In what could easily be conceived as a rebuilding year for South Carolina, there is one glaring bright spot.

That, of course, is dual-threat quarterback Lorenzo Nunez.

Nunez, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound true freshman, has started each of the past two games for the Gamecocks and sparked the offense. Nunez has completed 31 of 51 passes for 374 yards with 3 TDs and 3 INTs. Additionally, he’s accounted for 299 yards on 45 carries on the ground with a score.

Nunez was injured last weekend against Missouri and suffered a shoulder sprain, but he’s expected to start his third consecutive game on Saturday against No. 7 LSU. In fact, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier wants his freshman signal-caller to air it out a little more in an effort to jumpstart the passing game.

South Carolina’s best weapon against the LSU defense is its versatility if Nunez is able to have success as both a runner and a passer.

Granted, Nunez did resemble a deer in the headlights at times against Missouri. After all, it was his first-ever SEC start, which came on the road facing tremendous pressure from the Tigers defense.

The Tigers should look back at their game plan against Mississippi State and Dak Prescott as a blueprint. In LSU’s de-facto season-opener, Prescott had success through the air to the tune of 335 yards but was held to -19 rushing yards. This was a result of defensive adjustments made after Prescott gashed the LSU defense for 268 passing yards and 105 rushing yards while accounting for 3 TDs the season prior.

Of course, Nunez isn’t Prescott, but there are some similarities in their skill sets. In fact, South Carolina’s quarterback has rushed for more yardage this season, as Nunez and Prescott rank 11th and 19th in terms of rushing yardage on the season, respectively, in the SEC.

Slowing down Nunez comes down to the LSU defensive ends not overpursuing and containing the quarterback when he gets outside the pocket. The LSU linebackers will be forced to take on spy duties, while the secondary will have to watch the true freshman’s eyes to make sure they can pounce on any misguided throws he might make under duress.

The LSU pass defense ranks 36th in the nation, allowing about 188 yards through the air per game. Against the run, the Tigers rank 19th, allowing 106 yards per game.

While the statistics and matchups indicate a bit of a mismatch, the LSU defense must be careful to maintain its assignments against a potentially dangerous quarterback.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Lorenzo Nunez, Fr. QB: In two career starts, Nunez has thrown for 374 yards, 3 TDs and 3 picks, while also rushing for 299 yards and a touchdown. Nunez possesses an array of skills capable of keeping any opposing defense on its heels. However, he played like a true freshman last week at Missouri when he tossed 3 interceptions. Nunez left the game early with a shoulder sprain but is expected to start on Saturday against LSU.

Top player, defense: Skai Moore, Jr. LB: South Carolina’s leading tackler, Moore has already registered 52 total tackles, 22 more than the second-closest defender on the team. Moore also has 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 3 pass breakups in five games. This should come as no surprise to anyone because Moore has led the Gamecocks in tackles each of the past two seasons, the first South Carolina player to do so since Emanuel Cook in 2007 and 2008.

Top player, special teams: Shon Carson, RS Sr. KR: A returning starter as a kick-return specialist, Carson is averaging a whopping 25.2 yards per kickoff return this season. Carson came close to breaking off a kick return touchdown earlier this season, going 51 yards on the return against Georgia.