We're just two days away from the Gamecocks' first home night game of the season - can't wait to see the Beast Board at night!
Hard-hitting senior safety D.J. Swearinger is the cover star for this week's game day program (see image at the bottom of the page) and the subject of a feature written by Media Relations Student Assistant Zachary Brown. Check out an excerpt below and read the full feature in the gameday program:
"Lorenzo Ward wants his defense to be playmakers, to cause turnovers and plague offenses. Coach Ward spent the offseason talking about a more aggressive style of defense than they had in the last couple of years, and that his players were excited about the opportunity to make more plays. D.J. Swearinger is the embodiment of a playmaker for Ward in his first year overseeing the defense. His aggressive nature and ability to make someone pay for the yards they earn quickly separates D.J. Swearinger from the rest of the safeties in the Southeastern Conference."
Other features will include team previews for cross country and volleyball as well as this week's Carolina's Finest feature taking a look at the 2012 Athletics Hall of Fame class that will be inducted this weekend. Here's a quick taste:
In our new "On This Date" feature, Assistant Media Relations Director Andrew Kitick takes a look back on Sept. 15, 1973, with Jeff Grantz, who helped lead the Gamecocks to a 41-28 win vs. Georgia Tech that helped him earn National Back of the Week honors by Sports Illustrated.
Grantz contributed in a big way in his first collegiate varsity start as he amassed 181 yards in total offense, with 102 rushing and 79 through the air on his way to National Back of the Week honors by Sports Illustrated.
"We were fairly decent underdogs in the game," recalled Grantz. "The new offense really worked out for us and we were very productive on offense that season."
The installation of the Veer began in the spring of 1973. Dietzel brought on several new coaches including Bob Gatling from The Citadel to produce a scheme that would benefit the Gamecock offense.
"When I heard (about the offense), I was playing baseball for (head coach Bobby) Richardson, said Grantz. "I was playing some as a freshman but not everyday and I told Coach Richardson I wanted to try to win the starting job (at quarterback). (The Veer) more suited by abilities, and it was the only spring practice I went through and I won the job."
Be sure to pick up the gameday program at Saturday's game vs. UAB presented by Lowe's.
Is there a way to get a subscription to the programs? And if so, do you mail them?
Hi Brooks,
There is not a way to subscribe, but you can call our sports marketing partner, IMG, at (803) 777-4208 after games to order one, dependent upon availability after the game. The cost is $8 and covers the program and shipping.