Quick-hitters: Players on ECU, line play, tackling

Several South Carolina players met with the media Tuesday to discuss the Gamecocks' home opener against ECU. Among the topics were line play, tackling and the slow starts.

Tuesday post-practice quick-hitters:

** South Carolina's offensive linemen seem to all take it personally that they've struggled so far. Zack Bailey says that the line is making small mistakes that cause big problems. Bailey specifically says the issues are with taking wrong steps and not getting squared up on defenders. Says it's on the offensive line to set the tone and they haven't done that. D.J. Park says the line may have bought into their hype.

** Both tight ends K.C. Crosby and Jacob August weren't surprised to see so many two-tight end sets. It's a big part of Kurt Roper's offense. August says that when the tight ends don't mess up, it makes things easier on everyone else in the running game.

** Bryson Allen-Williams says that ECU is a similar team to Mississippi State in that they have good players on the perimeter and a good quarterback. They have a good running game and the quarterback can make all the throws.

** Allen-Williams says the tackling problems have been disappointing because the staff teaches them the fundamentals all the time and they did not apply them in the game on Saturday. "We don't work hard to go out and lay an egg like that." "It's just hard to watch, because we've got to make those plays. If we make those plays, then it's a different game."

** A.J. Turner says he likes the tempo that they play with when Brandon McIlwain is in the game and the running ability that he brings. Turner isn't sure who will start at quarterback. He says that the running game problems aren't all on the line, he could have made better cuts at times, and everyone has to play better.

** The players are excited to get back home and play at Williams-Brice Stadium. That energy could help with the slow starts. They aren't sure why the starts have been slow, but know that they have to fix them.

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