Nationally, all the talk in the off-season was that there was a void of talent in Columbia. Coming off a dismal season and bringing in a new coaching staff led to very low expectations in 2016. Analysts agreed that there weren’t many playmakers on the Gamecocks roster. Most people in and around the program knew that there was talent here, albeit unproven for the most part.
Last Thursday in Nashville was the first chance to show off those talented players to the rest of the country. As the first half wore on, it began to look as if the national pundits may have been right. The Gamecocks had multiple dropped passes and some sloppy offensive line play early. This led to a stuttering offense for the first two and a half quarters. Down 10-0 at the half, with over 70% of their offense having just played their first college snaps, South Carolina was able to settle in after halftime.
As the line began to block better, offensive coordinator Kurt Roper was able to get into more rhythm as a play caller. Senior Perry Orth showed poise and confidence as the game went on. He began to find wide outs Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards for some big gains in the secondhalf.
A Playmaker Debuts
Edwards, in particular, was a standout, making a couple of outstanding catches and showing himself to be tough, shifty and sure handed. His eight-catch 101 yard debut was the standout performance of the night. He made an excellent leaping grab on the sideline for a 33 yard gain. Listed at 6’3”, 210lbs, he showed flashes of why he has been compared to former Gamecock greats Sidney Rice and Alshon Jeffrey. The true freshman also displayed the ability to make tacklers miss on a few screen passes.
Deebo Samuel and tight end Hayden Hurst were being billed as potential player makers heading into the season. While both contributed to the 13-10 victory last week, neither was able to make a huge impact. They will still be counted on to become more a part of the offense as the season moves along.
Quarterback Rotation a Work in Progress
The quarterback situation is still in flux in Columbia, with both Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain having played in the opener. Each player will continue to get their opportunities going forward. Orth was given the start after a tight competition in fall camp. McIlwain moved the team while he was under center, but he fumbled in the red zone costing the Gamecocks an early scoring chance. He displayed his athleticism though, and showed no signs of being overwhelmed by his first SEC action. Orth went the distance in the second half, and his steady hand leading the offense was enough to spark the comeback. The former walk-on does not have the upside in ability of his young teammate, but has proven that he is a leader on this young team.
Coach Will Muschamp was asked after the game why he decided to start Orth over McIlwain. He explained, “Perry has been to Knoxville, he’s been to Baton Rouge, he has been to a lot of places. He understands what it takes in those situations and obviously he made some really nice throws when we needed them.”
The offensive line had an auspicious start to the 2016 season. They picked up four penalties in the first two drives. Carolina also lost starting right guard Donell Stanley to an ankle sprain. D.J. Park moved inside from tackle and Blake Camper filled in on the outside. After adjusting personnel, the line play improved in the second half. South Carolina was able to move the ball much more effectively. Coming into the year the O-line was looked at as a possible strength of this team. After a sloppy start to the game they showed signs they can live up to that expectation.
Turner Emerges in the Backfield
The current and former coaching staffs raved about Samuel’s potential. Edwards was a big time recruit coming in to the team. Their ability to make plays was not as much of a surprise perhaps, but the tailback position was a complete mystery. Freshman A.J. Turner has now firmly entrenched himself as the main guy in that role. After red-shirting last year, he stepped up in his first college game with 70 yards on the ground and another 27 yards catching passes. Turner displayed a good burst to get to the outside and also the toughness needed on inside runs. David Williams will still be in the mix in the backfield as he brings more size to the position. The two players have different running styles, so a good mix of both can help the Gamecock offense be more dynamic.
Vanderbilt is thought to have a good defensive football team, but they will not be the toughest test South Carolina faces this year. Coach Muschamp’s team will need to limit both turnovers and penalties going forward. Another SEC road game is up next in Starkville, and a stronger start is a must. There is still a long way to go this season, but a few playmakers are starting to emerge. The Gamecocks will need to improve and continue to show they have more talent than expected if they want to fight their way to a bowl game this year.
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