South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shula met with the media this week to discuss the Gamecocks' offensive struggles and preview Saturday's matchup with Kentucky at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET. Here is everything Shula had to say on Wednesday:
When asked about coaching LaNorris Sellers for the next level as part of his preparation: “None. I mean, we’re getting ready to go win football games.”
Shula said the lack of consistency on the ground isn't tied to one position or player. “We just got to be better overall. I mean, it’s all of us. It’s coaching and playing better. It’s up front, it’s the backs, it’s a little bit of all of us.”
Shula also emphasized balance, even when the run game isn't clicking. “You always want to be balanced… if you kind of stay ahead of the chains, and you stay out of long yarded situations, then all that stuff ties in better with the pass and run.”
He praised the receivers for producing big plays but wants to see more consistency on the field. “Guys running by people for big plays, guys getting open on zones, and guys taking short passes and getting yards after the catch. Just got to see more of it.”
The fine line between extending and avoiding sacks is a big part of Sellers' development. “You can’t take the freedom away from him… You have to be careful, as a coach, telling a player, ‘Hey, don’t do this,’ and then all of a sudden, you’re applauding him when he does what you’re not telling him to do, but he breaks the tackle and runs for 30 yards. So it’s hard. It’s a fine line.”
Even with a struggling run game, Shula believes play-action opens opportunities. “Maybe some of the reasons that the run game struggled… were the reasons why we got some explosive plays in the passing game.”
Shula defended the decision to throw on first and goal from the two-yard line. “If it’s wide open and you’re saying, ‘Ah, that’s a great call!’… Those are things you’ve got to live with as a play caller all through your career. You just hate for it to be a second and long after.”
Despite the low yards after contact last week, Shula expressed confidence in his backs, saying, "Our guys can run and run behind their pads and push the pile. Our guys can break tackles. Our guys can make people miss."
Besides Sellers, Shula pointed to Brady Hunt as a steady leader. Shula also highlighted Dre Jacob's progress and the constant battle for snaps. “There might be different guys this week on the field that weren’t on the field last week. Competition… gets the most out of each individual.”
Shula also admitted that the offense has to clean up the negative plays and the penalties. “We’ve gotta be better, obviously. We gotta move the ball better. We gotta stay out of negative plays. We have to be more successful on first and second down.”
Shula said free rushers aren't just an offensive line problem, stating that the line needed to all be on point, between the offensive linemen to the backs to the tight ends, each of them need to do their job.
And finally, Shula said the staff wants to use Sellers outside of the pocket, but not recklessly. “There’s a time and place for all of them… He throws, he does a really good job on the run, but he’s also a good pocket passer.”
Bottom line: Shula stressed accountability across the offense and balance in play-calling. The Gamecocks will need both if they want to bounce back against Kentucky on Saturday night.