Scrimmage report: Some sparks seen from USC offense
South Carolina’s looking for playmakers as it works in a lot of inexperienced offensive players.
It’s one scrimmage, but three candidates have emerged.
Steve Spurrier credited Shon Carson, Jacob August and Darius Paulk as the stars of Saturday’s first scrimmage of preseason camp. Carson, a fifth-year senior, rushed twice for 6 yards and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Perry Orth. August (nicknamed “Dan” after Burt Reynolds’ former TV character) led the receivers with five catches for 32 yards. Paulk, the last of one of Columbia’s biggest football families, had two carries for 25 yards and also scored.
“We just started rooming across the hall from each other,” August said of his chemistry with Michael Scarnecchia, who kept finding August on his checks. “I think that helps a lot. He’s always at my place and I’m always at his.”
Carson is third on the depth chart with Paulk behind him, while August is battling K.C. Crosby for backup tight end to Jerell Adams.
Front lines. The Gamecocks’ starting offensive line was (left to right): Brandon Shell, Mike Matulis, Alan Knott, Will Sport and Mason Zandi. The defensive line was: Cedrick Cooper, Dante Sawyer, Gerald Dixon Jr. and Marquavius Lewis.
“We’re going to play our four best,” Lorenzo Ward said. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out. In order to build a championship defense, you got to be good up front, so we’re trying to figure out the best players.”
The Pick Patrol. Scarnecchia was the only quarterback who didn’t throw an interception. Chris Lammons intercepted Orth in the flat, Al Harris ran under an overthrown Lorenzo Nunez pass and T.J. Gurley nabbed a bullet from Connor Mitch.
Next level. The scrimmage was attended by scouts from the 49ers, Bills, Bears, Lions, Bengals, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Texans, Seahawks and Cardinals, among others.
More names. Walk-ons Gage Pucci and Demetrius Smalls are officially back on the roster. Pucci won’t play this year due to a torn ACL.
Injured. Players who were injured or wore yellow jerseys were: DT Taylor Stallworth (pectoral), DE Gerald Dixon (leg), TE Connor Redmond (back), OL Malik Young (ankle), PK Joseph Charlton (back) and SS Antoine Wilder (right knee sprain).
Fan day. Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day. The event begins at 1 p.m. at the Convention Center. The team will only autograph the schedule poster. Find more details about the event here.
SCRIMMAGE STATISTICS
Passing: Connor Mitch 5-11-42-1, Perry Orth 3-6-42-1, Michael Scarnecchia 11-14-81-0, Lorenzo Nunez 5-8-25-1
Rushing: Brandon Wilds 2-28, David Williams 3-(-1), Mitch 3-11, Orth 4-(-29), Shon Carson 2-6, Scarnecchia 4-(-10), Nunez 7-14, Rod Talley 2-6, Darius Paulk 2-25
Receiving: Wilds 3-7, Jerad Washington 2-15, Terry Googer 2-40, D.J. Neal 1-13, Williams 1-9, Deebo Samuel 1-14, Jacob August 5-32, Talley 3-12, K.C. Crosby 1-6, Matrick Belton 1-5, Christian Owens 1-2, Hayden Hurst 1-6, Carson 1-25, Kyle Markway 1-7
Scoring plays
▪ Elliott Fry 30 FG
▪ Carson 25 pass from Orth
▪ Paulk 5 run
▪ Talley 1 run
This story was originally published August 15, 2015 at 6:47 PM.