How Spencer Rattler, Gamecock QBs fared in first spring scrimmage
South Carolina held its first scrimmage of this year’s spring practices Saturday.
Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer spoke with reporters on Tuesday to talk about the scrimmage and what stood out. The team scrimmages again Saturday before holding the annual spring game April 16 at Williams-Brice Stadium.
How did Spencer Rattler fare?
Beamer had high praise for Oklahoma transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler’s day at the scrimmage.
All eyes and attention have been on Rattler since he arrived in January, and Beamer liked what he saw from the QB in game-situations last week. Rattler wasn’t live, meaning he wasn’t allowed to be hit the by the defense, but he showed signs of why Gamecocks brought him in to lead the offense.
“I thought he was great,” Beamer said. “He didn’t look like a guy that was lost out there by any stretch of the imagination. Certainly, there were some plays he would have liked to have back. And we’ve got to continue to make sure guys he is throwing to make plays as well. But I thought he did a good job commanding the offense and operating. ... It was a good learning experience for all of us in scrimmage number one.”
Luke Doty, who entered the 2021 season as USC’s quarterback, also saw action in the scrimmage. The Myrtle Beach product is coming off football surgery last year.
Beamer said redshirt freshman Colten Gauthier and freshman Braden Davis also got QB snaps in the scrimmage and live, meaning they were allowed to get tackled by the defense to help them better acclimate to things.
“We made them live and they did a nice job,” Beamer said. “They are competitors, and any time I blow the whistle in practice they think they didn’t get tackled or made the guy miss. They wanted to be live and it is great for their development knowing they can’t sit back in the pocket and hold the ball day with the pass rush coming.
“It was good to make them live and they need to understand the speed of the game and how things have to operate.”
Defense shines
The defense was the real winner during the scrimmage, Beamer said.
He praised performances of defensive linemen Jordan Burch and Jordan Strachan and continued to be impressed with former Marion High standout T.J. Sanders.
“We led the SEC in takeaways last year and they did that and then some on Saturday,” Beamer said. “I thought we really tackled well. A lot of times early on you see missed tackles and sloppy play, but we didn’t have that. … It was a solid first scrimmage and I guess the defense, if you look at it, got the upper hand. I was eager to see how the offense would come and respond today in practice. I thought they did a good job.”
Who’s hurting
Several regulars didn’t take part in the scrimmage, including Jaheim Bell; receivers Xavier Legette, Dakereon Joyner, EJ Jenkins; running back Juju McDowell; and defensive backs Tyrese Ross and Darius Rush.
Bell has been injured much of the spring, and Beamer wasn’t sure if he will play during the spring game.
Kicking battle continues
The battle to replace all-time leading scorer and kicker Parker White continues.
Mitch Jeter and former Spring Valley kicker Alex Herrera are competing for the job. Jeter handled the bulk of kickoff duties last season for the Gamecocks, while Herrera appeared in four games on kickoffs.
Herrera had a long field goal during Saturday’s scrimmage, Beamer said.
“It is certainly a battle,” Beamer said. “We are excited to see those guys continue to develop and compete. They are older guys, and it is time for them to take the next step.”
Beamer wants a big spring game crowd
Beamer hopes for big crowd during the spring game and recalled his first spring game as an assistant at Georgia and how Kirby Smart challenged the fans to come out
“They packed it out and had a sold-out Sanford Stadium,” Beamer said. “What an amazing experience it was for so many people that day, especially a lot of the recruits that were there that day that led to what that program is doing right now. Every day inside of Williams-Brice Stadium matters, and we need Gamecock nation to show out next Saturday night.”
The game is set for 7 p.m. April 16.
Former NFL players visit Gamecocks
Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy White and Mike Singletary spoke to the team Tuesday, Beamer said.
White played 14 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1975 draft. Singletary was the emotional leader for the Bears during their 1985 Super Bowl championship team and later went on to coach in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 2:25 PM.
