Auburn Football: Scouting the South Carolina Offense
Sep 20, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarter back Dylan Thompson (17) drops back to pass during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Quarterbacks
In his first season as the starter, fifth-year senior quarterback Dylan Thompson has thrown for 1,830 yards, which ranks third in the SEC behind Texas A&M’s Kenny Hill and Bo Wallace of Ole Miss. Thompson has completed 146 of 238 passing attempts thus far, and has connected for 15 touchdowns. He has also been intercepted six times.
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While Thompson isn’t a statue, he is not the running threat that Connor Shaw was in recent years. Last season, Shaw ran for 558 yards and six touchdowns for the Gamecocks. In 2014, Thompson has negative rushing yards through the first seven games of the season. He’s been sacked 11 times, which certainly hasn’t helped.
Dylan Thompson was the only quarterback to attempt a pass until last week’s 41-10 win over Furman, though both Connor Mitch and Perry Orth saw action against the Paladins. Orth was 0-for-2 passing and was sacked for a 13 yard loss and Mitch completed two of four pass attempts for 19 yards and lost three yards on three carries, including a sack. It would be a shock to see either backup play Saturday unless there were an injury to Thompson or the game was a blowout.
The 6-foot-3, 219-pound Thompson isn’t the most talented quarterback in the SEC, but he’s experienced and capable of leading the Gamecocks to a victory any given Saturday. Plus, he’s got plenty of weapons to work with.