Grading the Gamecocks: North Carolina

South Carolina is coming off a disappointing loss in the 2023 season opener, a 31-17 defeat to North Carolina where there were some frustrating parts and some flashes for the Gamecocks.

Now it’s time to grade it. Here’s this week’s report card from a frustrating night in Bank of America Stadium.

Quarterback: B

Was Spencer Rattler perfect? No. But he wasn’t put into an enviable situation and still turned in a 30-for-39 performance where he averaged 9.1 yards per attempt and didn’t throw any interceptions or put the ball in harm’s way. He needs to be more consistent when he wasn’t hitting those big plays but it was a solid debut in 2023.

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But it’s hard for any quarterback to operate when there’s pressure on over 30 percent of dropbacks and he gets sacked nine times. Rattler did do well evading pressure at times, escaping the pocket and scrambling for 43 yards. It wasn’t perfect but it was a solid performance.  

Running back: D

This would be much lower if not for some explosive plays from Juju McDowell in the pass game (three catches, 31 yards) but it was a paltry day for the running backs. The offensive line really struggled which hampered a ton, but the backs didn’t force any missed tackles according to PFF. 

Taking away Rattler’s 43 yards in scramble yards South Carolina had just 14 rushes for 20 yards (1.43 yards per carry sack adjusted).  

Wide receiver/tight end: B-

Xavier Legette really boosts this grade, looking like a go-to receiver in the SEC and someone who did in fact take a leap. He finished with nine catches for 178 yards and had a couple of really good contested catches. 

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Ahmarean Brown also made a few plays on the perimeter and Luke Doty had some nice catches as well. But there were a few critical drops–Ahmarean Brown on fourth down after an onside kick–and the blocking from the tight end group needs to be better. 

Offensive line: F

South Carolina gave up nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss for the first time since at least 2000. Spencer Rattler was facing pressure on over 30 percent of dropbacks. And the running backs had very limited room to run. It’s something that really needs to improve. 

Defensive line: F

North Carolina averaged 4.3 yards per rush and Drake Maye had all day to throw and pick apart the Gamecocks’ defense. There was no pressure on Maye for the most part (six pressures, 35 dropbacks) and North Carolina had a 456 percent success rate on running plays. 

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That allowed the Tar Heels to stay on schedule and be really good on third and fourth downs. 

Linebackers: C

The backers were also complicit in a run defense perspective but looked better and more athletic than the last few years. Debo Williams finished with 14 tackles including one for loss, and Stone Blanton had 10. Losing Mo Kaba really hurt that group and forced both of those guys to play a ton of snaps. 

Secondary: C

Albeit this grading on a curve given how little the pass rush affected Maye and the secondary losing Nick Emmanwori leaving the game one play into the game. There was a lot of youth in the secondary and a ton of breakdowns but those can certainly be corrected. Jalon Kilgore looks like a player (12 tackles), but some other guys need to continue coming along. 

South Carolina did pick Maye off twice, which is a positive. 

Special teams: B

The Gamecocks did get a perfectly executed onside kick to start the second half. Mitch Jeter drilled a field goal. Kai Kroeger averaged 48.4 yards per punt with two over 50 yards. 

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Coaching: C

The jury is still very much out on Dowell Loggains with the sample size and the fact the offensive line was porous. But there were some procedural penalties, South Carolina was caught with 13 men on the field after a timeout and there certainly could have been more adjustments at times offensively. The run defense is still struggling as well. 

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