The Feed Pail: September 23, 2015

Post & Courier: On the Beat: Injured Gamecocks quarterback Connor Mitch ‘healing well’. It's OK to be excited about Lorenzo Nunez's first start, but let's not lose sight of the fact one of our own has been battling serious injuries (the hip and the shoulder) that have  required two hospitalizations.  Beat writer David Caraviello adds other news and notes so read the whole thing.

Team Speed Kills: We're not quite at the bottom in the SEC Power Rankings but we're close enough to see it.

NBC College Football: The tone of the headline seems wrong when the first starter has gone down with an injury - South Carolina to start third different QB in three weeks. On the other hand, we may have ended up in the same place anyway.

Bleacher Report: Let the Lorenzo Nunez Era Begin at South Carolina - a good essay (not slideshow) with tweets, video and commentary.

Greenville News: I don't know how to process this tidbit - Spurrier surprised with USC's play. Surprised two seasons in a row? Really?

Today's U Blog: With Loss to Furman, UCF Is in Serious Trouble. The view from Central Florida's perspective.

Orlando Sentinel: Columnist Mike Bianchi says O'Leary dismissal of star RB William Stanback another example of coach who won't sell soul for wins. Apparently, it was for repeated pot violations. UCF would be crazy to dump O'Leary in my opinion but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens. This is a dangerous, wounded and cornered team coming to play us - we better be ready to have our mettle tested because nothing would help O'Leary & Co. more than beating a SEC team on the road.

Gamecock Cereal: Rixon Lane has suggestions on How To Fix the Gamecock Football Program. You figured #1 was coming, but I absolutely hate his head coach candidates; going with young, unproven assistants is a recipe for disaster a la Brad Scott (1994-1998). If we did go the assistant route, I'd be more interested in more guys like FSU's Jay Graham or UGA's Jeremy Pruitt, or the perennial candidate Kirby Smart of Bama. The crying shame was that Texas went and pulled Charlie Strong from Louisville last year; Strong would have been our natural choice (assuming he would have left Louisville other than to take a 'crown jewel' job like Texas - though I'm wondering now if he's all that happy in Austin right now). Also - UCF could be confidence boost for rest of season. Maybe, but we have to beat a SEC squad to really get the monkey off our back. Let's just get to 2 and 2 and see where we are then.

The Big Spur: Post-practice notes: Gamecocks still looking at changes. The defensive backfield is in total flux. Plus - That's a tough break for Kelsey - Browns replace DL Quarles with LB Johnson on practice squad.

Gamecock Fanatics: Tuesday's Football Practice Report with videos coaches & players. Throwing Featheredcock some page views but this is a repost of the official USC report.

Spurs & Feathers: UCF game brings back memories for Spurrier and Gamecock fans everywhere.

O'Burg Times & Democrat: GC's Matt O'Brien, a former Gamecock, thinks Changes have to be made on defense. (Link fixed).

The State: David Cloninger says the Gamecocks Defense in Need of Confidence. That may be the case, but they're even more in need of fundamentals.

Gamecock Central: Wes Mitchell writes that Jr. LB T.J. Holloman feels comfortable at "Mike".

Gamecocksonline: Mark Berson's Carolina men's soccer team Pick Up Big 3-1 Victory vs. No. 8 Elon. Danny Deakin scores two goals to pace USC 3-1 over the Phoenix.

Rock Hill Herald: Talk about getting whipsawed - Panthers re-sign receiver Damiere Byrd to practice squad. Good luck, Damiere.

Anderson Independent-Mail: A sports hero passes -Yankees Legend Yogi Berra Dies At Age 90. Most remembered for his wonderful Yogisms, I was stunned by the extent of his on-the-field accolades - e.g., leading the Yankees in RBIs for seven straight seasons on a squad that included Mantle - which have been overshadowed by his larger than life character. You will be missed, # 8.