South Carolina’s second game of the season brings a first-time opponent to Columbia, and the setup is a lot more comfortable than last week’s opener. The Gamecocks are back for the second stop in a three-game homestand against Towson, with the only real wrinkle being rain in the forecast.
For South Carolina, the formula looks straightforward. QB LaNorris Sellers came through last week with solid, controlled football, and that’s the lane he needs to stay in. There’s no need for anything flashy if he keeps the offense steady and protects the ball, which he did last week with no turnovers.
The ground game should also have room to work. RB Matt Fuller is positioned to run into a Towson defense that has already given up 636 rushing yards in two games. Other backs will get opportunities too, but Fuller is expected to get the first crack.
Towson’s offense has a couple of pieces worth watching, even if the overall situation is rough. QB Andrew Indorf has been productive, but the protection around him has been shaky, and he has had trouble staying upright or even still for long. WR Cleveland Charlton has emerged as his top option, piling up 136 yards and a touchdown on only four catches.
The biggest mismatch may come up front. South Carolina’s defensive line managed just one sack last week, though Kent State made a habit of getting the ball out in less than two seconds. Towson, by contrast, has allowed nine sacks and has produced just 151 rushing yards overall, which gives the Gamecocks a chance to be far more disruptive.
Towson arrives as an FCS program with 51 new players this season and 53 returning. It’s also a guarantee game, with USC paying $700,000 less than Kent State. After South Carolina looked strong in its warmup last week, this matchup does not appear to be much of a threat.
Final prediction: South Carolina 51, Towson 10
The only real concern is the weather. If the expected rainstorms bring lightning, that could create a headache for everyone after last week’s brutal heat. The last thing South Carolina wants is to bring fans in and then have to send them back out to seek cover.
In Other News...
South Carolina Faces One Big Availability Question Entering SEC Play
With SEC play looming, Shane Beamer spent part of the week sorting through a familiar early-season reality: getting injured players back on the field in time for the games that matter most. Offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak and defensive end Dylan Stewart are both trending in the right direction, Beamer said, a welcome sign for a South Carolina team that has had to monitor several moving parts as it turns the page from the opener and into league competition.
The injury list is not limited to those two, either, with Carter Miller, DJ Black, Maurice Brown II and AJ Holloway also dealing with issues. Beamer also cleared up one other point of curiosity from the opener, saying kicker Ethan Sanchez did not play because of a coaching decision and that there are no eligibility concerns surrounding him. For a team trying to get settled before conference play, the hope is simply to get more bodies available and avoid any lingering questions turning into longer-term ones. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolinas Passing Game Has A Bigger Issue Than One Sideline Spat
South Carolinas win over Towson came with a brief sideline flash point when quarterback LaNorris Sellers and receiver Mazeo Bennett got into an animated disagreement over a route. Shane Beamer said afterward the two simply saw the play differently, and the issue has already been smoothed over as the Gamecocks move on from the moment.
The bigger concern is what the exchange revealed about a passing game that still needs work before SEC play begins. Sellers finished 10 of 23 for 96 yards, and while the result was never in doubt against Towson, South Carolina knows the margin for error shrinks fast once the league schedule arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Shane Beamers Biggest Concern After South Carolinas Sloppy Win
Shane Beamer had plenty to sort through after South Carolinas uneven win over Towson, and the head coach did not try to sugarcoat how the afternoon unfolded. He liked the way his team answered in the second half, but the first half left him with the kind of concerns that tend to linger after a game like this: miscues, the wet conditions, dropped passes and a performance that never quite found rhythm when it should have.
Beamer also touched on a few of the individual decisions and roster notes that shaped the day, including the depth he sees in the running back room and the status of players such as Vicari. He also explained why Ethan Sanchez never got into the kicking game, a choice that fit into a broader picture of South Carolina trying to clean up details while still coming away with a win. [Read more 🡒]