South Carolina defense remains in control at practice
Steve Spurrier’s a perfectionist.
As is the case in most fall practices during his tenure at South Carolina, Spurrier’s not happy with the way his offense is performing less than three weeks away from the season opener.
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Even during the season when the Gamecocks have scored 40-plus during wins, there’s often a drive or two Spurrier refers to in his presser that he believes could’ve produced points.
He can’t help it. That’s just who he is as an offensive guru.
“If you watched us practice, you’d think we got all-conference players on defense, not many on offense, the way we sort of look out here right now,” Spurrier said after Monday’s practice. “We’re not even hitting the quarterback. We try to tell our quarterbacks, ‘Just stand in there and throw it, he’s not going to hit you.’ But they take off running every time.”
Following Saturday’s first scrimmage, Spurrier was displeased with the effort shown by his side of the ball and reiterated his stance Monday after Lorenzo Ward’s defense again dominated.
“The defense looks like they know more what they’re doing than the offensive guys right now, so hopefully myself and all of us offensive guys can get them going a little bit better,” Spurrier said. “We are practicing a whole bunch of guys. They just rotate in. That’s probably a big part of it right now.”
South Carolina fans need not worry at Spurrier’s comments. He’s taken the same approach leading up to the last three seasons — all 11-win campaigns. The offense appears to be in good hands with Dylan Thompson, Mike Davis and perhaps the most talented offensive line in program history.
No starters have been announced, but Spurrier expects to separate contributors from the scout team as early as Thursday.
The Gamecocks’ second fall scrimmage on Saturday is closed to the public.