The South Carolina Gamecocks football team has lost running back Marcus Lattimore for the year due to a torn ligament that will require surgery in a few weeks.
Coach Steve Spurrier said it best during the teleconference when he stated, “our worst fears have been realized.”
So true coach as this is a huge blow to the Gamecocks offensive scheme and it could not happen to a better person. Our first thought is for Lattimore and the hope that he will have a successful rehab and get well soon.
Lattimore was injured while blocking for Bruce Ellington in the fourth quarter. A Mississippi State defender, diving for Ellington, rolled into Lattimore who had his left leg planted in the ground. Lattimore concludes his sophomore season with 818 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He also had 19 receptions for 182 yards and one touchdown.
Our second thought is it is time for Brandon Wilds, Kenny Miles, Eric Baker and Bruce Ellington to step up as the running back going forward. Not to mention quarterback Connor Shaw and the entire offense. Expect to see Wilds get the start and hopefully he can seize the moment. He is a quaility back and should be able to fill in but he is not Lattimore. This will change the offense so Shaw has to play better going forward. Spurrier needs to call more short passing plays in the future and use them as run plays in a way.
This is the third USC running back to suffer an ACL injury this season. Coach Spurrier also revealed that redshirt freshman fullback Matt Coffee will miss the remainder of the season today with a torn knee ligament. Earlier in the year against UGA, freshman tailback Shon Carson suffered an ACL injury on his only carry of the game.
I guess only time will tell as to how the team responds to this and how this changes things but one thing is for certain this can not ruin the season. Yes – huge blow but there is so much left to be played. Time for the team to rally and play as one. The expectations of a SEC crown and BCS bowl still remain top goals. The team needs to say to themselves – “let’s do it for #21.”
