The SEC league office named its players of the week Monday, and Gamecocks keep finding their way on to the list.
OFFENSE: QB Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State, and RB Benny Snell, Kentucky: Fitzgerald did a little bit of everything for the Bulldogs as they rolled past Texas A&M. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries with another score. Snell tortured a team not named South Carolina for once, rushing 27 times for 180 yards and three touchdowns as the Wildcats handed Tennessee another deflating loss.
DEFENSE: LB Jordan Jones, Kentucky, and DB J.R. Reed, Georgia: Jones had a game-high 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. Reed notched eight tackles, including half a sack, and also recovered a fumble for a touchdown as the Bulldogs beat up on punchless Florida.
SPECIAL TEAMS: WR/KR De’Vion Warren, Arkansas: Warren returned five kickoffs for 141 yards and leads the SEC in kickoff return average (29.1 yards).
FRESHMAN: QB Cole Kelley, Arkansas: After making a garbage time appearance against South Carolina, Kelley appears to be coming into his own. He led the Razorbacks to their largest comeback win in program history (24 points) against Ole Miss, throwing three touchdowns and rushing for another.
OFFENSIVE LINE: C Alan Knott, South Carolina: Knott was recognized for his efforts in helping the Gamecocks rush for three touchdowns and 212 yards, the second-highest total in the Muschamp era. In a season that has seen a lot of injuries along the line for South Carolina, Knott has been steady and reliable.
KEEP AN EYE ON ‘EM
The Entire Dang Georgia Backfield: It’s Georgia week, so that means we get to worry about whether the Bulldogs will ring up 500 rushing yards on the Gamecocks. Against Florida, Sony Michel had 136 yards and two touchdowns on a mere six carries, Nick Chubb tallied 77 and a score on three, and D’Andre Swift caught three passes out of the backfield for 84 yards. Quarterback Jake Fromm completed four (4) passes and only attempted seven, because why bother? South Carolina’s linebackers will need to eat their Wheaties.