South Carolina football: 3 good, 3 bad from win over East Carolina
By Jacob Elsey
The bad from South Carolina football.
Offensive line struggles
The offensive line struggled for a second straight week, failing to open up holes for South Carolina rushers, and allowing three sacks and seven tackles for loss to Pirate defenders. This came a week after a subpar performance against Eastern Illinois.
That has to change this weekend with maybe the best defense in college football on the slate.
The Gamecocks only averaged 2.7 yards per rush against East Carolina, with just one running back recording more than five yards a carry. The sacks compounded the issues, as the team finished with only 106 rushing yards against a defense that just gave up 226 to Appalachian State the week prior.
If that continues, the Gamecocks have no shot against Georgia.
Fumbles
The Gamecocks lost two fumbles, had another nearly end a scoring drive, and saw a botched snap end a first half series. It was ugly.
The two fumbles lost were crucial as one set up an East Carolina touchdown on a short field. The other came at the goal line as the Gamecocks were about to score their first points of the game. Rather than crossing the pylon for a touchdown, the ball was punched out of the back of the endzone to set the Pirates up with the ball and successfully end the Gamecocks’ best drive of the day.
Turnovers nearly cost the team the game. Ball security has to be key moving forward.
Penalties
South Carolina was flagged at least four times for targeting, although all were ultimately overturned. Cam Smith was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on a pass breakup, which kept a Pirates’ drive going. Holding calls nixed a couple of big plays.
In all, the Gamecocks committed eight penalties for a second straight week. The 16 offenses currently rank as the 99th most in college football, while the total penalty yardage ranks 69th.
The Gamecocks don’t have a strong enough team to overcome self-inflicted wounds. This has to be an area of focus moving through the rest of the year.
Related Story. Predicting the Gamecocks' regular season record. light