South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer and his team took down the Akron Zips 50-7 on Saturday despite playing all or most of the game without their top options at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver.
Rocket Sanders got hurt early in the game, but backup running back Oscar Adaway had 2 touchdown runs, and several other backs helped fill the void, as well. Wide receiver Jared Brown missed the game, but freshman Mazeo Bennett and senior transfer Gage Larvadain each had over 70 yards receiving (Bennett also added a touchdown).
However, with LaNorris Sellers dealing with an ankle issue, Robby Ashford didn't have a good performance in relief of the Gamecock starter; he had a great one.
The former Oregon Duck and Auburn Tiger quarterback started the game and put up over 360 yards of total offense, leading the team in both passing and rushing yardage. He also tallied 3 touchdowns (2 passing, 1 rushing) while throwing 0 interceptions and just 6 incompletions (at least 2 of which were drops).
Ashford's day wasn't perfect. As a natural scrambler, he never seems fully comfortable staying in the pocket, and he held onto the ball too long a few times. Those are about the only possible complaints from his performance, though, as #1 surpassed even the most optimistic of expectations and had a great night in Williams-Brice Stadium.
For his efforts, the college division at Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded Robby Ashford as the best quarterback of week 4, giving him a 93.8 mark, the highest by a Gamecock quarterback this season.
Ashford's big day gives the Gamecocks confidence that, if LaNorris Sellers is less than 100% for the game against Ole Miss on October 5th, there is an option who gives USC a chance to win.
The Gamecocks are enjoying their Bye this week, but whether it is Ashford or Sellers under center, they will have an upset on their minds next weekend.