UK FOOTBALL PREVIEW: South Carolina Gamecocks
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Will Muschamp unexpectedly led South Carolina to a bowl game in 2016. Now in his second season with the Gamecocks, expectations are a little higher for the former Florida head coach.
South Carolina had more question marks than perhaps any other SEC East team last season, but the Gamecocks found some answers on both sides of the ball and were picked to finish fourth in the East by the league media.
Kentucky has won three in a row against South carolina. The two teams will play in the third game of the season in Williams-Brice Stadium. If the Wildcats are to truly contend in the SEC East, it’s crucial they beat the Gamecocks in their SEC opener.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Coach: Will Muschamp, 2nd season, 6-7. (6 seasons overall, 34-28)
2016 record: 6-7
Returning starters: 10 offense, 6 defense
Game time: 7:30 p.m. E.T. (TV: SEC Network)
THE OFFENSE
After skipping his senior season of high school to join the Gamecocks, Jake Bentley took over the starting role as a freshman last season. The 6-foot-4, 223-pound quarterback passed for 1,425 yards and nine touchdowns to four interceptions in seven games last season. His accuracy was among the most impressive traits during his first year. Bentley finished the season with a completion percentage at 65.8. He completed nearly 80 percent of his passes (22-28, 254 yards and two touchdowns) in a 31-21 win over Missouri.
At running back, sophomores Rico Dowdle and A.J. Turner will be expected to build off solid freshman seasons. Dowdle rushed for 764 yards and six touchdowns last season, while Turner had 497 yards and three touchdowns on 116 carries. North Carolina transfer Ty’Son Williams could also be in the mix for carries after sitting out last season.
Deebo Samuel is the top returning receiver for the Gamecocks. Samuel missed some time with injuries last season but still caught 59 passes for 783 yards. He carried the ball at times as well, finishing the year with 98 yards on 15 rushes and six touchdowns. Hayden Hurst, a tight end, is among the best in the conference. After switching to football after three years of minor league baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Hurst caught 42 passes for 530 yards as a freshman.
South Carolina returns four starters on the offensive line, but will be working under a new offensive line coach. Shawn Elliott took the head coaching position at Georgia State. Eric Wolford replaced Elliott and will have some experience to work with, but the Gamecocks' offensive line allowed 41 sacks and 102 tackles for loss last season.
THE DEFENSE
South Carolina’s defense will be happy to welcome back senior linebacker Skai Moore. Moore led the Gamecocks in tackles each of his first three seasons, but a herniated disk in his neck that required surgery caused him to miss last season. He’s healthy once again and will lead a solid linebacker group. Bryson Allen-Williams was second on the team with 75 tackles last year. Middle linebacker T.J. Brunson is listed as a starter after playing in 11 games as a freshman.
Most of South Carolina’s returning starters are in the secondary. Jamarcus King and Chris Lammons are the returning starters at cornerback, while incoming freshman Jamyest Williams could see action at the nickel position. The Gamecocks also have a few junior college transfers in the secondary who could see time.
The Gamecocks have questions along the defensive line after losing their starting defensive ends from last season. Darius English is gone after leading the team with 9 sacks last season. The development along the defensive line will play a major factor in whether South Carolina can be a darkhorse candidate in the SEC East this season.
