GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: LB D.J. Wonnum’s return from injury is well-timed. Getting pressure on Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta’amu could be the key to slowing the Rebels’ prolific passing game. Wonnum (2.0 sacks), DT Javon Kinlaw (2.5), and LB Bryson Allen Williams (2.0) lead South Carolina’s pass rush, but seven other players have recorded sacks. CB Rashad Fenton figures to have a big role defending against Ole Miss WR A.J. Brown, but Ta’amu also has other targets like WR DaMarkus Lodge, who is fifth in the SEC in receiving yards with 550. Brown is 10th nationally with 805.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR Deebo Samuel continues to produce for the Gamecocks. Though only a junior, he has scored 20 career touchdowns with 10 receiving, 7 rushing and 3 on kickoff returns. He leads the team in receptions with 36 this season for 390 yards and also has rushed six times for 21 yards. He has averaged 22.6 yards on 11 kickoff returns, which ranks fifth in the SEC.
ROSTER REPORT:
–LT Dennis Dailey is considered “questionable” according to coach Will Muschamp after injuring his ankle last week against Tennessee. Senior Malik Young likely will get the start. He replaced Dailey last week “Malik played very well,” Muschamp said. “He was out offensive lineman of the week.” Dailey has started all seven games this season.
–WRs Randrecous Davis and Chad Terrell are questionable with injuries.
–RT Dylan Wonnum, the younger brother of LB D.J. Wonnum, became the first true freshman to start in the offensive line since Mike Matulis in 2011 when he opened the game against Tennessee last week. The Wonnums became the first brothers to start for the Gamecocks since 2014 with Gerald Dixon and Gerald Dixon Jr., who are half-brothers. Dylan won SEC Freshman of the Week honors, and D.J. was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, the first time two brothers have shared the award in the SEC.
–P Joseph Charlton looking at setting a program record if he maintains his current average of 45.7 yards on his 24 attempts. The school mark is 44.3 shared by Daren Parker (1989) and Sean Kelly (2015). Charlton’s career average of 44.1 also is No. 1 in the school record book (Sean Kelly 43.3).
–S Nick Harvey remains out because of concussion issues.
–S J.T. Ibe is out with an injured knee.
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