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'I had to be effective': DQ Smith continuing to bring most energy for Gamecocks

imageby: Jack Veltri11/07/23jacktveltri
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DQ Smith (C.J. Driggers/GamecockCentral)

Even when he wasn’t out there, DQ Smith knew he still needed to find a way to be the most effective player for his team.

The only problem was he couldn’t play in the first half last Saturday due to a targeting suspension. So his only choice was to bring the most energy on the team, which he did.

“Since I wasn’t playing, I had to be effective in some way for the game. Just hyping my guys up, knowing they had the supporters behind them on the sideline,” Smith said.

“Just seeing me hyped, I think that boosted the guys energy a little bit on the field. Even when the offense is on the field, I’m doing the same thing.”

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Having to sit out was something Smith wasn’t used to. By this point, he had started in 19 career games.

To keep his body loose in the first half, Smith would do drills during every TV timeout break. It was also mentally tough knowing he wouldn’t be able to play for the first 30 minutes of the game. But he had some help in getting through the hard times.

“During the game, every timeout break, I was going over things and doing drills with my coach,” Smith said. “Having someone that’s there for me and helping keep me ready for the second half, it was a mindset the whole week for me as well. Knowing throughout the whole week I wasn’t going to play the first half, I had to have the right mindset going into the game.”

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After halftime, Smith’s suspension was lifted and he was able to play in the second half versus Jacksonville State. He didn’t finish with the biggest day, recording two tackles. But the important part was that South Carolina got the win and the energy was there.

“The energy has been great. It has been great throughout the whole year,” Smith said. “Seeing the consistency in the energy, it has risen. It’s been a little bit since we’ve had (a win). Having that win, it’s boost our confidence. Just having that win on our back, knowing we can still be bowl eligible is huge. So our energy is great right now.”

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