South Carolina vs. Tennessee grades: Collin Hill impresses, pass defense struggles
South Carolina football opened its 2020 season Saturday night under the lights against Tennessee, losing a tight 31-27 battle. So how did coach Will Muschamp and his team grade out on the first test?
Passing offense
New starting QB and Colorado State transfer Collin Hill could hardly have had a better first series, completing 4 of 6 passes, three to senior Shi Smith, leading to a quick score. For the rest of the first half, however, he was constantly under pressure and seemingly unwilling or unable to find anyone but Smith, leading to a stagnant offensive performance. The interception returned for a touchdown wasn’t his fault, though, as it tipped off Smith.
The second half was far different. Hill came right out and found sophomore Xavier Legette on a 42-yard deep ball. Looking far more comfortable in the pocket after that, he continued his rapport with Smith but also got tight end Nick Muse involved, as well as the running backs. When given the opportunity, Hill looked capable and calm.
But in one of the most crucial plays of the game, Hill hit Muse in the hands on second-and-15 deep in Tennessee territory late in the fourth quarter. Had the tight end been able to reel it in, it would have given the Gamecocks a chance at the end zone to tie the game. Instead, it was just a touch high and Muse couldn’t hang on.
GRADE: B+
Rushing offense
The run game also had little going for it in the first half. Sophomore Kevin Harris, getting his first career start, couldn’t crack 40 total yards despite getting 10 carries, though he did pick up a touchdown. Junior college transfer Zaquandre White wasn’t much better.
After the break, however, redshirt sophomore Deshaun Fenwick started to make an immediate impact, while Harris and White both rotated in to ground out some solid runs. At the end of the day, Fenwick was the most impactful, averaging more than five yards per touch. But the unit as a whole was far from dominant, averaging just 2.5 yards per rush.
GRADE: C+
Passing defense
The Gamecocks were done in by explosive passing plays against Tennessee last year, and UT quarterback Jarrett Guarantano had his opportunities this year in the first half, with more than a few open receivers having rooming to run.
Some missed attempts, however, along with a strong pass rush led by the tenacious Kingsley Enagbare, were key in holding UT to just seven first-half points.
After the break, though, Guarantano went up-tempo and the Gamecocks simply couldn’t respond. Receivers got loose, and preseason All-SEC selection Israel Mukuamu (groin) stayed on the bench through most of the half while sophomore Cam Smith was burned several times. Back-to-back 30-yard receptions put the Vols up for good in the fourth quarter.
GRADE: C-
Rushing defense
Tennessee was able to move the ball effectively on the ground, averaging more than 4 yards per touch for most of the game. The tandem of Ty Chandler and Eric Gray provided some tough runs, and the left side of the Tennessee line in particular was able to move the Gamecocks.
On the interior of the defensive line, Enagbare made a silly mistake in the first quarter, picking up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to extend a Tennessee drive. Beyond that, however, he was all over the place, making nine tackles, including a team-high two for loss. And former five-star recruit Zacch Pickens was solid as well, making five tackles.
GRADE: C+
Special teams
Senior Parker White made a pair of field goals and was perfect on extra points, continuing his stellar play and buoying the unit. Enagbare also helped by getting some much-needed pressure to force a missed field goal.
Freshman punter Kai Kroeger avoided making any grievously bad mistakes and pinned the Vols inside their own 20-yard line twice, but his average of 35.2 yards was hardly earth-shattering. And in the most costly mistake of the game, Cam Smith let a punt touch him in the game’s final moments, turning the ball over and denying the offense one final chance.
GRADE: C+
Coaching
So much of the offseason was spent wondering whether new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo would be able to revive USC’s moribund attack. He answered that quickly with a lighting-fast scoring drive to start the game, and though the rest of the first half was underwhelming, he made the necessary adjustments and got Hill the right looks to make plays in the second half.
The Gamecock offense is simply so thin at running back and wide receiver that many issues can be attributed to that. Bobo’s playcalling was balanced and provided opportunities for explosive plays, and the offense scored more points than it did in 10 of 12 games last season.
However, Muschamp’s decision not to go for it on fourth-and-12 deep in Tennessee territory, down by a touchdown and with less than four minutes to play, will be second-guessed by fans all week.
GRADE: B
This story was originally published September 26, 2020 at 11:15 PM.
