Murmurs of a “get right” game are swirling in the Gamecock sports world as South Carolina looks to rebound from a season-opening loss. The week 2 opponent is the in-state, FCS-level, Furman Paladins. An FCS team can be viewed as an opportunity to right the ship and find some answers. However, this South Carolina team needs to maintain a high work ethic and earn a victory on Saturday. Improvements are likely, but there will be challenges for the Gamecocks against Furman.
Challenges for the Gamecocks Against Furman
Strengths of the Paladins
Head football coach, Shane Beamer, was clear in his press conference on Tuesday that the Furman Paladins will not be intimidated when they enter the hostile environment of Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night. Beamer cited the Paladins’ performance against Clemson in 2022, in which Furman actually out-gained the Tigers in total offense. It is also worth noting, however, that Clemson won the game comfortably, 35-12, keeping Furman out of the end zone for the entire game.
The Paladins ended 2022 with a 10-3 overall record, averaging 33 points per game to only 20 points allowed. The offense averaged over 212 yards rushing and 209 yards passing to bring about a balanced attack. The 2023 Furman team returns seven all-conference players and 38 out of 44 from the previous year’s two-deep. Needless to say, they expect to have a great season in Greenville.
To begin the season, Furman routed Tennessee Tech, 45-10. The Paladins leaned on the running game to get their offense going and scored four times on the ground. The Furman defense was also extremely opportunistic as they came away with four interceptions and returned two for touchdowns.
Furman is an experienced group who has played in big atmospheres before. They run the ball and play defense and those strengths travel well. South Carolina will need to improve specifically at the defensive tackle position in order to put a stop to the running game of the Paladins and get off the field. Winning on first and second downs to put Furman into obvious passing situations will benefit South Carolina, but the question remains as to whether or not this defensive front can meet that challenge.
Favorable Matchups for Carolina
Furman feasted on the mistakes of Tennessee Tech quarterback, Ethan Roberts, and turned interceptions into points. Fortunately, for the Gamecocks, fifth-year quarterback, Spencer Rattler can lean on experience and poise to protect the football. Rattler was 30-39 for 353 yards in week 1 against North Carolina. While he was sacked nine times and pressured twice as much, Rattler had no turnovers in the game and appeared to be laser-focused and accurate in his delivery and decision-making.
Gamecock linebackers, although now very thin with the loss of Mo Kaba for the season and a lingering injury to Bam Martin-Scott, were much improved in week 1. Debo Williams led the team in tackles with 14 and the Gamecocks’ only tackle for loss. Stone Blanton also showed much-improved speed from sideline to sideline and recorded 10 tackles of his own. Williams played 71 defensive snaps and Blanton played 70, as well as, covering kickoffs and punts. Both of these starting linebackers should be expected to make plays stopping the run on Saturday. Look for, true freshman, Grayson “Pup” Howard to get his first action of the season at linebacker, as well. These three players have the ability to live in the backfield against Furman.
Finally, Paladin quarterback, Tyler Huff, did not have his best day in Furman’s opener. The pre-season all-conference selection was just 15 of 27 for 172 yards and one interception. South Carolina’s defensive backs need to be aggressive in coverage and take advantage of opportunities to get their hands on the football. Even with safety Nick Emmanwori out with an injury, the Gamecocks secondary has elite talent. Carolina should look to use that advantage on Saturday night.
What to Expect
Furman will not be scared of an SEC opponent and the Paladins will be prepared to scrap and fight. But the Gamecocks have too much talent, even with a complete reshuffling of the offensive line happening over the course of the week. There could be a struggle from the defense to stifle the Furman run game in the early going, but defensive coordinator Clayton White has proven to make great adjustments, especially at halftime. The defense will settle in and get one or two turnovers, shutting down the Paladin offense as the game goes on.
Look for Rattler and company to have continued success moving the football and convert red zone trips into touchdowns. Xavier Legette will likely have another big game as Juice Wells continues to shake off the limits of a foot injury. The running game won’t be dominant, but will find mild success to get Dakereon Joyner some positive momentum. Transfer running back Mario Anderson and freshman DJay Braswell will also likely see snaps this week.
There will be challenges for the Gamecocks against Furman, but Carolina will overcome and gain confidence.
South Carolina 41 Furman 17
The Gamecocks are set to kickoff from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia on Saturday, September 9 at 7:30 PM.
