Report card: Brunson’s big day highlights solid effort from USC front seven

By Ben Breiner

Updated September 5, 2017 11:06 AM

Quarterback

The performance from Jake Bentley looked great in a 35-28 win against N.C. State, but the final numbers were a hint underwhelming. He threw for a modest 215 yards and completed less than 60 percent of his passes. That said, some of the throws he made were just spectacular. The 39-yard score to Deebo Samuel deservedly gets all the press, but some of the more subtle ones, including a couple vital slants to Samuel deserve mention. Muschamp himself said accuracy was an issue in the second half, so there’s room for improvement.

Grade: B+

Running back

The overall production was not great with 13 carries for 29 yards, but some of that falls on the offensive line and a N.C. State team geared to stop the run. Rico Dowdle got most of the carries and looked effective in spots, while also breaking a couple big plays in the passing game. A.J. Turner and Ty’Son Williams both got a few snaps and didn’t do too much. The group also often helped with pass blocking, which mostly went well.

Grade: B-

Wide receiver

There weren’t many big statistical days but a lot of effective performances. Samuel made a stunning catch and a couple of very good ones, while Bryan Edwards made some key plays. Shi Smith showed himself to be a solid option short. Bonus points for Edwards erasing a defender on a block to spring Dowdle for a rushing touchdown.

Grade: A-

Tight end

Mostly a quiet day for the group as a whole. Hayden Hurst caught the only pass, a screen that was blown up through no fault of his own. There didn’t seem to be many egregious blocking issues, but the lack of run-game success overall doesn’t help.

Grade: C-

Offensive line

Only so low because the Gamecocks struggled to get much space and movement against the stacked boxes N.C. State put forth. But against an elite defensive line, with both tackles at new spots, the Gamecocks excelled. The Wolfpack front didn’t create all that much pressure on its own, often relying on exotic blitzes. Considering the shape USC’s line has been in the past two seasons, that’s a step forward.

Grade: B+

Defensive line

They didn’t put an out-and-out hurting on the N.C. State offense but definitely did their job. The Wolfpack’s perimeter running game only got 3.8 yards a carry from its backs. USC finished with four sacks and five hurries. There were also numerous plays where Gamecocks linemen noticeably won their battles and made an impact on the play.

Grade A-

Linebackers

It’s hard to find too many nits to pick. T.J. Brunson (16 tackles) was all over the place. Skai Moore was active in his first game back. Bryson Allen-Williams worked some at Buck and played a lot. New players Sherrod Greene and Eldridge Thompson both had moments. There was some success over the middle for N.C. State’s short passing game, but this group also helped limit top pass catcher Jaylen Samuels to 5.7 yards a reception.

Grade: A

Defensive backs

USC’s defensive backs did a lot of keeping receivers in front of them. It meant fewer big plays and longer drives, but the Gamecocks struggled in not giving up mid-range passes, especially along the sidelines. They got notably better after halftime, when one player said they “wanted it more,” but also had issues trading yards for time late in the second quarter.

Grade: C-

Special Teams

The Samuel kickoff return score and another solid return from Chris Lammons where obviously the headlines, as was Joseph Charlton booming some kicks. Lammons’ misplay of a punt was costly, and N.C. State’s Nyheim Hines broke a couple good returns. The Gamecocks had a field position advantage of eight yards a drive, and there’s something to be said for that.

Grade B+

Overall

The Gamecocks as underdogs got a tight gritty win. They did it by winning on the margin, coming up big with a lot of small things in big moments. That’s a hard way to win long term, but it’s a win any USC fan will take.

It could end up the best or second-best win of the Will Muschamp era to this point, even if there was a lot to clean up.