Bye gives Gamecocks chance to "regroup" for last half of season

The offense is ranked dead-last in the country in scoring. The Gamecocks are fifth in the SEC East. And for the first time since 2009, they are entering a bye week after three-straight losses.

But for a team fresh off losses to Kentucky, Texas A&M and Georgia it’s not time to hit the reset button just yet.

“I wouldn’t think of it as a reset button,” wide receiver Deebo Samuel said. “We still have to get better as a team and go out there and put points on the board.”

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What the bye week does give South Carolina is a chance to take a deep breath and regroup after a grueling six games to start the season that included three of the first four games on the road, all three in the SEC.

“For me it’s just to get away for a few days,” linebacker Chris Moody said. “It’s been a rough couple six games to start the season so it’s a quick break and then get back to football.”

The Gamecocks, like all college teams entering what will be the seventh week of the season, have injuries—major and minor—to address. Having the bye week at the midpoint of the season gives them time to “regroup and “find ourselves again,” safety Chris Lammons said.

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It also gives the injured and healthy players alike an extended chance to remedy problems before UMass Oct. 22. The Gamecocks practice this week, focusing mostly on the team and correcting issues plaguing the team to a 2-4 (1-3 SEC) start.

“It has been frustrating but we just have to get back to doing work and take the second half of the season and progress,” defensive lineman Marquavius Lewis said.

The Gamecocks won’t play Saturday, getting to relax and not have to worry about a team to prepare for the first time since August. While it’s not a reset button completely, the vibe on the team with six games left to go is almost just that.

“It’s like a new start to the season when you come back,” Moody said.