| Herald-Journal
South Carolina would love to end this turbulent football season with a victory first of all, although there is a secondary goal appearing this week when the team visits Kentucky.
Running back Kevin Harris can put an exclamation point over what is not only one of this year’s most surprising stories at the Southeast Conference, but one of the most memorable seasons in the program’s history.
During this unprecedented season because of COVID-19 and the USC’s lack of success that led to the dismissal of coach Will Muschamp, the incredible performance of the second year half fell between the cracks.
He enters the regular season final on Saturday against the Wildcats, who need 72 yards to post the 11th season of 1,000 yards in the show’s history and the first since Mike Davis in 2013. Former Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers is the the only Gamecock to reach that number in several years, reaching 1,000 three times in a row (1978-80) with a school record of 1,894 in his award-winning senior season.
Former Byrnes star Marcus Lattimore (2010) joins Davis as the only Gamecocks to reach 1,000 yards after 2000.
“Getting a 1,000 is important to our people, especially our offensive line and tight ends,” said interim coach Mike Bobo. “They know where he is and they love to block for him because he runs a lot. (Harris) is interested and he prefers us to win games, but we all know that he is close and doing it on a 10-game schedule against all SEC opponents would be something significant that these guys can prepare to move on, because most of the offensive line is coming back, and obviously Kevin is back. ”
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Dakereon Joyner said on Tuesday that he talked to Harris all morning about reaching 1,000 yards. Obviously, it is the main focus and topic of conversation on the list.
“Really since after the game (on Saturday’s loss to Georgia) about how excited we are to get him to that mark,” said Joyner. “I think he is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the country and has already proved it. An uncompromising guy who keeps putting his team first and a guy very grateful for his attackers because without them he wouldn’t be able to do that. We are all very excited about this and I know he will make it. ”
Adam Prentice, who has helped provide Harris with several race tracks, said that seeing him reach 1,000 yards “would be incredible.”
“We are very proud of how we blocked in the front and with me and the receivers, it is something we constantly repeat,” said Prentice, “so that would mean a lot to this offense and a big milestone for him.”
Harris has passed 100 yards four times this season, including 243 last month in Mississippi, which was the fifth largest production in USC history and more yards than Rogers has ever rushed in a game. He ran 164 times for 928 yards with 14 touchdowns, which ranks second in the SEC and is five more than a pair tied for third. He also managed 20 passes for 142 yards with a touchdown and is 10th in the league with 118.9 multifunctional yards per game. Harris ranks third with an average of 103.1 run yards.
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All of this coming from a guy with almost no fanfare outside the show and not much else inside, with MarShawn Lloyd, signatory to the first-rate running back, the most announced offensive newcomer to the team and considered a likely generator of differences. Lloyd tore an ACL at the start of the pre-season camp, but even so, Harris did not immediately emerge as a more than capable replacement.
Harris was hampered by a groin injury for most of the preseason, and it was unclear what he could mean for the team after a first year full of injuries.
“He came out of spring on the depth chart because of an injury and didn’t stay long because of his groin,” said Bobo. “I think he had five days (to present himself in good health) and basically went to work, said nothing and proved himself”.
The Hinesville, Georgia, product provided a brief preview of his capabilities last year, when he ran six times for 147 yards and a school record tying three touchdowns against Charleston Southern. The rest of his season consisted of just 15 runs for 32 yards and a touchdown.
This record-breaking three-touchdown game now belongs exclusively to Harris after he ran for five touchdowns on that massive Ole Miss exit.
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What is it about Harris that made him a special player on the verge of a memorable milestone?
“I think it’s really just his first contact effort,” said quarterback Luke Doty. “You think he’s going to fall and he doesn’t give up, he doesn’t stop, and we have guys like that in the whole team. He doesn’t give up, he just keeps pushing, he’ll do the same on Saturday and get that 1,000 yards. ”
USC 1,000 yard run season
1. George Rogers – 1,894 (1980)
2. George Rogers – 1,681 (1979)
3. Marcus Lattimore – 1,197 (2010)
4. Mike Davis – 1,183 (2013)
5. Kevin Long – 1,133 (1975)
6. Duce Staley – 1,116 (1996)
7. Clarence Williams – 1,073 (1975)
8. Derek Watson – 1,066 (2000)
9. Harold Green – 1,022 (1987)
10. George Rogers – 1,006 (1978)