The SEC can look a little like the Wild West sometimes: high-energy action on the field, passionate groups of people, and plenty of trash talk.
After Tennessee defeated South Carolina by a score of 41-20 in Knoxville on Saturday night, Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler threw shade at Tennessee and the Vols’ fanbase in his postgame press conference.
“It was like their Super Bowl,” Spencer Rattler said via Chaz Frazier. “So credit to them.”
Rattler was closely positioned to the Vols’ student section on the South Carolina bench and heard an earful from the crowd under the lights all night.
“It was a great environment, I must be doing something right if they keep saying [profanities] the whole night,” Rattler said. “Like I say, if you ain’t got haters, you ain’t popping.”
Even with the late-night game on Saturday, Rattler’s comments quickly circulated social media and popped on Sunday morning. Word seemed to have made it to some Tennessee social personnel, too. Tennessee’s social media team posted highlights from the Vols’ “Super Bowl” on Sunday morning.
All the highlights from last night's ₛᵤₚₑᵣ bₒwₗ 🤪#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/swnJ3jfS3y
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 1, 2023
More from RTI: ‘Their Super Bowl’: Spencer Rattler Throws Shade at Tennessee Following Defeat
Tennessee’s defense set the tone against Rattler’s offense quickly into the game and never let their foot off the gas. The Gamecocks came in with the 3rd-ranked passing attack in the SEC while Rattler only threw for 169 on Saturday against the Vols. Rattler’s only touchdown pass of the day was a pick-six to Tennessee defensive back Kamal Hadden.
Tennessee also kept Gamecocks star receiver Xavier Legette in check throughout the game. Besides a long fake-punt pass that South Carolina completed in the first half, Legette had trouble getting targets all night. After entering the game as the SEC’s top receiver, Legette only finished the game with five receptions for 50 yards.
The Vols’ crowd was also a massive factor in the game. The environment was loud and energetic on Saturday night as the Vols completed their ninth-straight sold-out game.
No. 21 Tennessee defeated South Carolina by a score of 41-20 in Knoxville.
we’re going to disney worlddd!!!!!!#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/tfivyk2CMc
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 1, 2023
