Starting the week with an ugly L on our schedule is not ideal for anyone. Here are 10 reminders to help you through it and remind you that, win or lose, it is always great to be a Gamecock, and we go to the best school in the universe.
10. Lose Yourself. This is a new tradition that started at the game against Eastern Carolina. At the end of halftime, Eminiem blasts through the stadium speakers and reminds the players and the fans that they better take advantage of the moment. It is the perfect halftime pump up song, and I love watching the student section sing along.
9. Sir Big Spur. Our live mascot attends every home game and travels with the football and baseball teams to away games. He is 18 years old and is one of the most famous symbols of Gamecock football. Before the games, people line up to take pictures with him on his motorized post. It is on the USC Bucket List to take a picture with him at a game, so make sure that you do!
8. Go, fight, win. Most schools start their games by chanting or barking. USC does things a little differently by blasting a techno song that ends with the students yelling, "Go, fight, win," and maybe sliding in a dig toward Clemson at the end.
7. It's third down! Although our defense has been driving the struggle bus this season, one of my favorite parts of not having the ball is getting to hear the announcer yell that it's third down. The entire student section starts to scream and yell and hold up three fingers and wave their towels. It is extremely intimidating.
6. Sandstorm. Like I mentioned in #8, we celebrate our kick offs by jumping up and down to a techno song. "I hope I never hear that (Sandstorm) again," said Todd Gurley. Enough said.
5. Towels. Most of the SEC schools provide their students with little pom-poms to wave during the game. USC provides towels. Although it's annoying to be hit in the face with them during "Sandstorm" (hold in the middle of the towel, c'mon guys), they look awesome waving in the sky. They are the perfect contrast between the dark garnet and black, and aren't too hard to throw at the field when we disagree with the referee's call.
4. Raising your glass at the end of the game. I have stayed until the end of every game at Williams-Brice. The alma mater is one of my favorite traditions. I will always raise my glass, win or lose.
3. It's another Carolina first down! Way better than hearing the third down announcement, is the first down. I can't really explain why I love this tradition so much, but maybe it's the fact that everyone in the stadium yells the same thing at the same time and it echoes through the field. It is pretty cool.
2. 2001. I'm pretty sure we're the only school in the SEC with such a dramatic mascot reveal. When the band lines up on the field and begin to play 2001, I get chills. I tell every freshman I see to record it because it is so special.
1. Welcome to Williams-Brice. My favorite tradition of all time is the video that plays before the game. I know every single word and every single intonation. I say it with the video and may or may not tear up every time it plays. I always get to the game an hour early to get my seat and make sure that I watch this video play. If you've never been to a game in Williams-Brice, you're in for a treat about 15 minutes prior to kick off.
