Gamecocks to face much-improved Kentucky defense
A grueling contest against Missouri last week left the Gamecock offense with plenty of bumps and bruises, including redshirt senior quarterback Dylan Thompson.
Talking heads around Columbia began to pester coaches about the backup quarterback spot, since Thompson missed Monday’s practice with what head coach Steve Spurrier called “a little bit of a sprained neck.”
But, Thompson practiced the rest of the week and looks to be just fine for Saturday’s matchup against Kentucky.
But that hasn't stopped the calls for a change under center.
Quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus thought it ridiculous that redshirt sophomore Perry Orth and redshirt freshman Connor Mitch were getting so much press without having played a snap this season. And according to Mangus, neither has been named the backup in the event that Thompson can't go.
With the uncertainty of Thompson’s replacement, the first order of business this week has been keeping him healthy. Spurrier said protection was a big reason why Thompson could not get things going consistently for the Gamecock offense last week.
“Hopefully, we can block a little better,” Spurrier said. “We got our quarterback hit hard several times and that affects his play. He gets a little antsy. Everyone gets a little antsy when you get clobbered about four or five times, so you've got to protect your passer.”
It’s hard to remain confident in the offensive line after it allowed Thompson to get sacked four times against Missouri, and also because the line itself is banged up. Redshirt sophomore right guard Cody Waldrop is doubtful for Kentucky with a knee injury and has already missed the past two games. In his place, redshirt junior Will Sport has turned in decent play but has been allowing pressure to get through the middle of the line.
Redshirt freshman Alan Knott looks at times to be the team’s definitive center but hasn't always put his best foot forward. And redshirt sophomore Clayton Stadnik is lurking in the background to step in at Knott’s position, should he mess up drastically.
If South Carolina comes out on offense against Kentucky like it did against Missouri, the result of the game probably won’t be pretty, and the Gamecocks could be looking at a shocking 3-3 start.
The Wildcats are a much better defense than they have shown in recent years. They are tied for 13th in the nation in points allowed per game with opponents averaging just 15 per contest. Kentucky is also 25th in the nation in yards allowed per game (323) and 23rd in passing yards allowed per game (186).
However, if there is a weakness on the Kentucky defense, it's stopping the run, which means South Carolina's junior running backs Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds must have a big game.
Davis isn’t quite at the same rate of production as he was at this point in the season last year. He is at 368 rushing yards and averaging 4.6 yards per carry to go along with three rushing touchdowns.
Production is a little slower for Davis this season, perhaps due to injuries. He only mentioned specifically that he’s been dealing with a nagging ankle but said other hits have left him nicked up. Yet, Davis added that he does not think about being hurt during games.
“I just try to do my best and lay my body on the line for my teammates,” he said. “As long as we win and it’s productive, then I don’t really care about what my stats are.”
Davis said the main thing he's concerned about regarding Kentucky is that its defense does a good bit of blitzing and uses a number of odd-man formations, so the Gamecock offense has to be ready to face the pressure.
Especially after seeing what Missouri’s pass rush did to Thompson, more teams will use it as a blueprint to discourage South Carolina’s aerial attack.
The Gamecocks can’t remain agonized about their slow offensive production last week, and they know they need to do better to beat the Wildcats.
“We just have to have that next game mentality,” redshirt senior receiver Nick Jones said. “Of course that was a tough loss, but it’s a new week. We have to shake it off and prepare for Kentucky. They’re a real talented team on the rise, so we have to get ready for a grind-it-out battle.”