There’s the Marquavius Lewis that South Carolina signed.
Considered one of the top junior-college prospects in the country, Lewis was a big get for the Gamecocks last year. A starter from the day he enrolled, Lewis was big, fast, physical – and not doing much in the first few games.
Lewis responded by playing one of his best games in a win over Vanderbilt: four tackles, two tackles for loss (including a sack) and two quarterback hurries. He said it wasn’t really a case of the light coming on; just that he’s finally comfortable.
“Just practicing, getting better,” he said. “Just staying on keys and doing what I need to do.”
Lewis had eight tackles against Missouri and nine, including a sack, vs. LSU.
Line coach Deke Adams said that there’s usually an adjustment period for JUCO players, as there is for freshmen. It’s always different stepping into the SEC.
“He just had opportunities that he capitalized on. He’s had some of them early in the year and didn’t really trust some of the things he was doing, as far as some of his moves and all that,” Adams said. “But he played hard, trusted things and then the guys around him stepped up and played well, too.”
Mine
T.J. Holloman has blossomed as a starting linebacker but watched Bryson Allen-Williams play the best game of his career against Vanderbilt. Allen-Williams replaced Holloman when he was thrown out for targeting.
Any concerns of losing his job?
“Competition’s competition,” Holloman said. “He did a good job, he stepped in there and there was no dropoff.”
Holloman should resume his position against A&M. Because his ejection happened in the first half against the Commodores, his suspension was fulfilled.
“The call was made, but I just should have went lower, aimed lower,” Holloman said. “I sat out my second half and I’m good to go for Texas A&M.”
A new attitude
Holloman said the change in USC’s locker room from Steve Spurrier to Shawn Elliott is night and day.
“All week he stressed to have fun and go out there, play with swagger, play with confidence,” he said. “It’s music everywhere we go. It’s live. He just wants up-tempo, upbeat all the time.”
Tuesday’s practice playlist featured cuts from AC/DC and N.W.A.
Breakin’
Thursday and Friday is USC’s Fall Break. The Gamecocks will practice first thing Thursday morning and then take the weekend off.
Red cross report
Players who were injured or wore yellow jerseys were: DE Cedrick Cooper (undisclosed), CB Rico McWilliams (concussion), LB Sherrod Pittman (leg), SS Antoine Wilder (leg), WR Christian Owens (left foot), WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring), TE Connor Redmond (back), QB Gage Pucci (knee) and C Cody Waldrop (ankle). WR Shaq Davidson (knee) and WR Jerad Washington (left leg) are out for the season.
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