On the surface, the lead up to South Carolina’s spring game largely focused on who didn’t play. It was quite the list.

Star wide receiver Deebo Samuel (leg, foot), linebackers Bryson Allen-Williams (shoulder) and Sherrod Greene (ankle), safety Jaylin Dickerson (shoulder), running back Rico Dowdle (hamstring), offensive lineman Malik Young (ankle), cornerback Tayvn Jackson (hamstring) and wide receivers Randrecous Davis (groin) and Chad Terrell (knee) did not play Saturday in the Garnet and Black game.

Overall, there were 18 players out, or at least limited, in the spring game on a team that expects 17 returning starters for Will Muschamp’s third season this fall with a 15-11 mark to date.

Muschamp has said players like Samuel are proven, and while he hasn’t experienced contact in the spring, he has spent the spring running and working in non-contact drills.

The larger story is how new offensive coordinator Bryan McClendon and new quarterbacks coach Dan Werner are unveiling a faster-paced offensive attack. Muschamp has said that QB Jake Bentley plays better at a fast, and it’s a way to put more pressure on opposing defenses. Bentley’s also expected to have more freedom at the line of scrimmage to change a play.

There were glimpses of that change of style, but largely, Saturday was for mixing in a slew of newcomers, while developing depth among established players.

While the shift in offensive philosophy was the overall theme, here are five takeaways from the spring game on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium that had an announced attendance of 25,500:

Bentley looks solid

Veteran starter Jake Bentley looked polished and crisp in beginning the game with four consecutive completions before running back Ty’Son Williams scored the first touchdown from 27 yards out. With Samuel out, Bentley found No. 2 target Bryan Edwards often, including one pass for 40 yards, and six catches for 110 yards and a TD by halftime.

While Bentley has the starting job locked up, veteran backup Michael Scarnecchia also was solid with a 9-for-16 mark for 146 yards and a TD in the first half. Afterward, Muschamp said Scarnecchia earned the backup job. Bentley turned in a 13-for-22, 151 yards and two TDs. Beyond Edwards, tight ends were frequent targets by the quarterbacks.

Spurrier steals the spotlight

With two minutes remaining in first quarter, Scarnecchia threw a pass to Steve Spurrier in the end zone, but the 1966 Heisman Trophy winner dropped it off his shoetops.

Spurrier, the former Gamecocks coach who was in town for a charity golf tournament, made an earlier appearance in the pregame, threw a touchdown pass to President Harris Pastides (video courtesy of the Post and Courier).

Newcomers emerge

Several newcomers emerged, including redshirt quarterback Jay Urich, and early enrollee quarterback Dakereon Joyner, who each showed off their scrambling ability. Joyner also hit OrTre Smith with a 25-yard pass.

Ultimately, Urich and Joyner were a combined 1-for-7 with two interceptions. Joyner later fumbled trying to turn up field early in the second half. Deshaun Fenwick showed flashes in the backfield with several solid runs, and two touchdowns.

Soft defense

Perhaps because of the injuries, this was just the second tackle-to-the-ground scrimmage this spring, which might have been an explanation for a rash of dropped passes all over the field. And though Bentley and Scarnecchia were in no-contact jerseys, the defense left something to be desired as it yielded several big plays, a blown coverage on the Edwards TD, and few true stops on downs.

That didn’t do much to quell any concern for the defense in general and secondary in particular, though veteran safety Steven Montac and linebacker Rosendo Louis, an early enrollee, each had five tackles.

It was an adventurous spring on the injury front in the secondary as four players in that area have missed the entire spring and didn’t play Saturday. Players like Javon Charleston, working at first-team safety, had a chance to make an impression before the rest of the backfield gets healthy and summer reserves arrive. Jamyest Williams is also moving to safety to shore up depth. After the game, Muschamp noted there are 123 days until the team reports for fall camp. He also noted the defense hasn’t created as many turnovers this spring as it has in the past.

More changes include D.J. Wonnum, the team’s best pass rusher, playing both defensive end and Buck this season. Overall, the defensive front, not unlike the offense, is making shifts to emphasize quickness on the line.

Veterans contribute

Even with the long list of veteran absent from the field, plenty of established players made contributions beyond the quarterbacks, most notably, Ty’Son Williams, who led all rushers with 63 yards on four carries. Caleb Kinlaw chipped in five carries for 21 yards, and four catches for 28 yards. Special teams were also solid as Parker White connected on two field goal attempts in the first half, and Alex Woznick also made two later in the game.

The Gamecocks next week will finish out the remaining two practices of their allotted 15 this spring.