The good, the bad, and the ugly as the Gamecocks fall to Arkansas
Sept. 10, 2022
South Carolina struggled throughout its 44-30 loss to No. 16 Arkansas, but yes there were some positives from the game. One was the team never gave up and did have a short brief comeback rally in the 3rd quarter.
Here’s what was good, bad, and ugly for the Gamecocks Saturday:
THE GOOD
Marshawn Lloyd: Lloyd was the bright spot among the Gamecocks’ offensive players. He came up with crucial plays for the Gamecocks, including a fourth-down conversion to extend its touchdown drive in the first half a touchdown he scored out of the backfield, and a 43-yard catch and run earlier in the half. Lloyd ended the game with 84 total yards. He’s accounted for three of South Carolina’s five offensive touchdowns so far this year. Yes, he did have a fumble early in the fourth quarter, and he did give a lift to the offensive unit.
Antwane Wells Jr.: Wells brought the Gamecocks back into the game after quarterback Spencer Rattler found him for a 62-yard touchdown. He ended the game with 185 receiving yards. He was South Carolina’s leader in catches for the second week in a row now. His continued chemistry with Rattler is working in the passing game so far, which could help to move into next week’s Georgia game.
Jordan Burch: Burch made some important plays for the South Carolina defense on Saturday. He came away with a total of 10 tackles and was the first Gamecock on a few of the team’s run stops as well. Burch made one of the Gamecocks' two sacks on KJ Jefferson to boot. While the team struggled defensively throughout the game, his performance stood out among all defenders.
Offensive players returning: Dakereon Joyner and Christian Beal-Smith returned to the lineup for the Gamecocks. Neither made big contributions on the stat sheet, but it improves the depth on that side of the ball. Both missed the season opener, so their availability down the line could help the struggling Gamecock offense, especially with Corey Rucker missing another game Saturday and Vann so far has been a hidden feature so far for 2022.
THE BAD
Rush defense: The Gamecock's run defense struggled mightily against the Razorbacks. Arkansas came in with arguably the best rushing attack in the SEC, and their duo of Jefferson and Raheim Sanders proved why that was the case. both are huge backs that are backed up with their speed and size.Sanders picked up 156 of Arkansas’ 295 yards on the ground, including two touchdowns. Jefferson added 67 yards and a touchdown run of his own, as the Gamecocks struggled to find answers.
Defensive injury bug: This is very disconcerning.The Gamecocks were plagued with injuries on Saturday, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Cam Smith, Darius Rush, Jordan Strachan, Alex Huntley and Mo Kaba all left the field at one point with injuries to Rush and Kaba leaving on the same play. Though some of them returned, losing key players on that side of the ball made it difficult on the Gamecocks to find consistency defensively. With Georgia coming up will need all hands on deck come Saturday.
Rattler’s accuracy: Rattler struggled with accuracy Saturday. He overthrew receivers multiple times on deep passing routes, and the offense struggled once again to move down the field. There were more plays that the Gamecocks attempted to go vertical compared with last week, but Rattler couldn’t always connect with the receivers. He ended the game 23-of-38 passing for 371 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
THE UGLY
Special teams: Wow what happened here from the best performance special teams play over Georgia State last week to multiple mistakes vs. Arkansas? The first punt of the game for the Gamecocks was a 21-yard shank, setting up the Razorbacks with good field position. South Carolina also missed a PAT after scoring its first touchdown of the game. Toward the end of the game, the Gamecocks attempted an onside kick down 35-24, and the Razorbacks returned it 34 yards to the Gamecocks' 9-yard line. Arkansas scored a touchdown a few plays later.
Sept. 10, 2022
South Carolina struggled throughout its 44-30 loss to No. 16 Arkansas, but yes there were some positives from the game. One was the team never gave up and did have a short brief comeback rally in the 3rd quarter.
Here’s what was good, bad, and ugly for the Gamecocks Saturday:
THE GOOD
Marshawn Lloyd: Lloyd was the bright spot among the Gamecocks’ offensive players. He came up with crucial plays for the Gamecocks, including a fourth-down conversion to extend its touchdown drive in the first half a touchdown he scored out of the backfield, and a 43-yard catch and run earlier in the half. Lloyd ended the game with 84 total yards. He’s accounted for three of South Carolina’s five offensive touchdowns so far this year. Yes, he did have a fumble early in the fourth quarter, and he did give a lift to the offensive unit.
Antwane Wells Jr.: Wells brought the Gamecocks back into the game after quarterback Spencer Rattler found him for a 62-yard touchdown. He ended the game with 185 receiving yards. He was South Carolina’s leader in catches for the second week in a row now. His continued chemistry with Rattler is working in the passing game so far, which could help to move into next week’s Georgia game.
Jordan Burch: Burch made some important plays for the South Carolina defense on Saturday. He came away with a total of 10 tackles and was the first Gamecock on a few of the team’s run stops as well. Burch made one of the Gamecocks' two sacks on KJ Jefferson to boot. While the team struggled defensively throughout the game, his performance stood out among all defenders.
Offensive players returning: Dakereon Joyner and Christian Beal-Smith returned to the lineup for the Gamecocks. Neither made big contributions on the stat sheet, but it improves the depth on that side of the ball. Both missed the season opener, so their availability down the line could help the struggling Gamecock offense, especially with Corey Rucker missing another game Saturday and Vann so far has been a hidden feature so far for 2022.
THE BAD
Rush defense: The Gamecock's run defense struggled mightily against the Razorbacks. Arkansas came in with arguably the best rushing attack in the SEC, and their duo of Jefferson and Raheim Sanders proved why that was the case. both are huge backs that are backed up with their speed and size.Sanders picked up 156 of Arkansas’ 295 yards on the ground, including two touchdowns. Jefferson added 67 yards and a touchdown run of his own, as the Gamecocks struggled to find answers.
Defensive injury bug: This is very disconcerning.The Gamecocks were plagued with injuries on Saturday, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. Cam Smith, Darius Rush, Jordan Strachan, Alex Huntley and Mo Kaba all left the field at one point with injuries to Rush and Kaba leaving on the same play. Though some of them returned, losing key players on that side of the ball made it difficult on the Gamecocks to find consistency defensively. With Georgia coming up will need all hands on deck come Saturday.
Rattler’s accuracy: Rattler struggled with accuracy Saturday. He overthrew receivers multiple times on deep passing routes, and the offense struggled once again to move down the field. There were more plays that the Gamecocks attempted to go vertical compared with last week, but Rattler couldn’t always connect with the receivers. He ended the game 23-of-38 passing for 371 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
THE UGLY
Special teams: Wow what happened here from the best performance special teams play over Georgia State last week to multiple mistakes vs. Arkansas? The first punt of the game for the Gamecocks was a 21-yard shank, setting up the Razorbacks with good field position. South Carolina also missed a PAT after scoring its first touchdown of the game. Toward the end of the game, the Gamecocks attempted an onside kick down 35-24, and the Razorbacks returned it 34 yards to the Gamecocks' 9-yard line. Arkansas scored a touchdown a few plays later.
