Shane Beamer describes his approach to running the ball with Spencer Rattler

South Carolina saw its four-game winning streak snapped last weekend when Missouri upset the Gamecocks 23-10 in Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks haven’t run quarterback Spencer Rattler all that much this year, but coach Shane Beamer isn’t necessarily opposed to him taking off more if it can help the offense.

There’s a delicate balance, though.

“We’ve used Juju (McDowell) as like a Wildcat quarterback,” Beamer said. “We’ve got a lot of guys. I think Spencer is a better athlete than people give him credit for, so certainly want to see him run. He did that some the other night.”

Rattler has never been the kind of quarterback that’s going to pile up huge numbers rushing, but he can definitely be a situational threat.

He ran for six touchdowns in 2020 at Oklahoma, then three in 2021. So far this season at South Carolina he’s got 46 carries for eight yards and two touchdowns, though those figures include sacks that count against rushing totals in college.

“Some of them, certainly some runs that he’s had have been scrambles,” Beamer said. “He’s had some runs this year that are either zone read and he kept it or quarterback draw, whatever it may be. There’s different things each week that you try and give your team the best chance to be successful.

“But then also believe, I mean Vandy does a great job of it, they’ve got two quarterbacks that we’re preparing for this week. When you have the threat of a different guy at quarterback that can run the football it’s a challenge. I know that from a defensive standpoint.”

Spencer Rattler running the ball a feel thing

One of the reasons Beamer hasn’t really designed more Spencer Rattler running plays is that the Gamecocks have to sacrifice carries for other players if they’re drawing things up for Rattler.

“If you’ve got other guys at quarterback in your run game that means Marshawn Lloyds or Juju or (Christian Beal-Smith) or whoever’s not getting the ball, too,” Beamer said. “Each week’s different, but yeah, I’ve got no problem with Spencer running it if it’s there. Then also you’re always trying to find ways to generate yards and present challenges for the opposing defense.”

Even tight end Jaheim Bell has gotten some carries this season, with 19 for 64 yards and two scores.

Bottom line: Rattler can run and Beamer doesn’t mind if he does, it’s just not something South Carolina is likely to force.

“I trust him when he runs the football because he can run and he can make some people miss, and he’s a better athlete than people give him credit for,” Beamer said. “But also as your quarterback, you don’t want to see your quarterback taking a lot of unnecessary hits, either.”