Statistical breakdown of the struggling South Carolina offensive line

In what has become a common theme over recent years, the South Carolina offensive line is struggling in 2024. The Gamecocks have been inconsistent up front despite a talented group, and if the offense (which had its worst performance of the year on Saturday against Ole Miss), is to find any improvement, the big fellas on the line will have to get a few things corrected.

Let’s take a look at the stats behind the offensive line’s poor play this fall.

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In the run game, the Gamecocks are much improved over last season. However, the 2023 version of the South Carolina football team posted its worst rushing production in program history. Improving on 85 yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry isn’t saying much.

The rushing yardage total doesn’t look horrible. USC is averaging four yards per carry and 184 per game. Some of that is because Rocket Sanders has helped mask a lot of blocking issues on the ground. Despite missing most of the Akron contest and playing hurt against Ole Miss, the senior transfer is among the SEC’s leaders in forcing missed tackles.

The team rushing numbers also appear inflated a bit because of the schedule. The Gamecocks have played two of their three worst opponents already (Old Dominion and Akron), and against the two good defensive fronts they’ve played (Kentucky and Ole Miss), South Carolina has combined to average less than 3 yards per carry.

Rushes of 75 yards (LaNorris Sellers) and 66 yards (Rocket Sanders) account for over 15% of Carolina’s yardage this season and have covered up the team’s inability to move the ball consistently in the running game.

So far, the Carolina offense has been stopped behind the line of scrimmage 46 times. Only the Houston Cougars and NC State Wolfpack (two of the most disappointing Power-4 teams in America) have allowed more tackles for loss than South Carolina. Both of those teams, though, have played six games, one more than the Gamecocks. USC allows 9.2 tackles for loss per game, the worst number in all of Division-I college football. Opponents tackle Gamecock ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage on more than 13% of the Gamecocks’ offensive snaps.

The road doesn’t get easier, either. With games remaining against Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Missouri, and Vanderbilt, South Carolina has matchups against five teams ranked inside the top-54 spots nationally in rushing defense. That doesn’t include the talented Clemson Tigers front that just held Florida State to 22 yards on 23 carries.

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In the passing game, quarterback LaNorris Sellers has to run for his life on most of his snaps. Opponents have sacked Sellers and senior transfer QB Robby Ashford, despite their mobility, a whopping 22 times. That is the highest total in college football. The Gamecocks’ 4.4 average is the worst in the country, as well. On plays in which South Carolina attempts to pass (excluding quarterback scrambles), they’ve been sacked almost 16% of the time.

The Gamecocks have earned just 36 first downs or touchdowns through the air this season. For comparison, the defense—which has been one of the best pass defenses in the country—has allowed 41. Converting passing first downs, especially in obvious passing situations, is nearly impossible without solid pass protection. Explosive plays from longer-developing throws downfield can’t happen without better blocking.

The offense has just five passing touchdowns (two from LaNorris Sellers, two from Robby Ashford, and one from Davis Beville), the second-worst mark in the SEC.

Penalties have been an epidemic for the entire South Carolina team, but the offensive line has been called for their fair share. The Gamecocks are third-worst in the SEC in total penalties and penalty yardage. Both teams with worse numbers (Ole Miss and Texas A&M) have played an additional game.

According to PFF, the Gamecocks’ starting tackles rank near the bottom of the conference as run blockers and pass protectors. One of the two guards is in the same boat. The team’s starting center ranks in the league’s bottom half in both categories, as well.

The offensive line is far from the only issue for offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains‘ unit, but if things are going to get better, they have to get better up front.

The good news for South Carolina football fans is that there is plenty of offensive line talent on the roster. The starting five includes a former 5-star tackle and a former 4-star guard. The other guard was an FCS All-American, and the center was a preseason All-SEC selection. On the bench, Carolina has three 4-star guards and two 4-star tackles, not counting two more injured former blue chippers.

If offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, assistant offensive line coach Greg Adkins, and run game coordinator Shawn Elliott can identify what has kept the talented unit from performing well, there is plenty of reason for optimism about what the Gamecock offense can achieve, even with some limitations elsewhere. However, if each new week on the schedule sees more of the same production from the big uglies, inconsistency and ineffectiveness will remain realities for South Carolina when they have the ball.

Statistics sourced from NCAA.com and gamecocksonline.com

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