Entering his fourth season at USC, Will Muschamp believes he has his best team yet in Columbia. He’ll need it to survive a schedule ranked #1 for toughness in the country. Muschamp is heartened by the fact he has seniors splashed across his lineup in key spots, like quarterback, receiver, offensive and defensive lines and linebacker. And he feels his secondary will be much improved. Muschamp is 22-17 in three seasons at USC and 12-12 in the SEC. He’s won more league games in his first three seasons than any of his predecessors, and he’s the first Gamecock coach to take his team to a bowl game in each of his first three seasons. But, his fans are still waiting for his first wins over Clemson, Georgia,, Kentucky and Texas A&M. He’ll see all those this season, along with Alabama. The season opens August 31st against North Carolina in Charlotte.

Will Muschamp at SEC Media Days

Muschamp’s session with SC media prior to his SEC media rounds:

USC at a glance (compiled by Menachem Muller)

                                    Overall           Conference

South Carolina Gamecocks      7-6                      4-4               Lost Belk Bowl to Virginia

Will Muschamp 4th season    22-17                 12-12

  Offense 2018 SEC Rank NCAA Rank
Points Per game 30.1 9 56
Rushing Yards per game 152.8 12 91
Passing yards per game 272.8 4 25
Total yards per game 425.6 7 43
Defense
Points allowed per game 27.2 11 69
Rushing yards allowed per game 195.3 13 95
Passing yards allowed per game 229 9 65
Total yards allowed per game 424.3 12 84

The Gamecocks return 16 starters; 7 on offense, 7 on defense, and the Kicker and Punter.

   Statistical Leaders Returning

QB Yards TDS INT PCT
Jake Bentley 3171 27 14 61.9
RB Games Yards TD AVG
Rico Dowdle 12 787 5 5.7
WR Games Yards TD REC
Bryan Edwards 13 846 7 55
Shi Smith 11 673 4 45
Defense Tackles TFL INT Sacks
Keir Thomas 44 4.5 0 1.5
Javon Kinlaw 30 9.0 0 4.0
T.J. Brunson 106 10.5 0 4.0
Sherrod Greene 73 3.0 1 0
Jaycee Horn 45 4.0 0 2.0

Returning Starters Offense   

QB Jake Bentley                                             

RB Rico Dowdle

WR Bryan Edwards

WR Shi Smith

C Donell Stanley

RG Sadarius Hutcherson

RT Dylan Wonnum

Returning Starters Defense

DE Keir Thomas

DT Javon Kinlaw

DT Kobe Smith

LB T.J. Brunson

LB Sherrod Greene

CB Jaycee Horn

S R.J. Roderick

Special Teams

K Parker White

P Joseph Charlton

Key Losses

WR Deebo Samuel

TE K.C. Crosby

LT Dennis Daley

LG Zack Bailey

LB Bryson Allen-Williams

CB Rashad Fenton

CB Keisean Nixon

S Steven Montac