South Carolina coordinators Marcus Satterfield (offense), Clayton White (defense) and Pete Lembo (Special Teams) met with the media at the Gamecocks practice facility, Wednesday. All three made it clear they expect a challenge from Shawn Elliott’s Georgia State Panthers, but also reserved some praise for their respective units.
Satterfield expressed confidence in his group up front, feeling comfortable with the first “eight or nine guys” along the line. The offensive line has not always been a source of strength for the Gamecocks in recent seasons, but the 2022 line enters Week 1 with four senior starters and other veterans among the two-deep. Satterfield also likes the group’s versatility as several players have been trained at multiple spots.
The versatility extends to the skill positions, as well. Satterfield took time to discuss the special packages they have ready for Dakereon Joyner and Jaheim Bell. Satterfield said, “we will always have a quarterback package ready” for Joyner, but emphasized that he’s focused on maximizing what Joyner brings to the offense as a wide receiver. Bell can contribute at receiver, running back and tight end (where he’s listed atop the depth chart), and he will have a big package in every game plan because he’s “so multiple in what he can do.”
After navigating through last season with four quarterbacks, Satterfield is also looking forward to “pushing the ball down the field” with Spencer Rattler pulling the trigger. Satterfield said Rattler has a group of wideouts that can stretch the field and tight ends that can threaten defenses down the middle.
Defensively, Clayton White is expecting a big impact from linebacker, Mo Kaba. White said Kaba “was born to play football,” and went on to praise Kaba’s physicality (6-2, 240), range and attitude. White was also complimentary of both the veteran starters and young players expected to provide depth in the secondary. White said the freshman defensive backs are a talented group that impressed during fall camp.
Special Teams coordinator Pete Lembo expects Kai Kroeger to be ready to punt despite a foot injury and announced Mitch Jeter will handle kickoffs. The placekicking job will be determined closer to gameday.
South Carolina will host Georgia State for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, Saturday.
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