Gamecock quarterback Lorenzo Nunez will become the first true freshman to start behind center in the Steve Spurrier era.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was a three-star product out of Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, and will make his first collegiate start against the University of Central Florida on Saturday.
Nunez saw very limited action in the first half against Kentucky on Sept. 12 and recorded two rushes for 40 yards against the Wildcats. Last Saturday against Georgia, Nunez led the Gamecocks with 76 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The dual-threat also added 18 yards through the air, completing four of five pass attempts.
Nunez will be the 11th Gamecock starting quarterback under Spurrier, but the first true freshman. With redshirt sophomore center Alan Knott out with an ankle injury, true freshman Zack Bailey will anchor the middle of the Gamecock offensive line.
Nunez has only thrown five passes this season, with the longest completion going for 14 yards, but coach Spurrier believes the freshman will throw more on Saturday.
“[Nunez is] very capable of throwing the ball,” Spurrier said on Tuesday. “He just hasn't done it yet."
Nunez will face a 73rd-ranked UCF defense that has conceded 384 yards per game. It is unclear if redshirt junior Perry Orth or redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia will figure into a quarterback rotation or if Nunez will play the entire game. South Carolina hosts UCF Saturday at 12 p.m.