At the midway point in the season, slow starts and inconsistent plays have affected South Carolina’s offense.
The Gamecocks were outscored 56-9 in the last five games, with the lowest point in that stretch coming in last Saturday's matchup against Tennessee.
With four offensive possessions in the opening period, South Carolina managed to do little to none, resulting in two punts, an interception in plus territory and a fumble.
Heading into the Tennessee game, head coach Shane Beamer said the team had an "amazing" week of practice and that Friday's walk-through was the best it has been all season. Despite this, he described it as "head scratching" in the way the Gamecocks played early on.
"There's a lot of different reasons of what happened in the first quarter and why it did and chances to sustain drives offensively on third down, and we didn't get it done or whatever it might be," he said at Tuesday's press conference. "You're always looking at ways to start better cause I'll be the first to admit we haven't been as good in the first quarter as we need to be. There's no mistaking that."
Sophomore quarterback Luke Doty is preparing for the week ahead.
"I pulled the game up and watched it. Took notes, graded it and put it away," Doty said at Tuesday's press conference. "That's my process of things. Win or loss, give it about 24 hours and then get it out of your mind. Push onto next week and focus on the next week."
Since returning from an injury in week three, Doty has completed 69-of-116 passes for 733 yards and three touchdowns along with an interception.
The inability to start fast and finish drives are what has kept the offense from taking the next step forward, he said.
"That's something we put an emphasis on, especially today, starting practice fast in the things that we do and carrying that momentum throughout the practice," Doty said. "Continuing to move with great tempo and fly around and get calls in and out, have great communication because that definitely helps us move a lot faster."
With Vanderbilt coming into town this week, spirits are high for the Gamecocks, as they look to give Beamer his first SEC win.
"We're 3-3, but we have a chance to win every single game," fifth year tight end Nick Muse said at Tuesday's press conference. "Every game is winnable. We know that ... You got to have the right mindset, positive attitude and got to make our plays."
While the Commodores are in the midst of a tough stretch as well, Muse said they are a "very good team" and "somebody you can't take lightly, no matter what they're said about in the SEC."
"If we do everything we're supposed to do, we'll be fine," Muse said. "It's easier said than done, but when it's done, we'll look like a hell of team."