South Carolina HC Shane Beamer and QB Spencer Rattler explain what kind of atmosphere they're expecting in Knoxville
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer and redshirt senior quarterback Spencer Rattler met with the media on Tuesday ahead of their matchup against the Tennessee Vols in Knoxville on Saturday. Beamer and Rattler were each asked about what kind of atmosphere they're expecting in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night. "Got a big challenge in […]
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer and redshirt senior quarterback Spencer Rattler met with the media on Tuesday ahead of their matchup against the Tennessee Vols in Knoxville on Saturday.
Beamer and Rattler were each asked about what kind of atmosphere they're expecting in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.
"Got a big challenge in Knoxville," said Beamer. "Always enjoy going back there. As I told you before, spent three years in Knoxville, loved my time there. Proud graduate of the University of Tennessee’s sport management program. Got a Master’s degree from there — shoutout to Buck Jones and Rob Harden at the sport management program there in Knoxville. Had a great three years there. Learned a lot working for Phillip Fulmer and really enjoyed my three years there."
“We have a big challenge on Saturday night," continued Beamer. "We know it will be a hostile crowd in Neyland Stadium that we’re going into. That’s what you want to play in and coach in, in environments like that. That’s SEC football. We’re excited about that aspect of it."
Beamer went on to note that he feels like South Carolina is battle tested because of some the environments they've already played in this season.
"We’re battle-tested in a lot of ways," explained Beamer. "The environments we’ve been in. Charlotte was electric. Athens was rocking, like you would expect…We have been in a stadium that was really, really loud against Georgia. I’m well aware that this stadium is going to be really, really loud on Saturday night in Knoxville. It helps it’s not the first time those guys have been in an environment like that.”
Rattler agreed with Beamer that Neyland will be loud, though he seemed to quickly dismiss that it will be an issue for South Carolina.
"Any away game, no natter where you are, is going to be loud," said Rattler.
"Athens fits what, 90,000? Tennessee is what 100 (thousand), 110 (thousand)? So I'm expecting that to be very loud," added Rattler. "But we'll be alright. Just gotta stay focused and execute."
Earlier this week, Vols head coach Josh Heupel asked for Tennessee fans to be loud. After hearing Rattler's comments — even though he didn't disrespect Vols fans — Tennessee fans should be ready to be as loud as they've ever been for a home game. This is a game the Vols certainly can't afford to lose.
Shane Beamer explains why South Carolina has a different mindset when playing Tennessee
South Carolina and Tennessee will meet under the lights in Knoxville on Saturday night
