Vershon - Again

The South Carolina football team will be without its top two running backs again this week as Tennessee comes to town. Second-year football coach Shane Beamer said on Thursday night during his call-in show on 107.5 The Game that the duo of tailbacks, MarShawn Lloyd and Christian Beal-Smith, are both out for the game.

Vershon - Again

Lloyd suffered a deep thigh bruise early in the game against Missouri and has missed each of the last two weeks. Beal-Smith has not played either of the last two weeks either as he continues to suffer from a foot injury he suffered in the preseason but has tried to play through at times.

Beamer also said that they have not had to deal with any flu problems this week as they did last week. Nine players who played in the game missed at least one practice in the buildup to the game against the Gators and another, Vershon Lee, missed the game due to illness.

Two possessions later, another forced turnover by the Luther defense resulted in another Norse touchdown. Aydan Holub-Schultz (Mount Vernon, Iowa / Mount Vernon) intercepted Carter Terry's pass in Nebraska-Wesleyan territory, resulting in another Luther offensive possession in its opponents territory. This time, it was first and 10 from the Prairie Wolves 27, and the Norse were once again able to capitalize on the turnover. The touchdown looked very similar to the first, albeit from a shorter distance. Cornwell again connected with Atkins for a six-yard touchdown drive and also converted the extra point attempt, making it 14-0 Luther with 4:33 remaining in the first quarter.

Nebraska-Wesleyan managed to cut the Norse lead to 14-7 in the closing seconds of the first quarter, but Luther answered by recording its third interception of the day just 16 seconds into the second. This time, it was Brandon Deas (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Thomas B. Doherty) who came up with the clutch grab, intercepting Terry at the Luther three yard line to end the Prairie Wolves threat. While the Norse were unable to score after Deas interception, the defense continued to hold Nebraska-Wesleyan at bay, as Matt Canada (Tempe, Ariz. / Marcos De Niza) sacked Terry on fourth and nine, ending the Prairie Wolves drive and forcing a turnover on downs in Luther territory. The Norse once again capitalized on the defensive play, as Vershon Brooks (Brighton, Colo. / Brighton) ran for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Luther with three minutes remaining in the half. 041b061a72