Spencer Rattler sends message to South Carolina after Duke's Mayo Bowl
Spencer Rattler could only watch as South Carolina earned a 38-21 victory against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Thursday. Although he isn’t set to join the Gamecocks until next season, the former Oklahoma quarterback had a message for his new team after the game.
“Awesome watching my future teammates get a victory,” Rattler wrote on Twitter. “Congrats!”
The Gamecocks attempted only 15 passes all game, but made the most of them. Wide receiver Dakereon Joyner finished a perfect 9-for-9 for 160 yards and a touchdown pass. But it was on the ground that South Carolina dominated, as running back Kevin Harris finished with 31 carries for 182 yards and a touchdown.
They jumped out to an 18-0 lead after the first quarter and never trailed. The victory marked the first bowl win since 2017 for the Gamecocks, when they claimed the Outback Bowl. It was a fitting ending to coach Shane Beamer’s inaugural season, which was by all means a success.
With Spencer Rattler set to join South Carolina in 2022, expectations will be even higher.
He should immediately step in as the starting quarterback after the Gamecocks went through three different starters this season. The No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2019 according to On3 Consensus, Rattler will make South Carolina one of the most intriguing teams in the SEC next season.
Rattler lived up to his hype in 2020, winning co-Big 12 newcomer of the year. He passed for 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions that season, leading Oklahoma to a Big 12 title. His performance was so impressive that he entered 2021 as a Heisman favorite in the preseason.
However, the season would not go the way he hoped. After a slow start, Rattler ended up benched for true freshman Caleb Williams by Week 6. When Sooners coach Lincoln Riley announced that he was leaving for USC at the conclusion of the year, Rattler too decided to leave Norman.
The quarterback eventually landed on South Carolina, where he has a connection with the head coach. Beamer spent three years as an associate head coach at Oklahoma from 2018-20. That familiarity no doubt played a part in Rattler’s decision.
Following an impressive season and with the additions it made, South Carolina should enter next year with high preseason expectations for the first time in a long time.