Game Thread: Gamecocks vs. Illinois
- Thread starter Caleb Alexander
- Start date
40 yards has kind of been the magic number for Herrera. Has missed 4 from 40+, and only 1 from within
down 4 b/c of a missed fg and a dumb fakefg/whatever that play was. Should be 9-7 at half.
Lucky to only be down 4
Halftime thoughts: 1. That was arguably the worst half since...Ole Miss? Luckily for South Carolina you're only down 4 points and get the ball back in the 2nd half. If you are looking for encouragement, the offense has moved it fairly well between the 20s, and outside of a couple of big plays, the defense has played solid (though not nearly as disruptive up front without Kennard). Still, you need to finish a drive, and you'd like to do it sooner than later because I'm not sure you feel confident that Illinois is done scoring.
2. It feels to me like we are seeing the effects of losing the in-season momentum, plus a couple of key defections. You have to hope that halftime allows them to shake off the mental errors, and come back out with a more disciplined mindset. I think if you drive down the field to start the half and get points, you could see a path where things settle in, but if you don't the pressure certainly starts to mount as a 10 point favorite. Both teams have shown so far that they are able to put together long drives, which could ultimately limit possessions and shorten this game sooner than you'd think.
My first half thought is more just about next season, but it's so noticeable how different it is without Rocket Sanders. Defenses don't have to respect the zone read as much when it's Adaway or Howell, it's easier to pin your ears back in coverage, and the threat of a pass to a running back is almost invisible. Of course they've got eight months to figure out how to play with him in 2025, but it's impossible to ignore the difference.
Sellers can run for 10 yards every time he rolls out of the pocket. That needs to be the game plan for the second half. They are not even spying him anymore.
Jawarn Howell has 4 carries for 28 yards (7 YPC). I like Adaway's size and effort, but feels like you need to try to get Howell in space more in the 2nd half if possible.
Yep. Everybody is dropping back and covering. And unless he starts running, they will continue to do that.
Agreed. They fumbled a TD into the end zone. But I see why Beamer faked that FG, Herrera is hideous
Howell has better run instincts. Adaway runs into the pile every time instead of cutting off of it.
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Bad when you have to get to the 20 to be in field goal range. Hope they have a new kicker lined up for next year.
Yea, terrible start for Shula if he is calling these plays.
Illinois will take over around their own 21. Things getting dangerous here for the Gamecocks. Need a stop
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