Dowell Loggains: 'LaNorris Sellers is our quarterback'

After missing last week’s game against Akron due to injury, all eyes are on LaNorris Sellers this week against Ole Miss. Robby Ashford took over as South Carolina’s QB1 last time out, but offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains didn’t mince words about Sellers’ standing in the quarterback room.

“LaNorris Sellers is our quarterback,” Loggains said during his weekly press conference on Wednesday. “I will say that.”

That said, Loggains said Ashford is proving to be a key leader for South Carolina. It’s why he was able to step in so well against Akron, when he threw for 243 yards, ran for 133 and had three total touchdowns in the 50-6 victory.

Loggains also pointed out Ashford got some time on the field while Sellers was fully healthy. The competition between the two is also meant to get the most out of both players, which is why South Carolina brought the former Auburn quarterback in.

“That’s why we got Robby, because we wanted someone that’s experienced and they can come in and help this team,” Loggains said. “He was playing some at quarterback even when LaNorris was healthy, so that tells you what we think about Robby that way. We expected him to play that way. He’s been a guy that’s played in SEC games and played well. Going through that stuff, the ups and downs of playing this position in this conference is experience – we can’t give him that. He has to go do that, and he’s had that experience.

“Even for helping with LaNorris, when he’s been banged up, Robby’s been in the chair on the opposite sidea of that, as well. So being a good teammate, and even through this whole process before we named LaNorris the starter, when you have good players behind good players, it pushes them. As a coach, the bench is your biggest tool. Competition creates pressure, and pressure defines who you are. It makes you the best version of yourself most of the time. So having two good players in that position really helps.”

Because of the blowout nature, Ashford didn’t play the whole way against Akron. Davis Beville also jumped in, completing 4-of-6 passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. His performance, according to Loggains, further shows the strength of the South Carolina quarterback room to all make the most of the moments when called upon.

“Davis came in and played well against Akron as well, which Davis has played,” Loggains said. “He’s got experience, he’s really, really intelligent.

“So those guys, being able to go in and play, it’s what we see every day in practice. But you’ve got to go do it because on Saturday, under the lights, it’s different than on the practice field.”