Those Week One Jitters – Here we go Again
By Kyle S Brown
Credit: Brad Barr-US PRESSWIRE
I saw a Carolina Football shirt yesterday that did a good job of summarizing the type of game week we’ve become accustomed to here at South Carolina. It simply read “Anticipate. Dominate. Celebrate.” I, for one, am clinging a bit too much to the anticipation part of that formula for success. We have crept into the early morning hours and it’s official, tomorrow is game day. For some reason, I can’t shake the butterflies in my stomach. I felt this way last week too, but I chalked it up to first game jitters. Now, there’s a huge question mark…quarterback.
Connor Shaw took a beating last Thursday at Vanderbilt, but displayed the heart of a warrior by returning and refusing to let his Gamecock team fall in Nashville. Without his return and gutsy play, this team is 0-1 – no doubt about it. He’s now listed as a game time decision for tomorrow’s noon kickoff with an East Carolina team that gave the Gamecocks fits last year in Charlotte. Though all indications point to a Shaw start.
He took the start in that game as well. In the first quarter he was both inches and miles from greatness. We watched as he just missed several big downfield passes. We also watched as he fumbled early allowing ECU to take command and put an unexpected first half whipping on the good guys. Fortunately for Gamecock Nation, we had somewhere to turn…Steven Garcia.
Garcia came into the game and pulled the Gamecocks’ proverbial foot from the grave. He rejuvenated a football team that easily could have folded. At the end of the day, Garcia led the Gamecocks to a decisive victory. I have no doubt that Connor is a capable quarterback. Nor do I doubt that he gives our team the best shot at victory week-in and week-out. But, what if he can’t play? What if he goes down again?
Who do we have to turn to then? Dylan Thompson looked like a deer in the headlights last week at Vandy. Seth Strickland didn’t appear quite as badly shaken, though he was far from impressive. That’s a wake up call for us all, Carolina. That’s how quickly we can be looking at a 3rd string QB. Everyone is going to say “That’s ok, we can zone read with Marcus and win.” I say, that’s easier said than done when your opponent doesn’t respect your ability to stretch the field and throw the ball.
There is no doubt that we need Connor to enjoy long-term success this season. We need him healthy, strong and confident. Can we win tomorrow without him? Yes. Will it be a lot closer (and uglier) than it should be? You can bet on it. Especially against an East Carolina program that has tasted victory in their last three trips to Williams-Brice.