Head coach Shane Beamer and key Gamecocks players met with the media, Tuesday, as South Carolina prepares for its trip to Nashville to square off with Vanderbilt. Beamer had to “face the music” as he was peppered with questions about his team’s performance in a 23-10 home loss to Missouri. The Gamecocks offense was especially inept, posting just 203 yards. The offensive line’s inability to protect quarterback Spencer Rattler coupled with running back Marshawn Lloyd missing snaps due to injury resulted in just 32 rushing yards (sacks count against rushing total).
Gamecocks players noted that the Missouri defense were signaling to each other on whether there were about to face a run or a pass. This likely contributed significantly to USC’s inconsistent rushing attack and difficulties in keeping Rattler upright.
South Carolina will look to bounce back this weekend against a Vanderbilt team that hasn’t won a conference game since 2019 and hasn’t beaten the Gamecocks since 2008. USC will take another crack at win no. 6 and bowl eligibility in Nashville at 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
Key comments from Shane Beamer
- On playcalling: If I felt like changing the role of a coach on our staff was the right thing to do right now, I would …. Beamer went on to say he has confidence in his guys, and will review job performances after the season has concluded.
- Says he had a productive conversation with tight end Jaheim Bell on Sunday and took responsibility for not having Bell more involved. Beamer goes on to explain difficulty in getting all the playmakers onto the field. If he plays Player X, people will want Player Y, etc.
- Injury report: A lot of bumps and bruises this time of year after eight games and that’s what we have. No one is definitely out but we’ve certainly got some guys that are questionable. Terrell Dawkins practiced today and gets closer and closer to playing.
- On Missouri picking up on whether Gamecocks were running or passing: We dove into a self-scout during the off week and discovered some tendencies that we had. Some of the communication we had with other coaches alerted us to some tendencies we had … Certainly some of them were a little concerning.
- On QB Spencer Rattler facing consistent pressure: We’ve certainly got to look at moving him out of the pocket and changing his launch point …. It (pressure) happened too much, but you give Missouri credit. You also look at running the ball, moving the pocket.
•”Gamecocks players noted that the Missouri defense were signaling to each other on whether there were about to face a run or a pass. This likely contributed significantly to USC’s inconsistent rushing attack and difficulties in keeping Rattler upright.”
•”On Missouri picking up on whether Gamecocks were running or passing: We dove into a self-scout during the off week and discovered some tendencies that we had. Some of the communication we had with other coaches alerted us to some tendencies we had … Certainly some of them were a little concerning.”
•What’s more than a little concerning is the fact that for the 2nd season in a row, the Gamecock offense is one of the worst among all P5 programs. Waiting to the end of the season to make OC and play calling changes could very well cost the Gamecocks a bowl and/or a winning season. If the offense plays like they did against Missouri this weekend in Nashville, Vandy will snap the Gamecock winning streak against them and win their first SEC game since 2019.
•With all the talent we have on offense in 2022, there’s simply no excuse why we shouldn’t be much better on this side of the ball versus last season. Unfortunately, our current OC couldn’t succeed if he had Tennessee or Ohio States’ offensive players.