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Rocket Sanders, 4 other South Carolina football players who’ve stood out for Shane Beamer in 2024

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Rocket Sanders, 4 other South Carolina football players who’ve stood out for Shane Beamer in 2024


COLUMBIA — Looking at South Carolina football’s roster in August, there were question marks. With lots of underclassmen, transfers and position battles to be sorted out, it wasn’t obvious who would stand out.

South Carolina holds a 3-1 record heading into its first open date of the season after defeating Akron 50-7 on Saturday.

With four games played, including two SEC, here are five players who have stood out on offense, defense and special teams.

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Offense: Mazeo Bennett Jr.

Mazeo Bennett Jr., a freshman wide receiver from Greenville, leads the Gamecocks with 159 receiving yards. He had his coming out game against Kentucky, scoring a touchdown and catching a 32-yard pass. Bennett had 71 receiving yards on five catches against Akron, and scored his first touchdown in Williams-Brice Stadium.

Top skills: Route running, hands and confidence, especially in big moments

Offense: Rocket Sanders

Rocket Sanders, a transfer running back from Arkansas, has played well coming off a season riddled with injuries. His best game was against LSU in which he scored twice and logged a 66-yard run. Though he was injured early in the win against Akron, Sanders has 286 yards on 57 carries.

Top skills: Strength, speed, leadership

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Honorable mention: LaNorris Sellers, quarterback

Defense: Kyle Kennard

Kyle Kennard, a transfer edge rusher from Georgia Tech, is tied for first in the country in sacks with 5.5. Kennard is explosive, disruptive and thus far the most impactful defender for South Carolina. At 6-foot-5, his size poses a challenge to most offenses, and he’s established himself as a strong presence no matter the opponent. He has seven solo tackles, two forced fumbles, and 8.5 tackles for a loss of 53 yards.

Top skills: ability to get off the ball, dependability/consistency, leadership

PASSING GAME: South Carolina football’s passing game is improving, what it means entering open date

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Defense: Nick Emmanwori

Nick Emmanwori, a defensive back, was sort of drowned out by the hype for freshman Dylan Stewart in weeks 1 and 2, but the junior has been huge for the Gamecocks. He leads the team with 18 solo tackles — eight against LSU — and has two interceptions. Against Kentucky, he jumped to intercept a pass and maintained his balance to return the ball for a 24-yard touchdown. He had another pick against LSU and showcased that he runs like a receiver when he catches the ball.

Top skills: Size, strength, anticipates well, IQ

Honorable mention: Dylan Stewart, edge

Special teams: Alex Herrera

Alex Herrera hadn’t kicked field goal before the opener vs. Old Dominion, but he nailed three to keep South Carolina in the game. The 49-yard kick he missed to tie the score against LSU doesn’t take away from his dependability on field goals and extra points. What’s most impressive is he won the kicker battle shortly before Week 1 and has stepped into a huge role with little experience.

Top skills: Short memory, doesn’t dwell on the negative, after LSU he went 6-6 on extra points against Akron

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Honorable mention: Kai Kroeger, punter

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin



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South Carolina pastor indicted, accused of cyberstalking estranged wife Mica Miller before her death

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South Carolina pastor indicted, accused of cyberstalking estranged wife Mica Miller before her death


MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WTVD) — A South Carolina pastor has been federally indicted, accused of cyberstalking his wife and posting a nude photo of her online before her death by suicide last year.

John-Paul Miller, 46, of Myrtle Beach, faces charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

His estranged wife, Mica Miller, 30, was found dead at Lumber River State Park on April 27, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide, but the case gained national attention amid allegations that John-Paul had abused her before her death.

Online records show that Mica and John-Paul were in the process of getting a divorce at the time of her death. Police documents indicate that Mica “was afraid for her life” in the month leading up to her death.

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SEE ALSO: Mica Miller’s husband says he’s not to blame in her death: ‘I did everything I could to protect her’

Prosecutors claim that from November 2022 until her death, he sent “unwanted and harassing communications” to Mica, including posting a nude photo of her online without her consent and contacting her over 50 times in a single day.

The indictment also alleges that John-Paul interfered with her finances and daily activities, damaged her vehicle tires, and lied to investigators about his actions. Despite purchasing a tire deflation device online and discussing the victim’s vehicle with others, he denied damaging her tires when questioned.

If convicted, John-Paul could face up to five years in prison for cyberstalking and two years for making false statements, along with a fine of up to $250,000. His arraignment is set for January 12, 2026, in Florence.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide — free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.

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Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

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South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025


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The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

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Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

01-11-27-39-59, Mega Ball: 18

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 8-0-3, FB: 2

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-7-3-9, FB: 2

Evening: 7-1-9-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 01

Evening: 14

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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

07-18-20-25-41

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

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For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

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For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

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For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
  • Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
  • Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan

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Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan


Teacher salaries across South Carolina could rise under a new state education funding plan approved this week, as lawmakers are urged to spend more money on pay raises and rethink how teacher recruitment programs are working.

The S.C. Education Oversight Committee voted to approve its Education Improvement Act (EIA) budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026–27, which direct how money from the state’s one-cent education sales tax should be used.

The plan now goes to the General Assembly for consideration during budget talks.

A major focus of the proposal is increasing teacher pay. The committee recommended a $650,454 raise for teachers at special schools, with remaining new funds directed to the statewide EIA line that helps fund teacher salaries.

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The plan also boosts the Teaching Fellows scholarship program, which members said is one of the few recruitment efforts producing results.

The committee approved a $640,000 increase to add 20 new four-year scholarships and another $1.76 million to raise the scholarship amount by $4,000, bringing the total award for juniors and seniors to $10,000.

At the same time, the committee cut $5 million in recurring funding from the National Board program, citing a drop in participation.

EIA-funded programs collectively asked for about $210 million in new funding, but available money is limited. The state has about $98.9 million in new recurring EIA funds and $84.1 million in nonrecurring funds to work with.

The committee recommended spending most recurring funds on classroom support, including $77.5 million for instructional support and $10 million for instructional materials.

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Other recurring funding includes $1.4 million for the Teacher Career Ladder, $250,000 for Project Read and $150,000 for the S.C. Council on Economics. Nonrecurring funds include $5 million for school safety.

Members also approved changes to rules tied to the Teacher Loan Program and asked that districts in the state’s 4K waitlist pilot not be required to complete a student survey.

During the meetings, committee members raised concerns about the low number of teachers produced by most EIA-funded recruitment programs.

Teaching Fellows was highlighted as an exception, producing 177 teachers last fiscal year.

Members also questioned continued funding for SC Youth Challenge and incentives tied to the Rural Teacher Recruitment program.

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