COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina and Texas A&M find out this week what life’s like minus two of college football’s most transcendent, attention-grabbing stars of recent years.
There will no Jadeveon Clowney-Johnny Manziel matchup in this one.
Had this game been played last year fans would’ve cleared their schedules to watch the helmet-popping defensive end chase the reigning Heisman Trophy winner around Williams-Brice Stadium. With Clowney and Manziel in the NFL, those viewing the SEC Network’s first football broadcast might need rosters and slo-mo replays Thursday night to catch all the new faces.
Sophomore Darius English takes over Clowney’s starting spot for No. 9 South Carolina (11-2, 6-2) after backup duty last season. Kenny Hill, also a sophomore, replaces Johnny Football in the No. 21 Aggies’ huddle. Hill passed for 183 yards and a TD in four games last fall.