What Will Muschamp liked, who improved in Gamecocks’ final scrimmage
South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp decides what happens in his own practices, but coming out of the weekend, he sounded impressed that his team got done more than he’d planned.
What was supposed to be a partial scrimmage blossomed into a bigger one, with 140 scrimmage snaps and 20 snaps of live special teams work. That was a good bit when the staff was aiming to pare things down.
Some of the highlights the coach saw:
▪ The team again approached the scrimmage like a game with a pregame meal and other standard gameday events. It began at noon, the same time USC’s second game of the season kicks off against Florida.
▪ Muschamp liked the improvement on field goal protection.
▪ Offensive communication improved, even with crowd noise. There were almost no procedure issues.
▪ The offense played well, with five touchdowns in the first six drives. Quarterbacks Ryan Hilinski and Collin Hill both played well, although there was no decision on a starter.
▪ Muschamp was not happy with some defensive breakdowns, including a third-down pass interference. There were also two coverage busts at safety, he said.
▪ The coach liked the energy on offense but not nearly as much on defense. He called it an important lesson.
▪ Linebacker Ernest Jones played 30 to 35 snaps after returning this week from an appendix issue that cost him most of camp.
▪ Safety Jammie Robinson got all the punt return work, but he’s still battling Jaycee Horn for the role. Punt protection was also a point to work on.
▪ Linebacker Spencer Eason-Riddle will return Tuesday after being sidelined by a torn ACL he suffered late last season. Safety Jaylin Dickerson will also be back Tuesday after a mild hamstring issue.
▪ Wide receiver Dakereon Joyner had maybe his best day of camp, catching a pair of contested balls. Receiver/quarterback Luke Doty also had a good day with a couple nice catches on RPOs.
▪ Former starting guard Jordan Rhodes could get some work at tackle as the team tries to find a player to pair with longtime starting tackle Dylan Wonnum. Rhodes is working back into shape after opting out of the season and then opting back in.
▪ Running back Kevin Harris, who had been the team’s most consistent option, missed the scrimmage for his sister’s wedding, Muschamp said. Zaquandre White returned to the field and had a good day, as did Deshaun Fenwick.
This story was originally published September 13, 2020 at 7:14 PM.
