Recap: South Carolina coordinators preview Tennessee

South Carolina coordinators Dowell Loggains, Clayton White and Pete Lembo all got a chance to talk about their units.

All three Gamecocks coordinators spoke to the media to recap Mississippi State and preview a trip to Knoxville this weekend. This is what they all had to say.

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Dowell Loggains

–Hasn’t watched Tennessee offensively this year but has seen it before and it’s a big challenge. A lot of things that Tennessee does that’s similar to where he came from at Arkansas. Being on the opposite side of it, you “understand how good you are.”

–Hates being backed up but thankful they were at home and were backed up. South Carolina does a lot of that in practice. Normally your first two series don’t start on your one and two. They played smart football Saturday against Mississippi State. Only had two penalties, one dropped, really did well in the middle eight. They played smart football.

–Asked about the run game, said that makes it easier. Every game plays out differently and might not have expected to run it about 40 times. Said the fastball was working and they kept throwing it. Rattler kept checking to runs too. Rattler checked into a run that turned into a touchdown. Part of the success was Rattler getting the Gamecocks into the right look.

–Talking about his relationship with Rattler, said he tells him to whom much is given, much is required. He gets you into good plays, covers up bad stuff, etc. Called him Superman and spaghetti sauce. Mentions that don’t happen very often. Said it’s a good four weeks but it’s just four weeks.

–Jokes every week is hard. You get done with one game and “holy crap” it’s even harder next week.

–Talking about Spencer Rattler running, said he always tells Rattler to get down. Part of it is knowing when the journey is over and get down.

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–Not going to be super critical of Rattler, said he thinks Rattler can still improve. He’s played well in all four games. Have to make him understand what got him to this point and keep him focused on the the goal at hand. Mentions it’s a brand new week and Rattlers’ been “super impressive” but “that doesn’t matter.” Mentions they have a ton of work to do this week to play with. Doesn’t want Rattler to lose that edge. It’s a long season. Mentions stretching drops, knowing when to scramble. Those things are improving rapidly. The prep and hard work have to continue.

–Mentions that first touchdown to Legette was the third read on the progression. Knox’s drop at UGA was the third read. The fact Rattler is able to do that and can get to the No. 3 progression that quickly is impressive. Rattler has started to understand defenses, and that’s where the trust comes from. If he’s seeing the field like he is right now, whatever they call works. That’s where confidence as a play caller comes from.

–Xavier Legette is one of the hardest workers on the team. Dowell Loggains compares him to Frank Gore with how talented and how hard working he is. It’s all of it. Talent,, character and work ethic have all come together. Mentions he and the coaches talk to Tyshawn Russell, Kelton Henderson and Nyck Harbor about that being the standard.

–This is a really talented front and might be the most talented front they’ll face. It’s a game within a game especially on the road. Said that’s a storyline of the game. They’re going to continue to get better on the South Carolina offensive line and try to do some things to help them. Have to win one-on-one battles. As coaches, there are ways to help and make it easier to mitigate the pass rush. This is a challenge for everyone. It falls on receivers/tight ends and backs to be on time with the play calls, etc.

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Clayton White

–Talking about the pass defense from last week, when things like that happen it’s not just one group. That starts with him to put guys in better spots. Can’t just sweep that under the rug.

–Said you’re not going to sub a ton and have to keep a limited call sheet just because of Tennessee’s tempo and lack of sub time.

–It’s all about coaching on the sideline. Said it was ugly at halftime from a pass yards perspective. Proud of the guys for bouncing back against State in the second half. Said the Strachan fumble was the same play they called in the first half that resulted in a big play but it was double teamed the right way.

–Asked about DQ Smith, they always talk about team defense and not going to blame it all on one player. It’s not what they want in that entire room. Said because of the culture they’re able to come together, figure out a solution. A bad culture team would have lost that game.

–Judge Collier is still continuing to come along. Getting better in his details and his focus. Calls him a pro. Going to typically be in the right spot.

–Asked about how concerned he is with the South Carolina defensive backs getting eyes in the wrong spot against this offense, said this is a teachable group and being in games can help them get a lot better.

–Defenisv line has done a good job of working nad trying to prepare for the game. The next step is just being consistent. Those guys, if they continue to do what they do, the success will come. Really proud of the fact they have two SEC defensive linemen of the week the last two weeks.

–Joe Milton’s ability to run and throw the ball 70-80 yards is really lethal.

Pete Lembo

–Was great to get a league win. Mentions that crowd continues to be special and never takes that for granted.

–Mississippi State was good because there were a few situations that came up that you practice but don’t deal with it a ton. Mentions getting the onside kick and having a kickoff from the 50. Hands team doesn’t get a ton of practice time during the week. A lot of good learning moments.

–Kai Kroeger had a solid night and ended up netting a 44 yard average against a good punt returner. Mitch Jeter had mostly touchbacks against that good of a returner. That might have been a big key to victory. It’s a good win and able to remain humble from to move on to Tennessee.

–Lembo jokes the only thing certain is death, taxes and Tennessee having a good punt returner. Said it’s like they have a wait list like it’s a country club. Dee Williams is that guy this year. Going to be a huge challenge. This is a unit that can block a punt too.

–This is the third week in a row they’ve faced an Australian punter and this one who can punt with both legs. Said they roll in both directions and do it about 50-50. Said it’s “kicking it up a notch” to prepare for it and scheme against it to return punts or prepare for. They have really good players across all nits. Kids play hard across every unit. Has a ton of respect for the Vols and a very challenging week.

–Thinks special teams is solid right now but the push is to make a difference now. Sometimes it’s a gadget play but most of the time it’s about playing within yourself. They’ve done more of the latter right now. There are still many, many guys they have to continue to bring along and push out of their comfort zones to become effective on special teams. Said he wishes DK Joyner was starting on four units but that’s just “not in the cards right now.”

–Felt good about the South Carolina two-point call and doesn’t regret calling it. That’s them. They want to be aggressive and push the envelope. Those things don’t always work but it’s “on film now and people have to prepare for that stuff.” There are always benefits to doing that stuff.

–Playing guys so they don’t burn redshirts is a “juggling act” but he spends a lot of time talking to position coaches about who’s available right now.

–Talking about that field goal penalty, thinks it’s a good rule to not have a guy over the long snapper. He understands the rule and intent of the rule to not completely cover them. But he also thinks it’s hard not to be not in the vicinity of the snapper. Said it “is what it is.” It’s unfortunate timing because that was a three-point swing. They had no intent of covering the snapper. Boogie Huntley was trying to shade the guard.

–He puts a lot of thought into who goes on hands team and where they go on hands team. You’re thinking about where the ball could go, where guys will be if certain things happen. They had the right guy in the right spot the other not. Players to be aggressive and it was good to see DK Joyner do that. He appreciates the focus that the hands team has.

–Said there are times when a snapper gets clobbered but it’s up to the official to determine the intent. This time, in this official’s judgement, he played it more by the book. Lembo falls into the category of if it’s egregious, call it but if not let him go.

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