Thumbs up, thumbs down: USC vs. Tennessee

He was poised under (a lot of) pressure and made smart decisions. The Gamecocks have found their quarterback.

He runs through contact and makes great cuts. There’s hardly any lost yardage with him.

The catch that set up USC’s first touchdown, between the 1 on his jersey and getting it pulled to the side, was so reminiscent of Alshon Jeffery that the Chicago Bears immediately inquired about Samuel’s draft status.

Two interceptions, the last that cinched the game. One of the only defensive backs left standing stood tall.

It’s been terrible run blocking and decent pass blocking, but that reversed on Saturday. I couldn’t tell if the run blocking was better or if it was just Rico Dowdle shredding an awful run defense, but the pass blocking allowed Bentley to get hit on all sides.

Still can hardly catch a punt, and now the punter (Sean Kelly) is not belting them like he has been. Throw in a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and it was a trifecta.

Tennessee can’t stop the run, so by all means, stop running. Knowing Tennessee has been a second-half team all season and it gets the ball first second half, don’t even try to get in position for a field goal at the end of the half.

Incredibly selfish and foolish to swing two fists at a receiver. He’s been one of the Gamecocks’ best defenders this season at a woefully thin spot and is a junior. Have to be smarter than that.

This story was originally published October 30, 2016 at 12:30 AM.