A brutal 31-7 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores last Saturday has many several South Carolina Gamecocks fans dreading the direction the season seems to be headed in. The injury to quarterback LaNorris Sellers did not make matters better. Because without South Carolinas Superman at quarterback, the Gamecocks don't have much of a chance to compete in the SEC this year.
Despite the embarrassing performance on Saturday, there is still hope for Carolina football. A select few players have shined through the first three games, remaining bright spots on a dull start to the season.
Here are three of those players:
Vicari Swain, CB/PR
Swain was solely responsible for providing a much-needed spark in the first two weeks of the seasons. His three punt return touchdowns tied a single-season school record. And with at least nine games left to play, expect to hear Swain's name more throughout the season.
Defensively, Swain has three tackles and a forced fumble. While the Gamecocks may need another Swain punt return to re-spark the momentum of the season, Swain is expected to make more big plays, swinging South Carolina's season back in the right direction.
Rahsul Faison, RB
Faison had a bit of a limited role in Week 1 against Virginia Tech, but he's since been the feature back ahead of Oscar Adaway. Faison has 135 rushing yards and one touchdown on 27 carries. His five yards per carry leads the team.
While Faison has been limited in the passing game with just four catches for one yard, his longest reception only three yards, that production should improve as the season moves forward.
Brandon Cisse, DB
The junior from Sumter, S.C. is finally getting a full-time opportunity, and he is certainly making the best of it. Cisse has 11 tackles, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. Cisse has arguably turned into the best defensive back so far this season. This claim comes as a bit of a surprise considering DQ Smith and Jalon Kilgore are on the team as well.
Fred Johnson, Dylan Stewart, and Donovan Murph just missed out on the list, but those three are each having solid seasons of their own.
Needless to say, South Carolina will need a total team effort to pull off a massive upset Saturday in Columbia, Missouri.
A brutal 31-7 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores last Saturday has many several South Carolina Gamecocks fans dreading the direction the season seems to be headed in. The injury to quarterback LaNorris Sellers did not make matters better. Because without South Carolinas Superman at quarterback, the Gamecocks don't have much of a chance to compete in the SEC this year.
Despite the embarrassing performance on Saturday, there is still hope for Carolina football. A select few players have shined through the first three games, remaining bright spots on a dull start to the season.
Here are three of those players:
Vicari Swain, CB/PR
Swain was solely responsible for providing a much-needed spark in the first two weeks of the seasons. His three punt return touchdowns tied a single-season school record. And with at least nine games left to play, expect to hear Swain's name more throughout the season.
Defensively, Swain has three tackles and a forced fumble. While the Gamecocks may need another Swain punt return to re-spark the momentum of the season, Swain is expected to make more big plays, swinging South Carolina's season back in the right direction.
Rahsul Faison, RB
Faison had a bit of a limited role in Week 1 against Virginia Tech, but he's since been the feature back ahead of Oscar Adaway. Faison has 135 rushing yards and one touchdown on 27 carries. His five yards per carry leads the team.
While Faison has been limited in the passing game with just four catches for one yard, his longest reception only three yards, that production should improve as the season moves forward.
Brandon Cisse, DB
The junior from Sumter, S.C. is finally getting a full-time opportunity, and he is certainly making the best of it. Cisse has 11 tackles, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. Cisse has arguably turned into the best defensive back so far this season. This claim comes as a bit of a surprise considering DQ Smith and Jalon Kilgore are on the team as well.
Fred Johnson, Dylan Stewart, and Donovan Murph just missed out on the list, but those three are each having solid seasons of their own.
South Carolina will need a total team effort to pull off a massive upset Saturday in Columbia, Missouri.