Gamecocks shoring up defensive communication before Tennessee game

Coming into Saturday’s game against UMass South Carolina’s defense was giving up just 20 points per game and 173 yards of offense. When the clock hit zero against the Minutemen, the defense walked off the field after giving up 28 points and 247 yards through the air.

After the game, Bryson-Allen Williams and Chris Lammons attributed the points, 14 of which came in the second half and the yards (119 in the second half) to a lack of communication.

Coaches are stressing communication in practice this week, trying to keep players focused for the full 60 minutes.

“The lack of communication came from a lack of focus and a lack of mental intensity coming out in the second half,” defensive lineman Dante Sawyer said. “We’re going to come back and regroup. We did that Sunday so we’ll be more prepared.”

The Gamecock defense is predicated on the linebackers directing traffic on the field, moving the line and secondary as offensive players shift and change direction pre-snap.

Linebacker Jonathan Walton said it’s up to them to adjust to motion and if just one player is out of place then results could be disasterous. It showed against UMass when D.J. Smith didn’t cover a tight end, resulting in a 74-yard touchdown pass late in the first half.

Walton said the solution isn’t changing how the defense communicates; just how must emphasis it puts on talking.

Also see: Recruiting scoop on Jerry Drake Jr.

“We haven’t changed much,” linebacker Jonathan Walton said. “Last week was just on players not communicating and coaches are on us much harder to communicate.”

The defense will need to communicate this week with Tennessee playing at Williams-Brice Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Quarterback Josh Dobbs and the Volunteers are seventh in the SEC with 224 yards passing per game and Dobbs is second in the SEC with 217 yards passing per game behind only Drew Lock.

The Gamecocks (3-4, 1-4 SEC) aren’t worried about Tennessee’s up-tempo offense or speed on the edge because they feel like they have the athletes to win this game.

“Athletic-wise we can compete with anybody in the country,” Walton said.

Also see: Wednesday's Insider Report

Tennessee’s weakness is its turnover margin (minus-9), which ranks next-to-last in the SEC. Josh Dobbs has thrown nine interceptions this season and the Gamecocks, who have a plus-3 margin, are salivating at the chance to play Saturday.

“We want the ball, so if they’re giving it to us we’re going to take it,” defensive back D.J. Smith said. “We’re just trying to get the ball.”

The Vols will be without Alvin Kamara, who’s rushed for 313 yards and three touchdowns this year. What the defense will have to contend with is Dobbs, who’s one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the SEC and Jalen Hurd, who leads the team in rushing with 457 yards and two touchdowns.

Hurd recently missed the team’s game against Texas A&M with injury, but played the next week against Alabama. Hurd had a bye week last week to get prepared to face South Carolina.

“When he’s running that ball, he’s leaning forward,” Sawyer said. “He’s bringing a lot of butt behind him.”

Also see: Full breakdown of Bentley's first start

The Gamecocks know a tough battle awaits Saturday against the Volunteers. The last four meetings have been decided by 11 points total, most recently a three-point loss after Jerrel Adams fumbled on the final Gamecock drive of the game.

Head coach Will Muschamp spoke to his team about the history of the series and the Gamecocks haven’t forgotten about last year.

“That was a real sour taste,” Sawyer said. “I feel like we could have pulled that one out, but it is what it is. We’re trying to overcome what happened last year.”