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Muschamp leaves quarterback battle open ahead of East Carolina game
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South Carolina’s quarterback battle appears to still be raging.
During a Tuesday press conference, coach Will Muschamp did not reveal who will start for the Gamecocks against East Carolina this weekend and hinted both senior Perry Orth and true freshman Brandon McIlwain will continue to split time.
Will Muschamp on starting QB: "We have a pretty good idea. We will see on game day. Both guys are repping."
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) September 13, 2016
Orth has completed a higher percentage of his passes for more yards, while McIlwain has thrown two touchdowns to his Orth’s none. The athletic true freshman also brings an added dimension in the running game — he’s South Carolina’s second-leading rushing with 46 yards on the ground.
McIlwain may have a leg up after breathing life into the Gamecocks’ offense during a 27-14 loss at Mississippi State last Saturday.
Orth started and went 9-of-17 for 83 yards and an interception in the first half before McIlwain took over for the entire second half. The highly touted quarterback completed 11 of 22 passes for 126 yards and a pair of scores, prompting a revealing comment from Muschamp.
Muschamp on McIlwain: He moved our football team. We scored points with him in the game. I thought he gave us a spark."
— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) September 13, 2016
We won’t know for sure who’ll get the starting nod until East Carolina (2-0) visits South Carolina (1-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
