{"id":562,"date":"2016-09-09T08:30:59","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T12:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=562"},"modified":"2017-05-22T00:02:40","modified_gmt":"2017-05-22T04:02:40","slug":"south-carolina-playmakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2016\/09\/09\/south-carolina-playmakers\/","title":{"rendered":"South Carolina Gamecocks Not Void Of Playmakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nationally, all the talk in the off-season was that there was a void of talent in Columbia.<\/strong>\u00a0 Coming off a dismal season and bringing in a new coaching staff led to very low expectations in 2016.\u00a0 Analysts agreed\u00a0that there weren’t\u00a0many playmakers\u00a0on the Gamecocks<\/strong> roster.\u00a0 Most people in and around the program knew that there was talent here, albeit unproven for the most part.<\/p>\n

Last Thursday in Nashville<\/strong> was the first chance to show off those talented players to the rest of the country.\u00a0\u00a0As the first half wore on, it began to look as if the national pundits may have been right.\u00a0 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. \u00a0Down 10-0 at the half, with over 70% of their offense having just played their first college snaps, South Carolina<\/strong> was able to settle in after halftime.<\/p>\n

As the line began to block better, offensive coordinator Kurt Roper<\/strong> was able to get into more rhythm as a play caller. \u00a0Senior Perry Orth<\/strong> showed poise and confidence as the game went on.\u00a0He began to find wide outs Deebo Samuel<\/strong> and Bryan Edwards<\/strong> for some big gains in the secondhalf.<\/p>\n

A Playmaker Debuts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.\u00a0 He made an excellent leaping grab on the sideline for a 33 yard gain. Listed at 6\u20193\u201d, 210lbs, he showed flashes of why he has been compared to former Gamecock greats Sidney Rice<\/strong> and Alshon Jeffrey.<\/strong>\u00a0 The true freshman also displayed the ability to make tacklers miss on a few screen passes.<\/p>\n

Deebo Samuel and tight end Hayden Hurst<\/strong> were being billed as potential player makers heading into the season.\u00a0 While both contributed to the 13-10 victory last week, neither was able to make a huge impact.\u00a0 They will still be counted on to become more a part of the offense as the season moves along.<\/p>\n

\"NASHVILLE,
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Perry Orth #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drops back to throw a pass against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 1, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quarterback Rotation a Work in Progress<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The quarterback situation is still in flux in Columbia, with both Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain<\/strong> having played in the opener.\u00a0\u00a0Each 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,\u00a0but he\u00a0fumbled in the red zone costing the Gamecocks an early scoring chance.\u00a0 He\u00a0displayed his athleticism though, and showed no signs of being overwhelmed by his first SEC<\/strong> action.\u00a0 Orth went the distance in the second\u00a0half, and his steady hand leading the offense was enough to spark the comeback.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Coach Will Muschamp<\/strong> was asked after the game why he decided to start Orth over McIlwain. He explained, \u201cPerry has been to Knoxville, he\u2019s 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<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The offensive line had an auspicious start to the 2016 season. They picked up four penalties in the first two drives.\u00a0\u00a0Carolina also lost starting right guard Donell Stanley<\/strong> to an ankle sprain.\u00a0D.J. Park<\/strong> moved inside from tackle and Blake Camper<\/strong> filled\u00a0in on the outside.\u00a0\u00a0After adjusting personnel, the line play improved in the second\u00a0half.\u00a0South Carolina was able to move the ball much more effectively. \u00a0Coming into the year the O-line was looked at as a possible strength of this team.\u00a0 After a sloppy start to the game they showed\u00a0signs they can live up to that expectation.<\/p>\n

Turner Emerges in the Backfield<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The current and former coaching staffs raved about Samuel\u2019s potential.\u00a0Edwards was a big time recruit coming in to the team. \u00a0Their ability to make plays was not as much of a surprise perhaps, but the tailback position was a complete mystery.\u00a0 Freshman A.J. Turner<\/strong> has now firmly entrenched himself as the main guy in that role.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Turner displayed a good burst to get to the outside and also the toughness needed on inside runs.\u00a0\u00a0David Williams<\/strong> will still be in the mix in the backfield as he brings more size to the position. \u00a0The two players have\u00a0different running styles, so a good mix of both\u00a0can help\u00a0the Gamecock offense be more dynamic.<\/p>\n

Vanderbilt<\/strong> is thought to have a good defensive football team, but they will not be the toughest test South Carolina faces this year. \u00a0Coach Muschamp\u2019s team will need to limit both turnovers and penalties going forward.\u00a0 Another SEC road game is up next in Starkville,<\/strong> and a stronger start is a must.\u00a0 There is still a long way to go this season, but a few playmakers are starting to emerge.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n