What more can be done about South Carolina's defense
Ranked towards the bottom in FBS in nearly every defensive statical category, South Carolina’s defense is in a funk. A funk that they desperately need to get out of after falling to 2-5 this past weekend.
“Whenever you’re in a funk it’s not just gonna happen,” said defensive coordinator Clayton White. “You have to put the work in and continue staying with the process. Keep believing and just understand that we have the pieces here. We just got to continue — it’s all about consistency. We can’t just do it for seven plays or two drives. Sometimes you got to do it for 80, 70, 60 plays.
With the fourth worst rated pass defense in the country, the Gamecocks are coming off their best defensive performance against the pass. Here’s the catch though. Missouri not only led 24-3 at the half, but they rushed for 213 yards.
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USC’s inability to get off the field on third-down while causing just two tackles for loss allowed Missouri’s offense to feel comfortable from start to finish.
“We just got to continue to stay in the fight. Keep the process, don’t change that process, and don’t fold or start pointing fingers. Look each other in the eye when you’re walking through the building and keep your head up and chin up, stand up tall and be a man about it. Eventually it’s gonna pop so can’t wait.”
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One of the most notable changes about South Carolina’s defense last week was that true freshmen Jalon Kilgore played nickel. Kilgore appeared on defense for all 64 snaps faced.
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“Jalon is a football player. That position isn’t just a corner or a big safety it’s a football player who understands things… You can’t just put a linebacker out there and play (a) 4-3. That’s not even existing anymore in college football because of the offenses. So, one of our DBs has to play that position for the most part and we’re rotating and working through it. The goal is get it figured out shortly.”
Kilgore finished with eight tackles, including five solo and defended two passes. He was also credited with one of South Carolina’s tackles for loss.
