How shortcomings on offense and defense spoiled USC’s chances vs. Vanderbilt
Most might look back on South Carolina’s 31-7 loss to Vanderbilt and think of LaNorris Sellers going out in the second quarter, depending on the still-unknown severity. But well before — and beyond — the Gamecocks losing their star quarterback, USC was left limping as the result of costly penalties, untimely defensive miscues and missed opportunities on offense.
The Gamecocks had eight penalties called against them for 85 yards. They also allowed six third-down conversions on 12 attempts for a Vanderbilt offense that held possession for more than 11 minutes longer than the Gamecocks. In comparison, USC went 4-for-12 on third-down tries.
“None of us were good tonight,” Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer said. “When you get beat 31-7, nobody played good enough.”
Defensive struggles
The penalty problems started early and lingered throughout the game. On Vanderbilt’s opening drive, Jalon Kilgore was called for an obvious pass interference that pushed the Commodores up to their 38-yard line. They went on to score the first touchdown of the game.
USC’s defense also had a pair of roughing-the-passer calls in the second and third quarters on Bryan Thomas Jr. and Dylan Stewart. Vanderbilt went on to score after the call against Thomas to go up 21-7. Stewart was later ejected in the fourth quarter for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
“I told the team before the game: Vanderbilt, that’s a team you’ve got to go beat,” Beamer said. “And we didn’t do that tonight. Way too much self-inflicted stuff.”
Penalties were not the key to the Commodores’ success entirely. Vanderbilt capitalized on multiple chances to extend drives. Quarterback Diego Pavia and his offense put up 63 yards and a touchdown on third-down conversions alone. The USC defense was assuredly at its worst this season after allowing one touchdown in the first two games of the year.
“We’ve just got to do better on third down and stopping the run,” defensive back Jalon Kilgore said. “Just basic stuff. Nothing special. ... We tried our best to get [the offense] back to the ball as fast as possible. And with us not getting off on third down, that kind of puts them in a bad spot.”
Offensive miscues
This was not the first time the Gamecocks struggled to get things going.
In the two previous games, the offense had scored just four offensive touchdowns. The special teams unit had three of its own. USC only produced one scoring drive against Vanderbilt, which came on the opening possession.
Play calling and execution in key situations were iffy. The best single-play summation was on a 4th-and-1 play at the Vanderbilt 41-yard line. Running back Rahsul Faison was sent up the middle and was tackled for a three-yard loss. Vanderbilt converted easily on fourth down the following drive and nearly scored. Gamecocks linebacker Justin Okoronkwo salvaged the drive with an interception in the end zone.
“They’re really good in short-yardage defense,” Beamer said. “Hindsight being 20/20, maybe throw it there, because I know how good they are at stopping the run in short-yardage defense.”
After Sellers went out, USC’s offense essentially went limp, losing two fumbles. On its only two real scoring chances after the first drive, USC missed a 53-yard field goal try and threw an interception.
“You turn over the ball four times in this league, you’re gonna get your butts kicked,” Beamer said. “And that’s what happened tonight.”
The Gamecocks will need to work out glaring issues on both sides of the ball with an even tougher task ahead. They’ll head to Columbia, Missouri for a bout against No. 25 Mizzou. The Tigers are averaging 51.7 points on offense and have allowed just 15.7 points on average through three games.
“I told the team we didn’t do enough winning football tonight,” Beamer said. “Disappointing because we had a great week of practice and we were certainly ready to play. ... There’s a lot of football in front of us, but we’ve got to get a whole lot better.”
