Matchup breakdown: South Carollina passing attack vs. Miami defense
By Drew Laing
Published:
If there’s one aspect in which South Carolina has excelled at this season, it is in the passing attack.
The 2014 season has been a house of horrors for the Gamecocks, a year where South Carolina has matched its loss total from the past three seasons combined. But the passing attacks has salvaged some success, which shouldn’t be a big surprise for a Steve Spurrier-coached team.
And it’ll be through the air where South Carolina will have to find its success in the Independence Bowl in order to come out on top against the Miami Hurricanes.
Like South Carolina, Miami’s season has been up-and-down, but unlike the Gamecocks, the defense has more than held its own. The Hurricanes rank 14th in the nation in total defense and a staggering 10th in pass defense.
Throwing the ball on these Canes won’t be any easy task.
Ironically, as great as Miami’s pass defense has played this season, South Carolina has faced better earlier in the season.
Against Georgia and Clemson (who finished the regular season second and third in pass defense, respectively), the Gamecocks were efficient. They totaled 271 and 276 passing yards in both efforts with a combined four touchdowns and just one interception.
South Carolina will need a similar performance in the Independence Bowl in order to earn that seventh win this season.
Most importantly, Dylan Thompson, the SEC’s passing leader, will have to avoid turnovers. With the Gamecocks’ defensive struggles, there’s little room for error on the offensive side of the ball. Despite being one of the SEC’s most prolific offenses this year, the deficiencies on defense are so great that a near-perfect game offensively is needed for the Gamecocks to stay competitive.
Another key to South Carolina’s success in the passing game will be getting All-SEC wide receiver Pharoh Cooper heavily involved. Overall, the Gamecocks have lacked playmakers in 2014, but Cooper’s quickly emerged as South Carolina’s biggest home-run threat.
His 60 receptions and 966 yards were far and away the best among South Carolina receivers this season, but Cooper’s been known to get involved in the passing attack in more ways than one. He ranks second on the team in passing attempts (8) and has been largely successful — 5-for-8 for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
The Gamecocks lost one receiver for the bowl game with the news that Shaq Roland has left the team. The junior wideout was in line to play a significant role in the receiving game this year, and was often looked upon as the team’s leading receiver, but he’s performed well below expectations.
Victories have been few and far between for the Gamecocks, but in a season full of ups and downs, a strong passing performance would help 2014 end on a high note.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
