 "Photo: Nick Esares / The Gamecock")
The Gamecock defense's mediocre performance through the first six games of the season has left many USC fans wondering whether what was supposed to be the team's strong point might actually be its weakness.
One of the areas of most concern has been tackling.
"Our linebackers need to make more tackles. I think we all agree with that," USC coach Steve Spurrier said during his a Tuesday news conference.
This week, in an attempt to rejuvenate the defense, co-defensive coordinator John Thompson gave sophomore linebacker Dustin Lindsey the nod to start against Vanderbilt.
Lindsey will start in place of senior linebacker Ricardo Hurley, who's been on the roster as the starting middle linebacker for every game of the season before this week. Hurley is second only to sophomore free safety Ko Simpson for total tackles on the season; he has 42 tackles, including 27 solo stops. Hurley is also ranked 10th in the SEC in tackles for a loss with six and is tied for fifth in forced fumbles with two. The senior had started 17 straight games in a Carolina uniform.
Simpson, named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after posting a game-high 13 tackles two weeks ago against Kentucky, leads the team with 50 tackles, including 29 solo stops.
Spurrier was vocal Tuesday about more of his defensive players needing to increase their physicality.
"Our front seven need to make more (tackles) instead of relying on Ko back there to make about all of (them)," Spurrier said.
Thompson added Lindsey to the starting lineup after Lindsey made five tackles and recovered a fumble against Kentucky.
"He just told me that I deserved it; I've been working hard every week, and he's going to give me a chance this week to show what I've got," Lindsey said when asked about Thompson's motivation for changing the lineup.
Lindsey is excited about the chance to prove himself on the field as a starter, and said he plans to play as hard as he can and hopefully keep the starting spot. The anticipation of his first start is only heightened by starting alongside his twin brother, sophomore defensive end Jordin Lindsey.
"I've got a lot of family coming up, especially since it is going to be the first game that my brother and I are starting together; it's going to be fun," Dustin said.
In the past week, the defense has stepped up its drills during conditioning, increasing time spent on tackling drills, and Lindsey said he feels the Gamecocks will have something for Vanderbilt during the Homecoming game Saturday.
"We've got a great defense this week. ... Our coaches work hard trying to get everything where we can stop the run and the pass, so we are pretty confident about this week," Lindsey said.
It appears Spurrier is hoping to hit on some noticeably absent chemistry among his defensive players by rewarding hard-working athletes such as Lindsey. The Gamecocks are allowing their opponents to score 75.9 percent of the time when entering the red zone, a statistic the team and fans would certainly like to see improved upon.
Spurrier said to fans that Hurley would play during the game and said the lineup change will "... hopefully keep the guys a little fresher. ...We are trying to give guys opportunities that can make some tackles."
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