With one more win, the South Carolina football team (5-2) will tie its win total from last season.
It has been a successful season for the Gamecocks just past the halfway mark for the year. The Gamecocks are in second place in the SEC East, behind the No. 3 team in the country: Georgia — a team they meet next week.
The Gamecocks won five games in a variety of ways, from holding off a now top 25 ranked N.C. State team to exploding for 48 points against Arkansas. South Carolina has found different ways to win each week, showing its toughness and completeness as a team, even with multiple injuries across position groups.
In reality, the Gamecocks could be sitting at an undefeated season through seven games. Against Kentucky, they missed three field goals that could have changed the game entirely. Against Texas A&M, the Gamecocks blew a 10-point second half lead and were unable to score a game-winning touchdown on their final drive. Both losses were winnable, but the Gamecocks should feel good about their five-win total so far.
Contributions have come from a wide range of South Carolina players, but there have been a few who have stood out above the rest.
On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jake Bentley has stayed poised despite injuries to his offensive line. He has thrown for 1,585 yards and 12 touchdowns and continues to grow in Kurt Roper's system. The weapons at his disposal have also stood out, including wide receiver Bryan Edwards and tight end Hayden Hurst. They lead the team in receptions -- Edwards with 33 catches for 420 yards and Hurst with 19 catches for 297 yards. Both have been the most consistent pass catchers for the Gamecocks and remain top targets in the SEC.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers T.J. Brunson and Skai Moore help make up a strong and much improved Carolina defense that has looked dominant the past few weeks. Brunson leads the team with 56 tackles and Moore is right behind him with 51. Defensive backs Rashad Fenton and Chris Lammons help make up a secondary that is now one of the stronger points of the team after struggling late last season.
Coming off a bye week, the Gamecocks host Vanderbilt on Homecoming Weekend, and will see the return of three starting offensive linemen in Zack Bailey, Corey Helms and Malik Young, according to head coach Will Muschamp.
“Corey Helms, Zack Bailey and Malik Young all practiced and will play Saturday," Muschamp said. "Who will start in those spots will be determined through the week and who practices the best and gives us the best opportunity to have a good starting five on the offensive line. How much those guys play will depend obviously on their health and how they’re progressing throughout the game.
Muschamp said the bye week was 'OK' in terms of practice, and will wait until Saturday's game results to determine how the week went.
“I think we had a good off week," Muschamp said. "I think sometimes when you don’t have a game Saturday, it’s hard, especially for young players, to focus and practice the right way. I was OK with how we practiced in the off week. I was very pleased with how we practiced Monday.”
The Gamecocks are looking to improve to 6-2 on the season before they head into Georgia next week for an SEC showdown. The year has been a successful so far, and the Gamecocks still have winnable games on their schedule. Of the five games remaining, the Gamecocks will see two Top 10 teams in Georgia and in in-state rival Clemson. It should be an interesting ending for the Gamecocks, who continue to hold a winning mentality, Muschamp said.
“I think we expect to win," Muschamp said. "We understand that order to do that you have to prepare the right way. You have to practice the right way. You have to go into meetings with the right frame of mind."
"I think this team understands that and understands the task at hand. I think all the other stuff is just clutter you create in your life. Right now, we need to have singular focus on Vanderbilt, and that’s what we have to do,” he said.