With the South Carolina football team sitting at 2-3 and losing two of those games in a row, something needs to change. And for coach Will Muschamp and this Gamecock team, that something is the true freshman quarterback that continues to start despite continued lackluster performance.
What this football team needs is an experienced leader and a quarterback who can open up this stagnant Gamecock offense. Perry Orth is the only quarterback on the roster that fits that description.
One of Orth’s strongest parts of his game is his ability to throw downfield, which he put on full display against Texas A&M last week. Though only given the opportunity to lead the offense for the fourth quarter, under his direction, the South Carolina offense managed more yards than any one quarter prior.
In just three drives, Orth was able to go 11-18 for 138 yards and a 125.5 passer rating. McIlwain, who led the offense for the first three quarters of the game, managed to throw for just 34 yards and an interception.
Outside of head-to-head statistics, the issue at quarterback must be viewed through a wider lens: Is the team as a whole succeeding in the present, and, if not, where are areas for improvement?
Right now, Muschamp’s team is not succeeding. The games are close and the Gamecocks are hanging in against very good teams, but they are not winning. That is something that cannot be disputed.
Much of the blame has to be directed at this offense. The defense has done its part, holding high-octane offenses like that of the Aggies in check, but the offense has not. With McIlwain at quarterback, South Carolina’s offense has become one-dimensional. The run game has seen limited success with big plays here and there, but for the most part, extended drives have been few and far between.
Orth has the ability to change that. With his ability to read defenses and get the ball out quick, he is able to take a lot of pressure off the struggling offensive line. With his ability to throw accurately downfield, he can get the ball into the hands of Bryan Edwards and Deebo Samuel, two of the Gamecocks most prolific offensive weapons.
As South Carolina enters the thick of its schedule, more than anything, the experience and maturity offered by Orth is the greatest reason to start him. From the very onset of the game last Saturday, McIlwain looked nervous. He seemed slow to make his reads, he panicked when faced with pressure and his youth showed.
Orth has been here before. He has faced the top defenses in the country. He has played well in big games such as the Clemson game last year. And he can do it again.