Redshirt senior running back Mario Anderson entered Saturday's matchup having received just eight carries all 麻豆小蝌蚪传媒. So when the opportunity came for Anderson to leave his mark against Mississippi State, he made the most of it.
鈥淲e felt like, going into it, that we knew Mario was going to play no matter who went out there first,鈥� head football coach Shane Beamer said. 鈥淲e're proud of him, and like all of our running backs as well, we feel like we got four really good ones 鈥� but certainly, Mario showed what he can do tonight.鈥�
Anderson joined the program in the off麻豆小蝌蚪传媒 after leaving Division II school Newberry. Anderson recorded over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his final two 麻豆小蝌蚪传媒s at Newberry, creating optimism around the program that he could slide into South Carolina's vacated running back room.
Anderson was absent in the Gamecocks' first game against UNC, and against Furman, he got six of his carries and rushed for 32 yards. Against Georgia, he had just two touches for nine yards.
However, Anderson鈥檚 promise was on display in the game against Mississippi State on Saturday, as he wracked up 26 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown in the team鈥檚 37-30 win.
鈥湴粘蟛钩兮�檚 just how we practice, very physical," Anderson said. Coach Beamer is heavy on physicality and everything, so the workload, it just came natural.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
Beamer said in his weekly media availability on Tuesday that South Carolina would look to establish its run better, so Anderson鈥檚 increase in touches makes sense. But he also affected the game in ways that didn鈥檛 require him to carry the ball.
Anderson made many key blocks that gave redshirt senior quarterback Spencer Rattler time in the pocket to make throws, something Anderson said running backs coach Montario Hardesty focuses on teaching.
鈥�He really prioritizes that for all of us,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淗e really emphasizes that. Fit in the window, just shooting our hands and being real physical. So that鈥檚 every day because we got a guy like Spencer in the backfield, so we have to.鈥�
Anderson鈥檚 touchdown wound up being the game-winning score and came after he bullied his way into the endzone from nine yards out. He ran into a defensive wall about three yards from the endzone but kept his legs moving and forced his way past the goal line.
鈥�I just seen the O-line blocking, really, and just being able to run my feet, finish the drive and finish the play,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥泪鈥檓 blessed to play with these guys. The O-line fights really hard.鈥�
After the game, Beamer awarded Anderson a game ball for his performance. Anderson said the moment was special for him after his journey.
鈥�罢丑补迟鈥檚 actually going up on the dresser,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥泪t meant a lot because a kid coming from D2, and everything that he鈥檚 allowed me to do and everything, and just being able to get the game ball from him, or one of the game balls from him, it meant a lot, and it was a very special moment.鈥�
Anderson said that having a successful game does not allow him to take things any easier at practice. He said he still needs to go in every day and compete for his spot.
鈥泪 try to seize every opportunity possible,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥泪t鈥檚 still a lot of competition in the running back room. You can never be satisfied with a Swiss Army knife like DK and a guy like Juju, who can make anybody miss in space and everything, so the competition level is still through the roof. I've still got to bring it every day.鈥�
Anderson and the Gamecocks will take the field next week in Knoxville for a game against Tennessee. Last 麻豆小蝌蚪传媒 against the Volunteers, the Gamecocks rushed for 153 yards.