Rocket Sanders is “the” guy in the Gamecocks backfield this season, the team’s first true workhorse running back since the days of Kevin Harris.
But the Arkansas transfer missed most of the Akron game after getting twisted up by a defender while blocking. This forced Shane Beamer to go with a committee approach for the rest of the game.
The last three quarters were a look into what the running back room could look like if Sanders were ever to miss additional time.
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JuJu McDowell is the most familiar name of the group, having been with the Gamecocks for the entirety of the Beamer era. Used mostly as a change-of-pace option out of the backfield and kick returner, the 5’9” back has had over 35 total touches each year from 2021-23 .
“I just pride myself, I was raised like that, I grew up in the game like that, grew up in real deep Southern ball, so I’ve always been priding myself in doing whatever I can to help the team win,” McDowell said. “As far as roles and positions and this and that, I’m not sure. If coach asks me to do something, I’ll do it.”