Oct 18, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Connor Mitch (6) scrambles for yardage as Furman Paladins linebacker Cory Magwood (46) pursues in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. (Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports)
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Steve Spurrier thinks it’s time for South Carolina to get defensive. In this week’s border battle with North Carolina, the Gamecocks have no choice.
Two teams that had problems stopping opponents in 2014 will get a jump on the start of the 2015 season when South Carolina and North Carolina meet in an early Thursday night affair in Charlotte.
The Tar Heels ranked No. 117 out of 125 FBS teams a year ago, giving up an average of just under 498 yards a game, and the Gamecocks weren’t all that much better. They surrendered nearly 433 a game to rank 92nd.
Spurrier, however, thinks it could be different this time around.
“They’re confident they’re going to play well,” he said of the Tar Heels, who ranked in a tie for No. 116 in scoring defense after giving up an average of 39 points a game.
And he feels the same about his team, which surrendered just over 30 points a game to rank 89th in the category.
“I think our defense will represent South Carolina in a very positive way,” he said in his formal game week presser. “I think we’ll fly around, get our hits in, be a better tackling team, be in position.
“North Carolina, they’re going to be able to move the ball. We can move the ball. It’s going to come down to the team that takes care of the ball the best, doesn’t turn it over and so forth.”
After coming up with only 19 total takeaways –11 on interceptions –last year, Spurrier said the defensive emphasis in fall camp has been on creating turnovers.
“Whether or not we can,” he said, “we’ve got to wait and see.”
The Gamecocks do have more experience returning on defense with eight starters back to six for the Tar Heels.
“We feel like we can play better. We feel like we can coach better,” Spurrier said. “Time will tell if we’re right or wrong.”
After opening at a neutral site, the Gamecocks will play their home opener the following week against SEC Eastern Division rival Kentucky.
SOUTH CAROLINA PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Connor Mitch emerged as the No. 1 guy in the four-way competition for the job to run South Carolina’s offense.
“I just want to prove why they chose me as the starter,” said Mitch, a graduate of the prestigious Nike Elite 11 QB camp.
He played in only two games as redshirt freshman last year, completing two of his six pass attempts.
–WR Pharoh Cooper was recognized as a receiver, all-purpose back, and return specialist on the preseason all-SEC team picked by coaches. He had 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and averaged 108.5 all-purpose yards a game plus 75 yards on 15 punt returns last year and 359 yards on 16 kickoff returns in 2013.
–LB Skai Moore has led the Gamecocks in tackles in each of the last two years with 93 coming in 2014. He will be looking to become the first Gamecock to lead the team in the category a third consecutive year since Tony Watkins (1992-94).
SERIES HISTORY: North Carolina leads South Carolina 34-18-4 but the Gamecocks have won six of the last eight meetings, including the last two in 2007 and 2013. The Gamecocks won the last meeting 27-10.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re pretty much an unknown team.” — Coach Steve Spurrier, noting his team’s lack of experience, especially at quarterback and receiver.
