** With USC playing Thursday the Gamecocks got a little break at nearly the halfway point in the season. Good practice on Sunday, prep day Monday, practice Tuesday morning.
** Beamer says Kentucky is playing well in all three phases. Said getting C Rod back made a difference. Explosive plays in the passing game and an NFL QB. Defensively they're physical with size and length up front. Two hellacious linebackers in the middle and doing great things on ST as well. USC will need all three phases to play really, really, really well.
** OL Dylan Wonnum and DB Darius Rush both practiced with no limitations today. Normal bumps and bruises going into game six and guys who need to come along the next couple of days for sure but nobody they would rule out.
** Asked about being part of the ACC Network's feature on Frank Beamer, Shane said he watched it late last night. Lots of people reached out. Thought they did a great job with it and his part of it.
** Beamer said it's not coach speak, every game is critical. They have great respect for Kentucky and this was a big game when he was there before. Talked about Randall Cobb's GW TD after they beat Alabama. Had a heck of a game last year and couldn't get over the hump and finish.
** USC didn't play great at Arkansas but he believes in them. Feels confident about their ability in going on the road. A great road team is able to respond to adversity and not flinch. Just get stronger. Got off to a bad start at Arkansas (21-3). A team that's not built to handle the road doesn't make it 21-16 in the third quarter. They didn't lose because they were on the road. They lost because they couldn't stop the run and turned it over three times in the fourth quarter. Need to embrace going on the road. Competitors love that. Believes it will be rocking on Saturday night.
** Asked about what Stoops has built at the Power Five level "it's right up there for sure". Notes he won two games first year then five second year. Just continued to build that and it shows that it takes some time. The administration gave him the resources. Thinks of his dad, Snyder at K-State. Beamer notes he lived in KY for eight years when his dad was at Murray State. Grew up with kids coming in having show and tell from going to see Kenny Walker and Mel Turpin.
** You have to beat Kentucky. They get games into the fourth and find ways to win it. Did it against Ole Miss, had a chance to win with a minute left. Really impressed with the way they play. They've got really good players. Last year's team had a bunch of guys on NFL rosters now. Bunch of guys that will be on NFL rosters from this year's team.
** Getting ready for crowd noise is a part of the prep. On special teams because of the communication with the punt team. They don't focus on preparing for that a lot but it's a part of their road prep. Thursdays they utilize crowd noise during team periods with the offense. Did a little bit today when they were kicking field goals.
** Winning this game would make their upcoming bye week a lot more enjoyable. When you win, like the last two weeks, it creates momentum you want to continue. Don't want to make it bigger than it is.
** Beamer was asked how well he remembers the last time South Carolina played at Kentucky. That was the night Beamer got the USC job. "I remember it pretty dang good." He watched South Carolina play but it was a blur. Had to get on a plane to fly to Columbia in the morning.
** Thought those first three games there was a sense that every play was crucial. Couldn't relax and have fun. Want to prepare really well during the week so they can turn it loose and not worry about making mistakes. They've done that the last couple of weeks and this week will be no different. Saturday night in the SEC on the road, national television, what more could you want? It should be exciting and fun.
** Beamer said it's a big challenge facing Kentucky's skill talent. With C Rod back they can run efficiently but now you've got 2, 6, and 9 with Brown, Dane and Robinson, fast and electric players. Great in the return game. One returns punts, the other returns kickoffs and they're explosive. Great speed and can run past you. Doesn't know Barion but Robinson's from Virginia and went into his school looking at him. Tried to recruit Dane Key but when you get word Kentucky beats Florida and his mom leaped over the wall and broke her foot storming the field maybe you don't have a great chance. Put an NFL quarterback with those guys and it's dangerous.
** Asked about Rattler from game one until now he has gotten good command of what they're doing. Better understanding of it. If you look at what USC is doing conceptually they've shrunk it down since the first game. Running a lot of the same pass concepts out of different formations and they're running the ball. If you commit too many to the box he's kicked it out to the perimeter to get 5-6 yards. After one of those first games talked to him about not always escaping the pocket but stepping up in it. Did that on a TD pass the other night. He's been a great job of being a leader and continues to get more comfortable.
