Will Muschamp addressed the media via conference call Sunday: We’re evaluating everything

[FeatheredCock]

Will Muschamp addressed the media via conference call Sunday: We’re evaluating everything 

Sept. 01, 2019 | sportstalk.com

Will Muschamp addressed the media via conference call Sunday to preview South Carolina‘s Week 2 matchup with Charleston Southern. But after the Gamecocks suffered a devastating loss to North Carolina as a double-digit favorite Saturday, all of the questions Coach Muschamp faced were in reference to correcting the mistakes his team made in the season opener.

While Muschamp admitted Jake Bentley didn’t play well (16-30, 142 yards, 1 TD, 2 int’s), he was quick to point out he received little support from his offensive line or receiving corps.

Charleston Southern also rolls in at 0-1, falling at Furman 46-13. The Gamecocks open the home slate against the Buccaneers Saturday at noon.

KEY COMMENTS FROM WILL MUSCHAMP:

• Extremely disappointed to give up back-to-back touchdown drive of more than 90 yards. We always tell our guys games come down to three or four plays and we didn’t make those plays.
  
• We had plenty of opportunities … but Jake (Bentley) needs to throw the ball better.
  
• We didn‘t play well at the wide receiver position, either. There were some routes run incorrectly, so Jake expected them to be one place and they were another. Jake didn‘t play well, but we didn‘t play well around him, either.
  
• On potential change at QB position: We‘re evaluating everything.
  
• Pleased with the play of both Rico Dowdle and Tavien Feaster. Thought they got all they could get.
  
• On missed tackles: A couple of our guys don‘t bring their feet and wrap up.
  
• There were four 50-50 balls and they got three of them. One on a third down and two for touchdowns.
  
• We‘re going to look at different combinations along the offensive line. We gave up too much penetration.
  
• There is good leadership on this team … kids are resilient. They are responding the right way and are very coachable.
  
• OrTre Smith and AJ Turner were held out of the first game with shoulder injuries but are both expected to be available for the home opener against Charleston Southern.
  

 


 

 

[Senior Rooster]

I know NC was not SOLELY the QB's fault. However, it seemed the Coach seemed to repeat that over and over.

I don't think we'll be seeing a new QB any time soon.

 

[Gamecocks1137]

Yeah, just more excuses from Coach. He really needs to bench Bentley and play Hillinski. If he wants to salvage his job in anyway, he should really consider making that call. Because the boosters are pissed. 

 

[Cockyandproud]

Yeah, just more excuses from Coach. He really needs to bench Bentley and play Hillinski. If he wants to salvage his job in anyway, he should really consider making that call. Because the boosters are pissed. 

I’m really getting that vibe, right now. It seems like Gamecock Nation has lost patience with this staff after this loss. 

I understand the feeling. It’s not very comforting to hear how great a team is, and then see them crap the bed like that. 

I have a feeling this is not going to end well. 

 

[C miller]

The first time in my 40 years of being a true gamecock I'm ashamed of being a fan!  It's not just the staff it's the players too! The offense line can't block or open up any holes for the running backs! Also, there slow of the ball to even try to open up a run lane.  And let me get to the d-line they are the worst! There even slower getting off the ball !  with that being said you don't have to be a top 5 prospect or all the talent in the world if you don't have the heart and play as a team you won't win! I've seen lessor talent with heart out play top prospects.  I've seen my middle a OG 5"11 push one of the top recruits that South Carolina took off the ball half the night in a high school football game so they moved the d-1 prospect to the other side of the d-line also he done the same to a all acc 1st team Clemson offense line man, our couch told everyone that if my son was6"3 or taller he would had offers to any d-1 football teams across the country. What I was getting at was that he played with heart and for the team not himself  and for I've seen last  year there individual play no heart or even like they even wanted to play the game at time and it carry over to this year!

 

[Mr Ed]

Biggest disappointment was Dline and Oline.   Those are not SEC units.  I drank the talking season cool-aid and now I’m mad.  Also our linebackers still suck with no help in sight for next few years.

Why was a true freshman CB in the game with NC in the red zone and the game on the line? 

Where the hell was “NFL ready” DJ Wonnum?  

Hank Manos 2nd start at center was as bad as his 1st (Virginia).  Our line hasn’t been the same since he’s been on the field.

We still suck in the red zone and we have zero attitude.  UNC made fools out of our OLineman tricking them to  jump early multiple times and laughing about it.  

Bryan Edwards still has the drops, and apparently his gaudy career stats are owed to Deebo Samuel’s double teams  over the years.  And Shi Smith with all his moves can’t seem to be found or consistently get open. 

We suck against mid-level opponents in neutral site games going back to Spurrier era.  See every bowl game  loss since 2007. 

On a brighter note: Our special teams are really really good.  Best I’ve seen in a long long time.  Feaster and Dowdle would run amok on just about any other SEC team not Carolina.  Kyle Markaway is a legit SEC tight end.

 

[Cockyandproud]

Biggest disappointment was Dline and Oline.   Those are not SEC units.  I drank the talking season cool-aid and now I’m mad.  Also our linebackers still suck with no help in sight for next few years.

Why was a true freshman CB in the game with NC in the red zone and the game on the line? 

Where the hell was “NFL ready” DJ Wonnum?  

Hank Manos 2nd start at center was as bad as his 1st (Virginia).  Our line hasn’t been the same since he’s been on the field.

We still suck in the red zone and we have zero attitude.  UNC made fools out of our OLineman tricking them to  jump early multiple times and laughing about it.  

Bryan Edwards still has the drops, and apparently his gaudy career stats are owed to Deebo Samuel’s double teams  over the years.  And Shi Smith with all his moves can’t seem to be found or consistently get open. 

We suck against mid-level opponents in neutral site games going back to Spurrier era.  See every bowl game  loss since 2007. 

On a brighter note: Our special teams are really really good.  Best I’ve seen in a long long time.  Feaster and Dowdle would run amok on just about any other SEC team not Carolina.  Kyle Markaway is a legit SEC tight end.

I don’t know the answer, because I can’t see where all the receivers are on TV, but I find it really odd that our receivers can’t ever seem to get open against any team, but at the end of the game, Shi was open twice in the end zone, and Bentley missed him both times. 

 

[Senior Rooster]

I don’t know the answer, because I can’t see where all the receivers are on TV, but I find it really odd that our receivers can’t ever seem to get open against any team, but at the end of the game, Shi was open twice in the end zone, and Bentley missed him both times. 

I believe they were open - bent just didn't see them.

 

[Cockyandproud]

I believe they were open - bent just didn't see them.

That’s what I was thinking.

 

[Cockyandproud]

I also wonder, and it’s nothing more than that, how the O line will protect Hilinski. I have no idea the team dynamic, and how they feel about each QB. Perhaps, if they feel they have a shot to win with a different QB, will they protect him better?

 

[AC/DC/GC]

Jake held the ball too long, as usual. I suppose I should be used to it by now. Holding the ball that long defines indecision and inconsistency, again, something that has long been part of his career. A simple pitch and catch cannot be that hard. After all, a freshman quarterback did that to us all game. Throw the ball 5-6 yards and let the WR or RB gain a couple YAC; the first downs will add up and you will soon be in the end zone. Running lanes will open up and so will the long ball.  hope Hilinski will show better form. I still like Jake, but I think his time as QB1 has come to an end. He should look into coaching given his football IQ. Maybe a student-coach?

 

[Cockyandproud]

Jake held the ball too long, as usual. I suppose I should be used to it by now. Holding the ball that long defines indecision and inconsistency, again, something that has long been part of his career. A simple pitch and catch cannot be that hard. After all, a freshman quarterback did that to us all game. Throw the ball 5-6 yards and let the WR or RB gain a couple YAC; the first downs will add up and you will soon be in the end zone. Running lanes will open up and so will the long ball.  hope Hilinski will show better form. I still like Jake, but I think his time as QB1 has come to an end. He should look into coaching given his football IQ. Maybe a student-coach?

I agree with your assessment.  I also wonder if the Defense has time to rest, instead of coming in after a 3 and out, if they will be better.  Hopefully after the loss, they will be more intense, and have some more tenacity.