W
Will Helms
Guest
— First off, what a weird game. South Carolina never looked in control or dominant, the Gamecocks were just better than the Wildcats in the first half. The defense got pressure when necessary, were solid in coverage and forced some poor throws from Sawyer Smith, a guy who started the year as Kentucky’s backup.
— While it’s easy to point to Kentucky’s deficiencies in the passing game and Mark Stoops’ stubborn decision to favor it over the run, South Carolina’s defense really did play well for a second-straight week. The defensive backs, in particular, played really well. Ernest Jones’ interception was a team effort. Jaycee Horn was put on an island against Lynn Bowden and stayed on his hip all the way down the field. Smith was forced to go to his second read, where he was baited by Jones.
— The offense was once again spotty. Ryan Hilinski was better than last week, but never felt in rhythm. The skill players embarrassed the second level of the Kentucky defense all night, breaking or avoiding tackles almost every time they got the ball in space. South Carolina never hit the big play though, having several chunk runs and passes, but never hitting a home run in the first half.
— South Carolina’s first minute of the second half was everything South Carolina needed. Kentucky won the toss and had deferred, so the Wildcats started the half with a chance to make it a one-score game. Instead, the Wildcats hit a screen for negative yardage, threw incomplete with absolutely no one open and gave up a pressure that turned into a sack and forced fumble. Rico Dowdle then took a sweep 30 yards for a touchdown on the next play.
— Dowdle bounced back well from last week’s poor game. The Gamecocks dominated up front and Dowdle was explosive. After avoiding nine tackles in the running game through three games, Dowdle avoided none against Missouri. Against Kentucky, he was all but impossible to bring down one-on-one. Unfortunately for the South Carolina offense, there were enough negative plays to disrupt the rhythm. Usually a missed block, throw or catch put the Gamecocks behind the chains.
— Hilinski was again up-and-down, hitting some seriously tough throws — mostly on the run — into tight windows, but also struggling against Kentucky’s pressure. He’ll continue to learn, but the Gamecocks need to give him some more help in the form of quick reads and rhythm throws. South Carolina’s receivers and backs need to continue to make plays in space and do a better job of making tough catches. It’ll be tough sledding against Georgia if the South Carolina receivers can’t create better passing lanes for Hilinski.
— The offensive line didn’t have it’s best game of the year, but Hilinski often held the ball too long. He needs to be quicker with his reads (like we saw against Alabama) or he will be sore all season.
— On the other side of the ball, man does South Carolina have a defensive line. On a quiet night for Javon Kinlaw, the rest of the line stepped up. D.J. Wonnum and Aaron Sterling spent more time on Kentucky’s side of the line than their own and J.J. Enagbare joined in as well. Combined with excellent linebacker play from Jones and a nice game from T.J. Brunson and South Carolina has a formidable, SEC-caliber front seven.
— Just wanted to point out that South Carolina’s safety play has been much-improved the last two weeks. That coincides with an increase in snaps for Jammie Robinson. For anyone wondering, Jamyest Williams was going to be getting fewer reps each week had he stayed (And I do not fault his decision to transfer). Robinson, as a true freshman, was directing traffic in the secondary and calling coverage audibles in high-leverage situations. He plays like an upperclassman.
— If Dowdle’s injury is as serious as it looked, Feaster and Mon Denson will have to step up. Feaster won’t have the luxury of running it only 10 times a game. Denson has shown the ability to play consistently against SEC competition, but the position is looking thin.
— PUNTER PRAISE! Joseph Charlton will be drafted this year, mark it down. Look at this: Four punts of 50+ yards, five downed inside the 20 (Plus two others that should have been downed). Oh, and he leads the country in hang time at 4.54 seconds per punt.
— It’s unfortunate to lose a shutout to a team running the Wildcat with three minutes left, but it doesn’t take away from the dominant performance. This team isn’t fixed by any means, but the streak is over and South Carolina is back in the win column.
— While it’s easy to point to Kentucky’s deficiencies in the passing game and Mark Stoops’ stubborn decision to favor it over the run, South Carolina’s defense really did play well for a second-straight week. The defensive backs, in particular, played really well. Ernest Jones’ interception was a team effort. Jaycee Horn was put on an island against Lynn Bowden and stayed on his hip all the way down the field. Smith was forced to go to his second read, where he was baited by Jones.
— The offense was once again spotty. Ryan Hilinski was better than last week, but never felt in rhythm. The skill players embarrassed the second level of the Kentucky defense all night, breaking or avoiding tackles almost every time they got the ball in space. South Carolina never hit the big play though, having several chunk runs and passes, but never hitting a home run in the first half.
— South Carolina’s first minute of the second half was everything South Carolina needed. Kentucky won the toss and had deferred, so the Wildcats started the half with a chance to make it a one-score game. Instead, the Wildcats hit a screen for negative yardage, threw incomplete with absolutely no one open and gave up a pressure that turned into a sack and forced fumble. Rico Dowdle then took a sweep 30 yards for a touchdown on the next play.
— Dowdle bounced back well from last week’s poor game. The Gamecocks dominated up front and Dowdle was explosive. After avoiding nine tackles in the running game through three games, Dowdle avoided none against Missouri. Against Kentucky, he was all but impossible to bring down one-on-one. Unfortunately for the South Carolina offense, there were enough negative plays to disrupt the rhythm. Usually a missed block, throw or catch put the Gamecocks behind the chains.
— Hilinski was again up-and-down, hitting some seriously tough throws — mostly on the run — into tight windows, but also struggling against Kentucky’s pressure. He’ll continue to learn, but the Gamecocks need to give him some more help in the form of quick reads and rhythm throws. South Carolina’s receivers and backs need to continue to make plays in space and do a better job of making tough catches. It’ll be tough sledding against Georgia if the South Carolina receivers can’t create better passing lanes for Hilinski.
— The offensive line didn’t have it’s best game of the year, but Hilinski often held the ball too long. He needs to be quicker with his reads (like we saw against Alabama) or he will be sore all season.
— On the other side of the ball, man does South Carolina have a defensive line. On a quiet night for Javon Kinlaw, the rest of the line stepped up. D.J. Wonnum and Aaron Sterling spent more time on Kentucky’s side of the line than their own and J.J. Enagbare joined in as well. Combined with excellent linebacker play from Jones and a nice game from T.J. Brunson and South Carolina has a formidable, SEC-caliber front seven.
— Just wanted to point out that South Carolina’s safety play has been much-improved the last two weeks. That coincides with an increase in snaps for Jammie Robinson. For anyone wondering, Jamyest Williams was going to be getting fewer reps each week had he stayed (And I do not fault his decision to transfer). Robinson, as a true freshman, was directing traffic in the secondary and calling coverage audibles in high-leverage situations. He plays like an upperclassman.
— If Dowdle’s injury is as serious as it looked, Feaster and Mon Denson will have to step up. Feaster won’t have the luxury of running it only 10 times a game. Denson has shown the ability to play consistently against SEC competition, but the position is looking thin.
— PUNTER PRAISE! Joseph Charlton will be drafted this year, mark it down. Look at this: Four punts of 50+ yards, five downed inside the 20 (Plus two others that should have been downed). Oh, and he leads the country in hang time at 4.54 seconds per punt.
— It’s unfortunate to lose a shutout to a team running the Wildcat with three minutes left, but it doesn’t take away from the dominant performance. This team isn’t fixed by any means, but the streak is over and South Carolina is back in the win column.
