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2021 GamecockFanatics.com Game Week #1 Discussion Thread: Eastern Illinois

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[COLOR= rgb(0, 0, 0)]Game Week #1 Discussion Thread:[/COLOR] [COLOR= rgb(0, 51, 102)]Eastern Illinois  [/COLOR]
EIU.png



Game: South Carolina Gamecocks (0-0) vs Eastern Illinois Panthers (0-1)

Game Time: Saturday September 4th, 7:00 PM at Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

Broadcast: 
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South Carolina's 2021 football season is now upon us: the pre-season fall camp has concluded for all intents and purposes, with 20 of the 24 practices plus two scrimmages in the books. With Monday an off-day, the Gamecocks will have four (4) final practices which will be game prep for it's season-opening game with Ohio Valley Conference member Eastern Illinois (0-1). The Panthers have already played one game during Game Week #0, a narrow 26-21 loss to Indiana State in Terre Haute, IN.

So we the Gamecock Nation faithful have the opportunity to review how well the Panthers performed in their opening game. Considering that this will be the first time we've faced the FCS member on the same field in program history, it may prove beneficial. The Panthers played their 2020 season in the spring of 2021, playing only 6 games and going 1-5. Here are the official stats for the game

Looking at the Stats:

Eastern Illinois really let this game get away. They were out-scored 7-0 in the 1st Quarter by the Sycamores, and then out-scored them 21-19 the rest of the way. The Panthers lead in the box score in almost every offensive statistical category: passing yds (253 -87), total yds (378-245), first downs (21-13), total plays (69-56), and time of possession (35:32 - 24:28). Indiana State led in rushing only slightly (158-125), but the Panthers here scored 3 rushing touchdowns to the Sycamore's 2 rushing scores.

What done in the Panthers was turnovers: EIU's starting QB - Otto Kuhns - threw 14 of 29 for 253 yds, but also threw 2 interceptions with 0 touchdowns. One of his picks was returned 75 yds for a pick-six in the 4th Qtr. Kuhns was also sacked 5 times adding to their total loss of rushing yds of 46 yards, while Indiana State wasn't sacked once, and only had 4 lost rushing yds for the game. Otherwise EIU would have out-rushed ISU too.

There was also a fumbled pass by a Panther receiver in Indiana State red zone territory in the 3rd Qtr. that killed that drive, so EIU dealt with some turnover issues in their first game. Hopefully our defense will be able to capitalize on that this Saturday.

The Top Offensive Performers for the Panthers:

QB Otto Kuhns - was the leading passer with 14-29 for 253 yds, 0 tds and 2 ints. He was the only passer for Eastern Illinois. Last season (this past spring), Kuhns split time behind center with Harry Woodbery, completing 50.6% of his passes for 509 yds in 4 games, with 5 TDs and 4 INTs.

RB Harrison Bey-Buie, Markenzy Pierre, and Kendi Young platooned for 11 carries for 57 yds, 11 for 50 yds, and 6 for 35 yds respectively. Bey-Buie had the lone TD between the three: Tyler Hamilton rushed once for a 4 yd TD, and Kuhns rushed 11 times for another TD score, but for a total of minus-10 yds due to his sacks. Only Young is listed on the spring season stats - both Bey-Buie and Pierre are new blood. 

WR Demetrius Garrett - despite there being 0 scores via the air, Garrett had a strong receiving game with 5 receptions for 116 yds. Garrett is also a newcomer on the roster, not showing up in last season's stats. Other receivers were Arron Foulkes (2 rec. for 39 yds) and Robbie Lofton (4 rec. for 35 yds). These two receivers DID play last spring, and were among the better receivers for the Panthers, but the top two receivers appears to be gone for 2021.

Defense The Panthers had 3.0 tackles for loss, 0 sacks, and 0 interceptions. Last season, EIU allowed 33.5 points/game: they played three ranked FCS foes, and allowed a total of 132 points (44.0 ppg) scored. Against the Sycamores, Jason Johnson led the defense with 8 total tackles plus 0.5 a sack. Colin Bohanek was 2nd with 6 total tackles. These two players led the defense last season: Johnson had 66.0 total tackles, 6.0 TFL, and 1.0 sack. Bohanek had 40 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and 1.5 sacks. Remember EIU only played 6 total games for their last season. The Panther defense totaled 36 TFL (6.0 TFL/gm) and 7.0 sacks (1.2 sacks/gm) last season. One Panther to watch for - Jordan Miles tied for the team lead with 6.0 TFL last season, and led with 2.0 QB sacks and 6 QB hurries. He played Saturday - only had one tackle, but it was a tackle for loss. 

The Panther Secondary totaled 5 interceptions last season. The leader for the team with 2 INTs did not show up in the stats against Indiana State. Opponents averaged 258.3 passing ypg against EIU last season.

 
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College Football News put out their game prediction:

https://collegefootballnews.com/2021/08/south-carolina-vs-eastern-illinois-prediction-game-preview

The summary is:

Eastern Illinois will win if they cut out the turnovers because had they not had the 3 turnovers against Indiana State they would have won, their defense held down Indiana State's offense, and their own passing attack was decent.

My perspective of this - Eastern Illinois played a 2020 season, although it was in the spring of 2021. Indiana State did NOT however - they had their very first game since 2019. And they WON. The Panthers went 1-5 for 2020 and 1-11 for 2019, so they are not that familiar with winning, even at the FCS level.

The OTHER side of the CFN preview however is South Carolina will win if our lines of scrimmage show up: our DL should shut down the Panther's run game, and might have a chance to do well pressuring the EIU QB who was sacked 5 times versus the Sycamores, while if the Sycamores were able to average nearly 5 yards per carry against the Panther DL, our RB depth should find a healthy dose of holes.

The big question raised was if whoever our QB turns out being is able to effectively make throws against the Panther D. Otherwise, CFN projected the outcome to be a Gamecock win 52-13....

 
I really hope we win this one handily.  If we don’t, we have a long season ahead of us. The schedule sets up nicely to warm up for the first two weeks before Georgia. Hopefully this first game allows the team to get it’s feet wet, and run through plays against a lesser opponent,  before stepping up the competition level next week, and then stepping up more the following week.  I am really hoping that the coaches have instilled a much better mindset in the players, and that we can go out and truly make this game a warm up and not a nail biter like we have done so many times in the past with lesser opponents. If we manhandle them, I will be cautiously optimistic, because that’s what we should do, anything less, and I’m going to be wary.

 
I obviously want us to win but I'll be looking for things like do we look like we have a coherent plan on what we're trying to do offensively and defensively?  Are we disciplined?  How is the kicking game?  Special teams?

I'll say:

SC - 27

EIU - 13

 
I'm hoping to see us come out crisp against Eastern Illinois from the opening whistle.  No delay of game penalties, nobody looking around, confused.  No standing around waiting for sideline play calls.  No blown coverages.  And plenty of effort, hustle to the ball and fundamental tackling skills , wrap arms and drive to the ground -- no shoulder hits. 

I just want us to look like a good team...for a change.

 
I'm thinking a score like 56-14.

To tell the truth, the excitement and unknown about the coaching staff this year has me worried about each and every game. However, after watching EIU's game on TV this past weekend, I can pretty confidently feel that even if we played terribly, I don't think they have a shot in the dark against us. They're just far too undersized in the trenches. Also, I do think we will play inspired football as well. Everyone's excited to get back out there and compete.

I think they may score a couple times on us. They have some respectable skill players and we're breaking in a brand new secondary. There will probably be some holes in coverage.

 
We will look at times like a team full of new players on defense - which we are. I accept that. We still win comfortably, regardless of who is playing QB.

Fighting Damn Gamecocks 48

Swamp Kittens: 13

 
We win 48-6 I watched the Indiana State game. This is not a good football team. I consider this a preseason warm up game. I am hoping for an injury free game.

 
Week 1 depth chart, per USC and TBS:

OFFENSE

WR: Jalen Brooks/Xavier Legette
WR: Dakereon Joyner/Ahmarean Brown
WR: Josh Vann/Ger-Cari Caldwell OR OrTre Smith

LT: Jazston Turnetine/Jakai Moore
LG: Jaylen Nichols/Vershon Lee
C: Eric Douglas/Vincent Murphy
RG: Jovaughn Gwyn/Wyatt Campbell
RT: Dylan Wonnum/Tyshawn Wannamaker

TE: Nick Muse/E.J. Jenkins
TE: Jaheim Bell/Traevon Kenion/Keveon Mullins

QB: Zeb Noland/Jason Brown
RB: ZaQuandre White OR MarShawn Lloyd OR Juju McDowell OR Kevin Harris

DEFENSE

DE: Aaron Sterling/Jordan Burch
DT: Jabari Ellis/Tonka Hemingway
DT: Zacch Pickens/Alex Huntley
EDGE: Kingsley Enagbare/Jordan Strachan

MLB: Sherrod Greene/Damani Staley OR Debo Williams
WLB: Brad Johnson/Mohamed Kaba OR Darryle Ware

CB: Marcellas Dial/Dominick Hill
SS: Jaylin Dickerson OR R.J. Roderick/Jamar Brown
FS: Jaylan Foster/Tyrese Ross
CB: Darius Rush OR Cam Smith
N: David Spaulding/Carlins Platel42COMMENTS

SPECIALISTS

PK: Parker White/Mitch Jeter
KO: Parker White OR Mitch Jeter
P: Kai Kroeger/Alex Herrera
LS: Matthew Bailey/Hunter Rogers
H: Kai Kroeger/Alex Herrera
KOR: Dakereon Joyner/Juju McDowell
PR: Josh Vann/Ahmarean Brown

 
I know I don’t exactly pay attention to names anymore but I feel like I’m in the scene of Major League where Clevelanders are talking about the roster and say “who the hell are these guys” 

Lol great movie…

 
TKE226 said:
I know I don’t exactly pay attention to names anymore but I feel like I’m in the scene of Major League where Clevelanders are talking about the roster and say “who the hell are these guys” 

Lol great movie…
Click to expand...
So true, and so many new faces that won't be new for long. And we are counting on them, big time. Posted this in the forum, but pertinent for this discussion, too:

https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/LongFormArticle/south-Carolina-gamecocks-football-transfers-freshmen-2021-169867278/#169867278_5

 
Coach Beamer's Game Week presser for Eastern Illinois:




[SIZE=10.0pt]Outtakes from the presser:
[/SIZE]

  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Lots of excitement and energy for the season opener. The Gamecock Walk will be back for the opening game.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]One official visit will take place for the game.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Luke Doty was out participating in practice, but “didn’t do much”. He’s still not ready to return but is working towards it. Hank Manos is “doubtful” for the game. Rick Sandidge is still out and will be out for a while.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Beamer recalled his father Frank Beamer coaching Murray State in his last game before taking over at Virginia Tech, the Murray State Racers faced Eastern Illinois in the then-Division 1-AA playoffs.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Eastern Illinois lost a tough game against Indiana State that they had the ball in their hands at the end of the game to win it. They played better as the game went along. Will need to do a great job of handling the line of scrimmage and tackling.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Had a great practice for Tuesday preparing for the game.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Announced uniforms – White helmets, Garnet jerseys, and white pants. Beamer was a bit sarcastic about attention on uniforms – says we won’t be spending time worrying about what uniform combinations they will wear, we will concentrate on how we play, and on preparing for the games. There will be some discussion, but guarantees there won’t be 12 different uniform combinations for the season.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Zeb Norland will be the starting QB “for this week”. Coach states he has a great understanding of the playbook, on getting the offense huddled, reading the defenses, and getting rid of the ball. Beamer stated the staff “has a ton” of confidence in all of the Gamecock QBs.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]In Q&A, Beamer asked if QB competition opens up when Doty returns to action, Beamer refused to answer “knew that question would be asked, we’re focusing right now on Eastern Illinois”.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]QB Jason Brown was disappointed in losing the starter’s role to Norland for the game, but he’s handled it great. He had an excuse to not participate in this presser (he was one of the players asked to appear) due to having a class scheduled – he could’ve ducked the presser and gone on to class and sort of hid and pouted, but he came and answered the questions and was very accountable, and it was impressive that he did that and was a great example for all the younger players to see that.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Forgot to mention DB Cam Smith – he’s been out practicing and should be ready to go for Saturday. Beamer stated Smith was initially slated to return for East Carolina and Game #2, but he’s progressed well and “looked fantastic” in practice.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Getting back on the road recruiting, Beamer says he and his staff couldn’t be more excited. Staff will go out to some high school games this Friday night.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Beamer stated that in a skill-based comparison, Norland and Brown are most similar as greater passers than rushers, and more drop-back passers. Doty is the more athletic of the group, and more of the elusive, run-based QB.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]In what decisions are made in who gets most carries at RB: Beamer states combination of practice during the fall, who is more efficient at execution of carries, who picks up their blocks in passing plays. But everyone should get plenty of opportunities Saturday.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Asked about what prior experience goes in deciding between Norland and Brown – Beamer stated it wasn’t a final deciding factor, that both Brown and Norland bring substantial game experience. Norland has more experience playing in front of large crowds from the Big-12, but that Brown shouldn’t be impacted much by that.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]On Special teams – learned under his father Frank Beamer on the importance of special teams for games, and is appreciative in ST Coordinator Pete Lembo’s experience as a past head coach to rely on him to run and prepare the special teams to perform well for games.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]On social media responses to how the season progresses – Beamer says its all a part of the job. He wanted to go to where they had passionate fans, and South Carolina is definitely a place like that. He grew up in a college coaching house – his children only knows the successes at Oklahoma. Now they will better appreciate the building of those successes to where USC is now, to where he intends it to be soon under his watch.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Luke Doty’s timeline – Beamer “hopes” Doty will be back by next week – he’s no longer in a boot, and is wearing sneakers. It is “very realistic” that Doty could be “getting really really close” to 100% by next week.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Jaylen Dickerson and Ger-Cari Caldwell’s development – Dickerson is out there “making plays”, other younger players look to him as a leader and go-to for advice. Caldwell is working with OrTre Smith with Josh Vann in their group – Joyner, Vann, and Jalen Brooks are the “top three” WRs right now.
    [/SIZE]
  • [SIZE=10.0pt]Gray, Satterfield, and Kimrey are expected to be in the coaching box for Saturday. Staffs need to work through strategic aspects of who can be in the box, who can have headphones and microphones, as the NCAA allows a minimum number.
    [/SIZE]




 
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