Spencer Rattler didn't disappoint more than 20,000 in attendance as the new Gamecocks starting quarterback led Garnet to a 20-13 victory over Black in South Carolina's spring game.
Rattler's offseason transfer from Oklahoma, who are 25/1 to win the NCAAF Championship, to 125/1 South Carolina, was one of the top stories of a frenetic period in which several programs revived their playoff chances with some eye-catching acquisitions.
Rattler shines
The Gamecocks are coming off a 7-6 season in which they finished fifth in the SEC East, but they did beat North Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl to finish Shane Beamer's first year in charge on a high note.
But their prospects for an exciting 2022 season grew significantly when Rattler chose to switch allegiance after a tough final year with the Sooners, which he recently described to ESPN as a "toxic situation".
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The went into his sophomore season as the favourite to land the Heisman Trophy and lead the Sooners to the College Football Playoff, but his fortunes took a turn for the worse when he was benched as Oklahoma fans called for freshman QB Caleb Williams to replace him during the second quarter of the Red River Showdown with Texas.
Williams, who subsequently followed head coach Lincoln Riley to USC, led the Sooners to complete the biggest comeback in the history of the rivalry game and it wasn't long before rumours of Rattler's departure emerged.
Rattler ready for campaign to come
Now settled into his new program after going 8 of 10 passing for 79 yards in the first half, Rattler is refreshed and ready for the season ahead.
"That was an environment I've never seen before for a spring game," he told reporters, via The Greenville News.
"It was fun getting out there. It was non-stop...fans everywhere (during Gamecock Walk). Seeing the turnout tonight, that made me happier in knowing I made the right decision."
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