Muschamp's Creativity bolstering Gamecock defense
C.J. Driggers
Will Muschamp and Travaris Robinson are often considered defensive gurus for their knowledge and creativity on that side of the ball.
As the injuries keep mounting, South Carolina will need to continue to get creative on defense.
Seniors Bryson Allen-Williams and Dante Sawyer both sat out Saturday’s game against Louisiana Tech. While Sawyer figures to return next week against Texas A&M, Muschamp announced after the 17-16 win that Allen-Williams is out for the season.
Allen-Williams was perhaps South Carolina’s most versatile playmaker, taking snaps at all three linebacker positions, the BUCK and even in the slot this year. In Allen-Williams, the Gamecocks lose an SEC-caliber athlete, one who can make a big play, even when the defense is out of position.
The Gamecock defense doesn’t have many of those players. Skai Moore and TJ Brunson are solid starters at linebacker, ad Rashad Fenton is having a career year at cornerback, but South Carolina will miss Allen-Williams.
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The Gamecocks struggled to get pressure with the front four in the first half, as the Bulldogs averaged 7.3 yards per dropback.
After the game, Taylor Stallworth explained that the Gamecocks were respecting the quarterback draw a bit too much.
When the second half started, it was clear that the “bend don’t break” defensive philosophy wouldn’t work. Louisiana Tech drove the length of the field and scored a touchdown on a 6:02 drive to build a 13-0 lead.
After the Bulldogs recovered a fumble, they began to drive again. In the red zone though, the defensive line began running stunts and delays and the defense finally began to generate pressure.
On one such stunt, Daniel Fennell flushed Louisiana Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith out of the pocket and Jamarcus King came up with a pick. The coverage seemed to confuse Smith, who never saw King flash in front of the receiver.
South Carolina drove 97 yards to score a touchdown and when the Bulldogs got the ball back, South Carolina was ready.
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In addition to the wrinkles along the defensive line, the Gamecocks began rolling and disguising their coverages better. On several occasions, Chris Lammons and Jamyest Williams switched positions, with Lammons moving into the slot to cover a larger body and Williams moving back to play as the single-high safety.
Other times, King showed press and backed off or switched in man-coverage mid-play, nearly picking off a second pass along the sidelines early in the fourth quarter.
If South Carolina’s defense wants to continue its improvement, the unit will need to disguise its coverages and blitzes. Next week against Texas A&M, the team will have to confuse an offense brimming with athletes.
If it does, the unit can be one of South Carolina’s best in years.
