Gamecocks throw freshmen, newcomers into fire in season opener

By the end of South Carolina’s first drive Saturday against N.C. State, three true freshman wide receivers had taken the field.

And that was far from the end of Gamecocks reliance on newcomers.

All told, eight players who weren’t on the roster last season took the field for USC. Two were junior college players, six were true freshmen.

This is usually what gives a coach heartburn through an offseason, but USC’s Will Muschamp was happy with how the new players held their own.

“I think (junior college linebacker) Eldridge Thompson on a critical play against their best player, (Jaylen) Samuels, that’s where they wanted to go with the ball,” Muschamp said. “The ended up not being able to throw. He had outstanding coverage on that play down there in the red zone. Proud of him.

“I saw (freshman linebacker) Sherrod Greene. I saw (freshman defensive end) Aaron Sterling. (Freshman corner) Jamyest Williams, Jamyest covered the inside fade extremely well in the first half.”

Muschamp mentioned he wanted more from junior college safety Keisean Nixon, who didn’t play, praised junior college tackle Javon Kinlaw and mentioned several second-year players who helped out.

He’s back

Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore saw his first action after a year off the field with a neck injury.

Moore had eight tackles, half a tackle for loss and a hurry in a key spot. He didn’t have any noticeable moments where he struggled, outside tiring late in the game.

“He’s a really good football player,” Muschamp said. “I’m glad he’s a Gamecock.”

Keep him upright

Neither of the sacks South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley took came at a good time. Both were high-leverage third downs in a tight ball game.

It’s hard to lay either too much blame at the feet of USC’s offensive line.

Both sacks came on exotic blitzes, one where a safety followed a linebacker up the middle, and another where a blitzing corner came up the backside. Overall, facing a defensive line deep in future NFL players, South Carolina’s line stood tall.

“It just goes back to technique and everything coach (Eric Wolford) has taught me,” left tackle Malik Young said. “I messed up and gave up a few pressures I wish I could get back, but that’s all on me not using my technique. Everything coach taught me out there worked.”

The Wolfpack crowded the box and made life difficult for the running game, but it only registered two official hurries against a line with two new tackles.

Just for kicks

Muschamp said the battle for the place-kicking spot wasn’t set as of last Tuesday.

It sounds as if an arrangement has been made, but that wasn’t tested in Charlotte.

“Right now, Alexander (Woznick) would kick it inside the 30,” Muschamp said. “Parker (White) would be outside the 30. To what yard line would depend on pregame.”

Woznick took all of South Carolina’s extra points and would have gone in for field goals had USC needed it. Parker White, who came on and made it a competition in camp, slotted in for kickoffs and averaged 67.4 yards a kick with four touchbacks on six tries.

Punter Joseph Charlton showed some leg, alternating skying kicks and booming them. He outkicked his coverage once, but averaged 46.7 yards with a net of 40.

This story was originally published September 2, 2017 at 9:40 PM.