PANTHERS-DEFIANT NEWTON
Panthers QB Cam Newton defends role in scuffle at camp
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Panthers quarterback Cam Newton defended his role in a training camp scuffle with cornerback Josh Norman, saying he would do the same thing again.
Newtown said Tuesday, “What’s the blueprint of a franchise quarterback? Leading your team. I’m not going to let anyone dictate how I play.”
It’s rare for a franchise quarterback to be involved in a fight in practice, let alone be the instigator. Most, like Newton, wear red jerseys to protect themselves and stay out of the way.
But despite the risk of injury, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Newton says “you’ve never seen a guy in a red jersey like me. You’re not going to shape or form me to who you want me to be. I’m here for” my teammates.
Newton wasn’t injured Monday after chasing down Norman.
S CAROLINA-SCHEDULE
St. John’s. Memphis to play South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina will face St. John’s in the Naismith Hall of Fame tournament and Memphis in its final non-conference game.
The school released the Gamecocks 14-game non-Southeastern Conference schedule Tuesday. South Carolina will also take part in the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands in November, where it opens against DePaul and could face Florida State and Tulsa in later contests.
The Gamecocks play the Red Storm in Uncasville, Connecticut, on Dec. 22. They finish their non-SEC schedule at home on Jan. 2 against Memphis.
South Carolina opens the season with home games against Norfolk State on Nov. 14 and Oral Roberts on Nov. 16 before the Paradise Jam.
The Gamecocks play state rival Clemson on Dec. 18 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville.
CITADEL-PREVIEW
Houston, Citadel more comfortable together as season starts
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Citadel coach Mike Houston says in his second season, he has a much better feel for what his players go through each school day, along with a better handle of what they can accomplish on the football field.
The Bulldogs went 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the league a year ago, finishing in fifth — a spot ahead of where they were predicted in the preseason.
That performance in Houston’s first year didn’t alter many opinions in the Citadel’s direction — the Bulldogs were chosen seventh this time around.
Houston says he won’t let that opinion bother him. He sees a Citadel program ready to take another step forward.
Houston says he has had an entire offseason, instead of a few months, to get comfortable with The Citadel’s military regimen.
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN-PREVIEW
Charleston Southern chasing Big South title
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Charleston Southern coach Jamey Chadwell believes his team is more talented than it was his first two seasons. He’s not sure yet if that means the Buccaneers can take the next step forward.
Chadwell’s gone 10-3 and 8-4 the past two seasons, posting the most successful two-year stretch in school history. But Charleston Southern has been locked down behind Coastal Carolina in the Big South, something Chadwell is eager to change.
It will not be easy. The Buccaneers were picked third in the Big South preseason poll, again expected to finish behind Coastal and runner up Liberty.
Chadwell says he’s got talented players capable of making things happen. But he says unless they put the work in to improve, the Buccaneers won’t get over the hump.
ACC PREVIEW
ACC looks to showcase depth beyond Florida State
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — The Atlantic Coast Conference recently has produced a Heisman Trophy winner, a No. 1 overall draft pick, a BCS champion and a playoff team.
OK, that wasn’t the whole league, but just one school — Florida State.
This is shaping up as a pivotal year for a conference that wants to prove it’s more than just the Seminoles and then everybody else.
Florida State doesn’t look quite as much like the group that won the final BCS championship and reached the first College Football Playoff behind Jameis Winston.
Defensive back Jalen Ramsey says the Seminoles “hold ourselves to a high standard every single year.”
The voters have picked Clemson as the favorite with quarterback Deshaun Watson as the preseason player of the year.
S CAROLINA-TANNER
South Carolina AD named to ABCA Hall of Fame
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner was picked for the American Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.
The school on Tuesday announced the honor for Tanner, who won the 2010 and 2011 College World Series as the Gamecocks baseball coach.
Tanner spent 25 years as head baseball coach at North Carolina State and South Carolina until becoming the Gamecocks athletic director in the summer of 2012.
Along with the two national titles, Tanner led the Gamecocks to six College World Series championships, three Southeastern Conference titles and 13 straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Tanner is among four honorees. The others are Texas coach Augie Garrido, Johns Hopkins coach Bob Babb and Spring Arbor coach Sam Riggleman. Induction ceremonies are Jan. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee.
