Gamecocks and Aggies Set for Saturday Night Showdown

The South Carolina Gamecocks (2-3), fresh off a bye week, host the No. 7/7 Texas A&M Aggies (4-1) at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7. Game time is set for 7 pm ET and the contest will be televised nationally on ESPN.
 
OVER THE AIRWAVES: Mark Jones will serve as the play-by-play voice for ESPN with Dusty Dvoracek providing the analysis. Quint Kessenich will handle the sideline reporting. The familiar voices of Gamecock Greats Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs handle the call for the Gamecock Radio Network with Jamar Nesbit working the sidelines. ESPN Radio will also have a national broadcast of the game with Sean Kelley and Barrett Jones on the call.
 
A LITTLE HISTORY: 2020 marks the 127th season of intercollegiate football at the University of South Carolina, dating back to 1892. It is the 114th-consecutive year in which South Carolina has competed on the gridiron. The University did not field a team in either 1893 or 1906. Carolina owns an all-time record of 614-590-44 (.510).
 
IT JUST MEANS MORE: The 2020 season marks South Carolina’s 29th year in the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina and Arkansas joined the league prior to the 1992 campaign. The Gamecocks earned the SEC Eastern Division title in the 2010 season. The Gamecocks are 99-129-1 (.434) all-time in SEC regular-season play, but are 44-41 (.518) in conference action since the start of the 2010 season.
 
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: The 2020 season marks the 10th anniversary of the 2010 squad that captured the SEC Eastern Division title and went on to appear in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta against eventual national champion Auburn. It’s the Gamecocks only division title since joining the Southeastern Conference.
 
THE SERIES: This is the seventh gridiron meeting between South Carolina and Texas A&M. The Gamecocks are still looking for their first win over their “permanent” SEC Western Division rival from College Station. The two schools met for the first time in 2014 in Columbia, with A&M posting a 52-28 win in the season opener for both teams. The Aggies own a 3-0 record in Columbia and are 3-0 against the Gamecocks in College Station. Three of the six games have been decided by seven points or less.
 
THE BONHAM TROPHY: Amateur historian Richard Peterson, a USC Broadcasting Journalism graduate and previous resident of Alamo Heights in San Antonio, Texas, recommended “The Governor’s Trophy” to be named after James Butler Bonham, Hero of the Alamo and himself an Alum of The University of South Carolina. Peterson and Katon Dawson took the idea to then Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina and a new tradition was born. “The Bonham Trophy” is exchanged between the Governors of South Carolina and Texas with the winner taking possession of the Bonham Trophy of “Western Artwork,” created by renowned Texas sculptor Jeff Gottfried, and displayed at the victorious State Capital, University or any location the Governor may choose. Two weeks after the Game, The Bonham Trophy is returned for permanent display at The Alamo until the next South Carolina – Texas A&M football game.
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET: Texas A&M scored 17 points in the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter to break open a close contest in a 30-6 win over South Carolina on Nov. 16, 2019 in College Station. Kellen Mond threw for 221 yards and a touchdown and ran for a second score in the win. A&M rolled up 540 yards compared to just 260 for the Gamecocks, including a 319-45 advantage on the ground, as the Aggies controlled the time of possession, 41:39-18:21.
 
THE LAST TIME THEY MET HERE: Kellen Mond threw for 353 yards and freshman Seth Small booted four field goals, as the 22nd-ranked Aggies came away with a 26-23 win in Columbia on Oct. 13, 2018. A&M opened up a 16-0 advantage before Carolina tied the contest with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns and two-point conversions. Small put the Aggies back on top early in the fourth quarter, and Trayveon Williams sealed the victory with a touchdown in the final 100 seconds. Texas A&M held the ball for 41:29 of the contest, running 77 plays to Carolina’s 53.
 
FACING THE LONE STAR STATE TEAMS: Carolina is 3-10 all-time against teams from the Lone Star State, going 1-0 against Texas, 1-2 against both Baylor and Houston, and 0-6 against Texas A&M. The Gamecocks have traveled to College Station three times in the last six years. Prior to the 2015 meeting, South Carolina had not ventured into the state of Texas since dropping an 18-17 decision to Baylor in Waco on Oct. 2, 1976.
 
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Carolina has just one player who list Texas as his home state. redshirt freshman Shilo Sanders played his prep ball at Trinity Christian while making his home in Cedar Hill. Cedar Hill is approximately 170 miles north and a little west of College Station, just on the outskirts of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
 
FACING THE WEST: This is the third-straight game in which the Gamecocks are playing a team from the SEC’s Western Division, Carolina is 1-1 versus the West this season after posting a 30-22 win over Auburn, then falling at LSU by a 52-24 count. The Gamecocks have a chance this week to record a second win over an SEC Western Division team. Carolina has not posted a pair of wins over Western Division foes since the 2013 season when it defeated Arkansas and Mississippi State. They wrap up a four-game stretch in which they face only Western Division teams next week when they travel to Oxford to face the Ole Miss Rebels.
 
SHI HAS HAD SUCCESS: Carolina senior wide receiver Shi Smith has had some success against the Aggies. In three games, Smith has caught eight passes for 178 yards, a 22.3-yard average, with a pair of touchdowns. He scored on TD passes from 45 yards out in 2017 and on a 22-yarder in 2018.
 
DID YOU KNOW?: Will Muschamp and Jimbo Fisher were on Nick Saban’s coaching staff at LSU from 2001-2004.
 
THE LAST TIME OUT: LSU scored in all three phases of the game, including a 45-yard interception return and a 95-yard kickoff return, en route to a 52-24 win over South Carolina on Oct. 24 in Baton Rouge. The Gamecocks had 403 yards of offense on just 51 plays, an average of 7.9-yards per play, but were unable to slow down the Tigers. Kevin Harris had another big day, rushing a dozen times for 126 yards and two scores. Keveon Mullins had his best day as a Gamecock, catching two passes for 101 yards. Ernest Jones logged a career-high 19 tackles in the loss.
 
A HUNDRED FOR HARRIS: Sophomore running back Kevin Harris continued his assault on a 1,000-yard season, carrying 12 times for 126 yards, a 10.5-yard average, with two TDs, in the loss at LSU. It was Harris’s third 100-yard game of the season and the fourth of his career. Harris is averaging 107.0 rushing yards per game, second in the SEC and 15th in the nation. At the halfway point of the season he has 535 yards rushing. There have been just 10 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Carolina history, the last coming in 2013 by Mike Davis.
 
ERNEST GOES TO BATON ROUGE: Junior linebacker Ernest Jones was a tackling machine at LSU, registering a career-high 19 tackles. It was the most tackles in a game for a Gamecock since Roy Hart logged 19 at Nebraska in 1987. One game prior to Hart’s feat, Brad Edwards notched 21 stops at Georgia. The 19 tackles matches the second-highest single-game total in FBS play this season.
 
IT’S NEVER EASY: Texas A&M enters this week’s game ranked seventh in both national polls. They are the fourth ranked opponent Carolina has faced in the first six games of the season, including two in the Top-10.
 
SEEING RED: The Gamecocks have been effective in the red zone, scoring on 15 of 18 trips, 83.3 percent. More importantly, Carolina has scored touchdowns in 13 of its 18 trips (72.2 percent), which ranks third in the SEC behind only Florida (76.2) and Alabama (72.7).
 
BEND BUT DON’T BREAK: The Gamecock defense has been stingy in the red zone. Opponents have scored touchdowns on just 12 of 21 trips into the red zone, 57.1 percent, tying Florida for fourth in the SEC behind Georgia (42.9), Alabama (50.0) and Kentucky (54.5).
 
HOLD ON TO WHAT WE GOT: The Gamecocks have dominated the time of possession in four of their first five games. They held the ball for 34:40 against Tennessee, then logged 36:23 of possession time at Florida, the second-highest mark of a Will Muschamp-led Carolina team, and the most since they notched 37:36 in TOP against Missouri in 2017. They held it for 31:27 at Vanderbilt and for 31:17 vs. Auburn. They are averaging 31:16 in time of possession this season after logging a mark of just 27:01 in 2019.
 
FOURTH QUARTER IS OUR QUARTER: The Gamecocks have outscored their opponents by a 37-17 margin in the fourth quarter this season, easily its best quarter. Last year, Carolina was outscored by a 107-64 margin in the fourth quarter, easily its worst quarter.
 
FIRST START: Nine Gamecocks have made their first career starts this season, including four in the season opener against Tennessee. The quartet included quarterback Collin Hill (who made 11 starts at Colorado State), wide receiver Dakereon Joyner, running back Kevin Harris and safety Shilo Sanders. Senior linebacker Damani Staley made his first career start at Florida. Sophomore defensive tackle Zacch Pickens and freshman offensive tackle Vershon Lee both made their first career starts at Vanderbilt. JUCO transfer offensive tackle Jazston Turnetine and freshman defensive end Tonka Hemingway made their first starts against Auburn.
 
THAT’S MY COACH: Will Muschamp is in his fifth season at Carolina. He has a 28-28 record as the Gamecocks’ head coach. The 28 wins ranks in a tie for eighth on the school’s all-time list with Warren Giese, five behind Lou Holtz, while his 56 games coached ranks in a tie for eighth with Brad Scott. Overall, Coach Muschamp is in his ninth season as a head coach, logging a 56-49 record, a .533 winning percentage, including a four-year stint at Florida (28-21, .571).
 
NFL TIES: Jaycee Horn is the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn. Shilo Sanders is the son of former NFL and MLB standout Deion Sanders, a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame. Damani Staley is the son of former Gamecock and NFL running back Duce Staley. Dylan Wonnum is the younger brother of former Gamecock, D.J. Wonnum, who is with the Minnesota Vikings. Nick Muse‘s older brother, Tanner, is a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. Freshman defensive end Tonka Hemingway is the younger brother of former Michigan standout and NFL wide receiver Junior Hemingway. Fabian Goodman is the son of former Gamecock Andre Goodman, who logged 10 seasons in the NFL. Elisha Brooks is the son of former Gamecock and NFL star Robert Brooks.
 
OPTING OUT: The Gamecocks have had three players opt out for the 2020 season, including wide receivers Randrecous Davis and OrTre Smith, along with  offensive lineman Mark Fox.
 
HE CHANGED HIS MIND: Offensive lineman Jordan Rhodes initially opted out for the 2020 season, but changed his mind and opted back in.
 
YOUR MONEY’S NO GOOD HERE: Prior to the start of the season, Will Muschamp placed senior defensive back Jaylan Foster on scholarship. Foster began his career at Gardner-Webb.
 
TOTING THE SHEEPSKIN: Thirteen Gamecock football players already have their diplomas in hand. Those who have earned undergraduate degrees include: Slade Carroll, Spencer Eason-Riddle, Jabari Ellis, Chandler Farrell, Jaylan Foster, Collin Hill, Sadarius Hutcherson, Christian Kinsley, Sean McGonigal, Adam Prentice, Keir Thomas, M.J. Webb and Parker White.
 
ACADEMICALLY SPEAKING: The Gamecocks placed 47 players on the 2019 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. Gamecock football student-athletes posted a combined 3.614 GPA in Spring 2020, the highest mark on record. The previous high was 3.084 in the spring of 2019. They fell just short of obtaining another combined GPA of 3.0 or better in the fall of 2019, coming in at 2.985, despite being in-season.
 
UP NEXT: Carolina will be back on the road, playing its fourth-straight game against an SEC Western Division opponent, when they travel to Oxford, Miss. to face the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 14. The all-time series is knotted at eight wins each, but the Gamecocks have won each of the last three contests, including a wild 48-44 decision in Oxford in 2018, the last time they met.
 
*OFFENSE*
 
BOBO DIALS IT UP: Mike Bobo, who spent the past five years as the head coach at Colorado State, serves as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at South Carolina. Bobo is well-versed with the SEC, as he spent 14 years as an assistant at Georgia, his alma mater. A 2012 Broyles Award finalist, he has coached on five SEC East and two SEC championship teams.
 
THE NUMBERS ARE UP: Here’s a look at South Carolina’s offensive numbers in Mike Bobo’s first year as the coordinator, compared to 2019 (SEC/NCAA):
Category                          2019                 2020
Scoring Offense        22.4 (12/104)       29.2 (6/55)
Rushing Offense       149.7 (10/82)      163.4 (7/59)
Passing Offense         222.2 (7/74)      215.2 (11/67)
Total Offense            371.9 (11/96)      378.6 (9/68)
Passing Efficiency     111.1 (11/118)     126.2 (9/65)
3rd Down Pct.           32.1 (13/120)       40.6 (9/55)
 
QB1: Collin Hill, a graduate transfer who played for Mike Bobo at Colorado State, earned the starting nod at quarterback over sophomore incumbent Ryan Hilinski. The 6-4, 222-pounder from Moore, S.C., appeared in 18 games including 11 starts at Colorado State while battling through three ACL injuries. While playing for the Rams, he completed 263-of-433 passes (60.7 pct.) for 3,323 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, including five career 300-yard passing games.
 
MORE ON HILL: Collin Hill logged a 3-8 record as a starter at CSU. He was 2-2 in four starts as a true freshman in 2016; was redshirted in 2017; was winless in four starts in 2018; and 1-2 in three starts in 2019. All three of his seasons ended prematurely with an ACL injury.
 
HILL AS GAMECOCK: Collin Hill, who grew up in Moore, S.C. and prepped at Dorman High School, made his first collegiate start in the Palmetto State in the season opener against Tennessee. He responded with a 25-for-39, 290-yard effort with one touchdown and one interception. He had another solid outing at Florida completing 28-of-47 passes for 212 yards with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. He notched his first win as a Gamecock at Vandy when he completed 16-of-24 passes for 196 yards, and scored two rushing touchdowns, the first Carolina QB to do that since Jake Bentley in 2017. He was 15-of-24 for 144 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the upset win over Auburn and was 12-of-22 for 234 yards with a touchdown and an interception at LSU. For the season, Hill is 2-3 as a starter, connecting on 96-of-156 passes (61.5 percent) for 1,076 yards with five touchdowns and three picks. He also has four rushing touchdowns.
 
WAITING IN THE WINGS: Sophomore Ryan Hilinski and true freshman Luke Doty are competing for the back-up QB duties. Hilinski was forced into a starting role in the second game of the 2019 season following a season-ending injury to starter Jake Bentley, and started the final 11 games of the campaign. He is 4-7 as a starting signal-caller. He set school freshmen records for pass completions and attempts in 2019, and set a school record with 180 consecutive passes without an interception. He saw his only action this season in mop-up duty at Vanderbilt, but did not throw a pass. Doty, a highly-touted dual-threat QB, has seen limited action this season, playing both quarterback and wide receiver.
 
HOP ON THE BUS: The Gamecocks opened the season with a “running back by committee” approach after losing highly-touted freshman running back MarShawn Lloyd, who suffered an ACL injury early in fall camp. However, true sophomore Kevin Harris quickly turned it into primarily a one-man show. Known by his teammates as “The Bus,” Harris had 13 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee, then went for 100 yards on 22 carries with a score at Florida before putting up the best game of his career, a 21-carry, 171-yard outing at Vanderbilt, including an 88-yard run. He toted the pigskin a career-high 25 times for 83 yards and two scores in the win over Auburn. He carried a dozen times for 126 yards and two scores at LSU. For the season, he is second in the SEC and 15th in the country with 107.0 rushing yards per game. Harris, who has scored in all five games, has also scored nine of the Gamecocks’ 18 touchdowns and ranks tied for second in the SEC and tied for 12th in the country with 10.8 points per game.
 
PUT IT IN THE ENDZONE: Kevin Harris has scored a rushing touchdown in all five games this season, scoring eight rushing TDs. He is one shy of tying for 10th in school history in single-season rushing touchdowns. The school record for consecutive games with a rushing touchdown is eight, held by Marcus Lattimore (2011-12).
 
THE  LONG RUN: Kevin Harris burst up the middle and raced 88 yards untouched to paydirt in the win over Vandy. It tied for the fourth-longest run from scrimmage in school history and is the third-longest run in FBS play this season. Harris also has a 75-yard run in his career, accounting for two of the 17 runs of 75-yards or longer in school history. Harris and Mike Davis (2013) are the only two players with two 75+ yard runs as a Gamecock.
 
NEXT MAN UP: Redshirt sophomore Deshaun Fenwick is the “veteran” in the running backs’ room. He is a bigger back who, over his first two seasons, logged a pair of 100-yard games despite playing in just seven games and carrying the pigskin in just four contests. He is second on the squad with 208 yards on 36 carries this season, and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
 
HE’S SHI, BUT KNOW HIS NAME: Senior wide receiver Shi Smith is the No. 1 receiver for the Gamecocks. He stepped up in the opener with a 10-catch, 140-yard performance against Tennessee and followed that up with a career-best 12 catches for 85 yards and a score at Florida. He caught eight passes versus Auburn. He is fourth in the SEC with 7.2 receptions per game and is ninth with 83.0 receiving yards per game. He has 153 career receptions for 1,986 yards. He is tied for seventh on the school’s all-time list for receptions and needs 90 yards to tie Deebo Samuel for 10th on the school’s career receiving yards list.
 
SHI LIGHTS – HAVE YOU SEEN HIM?: Senior wide receiver Shi Smith is off to a great start this season. In the season opener against Tennessee, the senior wide out caught 10 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. It matched the second-best season opener for a Gamecock wide receiver and was the best effort in an opener since 1984. He followed that up with a career-best 12 receptions for 85 yards and a score at Florida. He became the first player in South Carolina history to record back-to-back games with double figures in pass receptions.
 
THE X FACTOR: Sophomore Xavier Legette has been the Gamecocks’ second-best wide receiver. He has seven catches for 113 yards this season, 16.1-yards per catch. Legette was a quarterback in his school and is still learning the nuances of the position, but is athletic and has a high ceiling.
 
WELCOME ABOARD: Junior wide receiver Jalen Brooks gained his eligibility just before the LSU game. Brooks began his career at Division II Wingate College and had a cup of coffee at Tarleton State before joining the Gamecock program this fall. He had one catch for three yards in his Carolina debut at LSU.
 
THROW IT TO THE TIGHT END: Senior Nick Muse, the latest in a long line of standout Gamecock tight ends, is second on the team with 14 receptions for 202 yards, an average of 14.4 yards per catch. Muse, who was named to the preseason John Mackey Award watch list which recognizes the nation’s top tight end, joined the Gamecocks at the start of fall camp in 2019 following a transfer from William & Mary.
 
A TALE OF ONE CITY: Tight end Nick Muse has had the best of times and the worst of times in his two games against Vanderbilt. In 2019, Muse suffered a season-ending ACL injury against the Commodores. This year, the senior had his best game as a Gamecock, catching five passes for 85 yards.
 
HE COULD BE THE KEY: Tight end Keveon Mullins had a break out game at LSU. The redshirt freshman had just two catches, but logged 101 yards in the game. He entered the contest with just one reception for seven yards, but is now averaging a gaudy 36.7 yards per catch.
 
IN THE TRENCHES: The Gamecocks have probably their deepest and most experienced offensive line under head coach Will Muschamp. Four players – Sadarius Hutcherson, Eric Douglas, Jovaughn Gwyn and Dylan Wonnum have started every game this season.
     Fifth-year senior Sadarius Hutcherson, a preseason all-league selection and a member of the Outland Trophy Watch List, leads the unit. He has returned to his more natural guard position after playing left tackle last season. He has made 34 career starts, most on the squad, including 31-consecutive starts. He was recognized as the SEC’s Offensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts at Vanderbilt when he graded out at 88 percent with seven knockdowns and no missed assignments.
     Dylan Wonnum, a Freshman All-American two years ago, returns to man a tackle position after being hampered by an ankle injury for much of the 2019 campaign. He started each of the first three games at left tackle, but returned to right tackle for the last two games, his primary position over the past two years. A Freshman All-American in 2018, he is on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List and a member of SAAC.
     Junior Eric Douglas has earned the starting nod at center this season. The cerebral Douglas, who is on the Rimington Watch List, has appeared in 26 games with six starts during his career.
     Redshirt sophomore Jovaughn Gwyn, who is considered one of the strongest players on the squad, starts at right guard. He has started 16-consecutive games.
     The final spot, a tackle position, has been in flux. Redshirt freshman Jakai Moore earned the start in each of the first two contests at right tackle. He played in three games last season, making a pair of starts. True freshman Vershon Lee made the start at right tackle at Vanderbilt. JUCO transfer Jazston Turnetine, who was the favorite to man the left tackle position, has worked himself back into playing shape, earning the starting assignment in each of the last two games, his first career starts. Sophomore tackle Jaylen Nichols and junior guard Jordan Rhodes have also been starters in their Carolina careers.
 
*DEFENSE*
 
THE VETERANS UP FRONT: The Gamecock defensive line features three seniors and a junior in the starting lineup. Keir Thomas and Jabari Ellis work in the middle, while preseason All-SEC pick Aaron Sterling plays defensive end and junior Kingsley (JJ) Enagbare works at the BUCK. Sterling has logged the best numbers, entering the 2020 season with 16.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks.
 
KINGSLEY HAS BEEN DY-NO-MITE: Regarded as the Gamecocks’ top pass rusher, Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare has gotten off to an excellent start this season. In the opener against Tennessee, he recorded a career-high nine tackles, including a pair of sacks, and forced a fumble while making his debut at the BUCK position. He also notched sacks at Vanderbilt and versus Auburn. He is tied for second in the SEC with 4.0 sacks and his 4.5 tackles for loss rank tied for 12th in the league.
 
NO DOUBTING THOMAS: Fifth-year senior Keir Thomas is putting together an excellent season. He is fourth on the team with 20 tackles, despite missing a game, and is second on the squad with 3.0 sacks, tying for sixth in the SEC.
 
TALENT BEHIND THEM: The Gamecocks have a trio of highly-touted defensive linemen who have seen more playing time as the season has progressed. Sophomore Zacch Pickens is becoming a force in the middle of the line, Jordan Burch is a freshman BUCK who is the second-highest ranked recruit to sign with Carolina behind only Jadeveon Clowney, and freshman defensive end Tonka Hemingway has started in each of the last two games while Sterling has been limited with a sore knee. Pickens, who made his first start at Vanderbilt, has recorded 13 tackles this season, Burch has 15 stops, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery, while Hemingway has three tackles, two pass breakups, a QB hurry and a forced fumble.
 
KEEPING UP WITH JONESES: Junior linebacker Ernest Jones is the vocal leader of the defense from the MIKE position. A preseason All-SEC selection, Jones leads the team with 55 tackles, an average of 11.0 per game, third in the SEC and tied for seventh in the country. He was the team leader in the season opener against Tennessee with 11 stops, matched his then-career high with 13 tackles at Vanderbilt, including a career-best 3.0 tackles for loss, then shattered his personal best with a 19-tackle effort at LSU, the most tackles by a Gamecock in a game since the 1987 season. He led the team in tackles as a sophomore with 97 stops, 20 more than anyone else on the squad. He ranked fourth in the SEC with 8.1 tackles per game a year ago.
 
TOOTING YOUR OWN HORN: Jaycee Horn is considered the best cover corner on the team. The junior rarely gets balls thrown his way, but Auburn challenged him and he was up to the task, intercepting two passes and breaking up four others, earning Walter Camp National Player of the Week and SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He second in the SEC and sixth in the nation with 1.6 passes defended per game.
 
WALTER CAMP NOTICED: Junior cornerback Jaycee Horn was selected as the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Horn had two interceptions and deflected another which led to a pick, in the’ win over Auburn. In addition to the two interceptions, Horn was credited with four pass break ups and three tackles. Horn was the fifth South Carolina player to earn Walter Camp National FBS Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since Israel Mukuamu in 2019. The others were quarterback Stephen Garcia (2010), linebacker Melvin Ingram (2011) and safety D.J. Swearinger (2012).
 
DON’T PICK ON MUK: Israel Mukuamu has received his share of accolades after bursting on the national scene with a three-interception performance in the upset win at Georgia last season. At 6-4, Mukuamu has spent most of his time at cornerback, but started at safety at Florida. The junior preseason All-SEC defensive back owns seven career interceptions, two this season, with picks at Florida and at LSU. He was listed on both the Thorpe and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists.
 
HERE’S TO YOU, JAMMIE ROBINSON: Sophomore Jammie Robinson is one of the hardest hitters on the team. He is second on the team with 37 tackles, including 22 solo stops. He was credited with a dozen tackles at LSU. Robinson earned Freshman All-SEC and second-team Freshman All-America honors in 2019.
 
*SPECIAL TEAMS*
 
WHITE ON THE MONEY: Senior Parker White has hit on 7-of-11 field goals this season (7-of-9 from inside of 50) and has converted 52-of-74 field goals in his career, 70.3 pct., including 34-of-38 (89.5 pct.) from inside 40 yards. His 52 field goals made and 74 field goals attempted both rank third on the school’s all-time list. He also ranks third on the school’s all-time scoring list with 269 points. White owns a career long of 50 yards and has five fourth-quarter or OT game-winning field goals in his career.
 
WELL THAT BITES: Parker White fell one shy of matching the school record for consecutive field goals made when his 53-yard attempt in the rainy conditions at Vandy missed wide left. The 53-yarder would have been a career long. He had connected on 14-straight prior to that miss, one shy of the school record of 15, set by Collin Mackie from 1987-88. He ranks tied for seventh among FBS active kickers with 52 career field goals made.
 
KICKING WITH KROEGER: True freshman Kai Kroeger has punted 18 times for a 42.6-yard average with five inside the 20 and a long of 53 yards. After punting six times for 211 yards, a 35.2-yard average in his debut vs. Tennessee, he has punted 12 times for 556 yards, a 46.3-yard average.
 
SEC HONORS: Kai Kroeger was recognized as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Auburn. He punted five times for a 48.4-yard average, including a career-best 53-yarder. Three of his punts were downed inside the 20, at the 2, 7 and 19-yard lines. He had a net punting average of 44.4 yards after entering the game with a net of 33.1 yards per punt this season.