2022 South Carolina Gamecocks football team

The 2022 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Gamecocks' 129th overall season, and 31st as a member of the SEC East Division. The Gamecocks played their home games at Williams–Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, and were led by second-year head coach Shane Beamer.

2022 South Carolina Gamecocks football
Gator Bowl, L 38–45 vs. Notre Dame
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionEast Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 23
APNo. 23
Record8–5 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMarcus Satterfield (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorClayton White (2nd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumWilliams–Brice Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2021
2023 →
2022 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
No. 1 Georgia xy$#^   8 0     15 0  
No. 6 Tennessee   6 2     11 2  
No. 23 South Carolina   4 4     8 5  
Kentucky   3 5     7 6  
Florida   3 5     6 7  
Missouri   3 5     6 7  
Vanderbilt   2 6     5 7  
West Division
No. 16 LSU xy   6 2     10 4  
No. 5 Alabama x   6 2     11 2  
No. 20 Mississippi State   4 4     9 4  
Ole Miss   4 4     8 5  
Arkansas   3 5     7 6  
Auburn   2 6     5 7  
Texas A&M   2 6     5 7  
Championship: Georgia 50, LSU 30
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2022 Gamecocks squad displayed significant growth under Shane Beamer's leadership in his second year as head coach. Despite inconsistent offensive production and a lackluster rush defense throughout the season, the Gamecocks finished on a high note, posting an 8–5 record and finishing the season ranked at No. 23 in both the Coaches and AP poll.[1]

The Gamecocks set many milestones. They won eight games for the first time since 2017. They defeated three ranked teams, defeated archrival Clemson, won three true road games, won four consecutive games, and finished ranked, all for the first time since 2013. They defeated Texas A&M, defeated three top-15 teams, scored 30+ points in nine games, and won back-to-back games against top-ten opponents, all for the first time in program history.[2][3]

The consecutive victories over No. 5 Tennessee and No. 8 Clemson have been described as "two of the biggest upsets in program history".[4] Hosting Tennessee, South Carolina's dominant 63–38 victory set the record for most points scored by an unranked team against a top-five team in college football history.[5] Quarterback Spencer Rattler's six touchdowns broke the school record for most touchdown passes in a single game.[6] South Carolina fans stormed the field for the first time since 2001.[a] At Clemson, South Carolina snapped the Tigers' 40-game home winning streak.[9] It was just the seventh time in history that a school had defeated AP top-ten opponents in consecutive weeks as an unranked team, and the first since 2003.[10]

The 2022 special teams have also been considered arguably the greatest Gamecock special teams of all time, earning the No. 1 spot in ESPN's efficiency ranking.[11]

Schedule edit

South Carolina and the SEC announced the 2022 football schedule on September 21, 2021.[12][13][14]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 37:30 p.m.Georgia State*SECN+/ESPN+W 35–1478,297
September 1012:00 p.m.at No. 16 ArkansasESPNL 30–4472,437
September 1712:00 p.m.No. 1 Georgia
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (rivalry)
ESPNL 7–4878,212
September 247:30 p.m.Charlotte*
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
ESPNUW 56–2077,982
September 29 [b]7:00 p.m.South Carolina State*
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECNW 50–1061,551
October 87:30 p.m.at No. 13 KentuckySECNW 24–1461,612
October 227:30 p.m.Texas A&M
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC
SECNW 30–2477,837
October 294:00 p.m.Missouri No. 25
  • Williams–Brice Stadium
  • Columbia, SC (Mayor's Cup)
SECNL 10–2377,578
November 57:30 p.m.at VanderbiltSECNW 38–2728,553
November 124:00 p.m.at FloridaSECNL 6–3889,454
November 197:00 p.m.No. 5 Tennessee
ESPNW 63–3879,041
November 2612:00 p.m.at No. 8 Clemson*ABCW 31–3081,500
December 303:30 p.m.vs. No. 21 Notre Dame*No. 19ESPNL 38–4567,383

Roster edit

2022 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Roster

Quarterback

  •  4 Colton Gauthier –   freshman (6'3, 215)  
  •  7 Spencer Rattler  junior (6'1, 215)    
  •  9 Luke Dotyjunior (6'1, 210) 
  • 11 Braden Davis – freshman (6'5, 205)  
  • 15 Tanner Bailey – freshman (6'1, 205)  
  • 28 Jake Helfrich –   freshman (6'0, 190)   
  • 29 Jalen Daniels – freshman (6'4, 215)    

Running back

  •  1 MarShawn Lloyd  sophomore (5'9, 212)    
  •  8 Christian Beal-Smith –   sophomore (5'9, 205) 
  • 11 Lovasea Carroll –   freshman (6'2, 205)  
  • 21 JuJu McDowell – sophomore (5'9, 180)  
  • 23 Rashad Amos –   sophomore (6'2, 227)  
  • 25 Dante Millergraduate (5'9, 200)  
  • 26 Nathan Harris-Waynick –   freshman (5'10, 205)  
  • 27 D.J. Twitty –   senior (6'0, 225)    
  • 32 Bradley Dunn –   sophomore (5'9, 210)    
  • 35 Chase McCracken – freshman  

Wide receiver

  •  3 Antwane Wells Jr.junior (6'1, 207) 
  •  5 Dakereon Joyner –   senior (6'1, 215)    
  •  6 Josh Vann – Fifth Year (5'11, 192)  
  • 10 Ahmarean Brown – senior (5'9, 167)    
  • 13 Jalen Brooks Fifth Year (6'2, 205)  
  • 16 Corey Rucker – junior (6'1, 212)  
  • 17 Xavier Legettesenior (6'3, 220)  
  • 19 Ben Rollins –   sophomore (5'9, 170)    
  • 20 Kylic Horton – freshman (6'4, 205)  
  • 24 Eriq Rice –   freshman (6'1, 195)    
  • 31 DJ Black – freshman (6'1, 195)    
  • 81 Aaron Morton –   freshman (5'8, 177)    
  • 82 Landon Samson – freshman (6'0, 195)  
  • 85 Payton Mangrum –   sophomore (6'0, 198)  
  • 87 Joseph Morris –   freshman (6'0, 195)  
  • 89 O'Mega Blake –   freshman (6'2, 190)  

Placekicker

  • 30 Jack Luckhurst –   junior (6'2, 185)    
  • 40 Alex Herrera –   junior (6'2, 212)    
  • 42 Daniel Lester – freshman (6'2, 212)  
  • 98 Mitch Jeter – junior (5'10, 195)  

Punter

  • 39 Kai Kroeger – junior (6'4, 207)  
  • 45 William Joyce –   freshman (6'3, 215)  
 

Tight end

  •  0 Jaheim Belljunior (6'3, 232)  
  • 12 Traveon Kenion –   junior (6'4, 245)  
  • 18 Austin Stognergraduate (6'5, 250)  
  • 22 Zavier Short – freshman (6'2, 220)  
  • 44 Nate Adkinsgraduate (6'3, 252)    
  • 49 Dave Adams –   sophomore (6'2, 230)  
  • 86 Chad Terrell – Sixth Year (6'3, 237)  
  • 88 Jesse Sanders –   sophomore (6'3, 245)  

Offensive lineman

  • 52 Jaylen Nichols – senior (6'5, 322)   
  • 53 Vershon Lee Junior (6'4, 308)  
  • 54 Jovaughn Gwyn  senior (6'3, 300)   
  • 55 Jakai Moore –   junior (6'6, 305)  
  • 57 Grayson Mains – freshman (6'5, 300)  
  • 60 Jordan Davis –   freshman (6'5, 305)  
  • 62 Tyshon Wannamaker –   sophomore (6'3, 318)  
  • 64 JonDarius Morgan –   freshman (6'3, 312)    
  • 65 Jackson Hall – freshman (6'3, 300)  
  • 66 Mac Walters – freshman (6'6, 290) 
  • 67 Chase Sweigart – freshman (6'6, 305) 
  • 68 Wyatt Campbell –   senior (6'6, 310)  
  • 70 Hank Manos –   senior (6'4, 303)  
  • 71 Eric Douglas – Sixth Year (6'4, 297)   
  • 72 Trai Jones –   sophomore (6'2, 308)  
  • 73 Ryan Brubaker – freshman (6'6, 295)  
  • 75 Cason Henry – freshman (6'6, 300)  
  • 77 Colin Henrich –   freshman (6'3, 305)  
  • 79 Dylan Wonnum – Fifth Year (6'5, 305)  

Defensive lineman

  •  6 Zacch Pickenssenior (6'4, 305) 
  • 50 Felix Hixon – freshman (6'3, 300)  
  • 54 Jamaal Whyce – freshman (6'3, 305)  
  • 64 Demetrius Watson – freshman (6'3, 290)    
  • 90 T.J. Sanders –   freshman (6'5, 300)  
  • 91 Tonka Hemingwayjunior (6'3, 295)  
  • 93 Nick Barrett – sophomore (6'3, 330)  
  • 94 M.J. Webb –   senior (6'3, 313)  
  • 95 Alex Huntley –   sophomore (6'4, 305)  
  • 99 D'Andre Martin – senior (6'4, 305)  
 

EDGE

  •  4 Terrell Dawkins –   junior (6'4, 250)  
  •  5 Jordan Burchjunior (6'6, 275)    
  •  7 Jordan Strachan – Fifth Year (6'5, 245)  
  •  8 Gilber Edmond –   sophomore (6'5, 250)  
  • 10 Tyreek Johnson –   junior (6'3, 265)  
  • 16 Hot Rod Fitten –   junior (6'2, 250)    
  • 46 Bryan Thomas Jr. – freshman (6'2, 230)  

Linebacker

  •  0 Debo Williams –   sophomore (6'1, 237)  
  • 15 Donovan Westmorland – freshman (6'1, 228)  
  • 19 Brad Johnson – Sixth Year (6'2, 238)  
  • 22 Bam Martin-Scott –   junior (6'2, 235)  
  • 32 Mohamed Kaba – junior (6'2, 239)  
  • 35 Akhnaton Shabazz – freshman (6'0, 225)  
  • 40 Ronnie Porter –   freshman (6'1, 238)    
  • 41 Andrew Colasurdo –   freshman (6'1, 240)  
  • 42 Darryle Ware –   sophomore (6'1, 228)    
  • 44 Sherrod Greene – Sixth Year (6'1, 233)  
  • 45 Colin Bryant –   freshman (6'3, 225)  
  • 52 Stone Blanton – freshman (6'2, 235)  

Defensive back

  •  1 R.J. Roderick – Fifth Year (6'0, 207)  
  •  3 Devonni Reed – graduate (5'11, 200)  
  •  9 Cam Smith  junior (6'0, 188)  
  • 11 Emory Floyd Jr. – freshman (6'1, 185)  
  • 12 Anthony Rose – freshman (6'1, 190)  
  • 14 Joey Hunter –   sophomore (6'1, 200)   
  • 18 Keenan Nelson Jr. – freshman (6'1, 200)  
  • 20 Tyrese Ross –   senior (6'0, 200)  
  • 21 Nick Emmanworifreshman (6'4, 218)  
  • 23 Isaiah Norris –   junior (5'11, 185)  
  • 24 Marcellas Dial  junior (6'0, 192)  
  • 25 O'Donnell Fortune –   freshman (6'1, 180)  
  • 26 Landon Grier –   sophomore (5'9, 185)  
  • 27 DQ Smith – freshman (6'1, 212)    
  • 28 Darius Rush  senior (6'2, 200)  
  • 29 David Spaulding –   junior (6'1, 197)  
  • 31 Peyton Williams – freshman (6'0, 200)  
  • 34 Cam Hardy –   freshman (6'1, 193)  
  • 36 B.J. Gipson –   junior (6'4, 215)  
  • 43 Joseph Byrnes –   freshman (6'0, 195)  
  • 47 King-Demenian Ford –   freshman (6'2, 207)  
  • 48 Noah Abrams –   freshman (5'10, 187)  

Long snappers

  • 34 Matthew Bailey –   junior (6'2, 215)  
  • 36 Hunter Rogers –   sophomore (6'1, 205)    
  • 46 Cole Rasmussen –   sophomore (5'11, 210)  

  •  : 2022 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Roster 08/09/22[16]

Coaching staff edit

Name Position Consecutive season
Shane Beamer Head coach 2nd
Marcus Satterfield Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach 2nd
Clayton White Defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach 2nd
Pete Lembo Associate head coach/special teams coordinator 2nd
Torrian Gray Defensive backs coach 2nd
Montario Hardesty Running backs coach 2nd
Greg Adkins Offensive line coach 2nd
Justin Stepp Wide receivers coach 2nd
Jody Wright Tight ends coach 1st
Sterling Lucas Outside linebackers coach 1st
Jimmy Lindsey Defensive line coach 2nd
Freddie Kitchens Analyst 1st

Rankings edit

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRVRVRV25RVRV202023
CoachesRVRVRV25RVRV201923
CFPNot released1919Not released

Notes and references edit

  1. ^ Greenville Online reported that the last field storming at Williams–Brice was South Carolina's upset over Alabama in 2010. However, the SEC officially said that South Carolina has had only two "access to competition area" violations since fines began in 2004: a men's basketball game against Kentucky in 2014, and the football game against Tennessee in 2022.[7] In 2016, Saturday Down South reported that South Carolina's last field storming was in 2001.[8]
  2. ^ The South Carolina State game was moved up by two days due to Hurricane Ian.[15]
  1. ^ "South Carolina football finishes ranked in AP Top 25 poll for first time since 2013". The Greenville News. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  2. ^ "South Carolina 2022 Football Season Highlights". University of South Carolina Athletics. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Cloninger, David (October 23, 2022). "Gamecocks crash into Top 25 with 4-game win streak, victory over Texas A&M". Post and Courier. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer's salary more than doubles in 2023 as contract extension set". Yahoo Sports. January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  5. ^ "AP Top 25: Tennessee drops four spots to No. 9 after blowout loss to South Carolina". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  6. ^ Summers, Mitchel. "Rattler throws 6 touchdowns as Gamecocks stun No. 5 Tennessee 63-38". www.foxcarolina.com. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  7. ^ "South Carolina, Vandy fined for SEC Policy violations". www.secsports.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "The last time every SEC team rushed the field". Saturday Down South. August 26, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Priester, J. P. (November 26, 2022). "Gamecocks Take Down Clemson, Snapping Seven Game Losing Streak to Tigers". Sports Illustrated Clemson Tigers News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "South Carolina 2022 Football Season Highlights". University of South Carolina Athletics. January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Pete Lembo Named UB Football Head Coach". University at Buffalo. January 21, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Cory Diaz (September 22, 2021). "What to know about South Carolina football's 2022 schedule". The Greenville News. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  13. ^ Reggie Anderson (September 21, 2021). "The SEC releases the 2022 football schedules". WLTX. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  14. ^ "2022 South Carolina Gamecocks Football Schedule". ThePalmettoBowl.com.
  15. ^ Scarborough, Alex (September 27, 2022). "South Carolina football moves up game to Thursday because of threat of Hurricane Ian". ESPN (Press release). Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  16. ^ "2022 Football Roster". Retrieved August 9, 2022.