Last Saturday, South Carolina football quarterback LaNorris Sellers was sacked late in the 1st half as the Gamecocks were fighting to put some points on the board before the intermission. Not only did the sack knock the offense out of reasonable field goal range, it also knocked Sellers out of the game as, other than an ill-advised comeback attempt for one drive, the redshirt freshman did not play again, and backup Robby Ashford played the position in his stead.
During a quick halftime interview, Gamecock head coach said that Sellers seemed to be dealing with an ankle issue, something that he confirmed after the game. "Sprain" is the only real descriptor for Sellers' injury since then, so his status for this weekend's game against Akron (and his availability moving forward) has been in question. Sellers says he wants to play, while Beamer has been very noncommittal when asked about his young quarterback.
According to a report from 247Sports' Matt Zenitz, Beamer and his coaching staff have made their decision on the matter, at least for this week.
Zenitz says that a source close to the South Carolina football program has revealed that Robby Ashford will be the Gamecock starter this Saturday against Akron. If Sellers sits for the whole game, the absence will afford him nearly three total weeks to heal from the LSU game as USC has a Bye next week before welcoming the Ole Miss Rebels to Columbia on the first Saturday of October.
Ashford, who has some starting experience from his time with the Auburn Tigers, is viewed by many as a run-first quarterback, but he did have some successful stretches as a passer on the Plains, as well. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains likely will game plan for Ashford to throw the ball in advantageous situations as a means of building his confidence (in case he has to play more this season), while also allowing him to do what he does best as a runner.
The Gamecocks and Zips will play in front of a sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium at 7:30 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU and streamed on the ESPN app.