The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – South Carolina – INSIDE SLANT
University of South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier told Dylan Thompson on Thursday he would be the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback in their game against East Carolina. The team’s normal starter, Connor Shaw, was unable to compete due to a bone bruise in his right shoulder.
Thompson struggled in relief of Shaw in Carolina’s opener against Vanderbilt, but the redshirt sophomore was ready to go against East Carolina as he got off to a quick start and never let up in leading the Gamecocks to a 48-10 victory, completing 21 of 37 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
“Dylan was good,” said Spurrier. “He was ready to play, had a lot of confidence. He was in command out there. He had a few bad plays. Hopefully he can learn from them.”
Thompson connected with 11 receivers as the passing offense progressed by leaps and bounds over the team’s initial outing when it managed only 67 yards through the air.
USC defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward has preached since spring the need for the Gamecocks defense to force turnovers. That happened against East Carolina as the Gamecocks picked off four passes and recovered a fumble. Due to the fast-paced, quick-release Pirates offense, they managed only one sack after getting five against Vanderbilt.
East Carolina picked up 403 yards of total offense, but a lot of it came in the final 20 minutes when the Gamecocks were playing their reserves.
“I thought overall, especially the first (team) defense, played well,” said Ward. “They got some junk yardage in with the young guys, but we need to get them some experience. … We are creatures of habit and when you practice (forcing turnovers), that’s what they’ll revert back to. We try to teach them the fundamentals of taking the football. We’d like to have interceptions, but we can create turnovers by taking the ball.”
The Gamecocks host Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday.
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NCAAF Team Report – South Carolina – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: With a non-Southeastern Conference game against Alabama-Birmingham next on the schedule, South Carolina will attempt to continue to improve on both sides of the football. USC coach Steve Spurrier feels the Gamecocks did that on offense, despite playing behind reserve QB Dylan Thompson. The team was effective in the passing game, picking up 333 yards through the air. Although the Gamecocks defense gave up more yards to East Carolina than it did in its initial encounter, it forced five turnovers, which pleased defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward.
–Despite playing in front of an announced crowd of 77,006 at Williams-Brice Stadium, Spurrier chastised Gamecocks fans, as many left at halftime with the team owning a 21-0 lead. “I know all our fans are excited about the improvements that have been made in the area surrounding the stadium, but I looked up when we came back after the half and it looked like everyone was gone. Please, we need you to stay. All the activities will wait,” said Spurrier.
–The Gamecocks never appeared to get caught off guard against the fast-paced East Carolina offense as it always quickly got back to the line and adjusted their calls before the Pirates could get off a play. “We played against two scout teams,” said senior FS D.J. Swearinger. “One would huddle while the other was running a play. As soon as the play was over, the other squad would run to the line.”
–South Carolina extended its winning streak to six games, tying for third longest in school history. In addition, Spurrier extended his career record to 19-0 at USC and 45-0 against teams outside the BCS automatic conferences. It was also Spurrier’s 199th victory as a collegiate head coach.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Whether or not QB Connor Shaw, who is suffering a bruise in the bone of his right shoulder, will be ready to return to action against Alabama-Birmingham remains a question mark. Spurrier says a decision will be made on Thursday, depending on how well his starting quarterback can pass the ball and how much pain he’s in. If he isn’t ready, Dylan Thompson will again get the start.
LOOKING GOOD: With Alshon Jeffery now playing for the Chicago Bears, there was concern as to whether the remaining receivers would have what it takes to step up and fill the void. That happened against East Carolina, as Thompson connected with 11 different targets with eight catching two or more passes. TE Rory Anderson led the way, catching four passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns, while WR D.L. Moore had two receptions for 45 yards and two scores.
STILL NEEDS WORK: East Carolina racked up three sacks against USC and would have had more if Thompson had not broken free on a few other attempts. USC switched things up, moving Mike Matulis from right to left tackle, while Cody Gibson got the call at right. Brandon Shell, who started at left tackle against Vanderbilt, came off the bench.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The coolest thing was this morning (the receivers) all came to my room and said: `We’ve got your back. You just take the snaps and we’re going to be there and be open.’ I thought that was so cool of them. The guys we have — Ace (Sanders), Bruce (Ellington), Nick (Jones), Justice (Cunningham), D.L. (Moore) — they are just leaders naturally. They came in there and gave me a big boost. I was ready to go then.” — USC QB Dylan Thompson, on a visit from the team’s receiving corps, Saturday morning prior to its game against East Carolina.
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NCAAF Team Report – South Carolina – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–RB Marcus Lattimore rushed for only 40 yards on 13 carries against East Carolina, but his six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was the 33rd of his collegiate career. That ties George Rogers and Harold Green for most in a Gamecocks career.
–WR Ace Sanders completed his second career touchdown pass against East Carolina with a 16-yarder to D.L. Moore in the fourth quarter.
–LB Shaq Wilson recorded his second interception in as many games this season. It is the fourth in his career.
–CB Jimmy Legree picked up the first interception of his career in the third quarter. He returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, making the first pick-six for the team since end Devin Taylor had a 48-yarder against Arkansas on Nov. 5, 2011.
–FS D. J. Swearinger picked up his fifth career interception in the third quarter.
ROSTER REPORT
–QB Connor Shaw missed Saturday’s game with a bone bruise in his right shoulder. Whether or not he will be able to return this week will probably be determined on Thursday.
–DE Jadeveon Clowney suffered a rib contusion against East Carolina but is not expected to miss any action.
–RB Brandon Wilds remains out with an ankle sprain. He has yet to play this season.
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