal or now Woodring, I would always think of the movie Facing The Giants and one of the lines from it. When the Placekicker (who originally wanted to play soccer) missed a field goal in a game and later told his grandpa “I knew I was gonna miss it before I even kicked it”. That right there gives you an idea of what a placekicker could be thinking as he lines up on the field. For new players, it can take some time and success to get their confidence up. I think that is why Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV did so well at Georgia. He never gave up on himself even when many did. He fought to keep his confidence. I believe these Dawgs are gonna be just fine and learn their sweet spot in the games to come. Georgia 24 - South Carolina 14

Go Dawgs! God Bless!