Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: On this episode of Cocks Talking Gamecocks, Jack Veltri from Gamecock Central joins the show to discuss Gamecock football during the bye week. Okay, here we go.
Okay.
Welcome to episode 414 of Cox Talking Gamecocks. I am your host, Tim Cox, where I will keep every episode from 1801 to 2001. And happy bye week, y'. All. I mean, this has been kind of nice, like what a difference a week makes. A week ago I was getting ready to sit down with the for the Florida game with all y' all and was pretty much anticipating a coaching change. And now here we are, same coach with a win. Vibes are up, expectations are still there, but you're looking at the back half of the schedule with some renewed hope. Dare I say, but you got to earn it on the field. But we're not going to worry about that right now. Sit back and relax. This weekend it is a fantastic slate of college football. I am so excited just to be seated for it and have a stress free weekend. So with that bye week tradition, it's today's episode, but then no Monday recap because there's no games to go over. So next episode will be a week from now.
Also, there'll be no six pack of picks because responsible take a week off and reassess with that. Also, I have a very special episode for y'. All. I am having an interview with Jack Veltry, who is a contributor, a writer for Gamecock Central, primarily does a few other things as well. Funny story. Jack and I actually met basically in passing a couple years ago at a food drive that Kyle Kennard held. We, you know, exchanged pleasantries and things like that. Then we followed each other on Instagram and I finally reached out to him and offered him to come on the pod and just talk Gamecock football during the bye week, the state of things, and get his take on being a journalist and his background and all that jazz. And it was a really cool interview. Definitely different from anything that I've done on the show up to this point. I. I can definitely see having Jack come back on the show. I think he brings a really cool and fresh perspective and he has that big J journalism cap on throughout it. But big shout out to Jack and Gamecock Central, having him on. But before I do that, let's do a quick week in review. Only one score to go over for y' all right now, and that is from Monday with men's soccer beat Columbia College, three nothing.
So shout out to men's soccer. Shout out to the bye week here and yeah, sit back, relax and enjoy Jack Veltri's interview. Okay, I'd like to welcome on a very special guest, the first journalist to join the show here. Jack Veltri from Gamecock Central is here to kind of help take stock of the football program now that we're at the bi week. Jack, what's going on? Really appreciate you joining today.
[00:03:46] Speaker B: Thanks for having me, Tim. I appreciate you having me on. I'm honored to be the first journalist you've had on your podcast here.
[00:03:53] Speaker A: Yeah, first big J journalist. It's a monumental moment here. So we're going to jump right into things. I have to start off with a very hard hitting question.
What is your favorite restaurant right now in Colombia?
[00:04:05] Speaker B: Oof, that's a great question.
Wish I was prepared for this one, man. You know I live out in Irma now, so.
[00:04:13] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:04:14] Speaker B: I'm not as frequently in the city because I used to live in the city for multiple years after college. I would say, man, there's a couple for like breakfast brunch. I really like going over to Flying Biscuit. That's a good one. I would say lunch, dinner, what's my favorite? Let's see. Jack Brown's is always good. That's a good spot.
Trying to think like a good wing joint. You know, Peebles is pretty good. I, I, I would say Peebles is a pretty good one.
[00:04:45] Speaker A: Okay, I'll take that. Yeah, so for, for context there, I've had a few athletes on and I do the same setup and it's always what's your favorite bar in five points. But I figured we'd keep it classy today and act like mature adults for a second.
But so wanted to start with a little bit of background. Tell us how you started at Gamecock Central and where can folks follow your content?
[00:05:10] Speaker B: Yeah, so I started at Gamecock Central towards the end of my time in school and that was, gosh, probably 2022 and interned at Gamecock Central for a year or two maybe and then became part time and then a spot opened up doing full time work in 2023.
And yeah, ever since then I've been with GC. I've loved my time here and it's been tremendous. I've gotten to cover a lot of great games, cover all three major men's sports teams. Done a lot of radio, I'm sure, as you know over the last year or two, which has been fun on 107.5 of the game, doing that every day and yeah, so that is it's. Been a lot of fun and you know, for my work and whatnot. Gamecock central.com of course you can hear me currently 9 to 11am on 175, but starting next week I will be doing 12 to 2 on weekdays. And yeah, it'll be a lot of fun for sure. And then, you know, Jack T. Veltri is my, my Twitter.
[00:06:13] Speaker A: There you go. Absolutely love it. So you went to usc, right?
[00:06:17] Speaker B: Yes, I did.
[00:06:18] Speaker A: So you went through the as a student, was it the must champ coaching change as well?
[00:06:23] Speaker B: So yes, I did.
Now was I covering the team as much as I am now? No, I really, I was, I was in student newspaper when in college when the change happened, but I was not really covering the football program as much as I currently am now. But yeah, I mean the must champ coaching change, I mean that was gosh, man, it feels like forever ago at this point.
[00:06:48] Speaker A: It really does. You have seen some interesting times, my friend. That's always, always something going on in Gamecock Nation.
So as you've grown closer to the football program through your work, was curious what is something that you appreciate more or like something maybe the common fan doesn't think about, whether it's related to players, coaches, whatnot.
[00:07:14] Speaker B: It's a good question. I've never thought about that before. I would say what's, what's one thing someone like, you know, I think a lot of folks will say this happened a lot over the last year. I can't tell you how many times I'll have someone in my mentions or DMs telling me to ask this and that. And, and I think, I think reporters kind of get a bad rap for not asking the tough questions, which I thoroughly disagree with. I think especially, you know, on our beat with football. I think we all ask pretty good questions, to say the least. The ones I think people want to know, it's not as cut and dry as or simple as asking why haven't you fired, you know, so and so yet? It's not really how it works. There's always a way to, you know, ask questions and whatnot. Because, you know, the thing I learned in school was that it's not so much asking yes or no questions, it's asking questions that will be thought provoking and get something out of these guys. So yeah, you know, that's the thing. I think that people probably, you know, kind of going back to what you initially asked me, like, that's something that's just a little different. I would say behind the scenes, I think People do ask good questions and whatnot. And I think there's just a little bit more that goes into, you know, what, what we're trying to ask.
[00:08:33] Speaker A: Yeah, you're trying to like, massage it a little bit. It's not so much like, hey, I'm tweeting at you in real time right now.
Yeah, that certainly makes sense. And it's funny because I watch these press conferences weekly and you can definitely see kind of what you're saying. But I feel like some folks will maybe have like one question one week and then almost like a follow up the following week, and then you can piece together the picture from there. But I was actually curious, how does it work at the press conferences? Like, it is pretty cool to watch. Like, how do you decide who asks questions? When is it like. Yeah, is it like, you know, you're standing at a deli and you got to pick a number? Like, how does that work?
[00:09:15] Speaker B: So, yeah, it's a science that South Carolina think has perfected at this point. And this goes for all press conferences, at least at home, right on the road. It's kind of a little bit of a different situation because you, you're in a different environment, different place. Typically for like a midweek press conference with it with Shane, or. Sorry about that, with the background.
We're baking dinner right now.
[00:09:39] Speaker A: But you're good.
[00:09:40] Speaker B: Yeah, with, with press conferences, it's typically there will be a microphone and South Carolina likes having the questions that you can hear the questions on their Gamecocks online videos or whatever and whatnot. So a mic will get passed around with someone working in the athletic department or whatever, bringing it around. And there's typically an order, but it kind of goes first come, first serve. My good buddy David Kleininger always goes first and then everyone else kind of goes afterwards.
But yeah, it's, it's typically you get a question, maybe two. Football is a little different where, you know, everyone's in there whatnot. But you go to these other sports, I mean, it's a little easier, a little bit more lax, I would say.
[00:10:29] Speaker A: Gotcha, Gotcha. And I guess following up on that, like, from an outsider's point of view, it seemed like Beamer's demeanor has been pretty up and down at these pressers throughout the year. Would you agree with that?
[00:10:42] Speaker B: Yeah, I think so. I think typically how it goes is if they win, he's going to be in a pretty good mood after losses.
Saturday is going to be a bit down in the dumps. Sunday teleconference is much of the Same.
And then typically Tuesday, he'll be a little bit more upbeat, a little bit. You know, we're turning the page to the next game sort of deal.
But lately, in the past couple weeks, all these losses, it's kind of been a little bit more of.
A little bit more on edge, I would say, a little bit more.
Trying to think of other words to use. But, you know, if you've watched these press conferences, Tim, you know, like, I mean, he's kind of. Kind of a little bit more. Not a upbeat mood, Not. Not as jolly, I would say. Now, last week before the Florida game, I thought he was in a, you know, typically pretty good mood. I would say very professional. I thought it was one of his better press conferences in my time on the beat. I thought he answered questions very well. And. And look, I think there have been a lot of questions about his job security and whatnot and his future. And, you know, to his credit, I think he's been very transparent and open and honest about talking about that sort of stuff, because I don't think every coach in America in his situation would be as open to talking about it. Mm.
[00:12:04] Speaker A: Yeah, no, it certainly has seemed.
I do appreciate that he was more direct about that. And I would also say, like, during the game, I don't know how much, like, you're able to hear, like, in those sideline reports and whatnot with the press box and everything, but his comments at halftime were a lot different than what he has really ever said in his tenure. And I think it kind of all came together last week between you're saying the Tuesday press conference and then this as well. Do you appreciate a coach who wears his heart on his sleeves like that, or do you have to tiptoe around when you ask some questions, knowing that that's kind of what you're walking into?
[00:12:41] Speaker B: So, yeah, that's. That's a good question. I think with Shane, I think wearing your heart on your sleeve can. It can make for. For good.
I'd rather have that as a journalist than someone who's just cut and dry and doesn't really give you much answers to anything.
You know, Shane has been always very good with the media.
We're gracious that he meets with us. I'm trying to think Tuesday, sometimes on Wednesdays with the SEC teleconference, but Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, we're talking to him. And that's not even including Carolina calls and whatnot, which he does. So he. He is out there and talking a lot. I could. I. I'm imagining he probably talks more than any of us do in our lifetime. It's crazy. But with Shane. Yeah, I think some of the wearing the hard in your sleeve is, it's nice, but it can also be like you're not winning. I think that can get a little old and I think that's probably what's happened here so far this season. Now Saturday against Florida was a nice kind of return to I think what many people were expecting this year with the bounce back season.
And now he's got to keep doing it right.
So we'll see where he goes from there.
[00:13:59] Speaker A: Yeah, I mean that's perfect segue, really, just the lobbing it up here for me. But I don't know how, how direct you can be in this answer here. But do you think he saved his job with that win at least through this season?
[00:14:11] Speaker B: I do. I think he has given himself the Runway to be the guy that kind of determines where this thing goes from here. And what I mean by that is you got six games left in the season. If he handles his business these next six games in South Carolina goes, I don't know, bowling six and six, seven and five. I would find it hard to believe that he's not here for another season.
But, you know, but it could also be a situation where that was just maybe one game and then South Carolina returns to being a team that struggled to win games and they don't finish the season going to a bowl game. So I think he has, I think he has given himself the chance to prove that he should be here for 20, 27 and beyond. But we're going to have to see what the results end up being.
[00:14:57] Speaker A: Yeah, for sure. I mean it's funny that the difference a week makes just on social media and everything like that. Like everyone is just in a lighter mood. Winning really, truly does cure all, but it isn't a funny place where now we have to sit on that for a week. And while it's a fun feeling, there is some anxiousness behind that of can we keep it up? But sitting at the halfway point here, what is your general diagnosis of the team? Like we've all watched them, we've seen the like inability to hold the lead at times and whatnot. But from your perspective, like what's gone right, what's gone wrong, maybe something they need to work on over the next week or so.
[00:15:34] Speaker B: I think it's taken some time for them to figure out what the best version of this team looks like. And I think we saw that this past weekend offense has been Great. They've been playing great. But it's kind of been like waiting for the defense to have this type of game that they had on Saturday and they did so that they finally played a complete football game. I think for the most part it wasn't perfect, but hey, I mean, no game really ever is. Nothing really ever goes according to plan. Yet they still won by, you know, what was it, 19 points? I mean, so a good game for them on Saturday. I think in general, though, like, with this, with the first half of the year, the offense is in a great spot. I think the offensive lines look really good so far. I think the run game for the most part has looked really sharp as well.
Lenore Sellers, I think, is coming along. I think he's been under a lot of criticism this year and it's even, you know, led to people wanting to see a quarterback change, which I don't think if you, if you told someone two years ago after the Clemson game, that would be where people's headspaces would be at. I think they would laugh in your face.
But that is the reality. Situation is you're a third year starting quarterback. You got to go out there and play well. Otherwise your job is going to be on the line. That's kind of been the case here. But you know what, he's played a lot better the last two weeks. I thought he looked really good at times against Kentucky. I thought he looked even better against Florida. I think it was one of his best games of his career and it's reflected in all the awards that he's racking up this week. So he's looked great defensively. I'm, I'm thinking that this group is going to be fine. I've always tried giving Clayton White the benefit of the doubt, and he deserves it because he's a good defensive coordinator. It's just taking a little bit of time. I think the results overall are a little bit concerning, but recency buys would tell you, like, this defense looked a lot better in that Florida game. That should give you some optimism moving forward.
[00:17:33] Speaker A: Yeah, absolutely. And being shorthanded, too. You know, that injury report was not pretty going into Florida and I was kind of expecting the worst going into that one, but credit to that whole defensive staff. You're absolutely right. Their best game, certainly in SEC play, and they looked more true to form. And looking ahead to this back half of the year, it feels more, I don't know what the word was like, achievable, maybe a little bit less challenging than a lot of us. Thought before the year, seeing how some of these teams have performed at this point. What's your take on that? Do you see some more winnable games? Is there one or two games in particular that you're circling as to could be a turning point for the rest of the year?
[00:18:15] Speaker B: I do think the second half of the year is so much more manageable, and I think it would be hard for South Carolina not to win three more games to get to a bowl game. I think every game on the schedule is winnable in some degree. Georgia, I think, is the least winnable, but that's just because it's Georgia. I do like the fact that that game is at home. It could be at night, could be a little bit chillier outside, who knows? And I think you can't rule anything out with South Carolina if they play the way they did on Saturday. If they can replicate that type of performance at the other games, though, are very all up there.
South Carolina, I don't know if they'll be favored in all those games, but like, I mean, the next toughest game I think is a road trip to Oklahoma. Besides that, Tennessee. We'll see what happens with them this weekend against Alabama, but I think that game's winnable. I think you should be able to be A and M. I think you'll. You should be able to go to Arkansas. That's a trap game, but I think you should be able to win that one. And I think going on the road to Clemson is always difficult, but you have had the number at Memorial Stadium the last couple of years and you're playing a much better football than Clemson right now, I would say. I think South Carolina can win those three games, get to a bowl game and then steal one more between Tennessee, Oklahoma and Georgia. Maybe.
Yeah.
[00:19:37] Speaker A: I mean, it is crazy to think that's how the schedule has shaken out to this point. And it is crazy to think like, yeah, I think some of our expectations were a bit higher before the year started, but how after those couple of first SEC games to end up at seven or eight wins potentially, I think that would be a massive success. And kind of leads me to my second to last question here for you.
Shane Beamer's teams have tended to start slow but seem to find their footing as the year goes on. The results necessarily weren't there last year, but is there anything that you've picked up on that could attribute to that pattern?
[00:20:19] Speaker B: Yeah, you're definitely right on that. His teams definitely do start slow and finish well. I really don't know what the science is behind that.
Other than. My only thought, really is it does take time for teams to come together, especially in this day and age of the transfer portal where you're bringing in, like, 40 new players every single year.
So, yeah, I think that there's definitely something to it on that end of. It just takes time for teams to gel and for things to come together. And I think right now we could very well be seeing a situation where, just like two years ago where Carolina started out 3 and 3 and then rallied off six straight wins to end the year 9 and 3 before the bowl game. I think that is definitely a possibility, that they go out here and play their best football the rest of the way.
And. Yeah, I mean, should South Carolina have beaten Mississippi State and Kentucky? Yes, I do think they should have won those games and things would be looking a lot different right now. But that's not what happened. And you know what? I think you'd rather see South Carolina winning games.
I think people will still be annoyed about those games early in the year when you look at the College Football Playoff and whatnot. But if Carolina is able to go out here and finish the year seven, eight, maybe nine wins, I think you're a lot more satisfied with what you're seeing down the stretch compared to, excuse me, what happened in September.
[00:21:46] Speaker A: That's fair. I think that's a good take. Sort of like leaving a better taste in people's mouths than maybe the opposite, where you start well and then hit her out at the end of the year, which would also be kind of a bummer.
But. All right, last one here, then I'll get you out of here. This has been fun. Give me just one. Doesn't have to be your top. One of your favorite moments you've covered across Gamecock Sports. Doesn't have to be football specific necessarily.
[00:22:10] Speaker B: I like that question. You know, I was not. I did not cover the 22 game against Tennessee.
I did not cover that. I was a student at the time, so I was. Let's see, I was at that game in 22 against Tennessee.
I was not at the Clemson game that year, though. I was. I was elsewhere because it was Thanksgiving.
My favorite game. I've covered.
Oh, I've covered some good ones. I've also covered some bad ones.
I would say I really enjoyed getting to go to Death Valley for the first time and covering 24 Clemson. I think that was a. I remember it was a super cold day. It was like 40 degrees outside.
The press box at Memorial Stadium is open air, which means there's no, like, plexiglass or anything. And you're like, inches away from students that can literally. In the Clemson student section, I could literally reach out and touch you. It's like that crazy. And it was also freezing that day.
But the game, I mean, it was a great football game. I mean, high stakes top 15 matchup. Everyone thought at the time it would have College Football Playoff implications, which of course it did for Clemson to some degree because they lost. And then, you know, you need Miami to lose to Syracuse to get into the College Football Playoff or the ACC Championship to eventually go to the playoff. That was such a great football game, though. I mean, just in general. I mean, that's one that you're always going to talk about and remember. And that was a. That was definitely like the highlight, I think, of that season for the Gamecocks.
[00:23:47] Speaker A: Yeah, absolutely. And I highlight for a lot of our fans.
I mean, that's a game where you remember who you were with, type of deal.
Great answer. Absolutely agree. But yeah, Jack, really appreciate you coming on. This was a lot of fun for anyone. Again, wanting to follow Jack along. Gamecock Central with himself and the whole team over there. They do great work. But, yeah, thanks for coming on.
[00:24:10] Speaker B: I appreciate you, Tim. Thanks so much.
[00:24:13] Speaker A: All right, and with that, y', all, that wraps up this episode. Please follow me on social media, Twitter or X is Cox gamecox. Instagram is just the name of the show. Cox Talking Gamecocks. And please, like, subscribe and review the podcast. I appreciate all y'.
[00:24:30] Speaker B: All.
[00:24:30] Speaker A: Go Cox.
