COLUMBIA, S. C. (AP) — South Carolina is treating its extra week of practice like a championship game rehearsal, even if there won’t be…
COLUMBIA, S. C. (AP) — South Carolina is treating its extra week of practice like a championship game rehearsal, even if there won’t be any trophy awarded following its regular-season finale against Akron.
Tight end Kyle Markway said Gamecocks coaches have stressed to them that the goal for next year is Atlanta and the Southeastern Conference title game, a process that begins now as they prepare to play a makeup game due to a Sept. 15 contest with Marshall called off in the face of Hurricane Florence.
«We’re usually not practicing this week,» Markway said Tuesday. «Next year, we plan on being in Atlanta.»
It’s a message straight from South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp, who thought it a strong sign that this year’s team went through two off weeks due to the storm and will practice during what is championship week for some programs.
«It’s interesting how things work sometimes,» Muschamp said
The Gamecocks (6-5) have work to do before they’re practicing for a championship, but for now their focus is on the Zips (4-7). Akron agreed to fill in for the Thundering Herd earlier this month.
The benefits of more practice time are enormous and wide ranging, quarterback Jake Bentley said.