INTERIM HEAD COACH GETS FIRST VICTORY OVER VANDY
University of South Carolina interim head football coach Shawn Elliott got his first career win on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.
With a little help from the visor …
Prior to the Gamecocks – his Gamecocks – taking the field against Vanderbilt, Elliott held aloft the famed white visor worn by legendary head coach Steve Spurrier, who resigned earlier this week after nearly eleven years at the helm of the South Carolina program.
Over that stretch the team earned its first-ever SEC East title, its first win over a No. 1 team, its first Top Ten finish (a feat it accomplished three times) and its first eleven win season (which it also accomplished three times).
Spurrier led the Gamecocks to unprecedented heights, but they came crashing back to mediocrity in 2014 – and the first half of 2015 was an unmitigated disaster.
Citing the best interests of the program, Spurrier stepped aside and handed the reins to Elliott – who relied on an opportunistic defense to earn a 19-10 win over the Commodores. It wasn’t pretty. It doesn’t necessarily bode well for the immediate future of the program. And it didn’t do much to establish Elliott as a legitimate candidate for the full-time head coaching job (even though Gamecock athletics director Ray Tanner said earlier in the day that he was in the running for the post).
But still – it was a “W.”
Skai Moore led the way for the much-maligned Gamecock “D,” recording an interception, a forced fumble a fumble recovery and a game-high eleven tackles. All told, South Carolina (3-4, 1-4 SEC) forced five Vandy turnovers – although offensive coordinator G.A. Mangus‘ offense repeatedly failed to capitalize on the Commodore miscues.
Former walk-on Perry Orth completed 17 of 28 passes – including a 78-yard scoring strike to preseason All-SEC wide receiver Pharoh Cooper that put South Carolina ahead for good in the third quarter. Cooper finished the game with seven receptions for 160 yards. The Gamecocks also got a boost from the return of running back Brandon Wilds, who toted the rock 24 times for 119 yards in his first game back since suffering a rib injury against Georgia.
Wilds was cleared to play a week ago against Louisiana State, but said his ribs were still bothering him – drawing a rebuke from Spurrier.
“Brandon decided he didn’t want to play today,” a frustrated Head Ball Coach said at the time.
Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-3 SEC) also had a 100-yard rusher. Junior wide receiver Darrius Sims carried the ball six times for 104 yards. He also caught three passes for 22 yards. But the Commodores simply couldn’t get out of their own way. Quarterback Johnny McCrady completed just half of his passes – 21 of 42 attempts – and was intercepted three times. He also fumbled once.
The Gamecock defensive effort drew rave reviews from Elliott, whose chest-bumping, vein-bulging, high-intensity sideline demeanor was a marked contrast to the pacing and grimacing of Spurrier.
Oh, and the occasional visor-tossing …
For now, though, the visor that was thrown down has been picked up.
Things get considerably more difficult for the Gamecocks over their next few games, though, with three nationally-ranked teams left on the schedule (No. 9 Texas A&M, No. 8 Florida and No. 5 Clemson).
The Gamecocks will have to steal at least one of those games – and beat Tennessee on the road and The Citadel at home – if they hope to avoid their first losing season since 2003.
153 comments
i know, this was not a big game against a big team and we did not break off any big limbs, but it felt good to see a win.
Orth should have been about 24-25 for 28. Receivers dropping balls in their hands. No excuse. Still, it’s a win and a (new) start.
remember Col, these are boys, most of them teenagers, mental coaching is just as important as physical coaching, me and you never stood in the spotlight in front o 80k fans and on national tv @19 years old
A PSALM OF LIFE
————————-
Life is real, life is earnest, and the shell is not its pen –“Egg thou art, and egg remainest” was not spoken of the hen.
Art is long and Time is fleeting, be our bills then
sharpened well, and not like muffled drums be beating on the inside of the shell.
In the world’s broad field of battle, in the great barnyard of life, be not like those lazy cattle!
Be a rooster in the strife!
Lives of roosters all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and when roasted, leave behind us, hen tracks on the sands of time.
Hen tracks that perhaps another chicken drooping in the rain, some forlorn and henpecked brother, when he sees, shall crow again.
there was once a rooster from nantucket, oh never mind, i digress
Coming home from his Pop Warner game, Billy swung open the front door very excited. Unable to attend the game, his father immediately wanted to know what happened.
“So, how did you do, son?” he asked.
“You’ll never believe it!” Billy said. “I was responsible for the winning goal!”
“Really? How’d you do that?”
“I fumbled the ball.”
Cooper is a junior, he’s played in front of a lot bigger audiences than the 75,000 that were there tonight – he dropped one touchdown and at least one first down. Don’t get me wrong, he went 7 for 160 and a TD but he should have been 9 for over 200 and 2 TDs.
And people on BookFace commenting on the local terrestrial broadcast stations’ stories are already complaining that Sean Elliot has a potty mouth (you could read his lips saying a few choice words) and he spits too much. These people must have never did anything stressful in their poor sheltered lives.
as have been a commercial fisherman, from personal experience cussing done in a right way is good for moral, fuck those nay sayers
A guy was telling his friends about his sister’s charter fishing trip. ” Yeah, she went out in the Gulf with five guys for a week.”
“Did she catch anything?”
“Oh, yeah — she caught a 185 pound fish.”
“You’ve got to be kidding, me, right?”
“Nope — they’re getting married next month!”
wrong
Correct answer is, “god, I hope not”.
Mark Twain said it: “Women should never try cursing, because they may know the words but they don’t know the music.”
they know the music, nobody knows nasty like a woman
OK, I’m with you, but remember Twain’s era — I’ll change it to “ladies”
K .
They think those words are bad? They should read the Bible or Anderson counties bitch ordinance.
Nice butt
That’s his face.
I was kinda hoping Carolina would lose every game leading up to Clemson and then beat them 86-0.
we all know 86-0 is satan’s other number, be gone you vile demon!
88-0 sound better?
as your head spins around and spews vomit, no, just be gone
88 = HH = Heil Hitler
Keep trying. You went from bad to worse.
:-D
666-0???
USCe has two players worth a shit, one on defense and a kicker.
they are ALL WORTH AN SHIT TO ME, they play for my team, fuck you squishy
Maybe you should go down there and be a motivational speaker for them… because word is the team has for the most part given up on itself.
i’m going to throw your opinion in the trash, and trash does not deserve you, you challenge me as a person, i feel the need to kill you for the good of humanity, i have responsibilities, but if i ever get terminal cancer, the last thing will be me cutting your throat, i fucking mean it, live on and be an asshole, but pray i stay well
Oh good one, now go have a drink before that vein in your neck pops. I understand how have a team that sucks at every position must feel. Or maybe you’re just preparing your anger for aTm.
You are one funny old man.
i’m over 60 you piece of shit, i am serious
What does your age have to do with it? You may want to get tested for early onset Alzheimer’s disease or in your day, they called it “going nuts”.
i have been hating you for a long time, you need to die
Death will get all of us. Statistically, you just a little sooner than me. If you get worked up this much over someone online, you need to step away from the keyboard before you stroke out.
0h no, i have some issues to make right for my family, and they will be taken care of in the next 6 months, then i am free to do all i want too, i will skin you alive, carry all you want, i will be spitting in you face as you bleed out, but trust me, i will hurt you all to way to death, i fucking hat you!
Did your mom not breast feed you?
Did your old man molest you when you were young?
Did your high school sweetheart laugh the first time you pulled down your pants?
Are you crying?
6 more months on the trailer payment?
i will skin you alive, call the law, the supreme court has my freedom of speach, i look forward to meating you
Why would I call the law? Because some old coot issued a threat on a public blog? Once they figured out you were a USCe Dirtpecker fan, they’d just tell me that you had a clear cut insanity defense.
You are a RACIST redneck. True Clemson, through and through.
Your team is big (to you and the stupid) because it gets high school level wins. And you still want to fight, Dumbass.
When you get upset and stomp your feet, does the other end of your trailer shake?
Maybe your team should join a conference it can compete in, it’ll change your attitude. The SIAC may consider letting you in.
Vandy would be a contender in the ACC, and you know it.
So you’re saying Vanderbilt is on par with Clemson and Florida State? Could USCe beat both of those teams? They just beat Vanderbilt so I’m guessing your answer would be yes.
Always making excuses for getting your ASS kicked. Go look at the Dabo’s FIVE consecutive ASS-kicks delivered by SC. There is no asterisk, Dumbass. LMAO.
So you have to skip last year to make your point? Next year you’ll have to skip two years to make your point.
“Wait ’til next year!!!”
im still trying to figure out why you think “wait till next year is what USC says” Its Clemson that keeps saying it. “Maybe next year we can stop Clemsoning, nope, well maybe next year, nope, next?” Just wait for it, it will happen again this year
Duke would beat SC 9 out of 10 times.
you really are high.
Ya’ll see the “ALSO ON FITSNEWS” section on the bottom? Fits is using our comments as teasers. Buzzman, erneba, Rocky and the Indian redneck jew should be getting paid for this.
that would bring in the gubment, fits should pleasure them sexually
Well, you think Kirkman Finley would mind?
who is he to judge?
I’m not going say why he might judge fits “skills”.
You should be flattered — include it on your promotional materials, resumes, or whatever…… something for your great=great=great grandkids to brag about — someday!
My family is more of the type that needs to hide its history. I’ll hide this too.
so it is with us all
“Most people fancy themselves innocent of those crimes of which they cannot be convicted.” — (Seneca)
They could’ve been convicted, but they had connections.
“An honest politician is one who when he’s bought stays bought.” — ( Simon Cameron)
One great great great uncles family photo is his sketch by a press court sketch artist during a gambling trial of which he was a aquitted, he then purchased the sketch.
Secretary: “A man just called. He wishes you to tell him the secret of your success in life.”
Politician: “Is he a journalist…or…or a detective?”
Which reminds me of Lee Atwater whose sins did not all go with him to his grave. There is one of his I know which I will take to my grave….
??
Yeah, if Shawn had an ACC schedule, he may be able to stick around as long as Dabo. May be like playing Vandy EVERY week, are not even as hard as Vandy.
If you got a lick of coaching talent, you can win in the ACC. I bet Shawn wishes he could play BC and Wake…and occasionally travel out of conference for tough challenges from Wofford and App St. It would make the job at SC a lot easier.
i bet he is focused on the rest of the season, God give him the strength.
Amen.
Clemson’s out of conference schedule is ranked 8th most difficult in the nation. App St. and ND are unbeaten except Clemson. S. Carolina is 45th. Boston College has the #1 defense in the nation.
https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/non-conference-sos-by-other
2015-2016 Strength of Schedule
Clemson 28
S. Carolina 34
https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/season-sos-by-other
Are they basing Clemson’s in the high school ranks?
The problem w/ people like you, is that your reality is devised by someone else. You simply regurgitate what they tell you, no matter how ignorance-based it is. You NEVER apply one single brain cell of your own, provided you have one.
You have to be a Stark Raving Dumbass, to think Clemson’s schedule is tougher than SCs.
And that’s up to you. But based on what I’ve seen, I think (using my mind) I can draw my own conclusion.
USCe could play a 12 game Division II schedule and Dirpeckers would be talking about their tough schedule.
Don’t be so hard on Clemson. I did not call it “a 12 game Division II schedule.” You did…
But it’s a problem I’d like to have for just one year.
Hey, if USCe can’t handle the SEC schedule maybe they need to leave and go to one of the cakewalk conferences. It’s called being in over your head.
like the ACC?
Yep, it’s the only conference title they seem to be able to compete for.
so you are saying the ACC sucks? USC has only lost 1 ACC game in 4 years, and 2 total in the last 6 playing at least 2 a year and 1 year 3 and only 1 losses of those was to Clemson. So USC can more than easily compete in the ACC.
like Clemson does
And yet it took a phantom Pass Interference call (even the commentators said it was a bad call) to turn the tide and protect Clemson’s record.
They can’t handle the TRUTH, Bro. But you are 100% right.
sad, your heart gave me a thumbs up and your indoctrination made you pull it down
A great victory, comrades.
Three more wins will be though.
They beat The Citadel in a tight game and that’ll be it for this season.
I would love to see them go to a bowl game just to show the quitter he quit too soon.
The Quitter lost the team, he knew that the season was going to be his worst in his career.
“Nothing is more dishonorable than an old man, heavy with years, who has no other evidence of his having lived long except his age.” — (Seneca)
“When the going gets tough, Spurrier takes his ball and goes home”
No, by that quote I meant that even though folks blast Spurrier, he did something with his life. There is something in the background that brought him to his decision to quit at this time, but it should not negate his life’s accomplishments up to now.
His decision was to “quit” just like he did at Washington. When things don’t’ go his ways he throws a tantrum… the 70 year old man has the maturity of 4 year old. When sat down and asked to explain what happened he suddenly turns into an 8 year old. The only reason he was at USCe for the past two years was to hold off how soon his boys would be unemployed.
well that and to fuck our mom, you know since I am really you
I guess you could say he pulled a Bowden. I guess you have to wonder of there was a “Brute’ ” Sweeney among his ranks like there was in Clemson.
I see USCe replaced the Head Ball Coach with the Head Cheerleader just like Clemson did. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
The team also quit on Spurrier. At least Brandon Wilds and a few others that were medically cleared and chose not to play.
If it’s good enough for Clowney, it’s good enough for Wilds.
Clowney had legitimate injuries and when he left it was to go to the Pro’s. He is actually on an NFL Roster. Is Haji Boyd still in Canada or is he pumping gas now? It seems that he washed out of the CFL on Friday.
So being medically cleared, he didn’t play because his tummy hurt is a legitimate injury? He was lazy, he’s still lazy… just watch him in the NFL, if the play isn’t directly at him he typically just stands there and watches.
While Hadji sits as home and watches.
Well it appears they both have the same work ethic.
The team is 18-21 year old kids, playing basically for free. HBC is a grown ass man making 4 mil a year. But, him quitting on the kids is the same thing…OK.
At 18-21 I was carrying a gun and protecting my country. I was far from a kid. Many people at that age are in combat, commanding others and bearing more responsibility than many people twice their age. They don’t quit because they don’t like the way things are going.
Wow! The Cocks can beat Vandy!!!
Vandy would dismantle BC, and you struggled with them, Dumbass.
Who is “you?” Don’t make assumptions.
That’s right,. You only made an ASS of yourself, not me. Sorry. LMAO.
Your wit is an overwhelming as your presumptuousness.
You’re all ass to start with.
Who struggled with BC?
SC is in a rebuilding year, no doubt. So my attention will be turned toward Clemson, hoping to see them lose. I’m sure FITS will want to talk anything but the over-rating of the Taters, even if he were bright enough to discern it.
But the ACC will stridently protect Clemson, because it is a league desperate for undeserved respect. The ACC will manufacture a contender, even though it has no real one.
Just look at the penalty disparity against BC. Clemson was penaized about half- as much as BC. That trend will hold ALL year. And even be worse – in Clemson’s favor – if FSU loses. The ACC will make an assessment of who has a better shot at undefeated, and that team will get protection all year.
FSU plays Florida from the SEC, Clemson plays a very down SC team. Take a guess at which team get the protection.
Bottom line: You cannot play little league football all year, then expect to be competitive vs REAL college football powers. It’s why the ACC’s Bowl Record SUCKS.
—- interesting, and something to keep the tabs on
Already making excuses for the USCe loss to Clemson?
So are you saying one team should be penalized the same number of times as the opponent? Does Alabama get called for penalties? Why? They’re Alabama, nobody should be calling penalties against them.
Bottom line: USCe is in a conference in which they can not compete… but that seems to be a pattern. One SEC division championship only to get their ass beat in the championship game over a 24 year period is not competitive. The only conference championship USCe has is a lowly ACC conference championship in 1969 and could not win another one from 1970 until they joined the SEC in 1991. Was USCe the Vanderbilt of the ACC for those 20 years?
I think the point was that FSU may lose to UF and Clemson will almost definitely beat USC. That means that the ACC refs will protect Clemson when they play FSU. They will do all that they can to make Clemson stay undefeated so they can make the playoffs. If Clemson loses to FSU and FSU loses to UF then neither team is likely to make the playoffs over a one loss SEC Team that plays a much tougher schedule.
Sorry, I lost my script the NCAA sent out this season.
Not the NCAA the ACC. They should be considered the fifth conference of the power 4 instead of a member of the power 5.
Whatever excuse helps you sleep at night.
Speaking for yourself, I presume.
I’m not making excuses for games not yet played… that apparently is on USCe fans this year.
You should be apologizing for games not played. If you don;t think Clemson’s schedule is laughably weak, especially w/ Sc down, you don’t know much about college football.
Good luck against The Citadel.
How is it to play Citadel every week? And do you wish SC luck vs Ga. LSU, Missou, Florida and A&M? …ALL teams Clemson would lose to, among others.
Don’t ask me, ask the teams that have USCe on their schedule. For some, their practice scrimmages are likely tougher.
I really am in love with you and want to blow you. that’s why I like everything you write, and am the only one to do it too. or maybe just because I am you
like you had app state and Wofford or did you forget?
ACC Atlantic > SEC East
Then why is it, when the bowls are played, you so often get your ass kicked?
That’s the real test. Not some Dumbass opinion.
Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Louisville swept SEC East rivals in 2015. All but Ga.Tech are ACC Atlantic.
what about the year before that, or the one before that, or the one before that? so it happened 1 time. good job!!
Negative Bible Humper
You had better get use to the Coots being down. Hell, they may never get up.
the taters might pull the annual Clemsoning to USC you might want to watch what you say
EXACTLY. I’m not sure the aCC Champ should get ANYTHING automatic, if some of the other equally-weak conferences don’t.
It’s more ACC based than NCAA…But the NCAA is DEFINITELY not pleased with the SEC National Championship over and over.
And their media is in lockstep.
You DO speak D TRUTH.
I’m saying watch the trend. The ACC protects its “contender” because they have to manufacture quality when it comes to national power football.
Last night, Watson threw a 3-yd pass. The Clemson receiver was almost knocking down the DB covering him. Not a word was said, not was a flag thrown. The media gushed at the catch, when it was obvious offensive PI.
What I’m saying is pretty simple and possible to support, or refute. Are you too stupid (or biased) to comprehend what I’m saying?
You mean from 1970 until 1973 when they left the ACC and weren’t in a conference to try to win one. Don’t be a fucking moron making up false facts, just be the fucking moron you already are. You absolutely have no life other than being a hater and a troll. what really happened to you? Did you get turned down by the school to play ball and had to go the d2 route, did your mom left you dad for a black guy that makes you so racist? seriously I haven’t seen anyone so pathetic since Tango, and I think you have him beat.
Ha, as if my comment would make any difference had I wrote 1973 instead of 1970.
BTW – Here’s those powerhouse years.
1973 7 4 0
1972 4 7 0
1971 6 5 0
1970 4 6 1
no, you wrote 1991. you really are retarded and yes there were many season in there that would have won the acc. Take 1973 for example. there was only 1 ACC loss so that would have been an ACC title that year, you know 84 and 87, and 88 if Im not mistaken would have been too. You really fucked yourself with your lack of any knowledge just hating. what a sorry little man you are so that’s 4 right there, which is 3 more than the taters have had since 1991.
And Carolina lost 8 bowl games in row…….Clemson is ranked 6th……where is Carolina RANKED……Where is your head coach? How many DC’s yall got and you couldn’t stop a pop warner team from scoring…..
Is that the Coots excuse for the last two years?
Will Dirtpecker fans put up with Elliot “daboing” on the sidelines? It looked like the cheerleader squad misplaced their retarded member.
Tell me about it, Dabo does in fact look retarded dancing in the locker rooms after wins against App State or Wofford
As bad as Elliot squeaking out a win against Vanderbilt?
Is it bad when your team MVP is your kicker?
That comment right there shows you know nothing. And here I have liked everything you posted until now
After beating #8 UF, how far should undefeated LSU rise in the polls because of strength of schedule? Who ahead of them should fall in the polls due to LSU’s rise?
Any team with a pathetically WEAK schedule, from a dubious “power” conference…is MY guess. LMAO…
LSU jumped Clemson. 3 of their last 5 games are against ranked opponents. If they win out there is now way they should miss the playoffs even if all of the teams ranked ahead of them win out also.
Agreed, but that I F is kinda casually tossed in there, wouldn’t ya say?
Given the strength of schedule it will be a lot harder for LSU to run the table than it will be for Clemson.
The American Athletic Conference could cause the Power-5 some trouble. Houston, Temple and Memphis are undefeated. Temple plays ND and Memphis. Houston plays Vandy and Memphis.
Nobody has mentioned the photo, Elliott getting douched with Gatorade… for squeaking out a win against Vanderbilt. Did the 23 students left at the end of the game rush the field as well?
Because most know its for a coaches first win and aren’t so desperate to bash someone they say something that fucking stupid, but since you did I will reply isn’t that like rushing the field for beating App State at Clemsux?
This was a great game. Carolina and Vandy were playing for the last place in the SEC. This from the team the Yard Chicken supports said was going to be 9 win team. They have 2 DC’s and the defense has more holes than a colander. The is head recruiter that can’t recruit. A recruiting class for next year that is terrible at best……..sucks at worst. The head coach (The Old Ball Sack) quits on the team in the middle of the season BUT gets the 700K owned to him from his contract. The team is in total disarray Elliot has no chance of saving the season. He has 1 more win and then it’s ALL DOWNHILL from here. The chance Tanner gives him the job is slim. Is Elliot going to go back to the OC when new coach comes……..NOT LIKELY. The best thing for the Yard Chickens is hire all the coaches and start over. This is the MIGHT GAMECOCKS…….that you all bragged about…….WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR…….You going to suck even wose.
The goal for SC should be to win all of their remaining games. Elliott’s success though should be measured based off of whether or not SC makes improvements on the field and whether or not the recruiting class improves. I think that SC will make significant changes to it’s staff next year. I could see Ward being dismissed or relegated to obscurity before the season is over.
Will the Dirtpecker fans swap “GAME” “COCKS” for “WAIT TIL” “NEXT YEAR”?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k5VZjT0JE70