Redshirt freshman hopes to help spark passing game
Knowing his assignments is what gave Nick Jones the chance to shine against Navy when his number was called. Jones led all receivers with three catches for 52 yards in the win.
As Jones prepares to start this week against Vanderbilt, he knows the importance of his assignments. The passing game will be pitted against a secondary that is leading the country with 10 interceptions.
Though former Byrnes High School teammate Marcus Lattimore was the first to hear the news that Jones will start against the Commodores, Jones had the chance to tell his parents, who had some advice for him.
"They were pretty excited," said Jones of his parents' reaction. "They told me to just play like I know how to play, and everything should work out."
The advice makes perfect sense, as Jones was able to play his way into the starting role because he knew his role. Against Vanderbilt, something as simple as knowing the assignments and not being in the wrong place will be key to sparking the flat passing game.
"They've got really good secondary guys," Jones said. "We just have to play our assignments and get open as receivers. Stephen (Garcia) is going to throw the ball, and the line is going to protect great. We should make it work."
Though the Gamecocks have played close games against Vanderbilt in recent years, USC hasn't lost since Chris Smelley was the starting quarterback in 2008. Garcia has had some of his strongest games against the Commodores, going 22-33 for 312 yards and two touchdowns in 2009. In 2010, he was 31-39 for 355 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
While USC has had success against the Commodores recently, it's no secret that this isn't the same Vanderbilt squad the Gamecocks have been victorious against the past two years. Under new head coach James Franklin, Vandy enters Willams-Brice Stadium undefeated, beating Ole Miss last week 30-7. Vanderbilt's secondary had five interceptions in the win.
"They play the coverages that most teams play," coach Steve Spurrier said. "They disguise well with a zone blitz. You look at them on tape and guys are in position. They play fundamentally sound."
Just as Vanderbilt is an entirely different squad from the one that went 2-10 last season, so is the USC passing game, which has been essentially dormant the first three games of the year.
Against Navy, Garcia's numbers improved as he got over the hump of 200 yards passing in a game, throwing for 204. Still, with a 72-percent completion, he had no touchdowns in the game and one interception.
Playing opposite a secondary that has been successful in getting turnovers, Garcia will have to eliminate some of the errant throws that he's made so far this season. Deep in Navy territory, Garcia threw the ball as he was being hit, giving the Midshipmen an easy interception on the 2-yard line.
Furthermore, with concern being placed on the number of carries running back
Marcus Lattimore has had in each of the first three games, including getting the ball 37 times against Navy, the passing game needs to be effective to lessen his load.
And while Vanderbilt is a dangerous opponent to throw the ball against, the opportunities for the passing game are on the rise this week as the depth at receiver is significantly better than it was versus Navy.
D.L. Moore is healthy and is expected to play this week, while Jones will start opposite of Alshon Jeffery on the outside. In the slot receiver role, Bruce Ellington, Jason Barnes and Ace Sanders are all expected to get playing time.
For Jones, it's a game of assignments. The offense knows what the assignment is against Vandy, but it's just a matter of if it will complete it.
"We work really hard on the passing game, and it's going to improve," Jones said. "It's expected to improve."