The South Carolina offense was out of sorts in the first half of the new season by failing to log 90 yards of total offense. Senior Perry Orth got the start, and the offense struggled with penalties, backing the Gamecocks up deep in their own territory.
As the down and distance became more daunting, the play calls became more conservative, with numerous quarterback draws and short screen passes.
"In the game plan, we knew they would play off man," wide receiver Deebo Samuel said. "So we were trying to do quick passes to get the balls into our hands."
Brandon McIlwain took over for Orth for the majority of the first half, and he picked up solid gains on quarterback runs but fumbled inside the Vanderbilt 15-yard line in the second quarter.
Between two fumbles and six penalties, the Gamecocks couldn't establish any rhythm in the first half, and they didn't take any shots down the field. With the more experienced Orth under center after the break, the strategy changed.
In the third quarter, Orth connected with Samuel for 30 yards on a corner route on 3rd and 7, putting the ball at the Vanderbilt 30-yard line, as the Gamecocks still trailed 10-0. The drive stagnated when Orth missed Bryan Edwards on third down, but Elliott Fry connected on a 48-yarder to bring South Carolina within seven.
While the long catch was the true shift of momentum, Samuel didn't think the play was anything special.
"We practiced those routes, just us and the quarterbacks, every day," the sophomore said of the corner route that freed him up for a 30-yard gain.
After forcing a Vanderbilt punt on the ensuing possession, the Gamecocks took over on their own five. David Williams picked up short gains on back-to-back plays before Kurt Roper dialed up another deep shot. Orth chucked a pass down the sideline into one-on-one coverage, and the 6-foot-3 Edwards made a leaping grab to pick up 33 yards and shift field position.
The Gamecocks would have to punt from just short of midfield, but Sean Kelly pinned the Commodores inside the 10. Edwards' catch flipped the field, setting up the lone South Carolina touchdown drive on the team's next possession.
The two big shots were crucial in South Carolina's come-from-behind win, but there were several conservative calls as well that might have cost the Gamecocks. In the late stages of the second half, Muschamp dialed up two punts in enemy territory on short fourth downs.
Just before Fry's game-winning field goal, the Gamecocks called for Orth's fifth designed run of the game, as the offense was just on the fringe of the senior kicker's range. Orth lost two yards on the play, and had the kick gone differently, the opinion of the play calling might have been much different.
One can argue Muschamp's quarterback decisions were cautious as well, playing the more experienced Orth over McIlwain, who Muschamp said "deserves" to start.
"We wanted to see how things went with Perry," Muschamp said.
He later added that the decision was made about a week ago and that the lack of experience on the offense in general was a major factor in the decision.
Muschamp was unwilling to rule his gameplan as conservative, however.
"Because my last name is 'Muschamp,' you say it's conservative," the first-year coach said after the game. "Just because my last name is 'Muschamp,' it doesn't mean it's conservative."