Mic check: How the Gamecocks’ offensive line is striving for better communication
South Carolina football is 2-0 to start the 2025 season, and while wins are important above all else, fans still find way to pick apart perceived shortcomings — especially before the most important stretch of the year begins.
The Gamecocks will host Vanderbilt on Saturday for the first of eight-straight SEC games this season. USC has relied on its special teams and defense to score four touchdowns so far this season while the offense ramps up slowly.
Fans have targeted offensive line play specifically. On paper, the numbers might suggest a similar start compared to 2024. The Gamecocks have allowed six sacks this year compared to nine in the first two games of last season. USC has also rushed for 244 yards so far, just behind the 253-yard total from this time last year. Head coach Shane Beamer feels there’s no need to sound the alarm just yet.
“Whatever y’all are feeling right now, and whatever the narrative is on the outside, it’s not that in here, guys,” he said. “Our guys are confident, and they know how close we are.”
Still, the narrative is there for a reason, and Beamer and his offensive lineman have had to answer for what might be behind these shortcomings. The answer? They believe it’s as simple as communication.
“From LaNorris to Boaz, and Boaz out, there were like, six or seven times that I saw in the game where we weren’t really getting the calls,” fourth-year lineman Cason Henry said. “We really need to be on the same page, especially at home when we’re not in the away atmosphere.”
Boaz Stanley, a newcomer to the Gamecock locker room after transferring from Troy this offseason, said the team has put an emphasis on better communication heading into this week of practice.
“We can’t go out on Saturday, and then just randomly like, ‘Hey, we’re gonna turn it on,’” he said. “We gotta turn it on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, locking everything in on Friday, and then we can play a lot better on Saturday.”
Working to improve communication
Improving in practice is one thing, but what happens in a situation in-game where communication falls through, or the play isn’t heard because of a loud environment?
“Basically, I just walk up to LaNorris and I’m like, ‘What’s the play?’” Henry said. “You have to get the play. You can’t just go out there and do your own thing. That’s now how college ball works.”
While the offensive line is making strides to improve communication and apply it to offensive success, Beamer thinks the issue is slightly overblown. He does acknowledge, however, that it can’t be ignored.
“It’s concerning ... we’re gonna be in a lot more louder environments for our offense when we’re on the field than what we were Saturday night,” he said. “It’s a little overblown, in my opinion ... (I) don’t think it’s an issue, but certainly we don’t want to bury our head in the sand and look the other way either,” Beamer said.
