Kenny McKinley on Inside the Roost Tonight

Tune into “Inside the Roost” tonight on 107.5 FM at 7 p.m. as host Derek Scott and Athletics Director Eric Hyman discuss issues related to Gamecock Athletics from Staybridges Suites on Huger Street in Columbia.

Tonight’s show features former Gamecock wide receiver Kenny McKinley.  Football assistant coach Shane Beamer will also be on the show later to discuss the incoming 2010 class of Gamecocks.

You can listen live on www.1075thegame.com.

If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask on the show, send an e-mail to roost@ispsports.com, call locally at 404-6100 or 1-866-667-1075. You can also submit your question in the comments section of this post and we’ll get it over.

Sidney Rice Highlights and NFL Network Feature

Former Gamecock Sidney Rice tied a NFL playoff record with 3 TD receptions against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Minnesota’s 34-3 win. Rice caught six passes for 141 yards. Here’s a look at some highlights from his day [Editor’s Note – The NFL doesn’t let me embed highlights so you’ll have to click the photo to see footage of Rice’s afternoon]:

After you check out what Rice did on Sunday, watch this great feature from the NFL Network about his journey to the pros and his close bond with his mother. Watch here or click the photo below:

Watch Shawn Elliott Introduction Presser Free

Head Coach Steve Spurrier will have a press conference this afternoon at 4 p.m. to introduce new offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. You can watch the press conference live for free on Gamecock All-Access by clicking on this link. Click on the Live Events tab to access the press conference.

Football Rankings/Combine Invites

Some of you may have seen this link making the rounds today, but an early look at next season’s top 25 has the Gamecocks ranked at No. 21. Here’s what Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News had to say about South Carolina:

21. South Carolina (7-6): Steve Spurrier always has a good defense. Next season, he should have the offense to match.

Wilner has four other SEC squads ranked in the top 25 – Alabama (No. 1), Arkansas (No. 12), Florida (No. 15), Tennessee (No. 18). The Gamecocks play all four of those teams, but only have to travel to Florida next year.

The NFL announced the invites for their annual combine from Feb. 24 to March 2 in Indianapolis. Two Gamecocks made the list – Eric Norwood and Darian Stewart.

Shawn Elliott on Inside the Roost Tonight

Tune into “Inside the Roost” tonight on 107.5 FM at 7 p.m. as host Derek Scott discusses issues related to Gamecock Athletics from Staybridges Suites on Huger Street in Columbia.

On the show tonight will be South Carolina’s new offensive line coach Shawn Elliott. Director of Academics and Life Skills Raymond Harrison will also be on the show to talk about moving into the Dodie Anderson Academic Enrichment Center and its impact on Gamecock student-athletes.

You can listen live on www.1075thegame.com.

If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask on the show, send an e-mail to roost@ispsports.com, call locally at 404-6100 or 1-866-667-1075. You can also submit your question in the comments section of this post and we’ll get it over.

More on Shawn Elliott

Image from Flickr

The big piece of football news this week was clearly the hire of Shawn Elliott as the new offensive line coach at South Carolina. Elliott previously coached at Appalachian State. Here’s some media reports of the hire:

• Gamecocks have a coach for O-line – The State

“You’ve got to get the most out of players,” [Elliott] said. “I’m energetic and passionate about the game of football. My philosophy is nobody will outwork us. Our O-line will be the leaders of our football team. I just feel like if you outwork people there’s no excuse. There’s no option to fail.”

• USC hires App State’s Elliott to coach OL – Charleston Post & Courier

He’s been the Mountaineers’ offensive line coach the past nine seasons, including the national championship years from 2005-07.

Elliott has coached 12 players that have earned All-America distinctions. In the title-winning seasons, he had three consecutive winners of the Southern Conference blocking trophy.

“It will be a challenging job and one that I am looking forward to and embracing, “Elliott said. “I’m exciting about getting there (today) and hitting the ground running.”

One story about Elliott that hasn’t been told yet in the releases about his hire is the unique NCAA award he received. On September 30, 2000 after an Appalachian win over East Tennessee State University, the Mountaineers were traveling back to Boone when they came upon a van in a fiery accident. After closer inspection, they realized it was the van carrying the team’s student trainers, managers and videographers. Elliott and two other Appalachian State coaches helped pull out two staff members trapped in the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. For their actions, the three coaches received the NCAA Award of Valor. The award goes to current intercollegiate athletics coaches or administrators and current or former varsity letter-winners at NCAA institutions who, when confronted with situations involving personal danger, acted with valor to avert or minimize potential disaster. The honor is not given annually – only when a worthy candidate is found. The Award of Valor has only been awarded 12 times since 1974.

Below you can see some brief video of Elliott in a coaching moment at halftime of the 2007 Appalachian State – Michigan game. Feel free to watch the entire clip or just fast forward to the 9:38 mark to see Elliott.

2007 Appalachian State Football Season from Appalachian State Football on Vimeo.

2009 Football: The Memories

Saturday was a game that many of us will want to forget. But that shouldn’t overshadow some of the great moments that we experienced as Gamecock fans during the course of the 2009 season. I, for one, can think of several moments that I’ll remember for a long time. Here’s a few of them:

• Feeling the energy in Williams-Brice Stadium during South Carolina’s win over Ole Miss. Witnessing Eric Norwood’s record-breaking sack. Darian Stewart’s memorable hit on Dexter McCluster. The day that Sandstorm became “the song.”

• Alshon Jeffery’s breakout game against Kentucky. The one-handed catch.

• The Wounded Warrior Project game against Florida. Even thought it wasn’t a victory, I’ll never forget the feeling from the crowd and the outpouring of support from Gamecock fans for the Wounded Warriors.

• 34-17. Need I say more?

I’m sure many of have you have memories from this season that you won’t forget. Some of them might be the same as mine, but you probably have others. Good times at tailgates, fun stories from road trips. Don’t let one game diminish the significance of those moments.

I still believe great things are coming. We’re coming off the best four-year stretch in Gamecock football history. Look at the number of young players that are making an impact on the team.

Maybe right after Saturday’s game, I was ready for a break from football.

But a little reflection and thought has changed my mind. Kickoff against Southern Miss on Thursday night, September 2 can’t get here soon enough.

Gamecocks vs. Huskies Scene Setter

Here it is, the final scene setter of the season:

Football Bowl Practice Photo Gallery

Click here for a photo gallery from Wednesday’s practice in Birmingham

Papajohns.com Bowl Day 1 Sights