Muschamp: Lack of experience at skill positions is key in QB decision
For the record, Will Muschamp has stopped short of naming a starting quarterback for South Carolina’s nationally televised season opener at Vanderbilt on Sept. 1 (ESPN, 8 p.m.)
Muschamp’s reluctance to do so is understandable as Commodores coach Derek Mason, who has all but acknowledged the opening game matchup in Nashville is a virtual must-win for his program, serves as his own defensive coordinator and the last thing the Gamecocks want to do is give him 10 days to prepare for a specific signal-caller.
So, USC will keep Mason guessing.
“We’re not ready to name a starter before Vanderbilt and obviously that will be to our advantage going into the game,” Muschamp said Sunday afternoon during a conference call with reporters. “A little bit of the unknowns we have are the unknowns they are going to have. It’s to our advantage going into this first game to keep things in-house.”
Muschamp said the offensive staff looks to narrow the choices by the end of next weekend.
Nevertheless, Muschamp offered a few clues as to whom may start, although he added playing two quarterbacks against Vanderbilt in his Gamecock coaching debut is a “very strong possibility.”
Who will eventually get the starting nod? Muschamp hinted the decision could boil down to the Gamecocks’ inexperience at running back and wide receiver as well as Orth’s experience quarterbacking the Gamecocks offense on the road. Last season Orth started at Georgia, LSU, Texas A&M and Tennessee.
“Experience is a concerning issue for both Brandon and Jake, not so much for Perry because he has been in these venues before and he’s been on the road before,’ Muschamp said. “And we have a very young football team around them on that side of the ball. That is a little concerning, as far as the experience we’re putting on the field with (the quarterback).
“You always have to evaluate not just one position but all the other 10 on that side of the ball. That’s part of the evaluation, quite frankly. That’s part of our thought process going through this.”
Advantage Orth? Perhaps.
Regardless of the uncertainty of who the starter will be, Muschamp maintained the level of play from quarterback position once the season begins is not a concern.
“If somebody had distanced themselves, we would have named a starter, but in last night’s scrimmage there were extremely good plays made by multiple people at that position,” Muschamp said. “I’m pleased with their progress. As I’ve said before, it’s not a position I’m overly worried about going into the season. We’re very competent at the position and the future of the position is outstanding.”
NOTES:
-- The Gamecocks practice Monday and Tuesday at 9 a.m. before taking Wednesday off (remember, with classes now started, the 20-hour rule is in effect). Muschamp’s first call-in show of preseason camp is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. from Wild Wings Café in the Vista.
-- Preparations for Vanderbilt begin in earnest, giving the Gamecocks six practices and a walk-through (Wed. Aug. 31) to focus on the Commodores. Muschamp said that was more than enough time to prepare for an opponent. “Kids get tired of working on an opponent,” Muschamp said. “Same thing happens in bowl practice. Guys get tired of seeing the same stuff over and over. You lose the mental focus you need to have at practice. We’ll have six good practices and a walk-through and that’s generally what we’ve done.”
-- Muschamp lauded defensive lineman Taylor Stallworth for “having a very good camp,” but added the Gamecocks need to “develop more rushers up front and be more disruptive up front in the run and pas game.” The USC defense did not force a turnover in Saturday’s scrimmage. Muschamp did praise the defensive effort, though.
-- Even though redshirt freshman A.J. Turner remains USC’s No. 1 running back after Saturday’s scrimmage, Muschamp envisions a running-back-by-committee approach this season in order to get through the 12 regular season games as healthy as possible. “You don’t make it through the season in the SEC with just one back,” Muschamp said. “That’s not going to happen.” Muschamp mentioned Rod Talley and David Williams as two running backs that have “done some nice things.”
-- Muschamp again lamented the lack of depth in the secondary, naming Rashad Fenton, Chris Lammons, JaMarcus King and Rico McWilliams as USC’s top four cornerbacks with Steven Montac fifth. D.J. Smith could serve as an “emergency” corner, Muschamp added. “I don’t think anybody has sewn a starting spot up yet,” Muschamp said. “I feel good about certain combinations of guys. Let’s get the best guys out there.” Fenton played nickel throughout Saturday night’s scrimmage with Jorden Diggs sidelined with an injury.
-- Muschamp is concerned the Gamecocks could struggle defending teams with taller receivers such as Mississippi State that rely on bubble screens and quick hitters to the perimeter. In those situations, USC must focus on setting the edge of the defense.
