South Carolina’s defense is increasingly healthy — and it’s starting to show
Shane Beamer’s weekly injury report at one point grew by the day. But Tuesday, there was little information to pass along.
“Injury-wise we’re in great shape,” Beamer said, grinning. “(Receiver) Corey Rucker won’t play, but, other than that, everybody else is in great shape.”
The Gamecocks, like any program, have had their battles with health this fall. Linebacker Mo Kaba and defensive end Jordan Strachan are both out for the season due to injuries they suffered Week 2 at Arkansas. The South Carolina offense has had a few offensive linemen dinged up here and there, forcing them to miss time as well.
South Carolina’s defense, though, has benefited as much as any group from increased health of late, finally getting a nearly full contingent of pieces back for last week’s monumental win over Texas A&M.
Now riding a four-game win streak — and with winnable games against Missouri, Vanderbilt and Florida on tap — USC is hoping to keep its defense effective and out of the doctor’s office as they hit the home stretch in 2022.
“Y’all see it can be scary,” cornerback Cam Smith said of the defense when it’s at full-strength.
Added Beamer: “It’s huge just from a depth standpoint. Like we talked about, David Spaulding, DQ Smith and Nick Emmanwori played every snap of the Kentucky game — every snap — and very rarely does that happen. (Defensive backs coach) Torrian (Gray) and (Ddefensive coordinator) Clayton (White) and myself, we like to rotate guys in and keep them fresh, but we weren’t able to that night.”
Entering 2022, South Carolina’s secondary projected as a strength. But starters R.J. Roderick, Devonni Reed, Darius Rush, Cam Smith and Spaulding have all missed time at varying points due to injury.
Roderick has since entered the transfer portal following the emergence of Emmanwori at safety. The rest? They’re healthy and contributing.
Rush played arguably his best game as a Gamecock in the win over Texas A&M. He finished with a team-high eight tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. He was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
Smith and Spaulding, too, have both had their moments. Sapulding’s forced fumble on the first play from scrimmage against Kentucky sparked South Carolina to its first win over a ranked opponent under Shane Beamer. He’s also allowing a catch on just 33% of targets, tied for the fourth-best mark in the SEC, per Pro Football Focus.
Smith has largely looked the part of the potential NFL first-round cornerback he was pegged as during the preseason despite limited opportunities. He’s only been thrown at 16 times this fall, but his 37.5% completion percentage ranks seventh among SEC cornerbacks, per PFF. He’s also allowing just 6.3 yards per reception, while opposing quarterbacks are averaging an abysmal 19.8 NFL passer rating against him.
“Coach White brought us in on Sunday and was talking about how like, this specific game (against Texas A&M) wasn’t really like the linebackers dominated or a defensive line game or a DB game,” linebacker Brad Johnson said. “It was a complete and total game from the whole defense. Everybody made plays. And that’s what you want to see from a defense.”
South Carolina’s defense hasn’t been complete nails in 2022. It’s giving up the 11th-most rush yards per game in the SEC. It also ranks 10th in the league in scoring defense (24.9 points per game).
But the last few weeks should offer optimism.
The Gamecocks are allowing 15 yards per game less over their last two contests when compared with those played in August and September. South Carolina has also held its last four opponents to 14.75 points per game and under 150 rushing yards.
“You don’t really see a ball caught over 10 yards, really not even over four or five,” Smith said of South Carolina’s recent effort defensively. “We’re just making sure we hone in on the details, things like that, and bringing our game every day.”
On paper, USC should be favored against Missouri and Vanderbilt. Neither the Tigers nor Commodores have scored more than 35 points against the Gamecocks in their annual matchups since 2012.
If Beamer has his way, the defense will continue its recent effort starting Saturday against a Missouri team it’s dropped the last three matchups against — and he won’t have any more injuries to report postgame.
This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 6:40 AM.
