Oct. 8, 2012

A pair of University of South Carolina football players were honored for their outstanding performances in Saturday’s 35-7 win over fifth-ranked Georgia, the conference office announced today.

Senior center T.J. Johnson was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Johnson, a 6-6, 319-pounder from Aynor, S.C., graded out at 86 percent against the Bulldogs with seven knockdowns and no quarterback pressures in the win. He helped Carolina amass 230 yards rushing and an additional 162 yards through the air. Carolina had just four loss yardage plays on 61 snaps against the Bulldogs.

Junior punt returner Ace Sanders was named the SEC co-Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. Sanders, a 5-8, 175-pounder from Bradenton, Fla., returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown that game Carolina an insurmountable 21-0 first quarter advantage en route to the 35-7 win. It was Sanders’ second career punt return for a touchdown. Sanders also was named the co-Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts earlier this season against Missouri.

Johnson, Sanders and the rest of the third-ranked Gamecocks (6-0, 4-0 SEC) will begin preparations tonight for Saturday’s SEC showdown with ninth-ranked LSU (5-1, 1-1 SEC). Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Baton Rouge. ESPN will have the national telecast with Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit in the booth and Heather Cox working the sidelines.