Shane Beamer faces the tough task of stopping the Tennessee run game in Week 4.
Beamer talked about how hard it can be to stop at Wednesday’s teleconference. Not only are the running backs dangerous, but Joe Milton had a huge run against UTSA.
The Volunteers lead the SEC with 229.5 rushing yards per game.
“Yeah, it’s a big challenge and then you throw in the quarterback who went 80 or 75 yards on the first play of the game Saturday. He’ll run as well. I know he’s run a quarterback draw in for a touchdown as well this year. So when you talk about Joe Milton running the ball, you talk about 3 running backs, they’re all really, really talented. I’m really impressed with them watching them, their vision, their balance, they have speed, they can make you miss, they can run you over, can catch the ball well. Those 3 running backs will be a big challenge and then obviously Tennessee’s always been good on the offensive line. And we told our team, this isn’t like they’ve hit some big runs and all of a sudden raise their average up, they’re handing the ball off 30-plus times a game running the ball. We’ve got to do our best running the ball. We did a decent job of it last week against Mississippi State and it’ll be an even bigger challenge this week because of the depth they have at the running back position and then the size that they have on the offensive line along with a quarterback who can run it.”
The Tennessee running game features a three-headed monster in the backfield with Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small, and Dylan Sampson. Milton has shown he can run as well.
South Carolina ranks ninth in the conference in rushing yards allowed with 117.5 per game. The Tennessee offense has looked out of sync at times, so the Gamecocks could use that to their advantage.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
Grant Bricker was a former freelancer for The News TN in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. He now freelances for Saturday Football. Follow on Twitter @GrantBricker.
