The South Carolina football team will hit the road to open SEC play against Missouri at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Faurot Field. Sports reporter Charlie Clarke, who covers Missouri football and basketball for the Associated Press, was present at the Tigers’ season-opening win over Missouri State. The Daily Gamecock sports staff caught up with Clarke to get his observations on the game and to preview the upcoming USC-Missouri matchup.
Q: Missouri's win over Missouri State on Saturday was a high-scoring affair with quarterback Drew Lock having a record-setting day. What were your observations from the offense?
A: “There’s no secret Missouri has a potent offense. Last week’s game simply reassured my assumptions coming into this season. Drew Lock looked incredible. But as with last year, I wonder, can he repeat dominant performances against SEC defenses? Missouri has a wealth of options on offense, which gives opposing defenses a handful, but a great offensive performance against Missouri State didn’t prove too much to me.”
Q: Missouri also allowed 492 total yards to Missouri State, an FCS school which averaged 321.4 yards per game in 2016. How do you think the defense will fare against Jake Bentley and his multiple offensive weapons, including Deebo Samuel, Hayden Hurst and Bryan Edwards?
A: “Missouri’s defense looked porous on Saturday, and now they face a steep talent incline against South Carolina’s offense. I don’t think USC’s offense is a huge concern, but if the Tigers are allowing nearly 500 yards and 40+ points to Missouri State, the Gamecocks could make a major offensive statement Saturday. In what I caught from USC’s game against NC State, Deebo Samuel is an explosive weapon who will cause problems for Missouri’s secondary, which missed a slew of tackles against Missouri State. Missouri’s D improved in the second half last week, so I’ll be interested to see if that can carry over to Saturday’s contest against USC.”
Q: Which players were standouts on Saturday?
A: “Missouri’s main offensive weapons all had great days against Missouri State. Lock obviously set Missouri single-game records in both passing yards (521) and touchdowns (7). Receivers J’Mon Moore and Jonathon Johnson put up a combined 303 yards and four touchdowns on just nine receptions. Running back Damarea Crockett ran for 202 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries. Those four impressed me more than anyone else last week.”
Q: What is your prediction for the Missouri-USC game and why?
A: “I’ll say 37-34 South Carolina. I could see 37-34 Missouri too, but the Gamecocks really impressed me last week and the Tigers didn’t as much. I’m looking forward to the matchup between Lock and USC’s experienced secondary. This should be a fun, close contest till the end.”