Head football coach Shane Beamer and South Carolina players on Tuesday discussed preparing for their upcoming game against Wofford and the impact of the team's senior class.
Before Saturday's game, the No. 18-ranked Gamecocks will recognize a group of seniors that includes transfers and veterans who decided to stay with the program when Beamer was initially hired in 2021.
"(We have a) special group of seniors that we're honoring," Beamer said. "Guys that either came in in January as a transfer and have made an impact in their time here. Guys that were a part of the signing class when I got hired that had never met me ... Guys that were here when I got here."
Gamecocks prepare for Wofford
South Carolina concluded SEC play with its 34-30 win over Missouri on Nov. 16 and will finish the regular season with a pair of in-state foes in Wofford and No. 17 Clemson. The Terriers and Gamecocks last met on Nov. 18, 2017, in a contest that resulted in a 31-10 victory for South Carolina.
"(We) have a good Wofford team coming in here," Beamer said. "Coach (Shawn) Watson has done a nice job there in his time. The improvements they've made from last season to this season are evident — maybe not so by the record — but looking at it, they've played five games against Top-25 FCS teams."
Redshirt senior defensive tackle Alex Huntley, who is one of many seniors who will be honored on Saturday, said the preparation leading up to each game stays the same, regardless of the opponent.
"Just attack everything the same exact way," Huntley said. "Don't change the routine. It's just another game, nameless, faceless opponents, and that's how it's been all year."
While teams of the past may have overlooked the Terriers, redshirt senior linebacker Debo Williams said that this year's Gamecocks won't take its upcoming opponent lightly.
"For mediocre people, it's probably human nature. We're not trying to be mediocre," Williams said. "This is not recent years. This is not a recent team. This is a different team, different players, so we're putting it together, and we've got to get better each and every single day."
Seniors say goodbye
Before the Gamecocks and Terriers kick off on Saturday, South Carolina will honor a group of seniors that has helped the program bounce back from last season's 5-7 record.
Fifth-year punter Kai Kroeger, who is currently averaging 47.7 yards per punt this season, used Tuesday's press conference as a way to reflect on his time with the Gamecocks.
"It's definitely been the best four years of my life," Kroeger said. "Coming here to this university, meeting all the people I've met, it's been unbelievable. I'm sure it's going to hit me more on Saturday, and I'll definitely try not to get too emotional."
Senior running back Juju McDowell, who has been the Gamecocks' primary kickoff and punt returner in 2024, said senior day will serve as a culmination of his experiences at South Carolina.
"I wouldn't necessarily call it a reflection," McDowell said. "It's kind of been like that all season, just reflecting on the trials and tribulations we've had. The ups, of course the downs, but more than anything reminiscing on the memories we've built together."
Huntley, a Columbia native, is one of several Gamecocks who stayed with the program when Beamer was hired. He has recorded 76 tackles and three sacks over the course of his career and has appeared in every game for South Carolina this season.
"Honestly, (I'm) just grateful," Huntley said. "The people who went before me, all of the seniors or the older guys before me, just thinking about them. That's really all it is — just the memories we had, just the memories we made with those guys."
'There's a lot for us to be better at'
South Carolina heads into Saturday's matchup against Wofford riding a four-game winning streak, with three of those wins coming against teams ranked in the Associated Press' Top 25.
But Beamer said he still believes the team has room for improvement.
"It always starts with us, and there's a lot for us to be better at," Beamer said. "As great as the last month has been and as good as Saturday night was, there's a lot for us to be better at in all three phases."
Beamer, like Williams, also said it's important for them to not overlook Wofford. In the two teams' five previous meetings, the average margin of victory for South Carolina has been 15.8 points.
A key player for the Terriers will be senior wide receiver Kyle Watkins, who has caught 43 passes for 689 yards this season.
"We talked about it as a team this morning — one, you better have respect for Wofford for one, and have yourself ready to play because they can present you some problems," Beamer said.
What's next?
South Carolina (7-3, 5-3 SEC) will play its final home game of the season on Saturday against the Wofford Terriers (5-6, 3-5 SoCon). Kickoff from Williams-Brice Stadium is set for 4 p.m., and the game will be streamed on the SEC Network+.