Here's a summary of what South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said to the media today shifting his focus to UK-USC...
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** Fans created an awesome atmosphere for two straight noon games. Should be an insane atmosphere. First night game since September, Beamer notes.
** Big challenge against Kentucky. Know what you're up against with a Mark Stoops team. Physical, competitive, extremely well coached and this team is no different. Played some really good teams the last five weeks, arguably the four best teams in the league. That's their four losses against really good teams. UK is really, really talented.
** Offensively it starts with the run game. Big offensive line, accurate QB who can make all the throws, really talented WRs and TEs. Defensively they do a fantastic job, well coached, don't try to trick you. They're very good at what they do. You have to beat them from an offensive standpoint. Dangerous on special teams with talented returners and good cover teams.
** Dakereon Joyner is doubtful, Tre Jones is out. Need to get through the week healthy.
** USC's 3-man front is coming off a good week against Vandy. Beamer said each week is different. Kentucky plays a different style than Jacksonville State, which went a million MPH. Kentucky doesn't, they're going to get with multiple personnel groupings, shift motion, shorten game. Notes the small amount of plays UK runs. Every week USC will do what gives them the best chance to be successful.
** "Knock on wood, we've played pretty well defensively against Kentucky the past couple of years." The 3-man front really just came from not playing good defense this year. They did play pretty well against UGA but they needed to get more athletes on the field. They've always played some 3-down, odd looks, but this is different because they have different personnel grouping.
** RB DJ Braswell will need to play. Doesn't back down. Beamer says their practices are very competitive. The guys on defense get after him pretty good at times. But he doesn't back down from any of them. He competes. Doesn't say a whole lot, he's the same day in, day out. Consistent and steady.
** When it comes to redshirt decisions Beamer tries to be up front and honest about what the staff wants, needs, and what the player wants, needs. Have to do what's best in the short term but having a long-term vision. Every situation is different.
** Asked about coaching carousel, someone mentioned that Beamer was linked in reference to the Mississippi State job. Asked if it's a good trend for coaches to be dismissed early, he said no, not a good trend. Particularly during the season. Hates to see it for Jimbo and Arnett. You realize that's part of it. But Beamer knows he got hired two years ago, second week of December, and it's a week or 10 days before Signing Day, you've got the portal and everything else. Beamer said he knows the connection with MSU...wife is from Starkville, MSU grad, Beamer spent three years, their AD is one of his best friends in the world - they had Thanksgiving together - but no, he wants to be at South Carolina.
** Beamer said they've gotten better over the season the last two years. They got better from Jax St to Vandy, this week must get better from Vandy to UK. They've talked about how they've played their best football in November, need to again this year. Talked about why they did that: Practice, prep, taking care of your bodies.
** Noticed a lot of energy in practice. Has always been good on Tuesdays. The energy has been great at practice whether they won or lost. They come work every week. Maybe a little more efficiency today, very businesslike, competitive.
** USC fans are a big advantage no matter what time it is, but it's a little different there at night from a recruiting standpoint and also the energy for the players. He was excited to see a night game. The guys are excited about playing at night.
** Have to get guys to Saturday, be careful with guys who are banged up. But you have to practice and prepare. Xavier Leggette said you can't cheat the process of getting ready. They showed clips of Xavier saying that to the team this morning. You do the same number of reps in practice but it's distributed differently.
** The transfer tight ends (from WKU and Arkansas) have pushed one another. Joshua Simon is hard to bring down. Tre Knox has receiver skills.
** O'Mega Blake had up and down contributions recently but had a bigger week. Had a bigger role early in season, some of that is guys coming back, more rotated in at WR. But they've always had confidence in him, has to be more consistent.
** Asked about the recruitment of LB Bam Martin-Scott, Beamer said they just needed players. Thinks there was a connection with one of their staff members and a HS coach. Beamer watched the tape and saw an instinctive, athletic guy. Talked to his HS coach a couple of times. During COVID couldn't really bring a guy in, basing decisions on conversations, word of mouth. He's fun to be around and exciting to see him have success.
** On how important this game is: Beamer knows two years ago it was 16-10, a slugfest, and last year was 24-14, had a huge turnover on first play of game and a blocked punt. When you play Kentucky it will be a physical, four quarter war. "They have our utmost respect."
** On Ray Davis for UK, "He's very physical. Great contact balance, can run through arm tackles, can make you miss. The first time I saw him on tape this year was when they played Florida and I think that was the day we played Tennessee... And I remember watching a little of it in the hotel and thinking 'look at this guy from Kentucky...' Amazing how many plays in that game UF's defense had him stopped, in perfect position to make a play, and they can't get him on the ground. Runs through arm tackles, makes you miss. Has their full respect, a good weapon out of the backfield.
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