COLUMBIA – Will Muschamp’s message was clear immediately after the University of South Carolina’s 28-14 loss to Georgia on Sunday.
As the Gamecocks (2-4) entered their bye week, every position would be re-examined.
As a fifth-year senior, quarterback Perry Orth understands Muschamp and hopes to display the leadership needed to turn around USC’s fortunes in the final six games.
“You’ve just got to get ready to work this week,” Orth said. “Coach is trying to motivate us. All positions are open. You’ve got to attack every day like you’re not going to play.”
The USC offense has struggled throughout the season. The coaching staff has gone back and forth between Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain as the starting quarterback.
Both have had to play without the Gamecocks’ top receiving threats at times and behind an inconsistent line.
Despite the struggles, which have led to the Gamecocks averaging a meager 14.2 points per game, Orth believes there is time to turn things around.
“It just hasn’t come together yet. I believe it is going to,” Orth said. “Right now, we’re still working, still figuring things out. We have so many young guys that haven’t played and that are still learning how to play. It’s challenging at first, but I believe we are going to turn it around.”
Whether or not there is a way to turn the corner with the available talent on hand is debatable.
Having a bye week before returning to action against UMass could allow the team to concentrate on eliminating things that have held the team back.
“It’s just like when you’re playing baseball and you’re in a slump,” Orth said. “The only way to get out of a slump is to just believe you’ll get out of one.”
From a win-loss standpoint, the season is similar to 2015 when coach Steve Spurrier stepped down at midseason with a 2-4 record and USC finished with a 3-9 record. Orth hopes the Gamecocks have more wins ahead in 2016.
“We can either throw in the towel or strap it up and get ready to roll,” Orth said. “You just know how tough it can be to win in this conference. It’s one or two plays each game. Right now, we haven’t made those plays. But I believe we’re going to.”
As the Gamecocks (2-4) entered their bye week, every position would be re-examined.
As a fifth-year senior, quarterback Perry Orth understands Muschamp and hopes to display the leadership needed to turn around USC’s fortunes in the final six games.
“You’ve just got to get ready to work this week,” Orth said. “Coach is trying to motivate us. All positions are open. You’ve got to attack every day like you’re not going to play.”
The USC offense has struggled throughout the season. The coaching staff has gone back and forth between Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain as the starting quarterback.
Both have had to play without the Gamecocks’ top receiving threats at times and behind an inconsistent line.
Despite the struggles, which have led to the Gamecocks averaging a meager 14.2 points per game, Orth believes there is time to turn things around.
“It just hasn’t come together yet. I believe it is going to,” Orth said. “Right now, we’re still working, still figuring things out. We have so many young guys that haven’t played and that are still learning how to play. It’s challenging at first, but I believe we are going to turn it around.”
Whether or not there is a way to turn the corner with the available talent on hand is debatable.
Having a bye week before returning to action against UMass could allow the team to concentrate on eliminating things that have held the team back.
“It’s just like when you’re playing baseball and you’re in a slump,” Orth said. “The only way to get out of a slump is to just believe you’ll get out of one.”
From a win-loss standpoint, the season is similar to 2015 when coach Steve Spurrier stepped down at midseason with a 2-4 record and USC finished with a 3-9 record. Orth hopes the Gamecocks have more wins ahead in 2016.
“We can either throw in the towel or strap it up and get ready to roll,” Orth said. “You just know how tough it can be to win in this conference. It’s one or two plays each game. Right now, we haven’t made those plays. But I believe we’re going to.”
