South Carolina needed to get a restart on the season. After the loss to North Carolina last weekend, there was a need to find a way to look forward. The Gamecocks started slow and played from behind, 14-7, before scoring 40 unanswered points to win big by a final score of 47-21.
Celebratory Moments
South Carolina played five quarterbacks in what turned into a thumping of sixth-ranked FCS level Furman, 47-21, on Saturday night. Gamecock starting quarterback, Spencer Rattler, played two and a half quarters and produced at a high level. Rattler was 25 of 27 for 345 yards and three touchdowns, as well as, a rushing touchdown. He connected with three different receivers on each of his touchdowns, including backup quarterback Luke Doty, on a 36-yard deep ball over the middle. Doty also played quarterback and special teams in addition to his role as a wide receiver.
Rattler has thrown the ball with elite accuracy in the first two weeks at 83% with no turnovers. He has been the Gamecocks best player and the team has found success when Rattler has had time to produce. After nine sacks in week 1, the Gamecocks only gave up one sack against the Paladins.
The top target for Rattler was once again Xavier Legette, with six receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. Legette has established himself as the top wide receiver in the absence of Juice Wells, who is still working back from an injury. Wide receivers coach, Justin Stepp, deserves credit for the development of Legette. The fifth-year receiver has always shown athleticism but has become polished and productive under Stepp. Other receivers will need to continue to step in and find ways to contribute as Wells works back from injury. The Gamecocks could potentially enter week 3 without another starter. Ahmarean Brown, sustained an injury against Furman.
Additionally, starting running back, Dakereon Joyner had a more productive night on the ground. With only 11 carries, Joyner gained 42 yards and a touchdown, while also grabbing four passes for 53 yards. Joyner’s success was produced by an improved performance from the offensive line. However, Joyner also looked more comfortable and found holes more readily than he did just a week ago. Overall, South Carolina rushed 39 times for 108 yards. The Gamecocks improved to 12-1 under Shane Beamer when rushing for over 100 yards as a team.
New Developments
The Gamecocks sustained four injuries on Saturday night, most notably to starting receiver Brown. Beamer said in his postgame press conference that Brown has a hamstring injury and, “Wanted to go back into the game.” Brown did not re-enter the game. South Carolina also saw injuries to special teams player Bradley Dunn, reserve offensive lineman JonDarius Morgan, and starting nickel Keenan Nelson Jr.. Beamer said that Nelson sustained an upper-body injury, but will be “fine.”
Five quarterbacks played and Rattler played at a near-flawless level, but another signal-caller stole the show. The breakout story of the night was the performance of highly touted freshman quarterback, LaNorris Sellers. The young quarterback played in his first college football game on Saturday night. Sellers went four for four passing for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Sellers found fellow freshman Tyshawn Russell on a 50-yard bomb that was beautifully thrown. He followed up that throw by leading the Gamecocks down the field on the next drive. Sellers eventually found the top recruit in the South Carolina 2023 recruiting class, Nyck Harbor, for a second touchdown. Regardless of how some issues are resolved in 2023, the future of South Carolina football appears to be in good hands. Sellers, Harbor, and company provided content for those who like to dream of 2024 and life beyond Spencer Rattler in Columbia.
Key Observations Moving Forward
There were several young players and new players to South Carolina who gained experience against Furman. In the case of some players, like Sellers, there is not a need for a heavy contribution at this point. Other players, like offensive linemen Trovon Baugh and Tree Babalade, played meaningful snaps and earned needed game reps. Both will be relied on to play on the offensive line at times throughout the 2023 season. Beamer stated after the game that the plan was to play both Baugh and Babalade in the second series of the game. Gaining in-game experience for young players was one way for the Gamecocks to win big in this game and they accomplished the goal. This confidence will help them later in the season.
Defensive Coordinator, Clayton White, once again struggled to have his defense ready to play from the opening kick. Furman went directly down the field and scored a touchdown on its opening drive. Then, the Paladins scored a second touchdown early in the second quarter before the defense adjusted. White made halftime adjustments that produced a defense that looked more prepared than at the start of the game. While the adjustments are consistent over the course of White’s tenure in Columbia, the question still remains as to why the players cannot execute in early game action.
With confidence and momentum picked up in the week 2 win against Furman, the Gamecocks will look to ride the positivity into Athens. Next week, South Carolina will face off against the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs. The Gamecocks have not beaten Georgia since 2019 in Athens. Rattler will need to get the ball out quickly to work around the Bulldog pass rush. The Gamecock defense will need to start faster than in the first two games to slow down Georgia early.
A big win for the Gamecocks this week provided them with much-needed confidence as they walk into Sanford Stadium next week.
The game will be the featured SEC matchup of the week on CBS at 3:30 PM Eastern.
Photo courtesy: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
