Matched up against an inexperienced Vanderbilt secondary with four new starters, will South Carolina elite set of pass-catchers take advantage tonight in Nashville?

Veteran Rory ‘Busta’ Anderson, who scored his first touchdown in two seasons last week, seems to think so. The Gamecocks have placed a renewed focus on targeting Anderson and fellow tight end Jerrell Adams this fall with a fifth-year quarterback in Dylan Thompson who is a pass-first player unlike Connor Shaw.

Anderson’s a reliable target, especially on third down.

“I feel like last year things were just a little different, but this year’s a new beginning for the tight end unit,” Anderson said in prep for the Commodores. “I feel like we’re ready to go. I feel that early loss to (Texas A&M) humbled us and we’re closer as a team.”

Shaq Roland and Nick Jones are the Gamecocks’ top receivers based on numbers this season, but Roland’s still waiting on that individual star performance that’s eluded him during his first two seasons in Columbia. That could come tonight depending on Derek Mason’s coverage plan defensively.

Pharoh Cooper, a wildcat option under center and a go-to player in the slot, scored a first-quarter touchdown on a screen pass in last week’s win over Georgia and has a more dynamic role as a sophomore in the South Carolina offense.

Steve Spurrier said this week that Cooper has also taken No. 2 quarterback reps during practice.

“He’s an excellent runner as we all know,” Spurrier said. “We’re still trying to find some ways to get the ball in his hands a little bit more. He’s done well. He’s a good wide receiver and obviously an excellent runner with the ball.”