{"id":13790,"date":"2023-08-16T12:35:24","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T17:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/?p=13790"},"modified":"2023-08-16T12:35:24","modified_gmt":"2023-08-16T17:35:24","slug":"gamecocks-connection-the-fun-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo.wztzfm.com\/wp\/gamecocks-connection-the-fun-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Gamecocks Connection: the fun zone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey, I\u2019m Chris Clark with GamecockCentral.com, and welcome to\u00a0Gamecocks Connection.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This weekly newsletter will consist of a summary of some of the latest happenings in Gamecock Country, reader questions, and one \u201cmain idea\u201d that\u2019s on my mind. Plus, there will be some other goodies along the way.<\/p>\n

If you would like to get this piece directly to your inbox,\u00a0you can get it for free here<\/a><\/strong><\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you like listening to your Gamecocks news? Find our\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>podcasts here<\/strong><\/em><\/a>. Or,\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>watch us on YouTube<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

What\u2019s on the docket today?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In this edition, I\u2019m getting a bit philosophical and encouraging fans of Gamecocks athletics.<\/p>\n

A word from our sponsor.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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His entire approach to this business revolves around doing right by the borrower and setting everyone up for long-term financial success and well-being. This approach is Clint\u2019s core philosophy in the mortgage business.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Contact Clint for all of your mortgage needs:\u00a0clint.hammond@movement.com<\/a>or\u00a0803-422-6797<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

His NMLS number is 71597.\u00a0Interest rates and products are subject to change without notice and may or may not be available at the time of loan commitment or lock-in. Borrowers must qualify at closing for all benefits.<\/em><\/p>\n

Get caught up.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Three quick things to know about your Gamecocks from the last few days.<\/em><\/p>\n

USC has made the top five schools list for a four-star quarterback from Ohio in the 2025 recruiting class.<\/p>\n

Spencer Rattler spoke with the media on Tuesday and said that this is the best preseason camp he\u2019s been a part of\u2026.ever.\u00a0He gave more thoughts on Dowell Loggains\u2019 offense, too.<\/a><\/p>\n

True freshman Nyckoles Harbor\u00a0checked in at number one on Bruce Feldman\u2019s annual \u201cFreaks List\u201d,<\/a>\u00a0with Feldman saying it\u2019s the first time a first-year player has garnered the top spot.<\/p>\n

The main idea.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u2014 With game one rapidly approaching, it\u2019s the time of the year\u00a0I\u2019m starting to get asked for predictions.<\/p>\n

Will South Carolina beat UNC? What will the score be? What does USC\u2019s record in 2023 look like?<\/p>\n

There will be a time for all of those things, but it\u2019s not today.<\/p>\n

Here is what I\u00a0can predict with some level of certainty:\u00a02023 is going to be up and down.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There will be highs and there will be lows. If history is any indication, some things \u2013 both good and bad \u2013 will happen that we do not expect.<\/p>\n

Yes, USC fans are going to groan the first time the team goes three and out on offense. Social media and The Insiders Forum will be on fire if the team has a stretch of not being able to run the ball or stop the run.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s OK. That\u2019s the fan experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

I was reminded of this point recently, though:\u00a0this is supposed to be fun.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back in December, the offensive coordinator search process that led to Dowell\u00a0Loggains was one of the most toxic environments I\u2019ve ever seen in my time covering the program. And that was after USC\u2019s last two games were top 10 wins over Clemson and Tennessee.<\/p>\n

You\u2019d have thought Carolina won two games the previous year and installed me as the new playcaller.<\/p>\n

Those regular season games came after a whipping at the hands of at Florida that was decidedly not fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t mean, though, that USC needed to bench Spencer Rattler and fold the program. Good thing, too, that the team didn\u2019t give up\u00a0because what followed was pretty special.<\/p>\n

When tight end Trey Knox tweaked his knee in practice last week, some on social media immediately flipped onto \u2013 as Shane Beamer put it \u2013 \u201cDEFCON 3\u201d\u00a0(Knox is fine).<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also been plenty of infighting among the fan base, which is not atypical but seems odd given some of the good things that are happening.<\/p>\n

It feels like a roller coaster at times, being a fan of \u2013 or covering \u2013 college athletics. That means the peaks and valleys, the expected and the scary, are all part of it. The roller coaster is still thrilling, and this year probably will be, too.<\/p>\n

The dichotomy between watching that game in the Swamp and storming the home field after destroying Tennessee may be confusing to think about, and even funny at times. But that win against the Vols, and the one against Clemson, made living through 2022\u2019s Missouri and Florida games all the more sweet, right?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to remember that we are only guaranteed 12 South Carolina Gamecocks football games per year. Seven of those will be inside Williams-Brice Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These occasions are to be treasured.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s why Shane Beamer talks so often about finding some joy.<\/p>\n

This thing is supposed to be enjoyable. No matter what this season, I hope you all have fun.<\/p>\n

Gamecocks party this weekend!<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0third annual GamecockCentral Preseason Kickoff\u00a0Party date is set!<\/a><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be out at Steel Hands Brewing on Saturday, August 19. Our GamecockCentral team is going to be out there all day and night, and Patrick Davis and his Midnight Choir will provide music in the evening.<\/p>\n

The event is free, but VIP tickets come with perks. VIP attendees will have the chance to meet Nyck Harbor, Dakereon Joyner, Juice Wells, and others!<\/p>\n

VIP tickets are\u00a0ALMOST SOLD OUT.<\/strong>\u00a0Get some now<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Win free USC season tickets<\/strong><\/h2>\n

107.5 The Game and GamecockCentral.com are giving away the Ultime\u00a0Gamecock Season Ticket \u2013 two season tickets to the South Carolina football, men\u2019s basketball, women\u2019s basketball, and baseball games for the 2023-2024 school year!<\/p>\n

Enter here for your chance to win.<\/a><\/p>\n

A thanks and a request.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

I sincerely thank you for reading this newsletter and hope it\u2019s informative and enjoyable for you.<\/p>\n

GamecockCentral.com is a small business that is South Carolina Gamecock-owned. We launched in 1998 with a goal of providing the very best in coverage, community, and experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our team works hard to provide just that on a daily basis, and we have boots on the ground in Columbia to do the job. In the days of media being so divisive, we want to be here to serve you in a way that will make you proud.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u00a0Forward this <\/strong>to tell a fellow fan about Gamecocks Connection.<\/p>\n

The post Gamecocks Connection: the fun zone<\/a> appeared first on On3<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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