South Carolina’s answer for Tennessee’s fast-paced offense in 2022 came down to something simple: wristbands.
Gamecocks defensive coordinator Clayton White said Wednesday that Cam Smith was the one who pushed the idea during the week leading into South Carolina’s last home game against Tennessee at Williams-Brice Stadium, a 63-38 win for the Gamecocks.
“Our scout team that week had wrist bands, the offense was lining up really fast and running their plays and it was Cam Smith who said, 'Coach, why can't we get wrist bands?' I put six plays on it, and I guess the rest is history," White said on Wednesday.
White said the game-day solution helped South Carolina keep up with Tennessee’s tempo, but he also brushed aside the bigger theories some fans have floated about that loss.
“We're not wearing wristbands this week. That was a different era, different time.
It was good for us in the games that we did wear those things. I still think it's one of the funnier stories that's out there in the world," Whie said.
"But it was actually Cam Smith's idea.”
Tennessee’s offense has still kept its familiar shape, even with a few changes this season. In 2022, the Volunteers averaged nearly 74 plays per game. This year they’re at 71.5, and over their last three games that number has dipped to 69.3.
White said the Vols still present the same basic challenge: they run the ball with conviction and force defenses to sort out blocking angles, leverage and box count on the fly.
"It's just a couple of different formations. They've always been - people think spread and you think pass initially, just from the outside looking in," White said, "But they've always been a good running team, so the mindset with them has not changed at all. They do a really good job of just running their plays, counting the box and understanding grass and leverage and angles.
"They do a really good job. They're doing it a little different, but for the most part, they're handing the ball to really good players and people up front are blocking for them.”
The run game runs through DeSean Bishop, who leads Tennessee with 837 yards and 10 touchdowns on 139 carries. He has handled 85 carries so far this month. Behind him, Daune Morris has 20 carries for 77 yards in that same span, making the ground attack heavily Bishop-driven.
Tennessee has also rotated quarterbacks. Faizon Brandon played first before giving way to Geoge MacIntyre, who started last week against Alabama and helped Tennessee to a 26-10 win. MacIntyre will start again Saturday at 3:30.
White said the quarterback change doesn’t alter what South Carolina sees on film.
"We studied the tape on both of those guys and it's the same offense," White said, "Both of those guys can move very well, they're pretty good in and out the pocket. I think the most important thing is understanding what Tennessee brings to the table, in terms of their playmakers, their o-line, their running backs, their tight ends are very athletic. It's not a one-man show, it never has been there.
"Coach Heupel and those guys do a great job of spreading the ball out, finding their athletes and finding ways to get those guys the ball. I think the most thing is to make sure that we are understanding their whole system."
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South Carolina gets Tennessee at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday in a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN, and Josh Heupel made it clear this is not the kind of SEC trip the Volunteers can treat casually. The Tennessee coach pointed to the Gamecocks recent play and the benefit of a bye week as reasons to expect a sharper, more prepared opponent than some fans may anticipate.
Heupel said the challenge starts with understanding what South Carolina does well, especially on the defensive side, where the Gamecocks have shown clear strengths. For Tennessee, the assignment is as much about preparation as it is execution, because this matchup offers the kind of road test that can tighten quickly if the visitors are not ready from the start. [Read more 🡒]
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South Carolina May Have Found A Freshman Anchor Up Front
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Grays value has shown up in more than just durability. He has helped anchor a rushing attack that has been among the leagues best, and Pro Football Focus has him graded as one of the top pass protectors among true freshman offensive tackles this season. For a South Carolina front still taking shape, that kind of early reliability is exactly the sort of foundation coaches hope to find, even if the long-term ceiling remains only partly in view. [Read more 🡒]