South Carolina will have three new starters on defense when the Gamecocks take the field Saturday night against East Carolina.

A week after giving up a school record 680 yards of total offense, defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward confirmed after practice Thursday that sophomore linebacker Skai Moore, cornerback Rico McWilliams and safety T.J. Gurley have moved into starting roles.

“The offense will dictate what we do as far as personnel, but we’ll definitely play some 3-4 and 4-2-5,” Ward said in a news release.

Moore replaces Jonathan Walton on the weakside while McWilliams steps in for true freshman Al Harris Jr. alongside Brison Williams at corner. Gurley, a junior, will make his third career start in place of Chaz Elder at the back end.

Williams, South Carolina’s lone returning starter in the secondary, missed practiced Wednesday with an arm injury but is expected to play.

“Brison practiced today,” Ward said. “He hurt his forearm in a field goal rush situation, but he’s getting better everyday.”