*** We have made mentioned here previously that perhaps the biggest component missing from this Gamecock football squad is a consistent run game on offense. When one looks at the struggles South Carolina's defense had last season, particularly at year's end, there were some core factors (namely, injuries) that could be pointed to as reasons for regression.
The run game on offense is a little more difficult to solve, other than knowing that the Gamecocks have a sizable need to bring in some standout running backs on the recruiting trail in the near future. Here, we'll take a closer look at what those around the program are saying about the steps the team is taking this spring to improve, and we'll add our own analysis as well.
***
USC head coach Will Muschamp: “We’ve struggled to maintain balance against the good defenses in our league. Right now, we’re right at 4.5 yards per carry and 4.8 yards on perimeter screens. oOur goal is 5.5, so we still have a ways to go to continue to achieve our goals in those situations as far as to be able to stay on balance."
Offensive line coach Eric Wolford: “That’s been a big point of emphasis this spring. A lot of times we get on blocks and against good people get off blocks. We want to work on maintaining them and finishing blocks. That’s what we’ve been stressing.”
Left tackle Sadarius Hutcherson: "He (Muschamp) talks about it a lot. That’s his number one thing especially in the SEC. We have to run the ball. That’s what we’ve got to focus on that this year. It will take technique, fundamentals, it will take being in shape, being more physical. It takes all those attributes to run it."
Left guard Donell Stanley: "As anyone can see when we play against Georgia, Clemson, Kentucky, we didn’t move the ball as well. That’s the next step we need to take. If we can pound on the defense and get them worn down, be able to take avantage and throw the deep ball over their head, it makes the offense more effective.
Our focus right now is just being more physical, having the right mental approach, being able to run the ball. We’ve proved we can pass the ball, but we need to be able to run the ball on good teams. We haven’t really done that here yet and that’s our goal."
***
GamecockCentral.com's take: As mentioned previously, some of the running game struggles and lack of consistency will have to be solved through recruiting. Look at some of the other teams around college football that are elite (including some South Carolina faces) and you'll see at least one big-time back on the roster, often several. Having a guy that can turn a zero-yard gain into three, or three into seven, or who can break off a long run in a key situation is so important. That's why the Gamecocks' pursuit of four-star back Tank Bigsby in the 2020 class has been such a point of emphasis.
The reality, however, is that South Carolina does need to improve the running game with the current roster composition. Rico Dowdle and AJ Turner have made some big plays during their careers and Mon Denson has improved a great deal during his time at USC. Lavonte Valentine, is nothing else, is very fast, and Deshaun Fenwick has apparently made some strides with his approach to the game and effort level from this time last season to this year. Freshman Kevin Harris has turned heads already with his power and it would not be a shock if he made some noise in terms of playing time.
Bringing on running backs coach Thomas Brown in the offseason was a move that Will Muschamp felt he should make once Brown was available, the hope being that Brown can do an excellent job in recruiting and that perhaps he can squeeze a bit more production out of the current group.
While the future of the offensive line seems to be in good hands with Eric Wolford's coaching, evaluating, and recruiting ability, the hope is that the offensive line can be better run blocking this season. South Carolina's staged one of the best improvements in the country in terms of pass protection since Wolford's arrival. There are always multiple facets to breaking down statistics in the running game or passing game, and we're more inclined to believe that more consistent performances by the backs would help the Gamecocks' OL look better in this regard. Still, one can get a sense of how much Wolford has emphasized holding blocks longer this spring.
The running back situation should continue into the summer and preseason camp in terms of who the lead guy and the backup(s) will be, and that adds a fascinating layer to the Gamecocks' ongoing preparations for a very difficult 2019 season.
The run game on offense is a little more difficult to solve, other than knowing that the Gamecocks have a sizable need to bring in some standout running backs on the recruiting trail in the near future. Here, we'll take a closer look at what those around the program are saying about the steps the team is taking this spring to improve, and we'll add our own analysis as well.
***
USC head coach Will Muschamp: “We’ve struggled to maintain balance against the good defenses in our league. Right now, we’re right at 4.5 yards per carry and 4.8 yards on perimeter screens. oOur goal is 5.5, so we still have a ways to go to continue to achieve our goals in those situations as far as to be able to stay on balance."
Offensive line coach Eric Wolford: “That’s been a big point of emphasis this spring. A lot of times we get on blocks and against good people get off blocks. We want to work on maintaining them and finishing blocks. That’s what we’ve been stressing.”
Left tackle Sadarius Hutcherson: "He (Muschamp) talks about it a lot. That’s his number one thing especially in the SEC. We have to run the ball. That’s what we’ve got to focus on that this year. It will take technique, fundamentals, it will take being in shape, being more physical. It takes all those attributes to run it."
Left guard Donell Stanley: "As anyone can see when we play against Georgia, Clemson, Kentucky, we didn’t move the ball as well. That’s the next step we need to take. If we can pound on the defense and get them worn down, be able to take avantage and throw the deep ball over their head, it makes the offense more effective.
Our focus right now is just being more physical, having the right mental approach, being able to run the ball. We’ve proved we can pass the ball, but we need to be able to run the ball on good teams. We haven’t really done that here yet and that’s our goal."
***
GamecockCentral.com's take: As mentioned previously, some of the running game struggles and lack of consistency will have to be solved through recruiting. Look at some of the other teams around college football that are elite (including some South Carolina faces) and you'll see at least one big-time back on the roster, often several. Having a guy that can turn a zero-yard gain into three, or three into seven, or who can break off a long run in a key situation is so important. That's why the Gamecocks' pursuit of four-star back Tank Bigsby in the 2020 class has been such a point of emphasis.
The reality, however, is that South Carolina does need to improve the running game with the current roster composition. Rico Dowdle and AJ Turner have made some big plays during their careers and Mon Denson has improved a great deal during his time at USC. Lavonte Valentine, is nothing else, is very fast, and Deshaun Fenwick has apparently made some strides with his approach to the game and effort level from this time last season to this year. Freshman Kevin Harris has turned heads already with his power and it would not be a shock if he made some noise in terms of playing time.
Bringing on running backs coach Thomas Brown in the offseason was a move that Will Muschamp felt he should make once Brown was available, the hope being that Brown can do an excellent job in recruiting and that perhaps he can squeeze a bit more production out of the current group.
While the future of the offensive line seems to be in good hands with Eric Wolford's coaching, evaluating, and recruiting ability, the hope is that the offensive line can be better run blocking this season. South Carolina's staged one of the best improvements in the country in terms of pass protection since Wolford's arrival. There are always multiple facets to breaking down statistics in the running game or passing game, and we're more inclined to believe that more consistent performances by the backs would help the Gamecocks' OL look better in this regard. Still, one can get a sense of how much Wolford has emphasized holding blocks longer this spring.
The running back situation should continue into the summer and preseason camp in terms of who the lead guy and the backup(s) will be, and that adds a fascinating layer to the Gamecocks' ongoing preparations for a very difficult 2019 season.
