Gamecocks ride defense to 5-2 record
It’s no secret that the Gamecocks haven’t had the prettiest first seven games in 2017. The offense has struggled on multiple occasions to put up points, and for much of September, the Gamecock defense did enough to get by.
However, we may have just witnessed the best two-week stretch of defense in quite some time for South Carolina.
Saturday afternoon, October 7 may have seen the switch flip from “doing enough” to “flexing muscle.” Arkansas' power rushing attack would test the Gamecocks' front physically as well as mentally. Carolina responded to the challenge with three defensive touchdowns and allowing just 106 rushing yards on 32 attempts (3.3 yards/rush).
Chalk it up to taking the opposition by surprise or just pure luck, but the Gamecocks dominated the Razorbacks and held them to their lowest rushing total of the year at the time.
Fast forward to this past Saturday. While Tennessee held a 9-3 lead at halftime, it felt like it could've been a 20-point lead. The Gamecock defense had held the Volunteers to just three field goals on three red-zone trips. Finally, this team had found some consistency.
In the second half, Carolina's defense imposed its will on freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano and the Volunteer offense. Seven total sacks in the game, including two sacks from SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, sophomore D.J. Wonnum. The Gamecocks didn't force as many turnovers, but head coach Will Muschamp was still proud of his defense's effort.
"When you play good red-zone defense, it's going to give you a chance to win games," Muschamp commented in his post-game press conference. "They had about 150 yards in the first quarter and ended with 250. And 80 of that was on the last drive so we took over the game in the second half."
It's no secret that Muschamp has made his name on defense. But heading into this season, South Carolina figured to be an offense-first squad. That has not been the case since the season opening win against N.C. State, as the Gamecocks have dealt with injuries at a number of offensive positions.
This defense has been tasked with improving and maturing quickly.
They've answered the bell.
A trend throughout 2016 was holding opposing teams under 30 points. That goal seemed to be far-fetched in 2017 with a thin depth chart, but the Gamecock defense has done just that. The season-high of 28 points allowed was in that week one matchup with the Wolfpack, a win that's looking increasingly more impressive
Since September 3, South Carolina has seen improvement in its pass rush, recording 17 sacks this season and notching 14 turnovers as well.
For the Gamecocks to continue this turnaround, this defense must continue to improve and there's reason to believe they will. One game is a blip on the radar. But two games of dominant defensive play is the sign of a trend.
The simple truth is that contrary to what we all thought in August, this defensive unit is the reason the Gamecocks are 5-2 with a chance to make some noise as we roll closer to November.
