The South Carolina Gamecocks enter Saturday’s week seven contest holding a 2-3 (1-2 SEC) record while coming off a bye week, the first of three straight Gators’ opponents who will play Florida off a bye week. SC’s Head Coach Shane Beamer is 2-0 when coming off a bye week.
South Carolina is 2-0 at home with wins over Mississippi State and Furman. The Gamecocks are 0-3 in away or neutral site games, including a 24-14 loss to Georgia in Athens. Gator Country provides you a scouting report of the Gamecocks prior to their week seven matchup with Florida.
GAMECOCKS’ OFFENSE
South Carolina’s offense is led by senior QB Spencer Rattler, who is completing 73% of his passes through five games, the second highest mark of his career. Rattler has totaled 1,411 yards for seven touchdowns and three interceptions. The 6-1, 217-pound QB has found 83 rushing yards for two TDs this season, despite being sacked 22 times. Rattler holds ten 10+ yard rushes to this point, according to Pro Football Focus. Rattler holds an offensive grade of 78.7, the second highest on the Gamecocks’ offense, while his run grade of 81.7 is a team high.
South Carolina’s offensive line has been one of the worst in college football in 2023, allowing a combined 23 sacks which ranks 128th in the FBS. Thier pass block grade of 62.4 ranks 85th in the FBS. Run blocking isn’t any better for South Carolina as they rank 121st in the FBS with a run blocking grade of just 49.5.
While South Carolina will primarily rotate two running backs, the running back with the most success is senior Mario Anderson, who is averaging 5.2 yards a carry on 44 attempts. Anderson has found the endzone twice including a long of 75 yards. Anderson is averaging 2.82 yards before contact, the 6th most in the SEC.
The other running back we will see is senior Dakereon Joyner, who is a bigger bodied back, weighing in at 229 pounds. Joyner has 14 catches for 75 yards, the most receptions by a Gamecock running back this season. Joyner is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry on 40 attempts but has found the endzone in four straight games.
Senior receiver Xaiver Legette is Carolina’s best offense weapon, totaling 32 receptions for 606 yards and three touchdowns. Legette checks in at 6-3, 227 pounds.
“I think the size-speed combination, right? The guy’s a big, physical player who can get behind you and then win in close contact with a guy. He has a lot of play strength,” Napier said on Legette. “This is a big man that presents a matchup issue if you have a guy who doesn’t have a lot of play strength or balance. I think he’s really developed and improved as a receiver. He’s always been a really good special teams player at returner and I think he’s taking the next step as a receiver. I have a ton of respect for how he plays. He’s tough, he’s physical and he’s tough to tackle. He’ll be a National Football League player for sure.”
South Carolina has the weapons to make things difficult for the Gators’ defense, however, their offensive line has been a major issue in 2023, leading the Gamecocks to average just 27 points per game, which ranks 82nd in the FBS.
GAMECOCKS’ DEFENSE
South Carolina’s defense ranks 118th in the FBS in total defense, allowing an average of 443 yards per game. The Gamecocks allow an average of 29.40 points per game, which ranks 94th in the FBS in scoring defense.
The Gamecocks have missed 50 tackles through five games for an average of 10 missed tackles a game. SC has not been able to generate very much pressure on opposing teams QB’s, ranking 88th in the FBS in pressure, according to PFF. SC has nine sacks, the same number as Florida in one less game.
In coverage, SC ranks 83rd in the FBS according to PFF and 126th in passing yards allowed per game.
“Defensively, this is a team that has been inconsistent,” Gamecock Central’s Chris Clark told Gator Country. “They’ve stopped the run well at times, but have allowed too many explosive rushes.”
SC ranks 73rd in rushing yards allowed per game, allowing 141.6 rushing yards per game. According to PFF, SC ranks 47th in run defense.
South Carolina’s defense hasn’t produced many turnovers through five games either, totaling seven including six interceptions and one fumble recovery, which ranks 80th in the FBS.
The Gamecock’s defense hasn’t presented much of a threat in 2023. Their lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks has resulted in their defense allowing nearly 300 passing yards a game.
SPECIAL TEAMS
South Carolina’s special teams is their strongest unit of the three. While SC’s ST unit hasn’t been as flashy or creative as they were a year ago, they are a consistent group, ranking 46th in the FBS, according to PFF.
“Pete Lembo’s special teams are not as dynamic as last season, but you can always count on them to be solid,” Chris Clark told Gator Country. “The Gamecocks have one of the better kicking batteries in the country with Kai Kroeger and Mitch Jeter.”
South Carolina’s punter, Kai Kroeger, is averaging 44.7 yards per punt including a long of 60 yards. The senior has landed eight of his 23 punts inside the 20-yard line.
The Gamecocks’ kicker, Mitch Jeter, is 4-5 on the year with his long miss coming from 50+ yards. His season long is 47 yards, while his career long is 53 yards, set back in 2022. Jeter is 14-14 on extra points.
South Carolina’s kick return defense ranks 30th in college football while their punt return defense ranks 53rd.
The Gamecocks haven’t posed much of a threat in the return game, averaging just 19 yards on kickoff returns on only 3 attempts. Punt return is a similar story as the Gamecocks average 10.33 yards per return on only three attempts.