(A version of the following ran in Monday’s editions, but figured I’d include it here for reader comments on what the Gamecocks need to accomplish over the next 10 days.)
Preseason camp is over, classes have started, and South Carolina opens its season Sept. 2 against Southern Miss.
The State examines the highs and lows from preseason drills:
Offense
SETTLED: Where did all these receivers come from? USC was in good shape with Alshon Jeffery and Tori Gurley returning. But strong showings from freshman Ace Sanders and a number of redshirt freshmen have made this the Gamecocks’ deepest position. …
Freshman tailback Marcus Lattimore has lived up to his hype. The sturdy back runs hard, never begs out of a drill and has been surprisingly adept at pass-blocking, something he was seldom asked to do at Byrnes High. If he doesn’t start against Southern Miss, he will get the bulk of the carries.
UNSETTLED: It’s a little surprising Stephen Garcia hasn’t taken control of the quarterback battle. That might speak more to Connor Shaw’s abilities than anything Garcia has or hasn’t done, although Spurrier continues to question how much Garcia studies the playbook. …
First-year offensive line coach Shawn Elliott is beginning to see his unit gain confidence. And while the starting front five should be solid, injuries have hurt the line’s depth. …
Weslye Saunders’ performance Saturday (four catches for 63 yards and a TD) further demonstrated how critical the big tight end is to the offense. If the NCAA rules Saunders must sit more than a game, it would be a huge blow.
QUOTE: “We’ve got an excellent group of receivers that are running good routes. They catch about everything if they have a chance at it. We should have a good offense, but our quarterback play’s got to be good. And right now it’s not real good,” – Spurrier.
Defense
SETTLED: When discussing the daily battles with USC’s secondary, Jeffery reminded reporters the Gamecocks had one of the nation’s top pass defenses in 2009. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is on a couple of preseason watch lists for national defensive awards, and Chris Culliver, the other corner, says he hopes quarterbacks will test him. …
Ellis Johnson, assistant head coach for defense, was concerned about where the pass rush would come from when Eric Norwood left. But the defense sacked Garcia five times in the opening scrimmage. Sophomore end Devin Taylor appears ready for a breakout year.
UNSETTLED: Linebacker Shaq Wilson, one of the cogs of the defense, has been sidelined nearly the entire preseason with a hamstring injury. Wilson, the team’s leading tackler in 2009, is shifting from the middle to Norwood’s weak-side spot. It is imperative Wilson return at full speed for the blitz schemes to be effective. …
Many of the second-teamers have not challenged the starters as much as Johnson would have liked. With no clear backup to DeVonte Holloman at strong safety, coaches are cross-training D.J. Swearinger at both safety spots.
QUOTE: “I’ve seen Shaq Wilson one-and-a-half practices. And when he’s not in there our (defensive) quarterback’s gone,” – Johnson.
Special teams
SETTLED: Spencer Lanning gives USC a reliable place-kicker and punter. The senior from Rock Hill is on the Groza Award watch list after making 17-of-20 field goals in 2009.
UNSETTLED: Special teams coordinator Shane Beamer believes the kickoff coverage will be better after struggling last season. But it’s hard to mimic game-speed special teams in practice without running the risk of injury.
QUOTE: “We don’t get to play four preseason games like those NFL teams do. … The first time you line up and cover a kick, it’s the first time you’ve done it for real. The first time you go out and kick a field goal, it’s the first time you’ve done it for real,” – Beamer.