Final decision: Michael Scarnecchia to make first start for Gamecocks

For the first times since the middle of the 2016 season, a new player will start for South Carolina football at quarterback.

Michael Scarnecchia, who has been the team’s backup for the past two seasons, will start for the injured Jake Bentley on Saturday against Missouri. The news it was expected broke early Friday, and Jake Bentley was unable to to show enough to be able to go before the game.

Will Muschamp had called him a game-time decision. Bentley was in full uniform through much of warmups, but Scarnecchia was announced as the starter in pregame and on the team’s radio broadcast. He and Dakereon Joyner took full-team reps at the end of warmups.

Last week, Scarnecchia had 45 yards passing on South Carolina’s final drive against Kentucky, working against a defense that was trying not to give up a quick play. He fumbled twice after sacks.