South-Carolina

Oklahoma WR Deion Burks Questionable to Return For Contest With South Carolina

Published

3 months ago

October 17, 2024

Oklahoma WR Deion Burks Questionable to Return For Contest With South Carolina

This week’s initial SEC Availability Report brought little clarity to Oklahoma’s issues at wide receiver.

Deion Burks, who still leads OU in both receptions (26) and receiving yards (201) despite missing the last two games, was once again listed as questionable as Brent Venables’ Sooners (4-2, 1-2 SEC) prepare for a pivotal contest with South Carolina (3-3, 1-3) at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Burks exited Oklahoma’s loss to Tennessee with an injury, and has yet to return to the lineup, though Venables did say he’s getting closer during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

“We’ve got a handful of receivers that are dying to play,” Venables said. “If they can’t make it back from a health standpoint, they have every intention to be here. They’re at practice every day.

“Deion’s hoping to play this week. He wants to defy all odds and be ready to play this week. He got up to 80% of his max volume (on Monday), and these guys are working relentlessly to put themselves in a position to help us this year.”

Tight end Bauer Sharp is Oklahoma’s second-leading receiver so far in 2024, hauling in 21 catches for 180 yards and a score. Brenen Thompson is third on the team with 13 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown, and J.J. Hester is fourth with 90 receiving yards on four receptions.

Burks is the only piece from Emmett Jones’ position group who may return this week, as Jalil Farooq, Nic Anderson and Andrel Anthony were all listed as out on Wednesday’s report.

Elsewhere on the offense, there’s still hope for tight end Kade McIntyre to return against the Gamecocks.

McIntyre was listed as questionable on Wednesday’s report. The redshirt freshman missed last weekend’s bout with Texas.

The young tight end played 11 offensive snaps against Auburn per Pro Football Focus, and it was the third game he’d played in this year after logging seven snaps each against both Houston and temple.

Oklahoma running back Sam Franklin was also listed as questionable, and defensive tackle David Stone was listed as probable for Saturday.

Otherwise, the Sooners essentially avoided any new availability concerns.

Linebacker Dasan McCullough returned against the Longhorns, where he played 26 snaps on defense after missing the first five games of the year with a stress fracture in his foot that he sustained toward the end of summer workouts.

“It’s good to get him back out there with the guys and get him into a rhythm of how to play,” Venables said on Tuesday. “There was some that was things that he did that was really good, and some things to learn from. But we’re gonna need him.”

Offensive lineman Troy Everett also saw his first action of the season in the Cotton Bowl. He took over for Branson Hickman at center in the second half where he played 22 snaps per PFF.

Cornerback Gentry Williams is still out, having not featured in the lineup since OU’s second game of the year against Houston.

Kendel Dolby, Geirean Hatchett and Jayden Gibson were the only other three Sooners listed on the availability report, as the Oklahoma trio are all out for the season.

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South-Carolina

Oak Lawn semi driver made bomb threat that shut down South Carolina interstate: police

Published

35 minutes ago

January 4, 2025

Press Room

Oak Lawn semi driver made bomb threat that shut down South Carolina interstate: police

A truck driver from suburban Oak Lawn was charged after a bomb threat led authorities to shut down a South Carolina interstate for hours, law enforcement said.

Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi, 28, was charged with breach of peace of high and aggravated nature, conveying false information about a bomb threat and no vehicle license.

At around 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, a South Carolina State Transport Police officer pulled over a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 in Greenville County due to a missing license plate, WYFF, the NBC affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina, reported. During the stop, the driver, identified as Alhendi, indicated there was an explosive device inside the vehicle, officials said.

All lanes of the highway were shut down while law enforcement investigated the threat.

Following the incident, Alhendi was placed on a detainer by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Alhendi failed to comply with the terms of his legal admittance and now has a hearing scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026, before an immigration judge, WYFF reported.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina star accepts invitation to 100th Shrine Bowl

Published

9 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina star accepts invitation to 100th Shrine Bowl

South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders has accepted an invitation to play in the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl. The Shrine Bowl announced the news on social media.

The East-West Shrine Bowl gives seniors the opportunity to perform in an all-star showcase environment. Practices, combines, and other professional evaluations will help players like Sanders while they prepare for the NFL Draft.

Sanders has earned NFL Draft projections following his strong senior season. Now, at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he will have the opportunity to perform in front of professional scouts, coaches, and decision-makers. Dallas’ AT&T Stadium will host the January 30th exhibition.

He joins fellow Gamecock NFL Draft-hopeful Kai Kroeger as South Carolina alums participating in the Shrine Bowl. Several other USC seniors with professional aspirations will play in other all-star showcases.

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In just one year with the Gamecocks, Sanders left a mark. He brought stability and big-play ability to a running game that was the worst in school history the previous season. His rushing totals were the highest in garnet and black since Kevin Harris’ SEC-leading 2020 campaign.

An All-SEC performer this fall, Sanders posted just under 1200 yards of offense and 13 touchdowns despite missing the Citrus Bowl, most of the Akron contest, and parts of the Ole Miss game. He also made one of the best run-after-catch plays in Gamecock history in the team’s last-minute win over the Missouri Tigers in the Mayor’s Cup.

Sanders’ NFL Draft future is difficult to read because of the position he plays. Outside of the top few running backs, the NFL often doesn’t use high draft picks on ball carriers. Because of that, Sanders’ draft grades have been all over the place. A strong showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl would help solidify his place for next April.

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South Carolina State visits Hobbs and Morgan State

Published

19 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State’s Michael Adedokun, North Carolina’s Kate Faasse win Hermann Trophy

Associated Press

South Carolina State Bulldogs (6-9) at Morgan State Bears (6-10)

Baltimore; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Morgan State takes on South Carolina State after Kameron Hobbs scored 25 points in Morgan State’s 90-68 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Bears have gone 6-2 at home. Morgan State is second in the MEAC in rebounding averaging 32.9 rebounds. Daniel Akitoby paces the Bears with 6.2 boards.

The Bulldogs are 2-8 on the road. South Carolina State is second in the MEAC giving up 69.7 points while holding opponents to 44.0% shooting.

Morgan State makes 49.9% of its shots from the field this season, which is 5.9 percentage points higher than South Carolina State has allowed to its opponents (44.0%). South Carolina State averages 6.7 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.3 fewer made shots on average than the 8.0 per game Morgan State allows.

The Bears and Bulldogs face off Saturday for the first time in MEAC play this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Akitoby is averaging 7.5 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Bears.

Drayton Jones is averaging 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks for the Bulldogs.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bears: 3-7, averaging 81.4 points, 32.8 rebounds, 15.4 assists, 7.6 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 85.1 points per game.

Bulldogs: 4-6, averaging 70.6 points, 29.2 rebounds, 14.1 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 71.1 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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