The South Carolina defense has taken massive strides in the team's first season under Will Muschamp, as the Gamecocks have yet to allow more than 28 points in a game this year after giving up an average of 27.5 in 2015.
The personnel is largely the same, and Muschamp wasn't too high on his secondary coming into the season, though the defensive backs have been a massive part of the team's success. So what's been different? If you ask the new head coach, the answer is simple.
"Going into the year, we needed to play really good on third down. We've been average on third down," Muschamp said. "We needed to play really good in the red zone. We've played outstanding red zone defense, and we've gotten turnovers."
The Gamecocks have been fairly average on third down, ranking No. 73 in the nation coming into Saturday, allowing a 39.8 percent conversion rate. However, the Gamecocks have excelled in Muschamp's other two key areas, yielding no points on 10 of 33 opponent red zone trips and forcing 20 turnovers this season.
The rejuvenated pass rush has played a big part in the turnovers, as the Gamecocks have amassed 20 sacks in 2016, matching their 2015 total and well surpassing 2014's mark of 14. The improved play gives Muschamp the ability to drop eight in coverage when necessary, a strategy he has used in the last two games as his defensive backfield has been depleted.
Muschamp said that was the game plan on Missouri's final drive, as the Gamecocks were up 10 points and playing without starting cornerback Chris Lammons, who was ejected for the second straight game.
"We're up two scores, drop eight, extend time and fill up all the zones," Muschamp said. "We'll get there with three."
The Gamecocks were able to get to Missouri quarterback Drew Lock, sacking him three times, which Muschamp pointed out becomes more impressive when you consider that Missouri had only allowed six sacks in its first eight games.
Muschamp will be the first to tell you that the Gamecocks aren't where they need to be, but the team has made significant strides from last season and even throughout this season. After being beaten down by the run game against Mississippi State and Kentucky, the Gamecocks held Missouri to a modest 4.5 yards per carry.
The Gamecocks still have three games to go, and need one win to become bowl eligible. Since Georgia beat Kentucky Saturday night, Muschamp's team isn't out of the SEC East race either, though there's still a lot of work to do.
The defense has improved, but Muschamp is always focused on what has room for improvement. As always, Coach Boom's response is simple: "We'll get those things corrected."