Gamecocks healthy and getting more help at WR

South Carolina expects to be completely healthy headed into its first SEC game of the season.

The Gamecocks didn’t suffer any injuries Saturday that will affect Saturday’s game against Missouri during their 35-28 win over N.C. State, head coach Will Muschamp said Sunday. South Carolina takes on the Tigers at 7 p.m. in Columbia, Mo.

The Gameocks are actually getting healthier. Wide receiver Randrecous Davis (groin), who missed last week, practiced Sunday night and is expected to return against Missouri, Muschamp said. Davis was hampered by injuries all of last season and finished with three catches.

Cornerback Tayvn Jackson (hamstring) is out this week.

Players of The Game. The Gamecocks offensive players of the game were wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end Hayden Hurst. Samuel was no surprise, considering he had five catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns plus a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but Hurst had only one catch for minus-2 yards.

“Hayden was outstanding in the run game and pass protection,” Muschamp explained. “We had a couple things dialed up for him, but we didn’t get them to him.”

The defensive players of the game were linebacker T.J. Brunson (who had a career-high 16 tackles) and defensive end D.J. Wonnum (who had eight tackles, including three for a loss). Alan Knott and Donell Stanley were the offensive linemen of the game. Dante Sawyer, Kier Thomas and Taylor Stallworth were the defensive linemen of the game, and A.J. Turner was the special teams player of the game. Turner played 19 special teams snaps.

Impressive Start. Muschamp was pleased with all of his team’s freshmen and first-time players, he said.

“On both sides of the ball and special teams we didn’t have any glaring issues from an execution standpoint,” he said. “There was no glaring bust with the freshmen. Mental mistakes that will kill you in a game, and we didn’t have any.”

Early Line. Missouri was set as a three-point favorite Sunday.

This story was originally published September 3, 2017 at 7:34 PM.