In a season opener that fell far short of expectations, South Carolina narrowly defeated Old Dominion 23-19 at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday evening. The Gamecocks, who entered the game as a 20.5-point favorite, found themselves in a battle against a team they paid $1.5 million to play—a contest that was supposed to be an easy win but turned into a nail-biting affair.
A Rocky Start to the 2024 Season
South Carolina’s football program, widely anticipated to have a strong start to the 2024 season, faced a significant challenge against Old Dominion, a team projected to finish sixth in the Sun Belt Conference’s Eastern Division. The Gamecocks, despite being heavily favored, struggled mightily in front of their home crowd, who voiced their displeasure as the game progressed
The matchup, initially delayed by a 30-minute lightning break during the second quarter, saw both teams locked in a 16-16 tie heading into the final quarter. The atmosphere in the stadium grew tense, with the crowd’s frustration palpable as boos echoed through the stands when the third quarter ended. Old Dominion briefly seized the lead with just under ten minutes left in the game, following a 33-yard field goal that put the Monarchs ahead 19-16.
Offensive Line Woes Continue
One of the most glaring issues for South Carolina was the continued struggles of their offensive line, a problem that has plagued the team since last season. The Gamecocks’ offensive front, which allowed nine sacks in their opening game against North Carolina in 2023 and was riddled with injuries throughout the year, appeared to have made little progress despite efforts to improve during the offseason.
Credit: USA TODAY Jeff Blake
South Carolina’s rushing offense, which ranked a dismal 129th out of 133 teams last season, showed little improvement. The Gamecocks managed just 85.1 rushing yards per game in 2023, and Saturday’s performance did little to inspire confidence in a turnaround. The offensive line’s inability to protect the quarterback or open running lanes was on full display as the team struggled to move the ball effectively against Old Dominion.
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers, making his debut as a starter, was sacked three times in the first half alone. While he managed to find some success on the ground after a rough start passing, his ability to make plays seemed more a testament to his athleticism than any improvement from the offensive line. Sellers finished the game 10-of-23 for 114 yards, a performance marred by several dropped passes and questionable decision-making.
The offensive line’s struggles were further highlighted in the third quarter when, despite some early success, Sellers was sacked for a fourth time, forcing South Carolina to settle for a field goal. The drive, which could have put the Gamecocks in a commanding position, ended with only three points, allowing Old Dominion to remain within striking distance.
A Defense Under Pressure
South Carolina’s defense, while largely effective, faced its own challenges throughout the game. The unit, which was expected to be a strong point for the Gamecocks this season, delivered a mixed performance, recording five sacks and eight tackles for loss. However, Old Dominion’s offensive line, which had allowed more sacks than any other FBS team last season, still managed to find moments of success against South Carolina’s defense.
Credit: USA TODAY Jeff Blake
The most significant lapse came in the third quarter when Old Dominion quarterback Grant Wilson broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, closing the gap to just three points. This play highlighted the Gamecocks’ vulnerability to big plays, an issue that will need to be addressed as they prepare for tougher opponents later in the season
Despite these challenges, South Carolina’s defense stepped up when it mattered most. Edge rushers Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart led the way with 2.5 and 1.5 sacks, respectively, while Kennard also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss. Linebacker Debo Williams, who had expressed a desire for more turnovers this season, recovered a crucial fumble in the first half, helping to keep Old Dominion from gaining momentum.
In the game’s critical moments, the defense delivered again. Late in the fourth quarter, Stewart forced a fumble deep in Old Dominion territory, which defensive lineman DeAndre Jules recovered. This turnover set up South Carolina’s final touchdown, a short run by Sellers that gave the Gamecocks a 23-19 lead with just over six minutes remaining.
Sellers’ Debut: A Mixed Bag
Credit: USA TODAY Jeff Blake
LaNorris Sellers’ first game as a starting quarterback was a tale of highs and lows. The sophomore struggled early, completing just one of his first five pass attempts, but showed resilience as the game progressed. Sellers finished with 114 passing yards on 10-of-23 attempts, a performance that was hindered by drops and missed opportunities
Despite his struggles in the passing game, Sellers showcased his dual-threat ability by leading the team in rushing for much of the game. He finished with 68 rushing yards on 22 attempts, including a 21-yard run that was one of South Carolina’s few offensive highlights. While his passing game left much to be desired, Sellers’ ability to make plays with his legs added a dynamic element to the Gamecocks’ offense.
However, Sellers’ decision-making was called into question on several occasions, particularly when he put his receivers in dangerous positions. One such instance occurred when he threw a pass that resulted in Vandrevius Jacobs being sandwiched between two Old Dominion defenders, forcing Jacobs to leave the field temporarily.
Looking Ahead
South Carolina’s narrow victory over Old Dominion raises serious questions about the team’s readiness for the season ahead. With a tough SEC road game against Kentucky looming, the Gamecocks will need to address their offensive line issues and find more consistency on both sides of the ball if they hope to compete at a high level.
Credit: USA TODAY Jeff Blake
The upcoming matchup against Kentucky at Kroger Field in Lexington, scheduled for Saturday, September 7, will be a critical test for the Gamecocks. The team’s performance against Old Dominion has certainly set off alarm bells, and the coaching staff will need to make significant adjustments to avoid further struggles in the weeks to come
In what was supposed to be an easy win, South Carolina found itself in a dogfight against Old Dominion, barely escaping with a 23-19 victory. The Gamecocks’ offensive line woes, combined with inconsistent play from their new starting quarterback, made for a rocky start to the 2024 season. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, South Carolina will need to improve quickly to avoid further disappointments and live up to their potential in the highly competitive SEC.
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Publish date : 2024-08-31 23:34:00
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