Taking Inventory Of The Gamecocks After 4 Games
posted by Scott Hood, Monday, September 28, 2009
What I Like About The Offense: Quarterback Stephen Garcia hasn’t developed into an All-SEC quarterback yet, but he’s progressing. He certainly showed us a level of toughness against Ole Miss that we hadn’t seen before. Without question, Garcia is a much better quarterback than he was a year ago.
A different ball carrier is stepping up each week. Against the Rebels, it was Kenny Miles. The previous week, it was Jarvis Giles. Before that, Brian Maddox. The balance is good, and certainly a profound change from the last two seasons.
Tori Gurley is developing into a major weapon on offense as a redshirt freshman, and has only started to scratch the surface. Weslye Saunders has taken his game to the next level and already has nearly as many catches as he had all of last season.
The best thing about the offense, though, has been the excellent ball security exhibited so far. Only four turnovers through four games is impressive, and has allowed the Gamecocks to control the clock. At this point last year, USC had 12 turnovers, so there’s been major improvement in that area.
What I Don’t Like About The Offense: The offense still seems disjointed at times, as the fourth quarter of the Ole Miss game showed. A couple of first downs and the defense wouldn’t have needed to make a stop in the final minutes to preserve the win.
While the running game has improved, it’s still ranked in the bottom half of the SEC, albeit not in last place where USC has finished the last two years. Except for the Florida Atlantic game (287 rushing yards), the ground game has sputtered at times. Spurrier is looking for the offensive line to perform better and play with greater toughness and aggressiveness. The left side has been a problem. Both blockers (Jarriel King, Terrence Campbell) that started the season there have been benched.
The biggest hurdle the offense must overcome, though, is the lethargic red zone offense. USC is simply settling for too many field goals rather than scoring touchdowns. Out of 22 trips inside the 20-yard line, USC has scored 16 times, nine touchdowns and seven field goals. That’s too many three-pointers and missed opportunities. It cost them dearly in the UGA game and almost cost them in the Ole Miss win.
What I Like About The Defense: What is there not to like? USC has probably the premier defensive player in the conference in outside linebacker Eric Norwood. Cliff Matthews has asserted himself this season with 18 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks. With Norwood and Matthews leading the way, USC has applied plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
USC had one of the top pass defenses in the country last season, and 2009 has featured more of the same. The Gamecocks are ranked 12th nationally in stopping the pass, fourth in the SEC.
Except for the Georgia game, the defense has been outstanding so far, and has been largely responsible for two wins. Some of the questions that existed prior to the season have been answered. Darian Stewart jacking up Dexter McCloster of Ole Miss during the Rebels’ final possession symbolized USC’s effort defensively this season.
What I Don’t Like About the Defense: The injuries certainly have to be a concern, especially at the defensive tackle spot. Can the depth hold up there? Travian Robertson’s season-ending knee injury (torn ligaments) hurts. Ladi Ajiboye is still a question mark while Nathan Pepper is recovering from a high ankle sprain. Melvin Ingram and Kenny Davis must come through.
Losing Rodney Paulk at middle linebacker was a blow as well. Shaq Wilson struggled in his starting debut at Georgia, but has been more productive over the last two weeks. The coaches, though, are concerned about him getting swallowed up by bigger offensive linemen.
Finally, although the secondary has played well overall, USC has just two interceptions in the first four games. The Gamecocks had multiple opportunities to pick off one of Jevan Snead’s passes on Thursday night but didn’t get one. Once the secondary becomes more ball hawkish, the defense could ascend to a new level of dominance.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
With last Thursday’s 16-10 victory over Ole Miss, South Carolina reached the one-third mark of the 2009 regular season. Thus, it’s time to take inventory of the Gamecocks and see where they stand on offense and defense:
What I Like About The Offense: Quarterback Stephen Garcia hasn’t developed into an All-SEC quarterback yet, but he’s progressing. He certainly showed us a level of toughness against Ole Miss that we hadn’t seen before. Without question, Garcia is a much better quarterback than he was a year ago.
A different ball carrier is stepping up each week. Against the Rebels, it was Kenny Miles. The previous week, it was Jarvis Giles. Before that, Brian Maddox. The balance is good, and certainly a profound change from the last two seasons.
Tori Gurley is developing into a major weapon on offense as a redshirt freshman, and has only started to scratch the surface. Weslye Saunders has taken his game to the next level and already has nearly as many catches as he had all of last season.
The best thing about the offense, though, has been the excellent ball security exhibited so far. Only four turnovers through four games is impressive, and has allowed the Gamecocks to control the clock. At this point last year, USC had 12 turnovers, so there’s been major improvement in that area.
What I Don’t Like About The Offense: The offense still seems disjointed at times, as the fourth quarter of the Ole Miss game showed. A couple of first downs and the defense wouldn’t have needed to make a stop in the final minutes to preserve the win.
While the running game has improved, it’s still ranked in the bottom half of the SEC, albeit not in last place where USC has finished the last two years. Except for the Florida Atlantic game (287 rushing yards), the ground game has sputtered at times. Spurrier is looking for the offensive line to perform better and play with greater toughness and aggressiveness. The left side has been a problem. Both blockers (Jarriel King, Terrence Campbell) that started the season there have been benched.
The biggest hurdle the offense must overcome, though, is the lethargic red zone offense. USC is simply settling for too many field goals rather than scoring touchdowns. Out of 22 trips inside the 20-yard line, USC has scored 16 times, nine touchdowns and seven field goals. That’s too many three-pointers and missed opportunities. It cost them dearly in the UGA game and almost cost them in the Ole Miss win.
What I Like About The Defense: What is there not to like? USC has probably the premier defensive player in the conference in outside linebacker Eric Norwood. Cliff Matthews has asserted himself this season with 18 tackles, five tackles for loss and four sacks. With Norwood and Matthews leading the way, USC has applied plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
USC had one of the top pass defenses in the country last season, and 2009 has featured more of the same. The Gamecocks are ranked 12th nationally in stopping the pass, fourth in the SEC.
Except for the Georgia game, the defense has been outstanding so far, and has been largely responsible for two wins. Some of the questions that existed prior to the season have been answered. Darian Stewart jacking up Dexter McCloster of Ole Miss during the Rebels’ final possession symbolized USC’s effort defensively this season.
What I Don’t Like About the Defense: The injuries certainly have to be a concern, especially at the defensive tackle spot. Can the depth hold up there? Travian Robertson’s season-ending knee injury (torn ligaments) hurts. Ladi Ajiboye is still a question mark while Nathan Pepper is recovering from a high ankle sprain. Melvin Ingram and Kenny Davis must come through.
Losing Rodney Paulk at middle linebacker was a blow as well. Shaq Wilson struggled in his starting debut at Georgia, but has been more productive over the last two weeks. The coaches, though, are concerned about him getting swallowed up by bigger offensive linemen.
Finally, although the secondary has played well overall, USC has just two interceptions in the first four games. The Gamecocks had multiple opportunities to pick off one of Jevan Snead’s passes on Thursday night but didn’t get one. Once the secondary becomes more ball hawkish, the defense could ascend to a new level of dominance.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Previous Blog Entries
Scott Hood. Since February of 2005, Scott has covered the South Carolina football, men's basketball and baseball programs for GamecockCentral. He may be reached by email at scottblog(at)gamecockcentral.com. Replace (at) with @.