The South Carolina Gamecocks held their first scrimmage with mixed results. Overall, the indications out of the closed event are positive yet work is still to be done as the season is right around the corner.
Here are a few tidbits from the scrimmage:
- For the QBs – Stephen Garcia (9-of-15, 92 yards) was the starter, but Connor Shaw (9-of-11, 142 yards, 2 TDs) played strong. Still feel Garcia is the #1 no matter if Shaw outshines in the practices. So don’t listen to QB controversary talks.
- Freshman wide receiver Damiere Byrd finished the day with 3 catches for 84 yards and 1 touchdown. Byrd continues to impress and has earned some PT this fall. Speed kills and Byrd has it.
- Really liking this WR unit as it has all the right weapons – mix of size, speed, good hands and good routes.
- Bruce Ellington, much like Damiere Byrd, continues to impress and do all the right things. Ellington played QB in the “Wildcat” formation that yielded 20 yards and later a hand off to Eric Baker for a six-yard touchdown run. Ellington also caught three passes for 37 yards, including a seven-yard TD pass from Shaw. Bruce is a playmaker so USC must find ways to give him the ball in space.
- The running backs had a solid day led by true freshman Shon Carson who had 56 yards on nine carries. True freshman Brandon Wilds added 36 yards on 7 carries but should be considered a redshirt candidate. Eric Baker had a touchdown run with his 14 yards on 5 carries. He did also 22 yards receiving on 3 catches. Carson is making a run to avoid the redshirt which I for one seemed to be torn on that issue. Kenny Miles and Eric Baker are enough to back-up Marcus Lattimore but Carson is making a case for some PT….is it enough to burn a redshirt year?
- Marcus Lattimore, Alshon Jeffery and some others did not really partake in the scrimmage. That is a good thing. Knowing this, realize that the offense could have been much better if those guys got the majority of the reps but the purpose of this scrimmage is to evaluate depth.
- With Brison Williams having a broke arm, Sharrod Golightly took snaps at both safety positions to try and fill the void. Let’s hope Golightly steps up as the Gamecocks need it.
- Linebacker Quin Smith suffered a mild concussion but is expected to be okay.
- Ellis Johnson said afterwards that Melvin Ingram and Devin Taylor were his starters at the defensive end position. He did say that freshman Jadeveon Clowney will be in the rotation heavily.
SCORING PLAYS:
Damiere Byrd 65-yard pass from Connor Shaw (Jay Wooten kick)
Eric Baker 6-yard run (Adam Yates kick) Rory Anderson 20-yard pass from Dylan Thompson (Wooten kick)
Yates 32-yard field goal
Wooten 41-yard field goal
Bruce Ellington 7-yard pass from Shaw (Yates kick)
Brandon Wilds 11-yard pass from Andrew Clifford (Landon Ard kick)
PASSING:
Connor Shaw 9-11-0-147, 2 TD; Stephen Garcia 9-15-0-92; Dylan Thompson 5-9-0-57, 1 TD; Andrew Clifford 4-7-0-50, 1 TD; Tanner McEvoy 1-3-0-1. TOTALS: 28-45-0-347, 4 TD.
RUSHING:
Shon Carson 9-56; Brandon Wilds 7-36; Bruce Ellington 3-20; Eric Baker 5-14, 1 TD; Josh Hinch 1-5; Kenny Miles 1-(-5); Connor Shaw 1-(-5); Stephen Garcia 3-(-8); Andrew Clifford 1-(-8). TOTALS: 31-105, 1 TD.
RECEIVING:
Damiere Byrd 3-84, 1 TD; Bruce Ellington 3-37, 1 TD; Eric Baker 3-22; Nick Jones 2-33; Brandon Wilds 2-20, 1 TD; Drew Owens 2-20; Corey Simmons 2-9; Rory Anderson 1-20, 1 TD; Justice Cunningham 1-20; DeAngelo Smith 1-16; Shamier Jeffery 1-13; Payton Brady 1-13; Lamar Scruggs 1-13; Marcus Lattimore 1-11; Jason Barnes 1-11; D.L. Moore 1-3; Kenny Miles 1-1; Blair Lowery 1-1. TOTALS: 28-347, 4 TD.
In summary, the Gamecocks had a good first scrimmage. All good from what can be seen and the only negative is the defense did not field a turnover. That is like looking at a half filled glass of water but it does raise eyebrows. Most happy that there is no big injuries to report and keep in mind through these type things is that the offense and defense plays are simple and stars sit. So before you provide snide remarks or “what if’s” know that these type things are done to see what the rest of the roster is all about.
