South Carolina is keeping offense’s identity a secret — with at least a few hints
Questions posed to South Carolina football players trying to decipher details about Dowell Loggains’ offense often yield a version of the same answer.
Antwane Wells at media day on Aug. 3: “A lot of playmakers (on the offense) — I don’t wanna say too much because people are probably listening — but just expect a lot of playmakers, a lot of speed, a lot of explosive plays.”
Spencer Rattler on Aug. 15: “He implemented this offense, obviously you put a whole install in. And we just like to play how we play. I can’t give too (much) information about it, but I just like the offense.”
Xavier Legette on Tuesday: “I don’t want to put too much out there, man. We’re just gonna be able to get the ball downfield.”
No one outside of the Gamecocks’ locker room truly knows how much of the new USC offensive coordinator’s playbook will be revealed at the Sept. 2 season opener against North Carolina. No one knows if Loggains’ scheme will lean more pass than run, or vice versa.
Still, Loggains expressed admiration that players’ public remarks about the offense — while sometimes vague — show their excitement for the work they’ve put in.
And that excitement, he believes, stems from his willingness to take adapt the scheme around his personnel and to build relationships with players so they’re receptive to his tough on-field coaching style.
“The best time of my day is from 8 (a.m.) to 12 (p.m.) when we get on the field with our players and in the meeting rooms,” Loggains said. “We have a bunch of good kids that are hungry. And I think that’s what creates the positive comments. It’s not what we do offensively. It’s the connection that we have, the really hard, honest conversations that we have with each other.”
Through reporters’ best attempts this preseason to get a sneak peek at the Gamecocks’ on-field identity, , Loggains and players have revealed some schematic nuggets:
▪ On Wednesday, Loggains told reporters the Gamecocks run four vertical — meaning four wide receivers on the field at the same time in order to find an advantage or stress the defense — but also noted that everyone in the country does the same.
▪ Loggains also said receivers should be happy to have Rattler throwing the ball to them: “His ability to push the ball downfield allows them to do stuff downfield, and more so than scheme.”
▪ He elaborated on his relationship with Rattler: “It’s not a dictatorship. It’s a partnership.” The comment came after Loggains told a story of Rattler encouraging his fellow quarterbacks to tell Loggains when they want to check out of a play they might not like.
▪ The offensive coordinator seems to like Dakereon Joyner at running back and is pleased with how the rest of the room has been competing for spots further down the depth chart this fall.
▪ “The offense is basically based off what we do best,” fifth-year senior wide receiver Ahmarean Brown said Tuesday.
▪ “He just does a good job of spreading the ball around,” said tight end Trey Knox — who also played under Loggains at Arkansas. “Everybody makes plays, and that’s what we want: for everybody to contribute. So we’re just excited to go out there and showcase what we can do.”
This story was originally published August 24, 2023 at 7:30 AM.
