PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Drew Lock made his first career start against South Carolina as a freshman on Oct. 3, 2015, a 24-10 win at home, but has not defeated the Gamecocks since, something that will surely motivate the senior signal caller.
–DT Terry Beckner Jr. had four tackles, including one for a loss against Georgia, both of which were season highs. Beckner has nine total tackles this season, including four for losses, and will need to be every bit as active as he was last time out to help the Tigers control the line of scrimmage Saturday.
–RB Tyler Badie has been a very effective supplemental addition to Missouri’s high-octane offense during his freshman campaign. Badie’s average of 84.5 all-purpose yards per game leads the team and ranks 10th among the nation’s freshmen.
–CB Adam Sparks is the second leading tackler for the Tigers with 22 tackles this season, including one for a loss and one quarterback hurry. Sparks has emerged as one of Missouri’s most versatile defensive backs, providing reliable pass coverage as well as the ability to disrupt plays in the backfield.
SERIES HISTORY: The series is tied 4-4, but South Carolina has won the last two matchups, including last year’s 31-13 win at Missouri.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “There’s a lot of different roles that you want in this job, but one of them is creating positive experiences for your student athletes, and those are things that they’re going to remember forever on some of the places that they had the opportunity to go compete and play.” –Head coach Barry Odom on playing at Williams-Brice Stadium.