There were plenty of negatives from the game that will have the USC faithful fretting about the team's chances this weekend against the Kentucky Wildcats, but if one can look past the difficulties from the Gamecocks' season opener, there were some positives that could serve as launching points to more success for the team if things go well.
The brightest spot of the day was the South Carolina defensive front as the defensive ends, defensive tackles, and linebackers all performed well. The best position group of the game was that group of EDGE players, especially senior transfer portal addition Kyle Kennard and 5-star true freshman Dylan Stewart.
The dynamic duo completely dominated the ODU offensive tackles the entire game and found themselves named the co-SEC Defensive Linemen of the Week when the league announced the weekly honors on Monday.
Combining for 8 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, Kennard and Stewart set up the Gamecocks' only two touchdowns of the game. Kennard had a strip sack on Monarch quarterback Grant Wilson on the first drive of the game, setting Carolina up inside the 10-yard line for an easy score. Then, with ODU leading in the latter portion of the 4th quarter, Stewart punched the ball out on a keeper from Wilson, allowing the Gamecocks another easy touchdown opportunity late, one that proved to be the deciding score of the game.
In addition to this honor, Stewart also was named the National Freshman of the Week by 247Sports and the National Defensive Player of the Week by Pro Football Focus' college division (PFF College). He also was named the True Freshman of the Week by On3.
Overall, the Gamecock defense played well outside of two big plays, and Kennard and Stewart were two of the biggest reasons why. However, with a road trip to Lexington, Kentucky looming for this Saturday, South Carolina football fans are hoping to see the other side of the ball step up to give them a better chance at starting the 2024 campaign with a 2-0 mark.
The contest between the Gamecocks and the Wildcats will begin at 3:30 and will be broadcast on ABC and streamed on the ESPN app.