Ate Em Up Winner vs. Kentucky

Historically, South Carolina has been a slow starting team. It doesn't matter the players, it doesn't matter the staff, and it doesn't matter the opponent. South Carolina Football just loves to come out slow and have to dig themselves out of a hole.

This has been a major headache for fans, and I'm sure the team as well.

Saturday night in Kentucky, South Carolina came out with one of the hottest starts that I remember ever seeing since Deebo took the opening kickoff of the season to the house.

That hot start was sparked by one individuals extreme display of effort.

When people complain about play calls on Offense and Defense, a lot of that comes down to effort and execution. The call could be the greatest ever, but if the players don't execute it, it won't work. At the same time, great effort and execution, can make "bad" calls look good.

There's 2 teams in the SEC that you know are going to run it right up the gut, but nobody can stop it because of the level of execution put in by the players.

The play call was an outside blitz and the Offense's play came straight into it - perfect call!

But then, Kentucky had called a reverse not a direct run. The whole Defense had crashed down and the top of the field was wide open for a potential big gain.

Yes, Football is a team sport, but it takes individuals to build that team.

One individual was put in the perfect position by the play call - great coaching.

One individual read and recognized the play as it unfolded - great coaching and learning the game.

One individual got up field, read the play, refused to be blocked, got 5 yards behind the line, and broke up the pitch before it could happen - phenomenal individual effort!

The announcers called the wrong name, but we want to make sure he receives the recognition he deserves.

Congratulations and great effort, David Spaulding! You set the tone for the entire game.

Kentucky tried to be cute and it almost worked, but you ATE EM UP!