Grading South Carolina’s keys against Clemson

For the final time this season, it’s time to revisit my weekly Quick Slants keys for South Carolina and grading how the Gamecocks did.

If you’re new to this, I share each key that we talked about on Thursday and I put a grade next to it. Under that, I share some thoughts from the game on why I graded it the way I did. Beneath that, you’ll see what I originally said on Thursday heading into the game.

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1- Slowdown Clemson’s front seven (D)

Going up against a talented Clemson front seven, we knew that it would be a challenge to run the football for the Gamecocks. Especially after struggling to establish the run consistently in the previous three games. Without the ability to run the ball, the Gamecocks relied on short passes (screens, swings, slants) in an effort to slowdown Clemson’s pass rush. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough. The reason why this isn’t an (F) is because of the number of drops. The short passes to slow down that front were there at times but like trying to catch a wet bar of soap, they struggled to hold onto to it. On a night where USC’s offense only scored seven points, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they were 2-for-13 on third downs.

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In the past three games USC has rushed for 89, 136, and 50 yards. What’s misleading though is that two of those runs, in separate games, went for 40 yards (on the first drive against Jacksonville State) and 72 yards (towards the end of the game against Vanderbilt). The point is, aside from breaking two long runs, when the Gamecocks have wanted to run the football they’ve really struggled to do it consistently.

In the event that USC can’t get the run game going against Clemson, now what? Well, before you pack up and leave there are other ways South Carolina can slowdown that front. That involves the quick game, especially screens, swing passes, and slants. The Gamecocks need to do whatever it takes to slow that front down or else Spencer Rattler will be running for his life if the Tigers know it’s gonna be pass, pass, pass.

Posted on 11/23/23

2- Force takeaways (C)

Despite an interception in the end zone for a second straight week by Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina failed to capitalize on forcing any additional takeaways. The reason this grade is a C is because they had several opportunities to add to that and they literally went right through their hands. In a game that was decided by nine points, one of those drops that led to a field goal would’ve made things a one possession game. While we’re talking specifically about takeaways, big picture, there’s no question South Carolina’s defense played a really good game. Without them this past weekend, that game could’ve got ugly quickly.

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Let’s keep saying it. The defense needs to, and I mean NEEDS TO, force some takeaways. Here’s a couple reminders of why creating turnovers will be important this weekend for USC. Through South Carolina’s first eight games of the season, the Gamecocks only forced seven takeaways. In their last three games, they’ve been able to force nine. All three of those games resulted in wins.

In the past two seasons, South Carolina is 10-0 at home when they force at least one takeaway. In that same span, the Gamecocks are 0-3 at home when they fail to force a turnover.

Posted on 11/23/23

3- Be special on special teams (C)

It wasn’t a bad night for South Carolina’s special teams but that’s not what the key was. The key was to be difference makers, and that wasn’t the case for them. On a night where the offense looked flat, the Gamecocks could’ve used a spark from special teams, but it never happened. The biggest play that never was came on a Xavier Legette kickoff return, which was called back for a penalty.

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When I think back to last year’s game against Clemson, it’s hard not to think about several key plays on special teams and how much of an impact they made. I’m talking about Clemson fumbling the kickoff return after trying to get too cute. I’m also talking about Nate Adkins forcing a fumble on the team punt team and Mitch Jeter drilling a field goal a few minutes earlier to give South Carolina the lead.

We’ve talked about this before but when it comes to South Carolina special teams, we hold them to a higher standard because of what they’ve done in the past two years. Over the past two games, South Carolina’s special teams has played arguably their best ball all season. They need to be special again this weekend.

– No dumb penalties
– Block kicks when they’re there to block
– Down kicks inside the ten when opportunities present themself
– Stay in your lanes on kick coverage and make tackles

Posted on 11/23/23

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