LSU is set to head to Columbia, South Carolina to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks, who are 2-0 on the season thus far.
While the Gamecocks were tested in their season opener with a 23-19 win over Old Dominion, they showed a lot more promise in their 31-6 win over Kentucky the next week.
But in those two matchups, the Gamecocks found out some important things about themselves.
We went to the film room to analyze South Carolina on both sides of the ball, and here are the top things for the Tigers to watch as they get set to take on the Gamecocks.
The pass-rush
South Carolina’s stellar pass-rush made itself known against Kentucky. And it made itself known through a true freshman.
On third down, Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff dropped back in the pocket when freshman edge rusher, Dylan Stewart, came from the right side.
He shedded blocks from a tight end on the line of scrimmage, an offensive tackle who dropped back to block in the backfield, and a running back to get to Vandagriff. Vandagriff nearly went down but got the ball off just in time for it to be an incomplete pass.
Still, it was one of many plays derailed by Stewart.
In two games, Stewart has six total tackles, including two-and-a-half tackles for loss, two-and-a-half sacks and two forced fumbles.
But this was expected from Stewart.
The freshman edge rusher is a former five-star recruit, who ranked as the No. 1 edge rusher in the country and the No. 15 recruit in the country, according to 247Sports’ Composite Rankings.
On the other edge, the Gamecocks have Kyle Kennard, who played the last four seasons at Georgia Tech.
Kennard has been just as effective, as he totals five tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, and two forced fumbles on the season thus far.
With LSU’s most consistent aspect of its offense thus far being its pass game, the offensive line will have a challenge with Stewart and Kennard efficiently coming off the edge to put pressure on the quarterback.
While the Tigers’ offensive line has been stellar in pass protection thus far, this could be one of its biggest challenges they face this season.
“Dylan, Kyle and the rest of our edge guys aren’t going to sneak up on anybody, that’s for sure,” South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said in a press conference. “I like that group all together in general.”
The key for Garrett Nussmeier, which will work hand-in-hand with his offensive line protecting him: get the ball out quickly.
LaNorris Sellers
South Carolina quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, showed lots of flashes against Kentucky, and he showed them in a lot of different ways.
To start the game, Sellers was not afraid to take shots down field and throw into tight coverage. Firstly, he found Jared Brown for a 21-yard gain off a play-action.
The Gamecocks’ quarterback had to throw over a linebacker for the ball to make it to Brown, who was being defended by Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston from the backside and a safety who was coming downhill from the front.
Sellers put the ball in a tight window, which set up a 24-yard touchdown pass three plays later. A drive like this shows that South Carolina isn’t afraid to push the ball vertically early on.
As the first quarter drew to a close, Sellers exited the game with a right leg injury. He returned to the game near the end of the second quarter, demonstrating his toughness.
But perhaps Sellers’ best attribute is his ability to make defenders miss. On 3rd-and-16 from Kentucky’s 48-yard line, a Kentucky linebacker found a wide open gap to get to Sellers, as another linebacker was used as a decoy to pull the Gamecocks’ running back in to block him.
Rather than go down for the sack without any more blockers to protect him, Sellers made a move to his left, threw on the run and found Mazeo Bennett Jr. for a 32-yard completion.
“In the Kentucky game, I felt like I saw everything slow down a little bit,” Sellers said in a press conference. “It’ll keep getting slower for me, but that was the biggest difference.”
His ability to throw on the run extended drives significantly for South Carolina’s offense, and with LSU both making some changes in the front seven as it’s dealing with injuries, Sellers may take advantage if the opportunity presents itself.
