Auburn Football: Scouting the South Carolina Offense
Aug 28, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Damiere Byrd (1) makes a long touchdown reception against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
The South Carolina Gamecocks have under achieved so far this season, but it’s not the offense that has been the problem.
Known as an offensive innovator early in his coaching career, it was Steve Spurrier’s defenses that led the way to three consecutive 11-win seasons in Columbia. However, with a unit thanks ranks among the worst in the nation, the offense has had to carry the load in 2014, and as a result, the Gamecocks have lost three games they were favored to win.
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Statistically speaking, the Gamecocks have been as good on offense as they were last season. Last year, South Carolina scored an average of 34.1 points per game. This year, the team has actually exceeded that pace through the first seven games and has scored 35.1 points per contest.
In terms of total yardage, Carolina has averaged 450.9 yards per game, just a hair below the team’s 452.3 yards per game average of 2013. The Gamecocks have relied on the pass slightly more this season and have averaged 265.4 yards per game through the air (an increase of 12 yards over last year) and have run for 185.4 yards per week (13 fewer than 2013).
Overall, it’s the offense that has kept South Carolina competitive in the first half of the season, and it will be the offense that is charged with outscoring the mighty Auburn Tigers.
“I think we have to be really good on offense this week, be really sharp, be really good on third down,” quarterback Dylan Thompson said this week. “They are a good offense. They know what they are doing. They go fast, and their defense is good, too. I think that gets overlooked a lot. We just have to do our job as an offense, stay on the field. When we get in the red zone, we have to score touchdowns.”
Despite a disappointing 4-3 record for the Gamecocks, the Auburn football team will have its hands full Saturday with a talented South Carolina offense.