TAMPA, Fla. – This afternoon we checked in with junior Ryan Brewer and wide receivers coach Todd Fitch. Read below about what both thought about Ryan’s MVP honors last year and bowl preparation.
First, let’s visit with Ryan Brewer Last year you played very well, what are you expecting this year?
RB: Hopefully this year again I will play well. But I just want the W this year. It’s going to be tough because Ohio State is a good team, but I think it’s going to be a good game.
Will Ohio State be looking for No. 21 this year?
RB: Oh yes, they will be looking for my number. But with Derek (Watson), Andrew (Pinnock) and the rest of the back field, there are a lot of people so they can’t really focus too hard on me.
After last year’s Bowl game, how did Troy, Ohio treat you? Your own hometown in Ohio?
RB: I went back and people were very happy. They wanted to have a parade and stuff. I wasn’t going to have that. But it was mixed emotions with them because they are all Ohio State fans but they were all rooting for the Gamecocks. It’s been a bit overwhelming at times because people know who I am now in South Carolina.
Does the win last year put more pressure on the Gamecocks this year in the bowl game?
RB: We will go in confident, but there is pressure. Every game is pressure. Winning last year we have to show that it wasn’t a fluke.
What is something you look forward to this week?
RB: I am looking forward to going to Busch Gardens again. I am also really looking forward to the game. The game for sure.
What’s a question you kind of wished the media would stop asking you now?
RB: I guess they would stop asking about the Outback Bowl last year. That game was last year, a year ago. Maybe after this game they will stop talking about last year. I am proud of the accomplishments, but it’s in the past. We have to move on.
Later, after team meetings, we caught up with wide receivers coach Todd Fitch, also an Ohio native.
How was practice today?
TF: Today we were more focused. We went full pads and the intensity was better. Yesterday we had a long lay off and we were a bit rusty. When we came off the field we felt pretty good about everything. I think the players are really gearing up for the game now.
What kind of player is Ryan Brewer?
TF: He’s a guy you count on everyday because he is so consistent in his effort. You can count on his effort and production day in and day out. He’s had a real good year for us again this year and you can count on him. There is a target on him but he will be ready for this game.
You are from Ohio as well. What does this game mean to you?
TF: (laughs). There are a lot of bragging rights going on. It’s a fun game because I know a lot of their coaches real well and most of my family and my wives family are Ohio State fans, but it’s fun because of the bragging rights last year. A lot of people congratulated us last year.
How did the win over Ohio State help last year?
TF: It gave us a lot of exposure in that area of the country. People nationally really sat up and took notice. They know we have a pretty good situation going on down here and it’s really helped us in recruiting in South Carolina. Anytime you can go back and repeat a win, like us beating Georgia again this year, it adds some legitimacy to your program and to what you have done. Ohio State is a better football team than they were a year ago, maybe not as talented, but a better team. It will be a tough win for us not only because we will be playing two years in a row, but they are playing a better game than they did last year.
Talk about hiring Joker Phillips to coach the wide receivers and your moving to the running backs.
TF: We haven’t talked a lot about it as a staff yet. I will work with the running backs and the quarterbacks. I am confident in this area because I coached the running backs at Colorado State. We have a real good group of players at that position and it will be a real good setup.
