Looking past Vanderbilt and what we know heading to Florida for another key match-up
Nov. 06, 2022
For the second-straight year under coach Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks' are bowl-eligible again. The Gamecocks reached the milestone with Saturday night’s 38-27 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville, moving to 6-3 (3-3 SEC) on the season. Here’s a look at the latest about the Gamecocks.
THE RUN DEFENSE NEEDS TO STOP THE RUN
Coming into Saturday’s game, Vanderbilt ranked last in the SEC in total offense and posted an average of only 138 rushing yards per game. Even with a hobbled offensive line, the Commodores put up 226 yards on the ground, with the Gamecocks' defense missing multiple tackles and leaving running lanes open.
The Gamecocks likely won’t be able to get away with that kind of run defense against Florida next week in Gainesville. Beamer even quipped that Gators dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson will watch Saturday’s defensive performance by the Gamecocks and get excited for his opportunity to run against them.
JAHEIM BELL: TIGHT END AND A RUNNING BACK?
After all of the buzz about this week on the Gamecocks not utilizing the dynamic, multi-faceted Bell, Beamer said he wanted to make sure the Gamecocks didn’t leave Nashville without him getting the ball.
Not only did Bell get the ball, but he led the Gamecocks in carries with 16 totes for 56 yards. Technically a tight end, Bell lines up all over the field, and Beamer said Bell practiced with the running backs all week. With starter MarShawn Lloyd out of the game due to a thigh bruise, Bell morphed into the Gamecocks' bellcow. Even more, the Gamecocks made sure to include him in the passing game, as he caught three passes for 27 yards.
MARCUS SATTERFIELD SHOWS DIVERSITY
The South Carolina fan base for the most part wants changes at OC meaning wanting to part ways with Marcus Satterfield. The Gamecock offense looked anemic for much of the season grumbling has reached a high pitch among the fan base and getting louder. But Saturday’s win showed us the offense’s creativity was there and it stood out. One of the biggest plays of the game came on a Dakereon Joyner wildcat play when he scrambled to his left and found Antwane Wells for a 68-yard touchdown. Throughout the contest, the Gamecocks' made consistent use of pre-snap motion and had multiple plays with receivers carrying the ball on reverses or jet sweeps. The Gamecocks spread the ball around, too, with eight different players carrying the ball and nine receivers catching at least one pass. The Gamecocks registered 492 yards, which is the second-highest total yardage for a game under Beamer.
SPENCER RATTLER LOOKED LIKE HE WAS ON THE SAME PAGE WITH COACH SATTERFIELD
Spencer Rattler, the much-hyped quarterback transfer from Oklahoma, has had an up-and-down season. There are moments and throws where’s shown the talent that once made him a Heisman Trophy hopeful. Still, coming into Saturday’s game, Rattler had thrown just five touchdowns this season to nine interceptions. Rattler might’ve turned in his best performance as a Gamecock against Vanderbilt, which is exactly what Beamer said after the game. Rattler completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 186 yards and zero interceptions, but most impressively, he threw three touchdowns. One came on the game’s first drive on a deep shot to Xavier Legette, and another came on to Wells. His touchdown throw to Josh Vann was placed in the corner of the end zone where only he could get it, and he came down with an impressive catch.
THE SECONDARY IS GEETING SHORT HANDED DUE TO INJURIES
Veteran defensive back David Spaulding didn’t make the trip to Nashville due to a foot injury, and Beamer said Spaulding is likely to miss the rest of the season. Devonni Reid is also working his way back from injury and played a scant amount of snaps Saturday.
The Gamecocks have had to lean on youth, including freshmen Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith, to step up and produce with the secondary struggling with injuries. And the play and leadership of Darius Rush has especially stood out. Rush intercepted A.J. Swann in Vandy’s first drive of the game Saturday, and Beamer praised him after the game. “We’re starting two true freshmen in the secondary, and you’ve got to have that leadership,” Beamer said. “And Darius is doing a great job of being a leader. Showed it tonight.
Nov. 06, 2022
For the second-straight year under coach Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks' are bowl-eligible again. The Gamecocks reached the milestone with Saturday night’s 38-27 win over Vanderbilt in Nashville, moving to 6-3 (3-3 SEC) on the season. Here’s a look at the latest about the Gamecocks.
THE RUN DEFENSE NEEDS TO STOP THE RUN
Coming into Saturday’s game, Vanderbilt ranked last in the SEC in total offense and posted an average of only 138 rushing yards per game. Even with a hobbled offensive line, the Commodores put up 226 yards on the ground, with the Gamecocks' defense missing multiple tackles and leaving running lanes open.
The Gamecocks likely won’t be able to get away with that kind of run defense against Florida next week in Gainesville. Beamer even quipped that Gators dual-threat quarterback Anthony Richardson will watch Saturday’s defensive performance by the Gamecocks and get excited for his opportunity to run against them.
JAHEIM BELL: TIGHT END AND A RUNNING BACK?
After all of the buzz about this week on the Gamecocks not utilizing the dynamic, multi-faceted Bell, Beamer said he wanted to make sure the Gamecocks didn’t leave Nashville without him getting the ball.
Not only did Bell get the ball, but he led the Gamecocks in carries with 16 totes for 56 yards. Technically a tight end, Bell lines up all over the field, and Beamer said Bell practiced with the running backs all week. With starter MarShawn Lloyd out of the game due to a thigh bruise, Bell morphed into the Gamecocks' bellcow. Even more, the Gamecocks made sure to include him in the passing game, as he caught three passes for 27 yards.
MARCUS SATTERFIELD SHOWS DIVERSITY
The South Carolina fan base for the most part wants changes at OC meaning wanting to part ways with Marcus Satterfield. The Gamecock offense looked anemic for much of the season grumbling has reached a high pitch among the fan base and getting louder. But Saturday’s win showed us the offense’s creativity was there and it stood out. One of the biggest plays of the game came on a Dakereon Joyner wildcat play when he scrambled to his left and found Antwane Wells for a 68-yard touchdown. Throughout the contest, the Gamecocks' made consistent use of pre-snap motion and had multiple plays with receivers carrying the ball on reverses or jet sweeps. The Gamecocks spread the ball around, too, with eight different players carrying the ball and nine receivers catching at least one pass. The Gamecocks registered 492 yards, which is the second-highest total yardage for a game under Beamer.
SPENCER RATTLER LOOKED LIKE HE WAS ON THE SAME PAGE WITH COACH SATTERFIELD
Spencer Rattler, the much-hyped quarterback transfer from Oklahoma, has had an up-and-down season. There are moments and throws where’s shown the talent that once made him a Heisman Trophy hopeful. Still, coming into Saturday’s game, Rattler had thrown just five touchdowns this season to nine interceptions. Rattler might’ve turned in his best performance as a Gamecock against Vanderbilt, which is exactly what Beamer said after the game. Rattler completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 186 yards and zero interceptions, but most impressively, he threw three touchdowns. One came on the game’s first drive on a deep shot to Xavier Legette, and another came on to Wells. His touchdown throw to Josh Vann was placed in the corner of the end zone where only he could get it, and he came down with an impressive catch.
THE SECONDARY IS GEETING SHORT HANDED DUE TO INJURIES
Veteran defensive back David Spaulding didn’t make the trip to Nashville due to a foot injury, and Beamer said Spaulding is likely to miss the rest of the season. Devonni Reid is also working his way back from injury and played a scant amount of snaps Saturday.
The Gamecocks have had to lean on youth, including freshmen Nick Emmanwori and DQ Smith, to step up and produce with the secondary struggling with injuries. And the play and leadership of Darius Rush has especially stood out. Rush intercepted A.J. Swann in Vandy’s first drive of the game Saturday, and Beamer praised him after the game. “We’re starting two true freshmen in the secondary, and you’ve got to have that leadership,” Beamer said. “And Darius is doing a great job of being a leader. Showed it tonight.
