Five things we learned in South Carolina’s sloppy SEC loss at Missouri
South Carolina is still one win away.
Sitting at 5-5 and 2-5 in Southeastern Conference play, USC needs one more win in its final two games to get bowl-eligible after losing at Missouri 31-28 on Saturday.
Here are five things we learned in the Gamecocks’ loss:
USC offensive line is still a problem
Ten games into a season, you mostly know what you’re going to get.
After what now feels like a aberration against Florida, the South Carolina offensive line was tossed around all too often by a Missouri defense that ranks almost dead-last in the country in yardage allowed.
The Tigers notched three sacks for only the second time in Southeastern Conference play. The only other time it happened was against Vanderbilt two weeks ago.
Quarterback Jason Brown told reporters postgame that he and the line had a handful of miscommunications. He shouldered the blame for calling the wrong play when he was stripped and Missouri defensive lineman Trajan Jeffcoat recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown.
Miscommunications aside, Brown ran for his life most of the night Saturday. That isn’t a recipe for success.
ZaQuandre White looks like the feature back
South Carolina’s running game returned to pre-Florida levels on Saturday.
The Gamecocks finished the night with 57 yards on 35 carries — though minus-50 yards were attributed to Brown. But for the second consecutive week, ZaQuandre White looked like a playmaker out of the backfield.
White went over 100 yards for the second time this season in last week’s win over the Gators. He capped Saturday’s loss with 10 carries for 60 yards, but added another 42 yards on two receptions. His two late touchdowns also pulled South Carolina within a field goal.
Kevin Harris continued to look healthier than he has most of the season, but White has earned a shot to be the No. 1 back going forward.
Big plays hurt the South Carolina defense
South Carolina’s defense has largely overachieved this year, but big plays continue to hurt the Gamecocks.
Saturday’s 60-yard pass from Connor Bazelak to Mookie Cooper marked the fifth play of 60 or more yards the USC defense has allowed this fall. That ranks second-worst in the SEC in front of only Mississippi State.
It’s hard to completely criticize the job Clayton White has done as defensive coordinator in Columbia this year. South Carolina’s defense projected like a mess in the offseason and it’s been the strength of this squad in Shane Beamer’s first season at the helm.
However, big plays hurt South Carolina against Florida. They broke open the Georgia game. If USC’s defense needs to do anything, has to find a way to limit long touchdowns.
Jason Brown isn’t a miracle worker as QB1
Jason Brown’s debut last week was magical. After being beat out for the starting quarterback spot twice, the former FCS signal-caller guided South Carolina to an impressive win over Florida.
Saturday, though, took a turn.
All things considered, Brown’s numbers weren’t atrocious: 16 of 30, 193 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Add in the fact South Carolina’s offensive line had its hands full with the Missouri defense and Brown rarely had a chance to set his feet.
But as has been the case in weeks past with Luke Doty and Zeb Noland, it doesn’t feel like Brown is going to go out and win games for South Carolina.
Complementary football helped USC to its win over Florida last week. The 284 rushing yards the Gamecocks recorded opened things up for Brown in the passing game. The combination resulted in a 40-17 win.
Heroics aside, Brown is being asked to do enough in trying to get South Carolina bowl-eligible. As a former third-string quarterback, he needs more help than he got from the line and running game than he did on Saturday at Missouri.
South Carolina’s goals are still in front of it
Saturday hurts. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. But for a team that was projected to win in the neighborhood of three or four games in the preseason, bowl eligibility is still attainable.
The Gamecocks need one win in their final two games to get to the postseason. Both Auburn and Clemson — USC’s final two opponents — have been beatable at times this fall. Getting both contests at Williams-Brice Stadium is an added bonus.
Beamer has harped all year that South Carolina is trying to win now. USC has overachieved in 2021. Getting to a bowl game would be a massive statement.
Saturday might’ve been South Carolina’s best chance at a win in its final three games. But the goals the Gamecocks set out for themselves — including reaching the postseason — are still there for the taking.
