Atmosphere at Williams-Brice indicative of program promise
For months, Gamecock fans have been forced to tirelessly defend the program against those that unreasonably expected the team to find immediate success in head coach Will Muschamp's first year.
However unreasonable some expectations may have been, many expected this team to at least show potential. That's all Gamecock fans have had to hold onto — hope. After freshman quarterback Jake Bentley provided a spark last week against UMass, the hope seemed to grow.
Flash forward to Saturday night. After "2001" played and "Sandstorm" began, Williams-Brice stadium was rocking.
No, literally. The press box shook.
As a junior at South Carolina, I haven't experienced that since before I was a student. Sure, I grew up a South Carolina fan and watched plenty of big games live, but Saturday was the first time that I felt the press box shake.
Did I mention that was pregame?
There was just a different feeling in Williams-Brice. Maybe it was the kickoff time. Maybe it that Tennessee games always seem to be close. Or maybe it was because thousands of Gamecock fans were hopeful that the Gamecock potential would turn to something more.
Also see: Recruits react to South Carolina's win over Tennessee
Four hours and a huge upset later, Gamecock fans had a result worth celebrating.
Muschamp repeated that there were no moral victories in football after each of the teams close losses to top-tier teams and Saturday, the Gamecocks got their first marque win under Muschamp — no strings attached.
It was a win that South Carolina needed. Everyone knew it. It was a win that showed players, fans, recruits and opposing coaches that the Gamecocks are capable of competing in the SEC. Yes, this Gamecocks team.
It was as if fans watched the "potential" many have been toting turn into results, and they acted like it.
Also see: Crowd impresses Kelijiha Brown
"Best fans in the world," senior linebacker T.J. Holloman said after the game. "They came out tonight, rowdy, loud. You could see it in Tennessee's faces that our crowd was there. It was affecting them on offense ... The crowd was just amazing tonight. We just wanna give a big thanks to them for coming out and supporting us tonight and they were a major part of our victory tonight."
Several recruits were impressed with the atmosphere in Williams-Brice too, commenting on how it was a completely different feeling than on some other visits.
It seemed that Saturday, the majority of the fan base bought in. It reminded me of the 2010-2013 seasons, when opponents dreaded playing in Columbia.
There will be roadblocks. South Carolina will struggle with a tough backend schedule, but fans have seen the capabilities of this team. The Gamecocks beat Tennessee. They outplayed the Volunteers for the majority of the game.
Also see: Gamecock offense finally clicking
It wasn't a fluke. As many of the writers at GamecockCentral have said, Will Muschamp and company have the potential take the Gamecocks back to former heights. It will not happen immediately, but the potential is there.
Saturday, fans got a glimpse of that potential. And a win. There was no need to chalk the game up as a moral victory. At 4-4, the Gamecocks have a legitimate shot at a bowl appearance, and fans will continue to buy in to the Muschamp regime, thus changing the complexion of home games.
As Muschamp said, this Gamecock team needs all the help they can get, and the fans can provide that.
So yes, Tennessee was overrated. But the importance of the atmosphere at Williams-Brice cannot be overstated. It shows progress, and that's what players, recruits and fans alike need to see.
Gamecock commits Devonne Bowen and Eric Douglas comment on the atmosphere at Williams-Brice stadium during South Carolina's game against Tennessee.