Billy Napier explains challenge of South Carolina's special teams

Florida is set to host South Carolina on Saturday, looking to secure its sixth win and bowl eligibility in the process. First-year coach Billy Napier and his staff have circled one area in particular during game prep this week: South Carolina’s special teams.

The Gamecocks have been elite making game-changing plays in that phase of the game.

“They’re No. 1 in the league in field position differential,” Napier said Wednesday. “So they’ve certainly done a great job not only covering kicks but returning kicks. They fake; they’ve got a gauntlet of fakes that you’ve got to prepare for.”

Only Notre Dame has blocked more kicks this season than South Carolina, which has gotten hands on five different kicks or punts.

The Gamecocks have used that expertise on special teams to swing games, with second-year coach Shane Beamer really selling it to his players as a way to make an impact and earn playing time on offense or defense. It’s been plenty effective.

Going into Saturday’s game, South Carolina checks in No. 3 in the nation in kickoff return average (27.3 yards per return), No. 6 in punt return average (16.7 yards per return) and NNo. 12 in net punt average (42.0 yards per punt).

“So without question, Pete Lembo does a good job,” Napier said. “He’s a fantastic coach, and certainly coach Beamer and his dad and their history there with special teams, it’s part of competing against this team is the special teams part, for sure.”

South Carolina’s special teams not the only challenge

Florida is dealing with more than one tricky aspect heading into Saturday’s game. While it will certainly be prepping for a potent South Carolina special teams unit, team trainers are also working diligently to get leading receiver Justin Shorter back to health.

Shorter has been limited with a hamstring injury of late, missing the team’s win over Texas A&M last week.

Napier said Wednesday he remains questionable.

“[Shorter has] been modified in practice,” Napier said. “He’s been able to do some things. We’ve kind of got him on a pitch count. He’s still questionable at this point in time. We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow. But he has done work. He worked yesterday, he worked today. We’re just keeping a close eye on him there and trying to control the volume.”

Florida and South Carolina are scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday in the Swamp, with a broadcast on the SEC Network. For now, Hurricane Nicole has not impacted the game, though officials will continue to monitor the storm as it prepares to make landfall on the state’s eastern coast.