Good morning. A’ja Wilson scored how many points?! Check out some of the best post-game moments from her historic game here, here, and here.

What else is stirred into today’s Brew? ⤵️

🏈 Run wild
🍽️ A lot on his plate
🤙 And much, much more

🎥 GAMECOCKS+

Almost Kickoff. Thanks for hanging out with us LIVE last night during the second-ever episode of The CockTale Hour with Jay Philips and Bill Gunter! In case you missed it, and you’re a Gamecocks+ subscriber, you can catch the replay on-demand on Gamecocks+.

And if you’re wondering what you missed, check out this great highlight reel from last night’s episode, then sign up for Gamecocks+ using promo code FOOTBALL23 to save 23% off your annual membership.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Run Wild. It’s running back time! South Carolina’s backs are set to steal the show when the Gamecocks have the ball this season, and players at other positions are taking note.

“They coming,” offensive lineman Tyshawn Wannamaker said of South Carolina’s running backs. “It’s a good battle in that room. They all coming.”

Linebacker Debo Williams agreed. “They’re a bunch of dawgs too, like me,” he said. “Like I’ll wake up and think hit or kill. I’m coming for them every single day. So it’s making them better, it’s making me better. I expect the most out of them, and I expect them to be great.”

🔼 Where He Wanted To Be. Graduate transfer Drew Tuazama may have only been in the Garnet & Black for a couple of weeks when kickoff rolls around, but Coach Beamer says the former UAB edge rusher should be ready to rock against the Tar Heels. Read more about Tuazama and why he chose to call Columbia home.

🔼 Golden Arm. Spencer Rattler can add another preseason watch list mention to his growing list of accolades as QB1 landed on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List this week.

🔼 A Lot On His Plate. And speaking of QB1, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains loves the command he’s seeing from his quarterback — so much so that Loggains is giving Spencer Rattler the freedom to change play calls at the line of scrimmage this season.

“We put an awful lot on his plate, as much as any quarterback I’ve ever coached in 17 years in the NFL,” Loggains said. “He’s got a lot of responsibility at the line of scrimmage.”

🔼 Hang With The Gamecocks. Come on out to Hyatt Park to hang with your Gamecock women’s hoops team! The squad will be in the park on September 17 for a youth clinic followed by a public event featuring food trucks, face painting, live music, and more. The festivities are set to get underway at 4 p.m. More details here.

🤔 GAMECOCK TRIVIA

Countdown: 9! Nine marks the fewest number of first downs allowed during the Shane Beamer era. Do you know what opponent South Carolina held to just nine first downs in 2021?

Think you know? Scroll down to the bottom of this email for the right answer!

📬 STICK WITH US

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📬 THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday 8/24

⚽ Women’s Soccer @ Boston College @ 7:00pm ET

⚽ Men’s Soccer @ Campbell @ 7:00pm ET

Friday 8/25

🏐 Volleyball vs Towson @ 6:00pm ET

Saturday 8/26

🏐 Volleyball vs Towson @ 2:00pm ET

Sunday 8/27

⚽ Women’s Soccer @ UMass-Lowell @ 1:00pm ET

⚽ Men’s Soccer vs. Gardner-Webb @ 7:00pm ET

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Eastern Illinois tallied just nine first downs on September 4, 2021. The Gamecocks followed that epic defensive performance by allowing just 12 first downs a week later against East Carolina.

🤙 Have a great Thursday, y’all.