Scrimmage report: ‘Good, physical day’ for Gamecocks

The Gamecocks had 140 scrimmage snaps plus 20 special teams snaps at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.

The first-team offense and defense took 50 snaps, the second-team took 50 snaps and the third-team took 40 snaps.

“It was a good, physical day, and that’s exactly what we needed,” coach Will Muschamp said. “We needed a long day. Our guys need to learn to sustain more.”

Saturday was the team’s 11^th practice of the preseason.

“I have been pleased with our work ethic, and how we’ve gone about it the last 11 days,” Muschamp said. “I don’t think we’ve taken a step back in 11 days.”

Offensive Line Update

Junior Malik Young and junior college transfer Dennis Daley continue to battle for the starting left tackle position.

“Both of those guys have had their moments, but that has been a position where we’ve lacked focus when we’ve gotten fatigued,” Muschamp said.

Freshman Sadarius Hutcherson (6-4, 316 pounds), who was working at left tackle, is now playing as a backup left guard, Muschamp said.

“I think he can play both, but he was more apt to move inside,” Muschamp said. “He’s more of a girth guy who can get more movement on the inside zone.

Zack Bailey continues to work as the starting right tackle.

Backup Quarterback

Junior Michael Scarnecchia took all of the second-team quarterback snaps during the scrimmage, and Muschamp also praised the work of true freshman Jay Urich.

“I have seen a lot of progress with those young men,” Muschamp said.

Return Game

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back A.J. Turner currently are working as the starting kickoff return duo, while safety Chris Lammons, cornerback Jam Williams and wide receiver Shi Smith are competing for the starting punt return job.

Kicking Matters

Alexander Woznick, the heir apparent to replace place-kicker Elliott Fry, hit a 52-yard field goal in the scrimmage.

Parker White is the leader in the kickoff competition and punters Joseph Charlton and Michael Almond continue to battle for that starting job.

Nice Catch

Saturday’s scrimmage was closed to the media and the public, but USC released a video via Twitter of tight end Hayden Hurst laying out for a diving grab on a pass from quarterback Jake Bentley.

This story was originally published August 12, 2017 at 9:44 PM with the headline "Scrimmage report: ‘Good, physical day’ for Gamecocks."