What South Carolina coordinators said during their weekly availability

South Carolina coordinators Marcus Satterfield and Clayton White each met with the media Wednesday afternoon.

The Gamecocks host No. 5 Tennessee Saturday at 7 p.m. Here’s a recap of what both said during their press conferences:

Marcus Satterfield

–Florida was not a good night offensively. Couldn’t run the ball, started slow. Then three turnovers in five plays is “unacceptable” and frustrating. Lose those three possessions and then would get an explosive play get called back.

–Any time you turn the ball over three times on three plays, hard to get a run game going. Said they’ll do whatever it takes to get the run game going.

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–Got away from the game plan too quick against Missouri and tried to be a little more “steadfast” in that Saturday. Mentions they tried to get the run game going but it’s hard when you turn the ball over.

–Have to evaluate the roster week to week. Jaheim Bell is a great athlete so he says it makes sense to get him the ball like that. Once the running backs who are on the roster outside of a Juju McDowell prove they can be on the field they’ll see time.

–Turnovers, you have to make decisions to carry the ball properly if they put you out there. Said all three turnovers were ball security issues. They spent a lot of time this week going over that this week.

–He knows what’s out there. Mentions the criticism is harder on his family and his players than him. He can go into the bunker and separate. It’s more about family and players seeing it. Loves and welcomes the criticism because folks care. He’s frustrated and gets it because fans deserve better. It does get tough some times but it is what it is.

–Why hasn’t the offense clicked after bringing in all this talent? Said inconsistency of guys being healthy all at the same time. Mentions losing a guy like MarShawn Lloyd is tough. Said the offense can be a “grab bag” at times. Guys are resilient and tough but if things do go bad early they have to “fight some demons.” Said they’ve convinced themselves they’re ready to go win the Super Bowl.

–Think they’re reshaping their identity without Lloyd out there. Talks about versatility in the skill set. The identity is more about mindset than what you see on the field.

–Asked a follow up about reshaping an identity 10 weeks into the year, said it’s not a wholesale reshaping but changing what South Carolina does when the run game isn’t going.

–Lloyd and CBS moving around but didn’t do much offensively today.

–Asked about lack of rhythm, they try to without subbing guys and go tempo. Said they have to get first downs. Mentions they thought they hit rock bottom against Missouri and hit it against Florida. Searching for that flow and consistency.

–Said most people think he might be stubborn but said it’s about being process-oriented. They know what it takes to succeed and play well offensively. Have to reinforce that and demand more in practice. Trying to find better ways to do what they do. Said they can’t be reactionary. Can’t do wholesale changes during a season but always looking to improve what they do.

Clayton White

–Disappointing Saturday night in all parts. Nothing positive to take from that game outside of fighting back. That’s “the only credit we can account for. Unacceptable, disappointing loss.”

–Tennessee’s tempo is unlike anything in football now. That’s the identity. Have to have a full commitment from the entire team from the scout team, etc. That’s the only way you get better.

–Reitrates again the run defense was unacceptable. Just have to do better tackling and reinforcing fitting in gaps. That falls on him as defensive coordinator and just harping on what he expects from this group. Says he’s ready for it to start clicking.

–There were some good things they did defensively at times but have to be a man, look at the film and see which plays hurt them. Have to look his guys in the eyes, say they all can be better and be accountable.

—That 85 yard run, said he’s not going to call players out to the media but it’s a team thing. That was handled and corrected inside. Said there were a few mistakes on the play and he probably should have called a different play compared to what he called.

–They make adjustments at halftime. Said they don’t install a new defense or cry in the corner but talk about tweaks and what to expect in the second half. It’s a collective thing. Guys understand what to anticipate.

–Said there are times as a defensive coordinator playing Tennessee, you have to maybe call two or three plays ahead to handle that tempo. Good for South Carolina is they understand the tempo and saw it last year.

–Proud of how his seniors in the defensive guys handled the transition. Brad Johnson and Sherrod Greene trusted him and do whatever for him. Proud to see Greene make it healthy to a senior day.

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–Have to generate negative plays. It’s about trying to get them behind the chains but it’s the right play or stunt or shedding a block at the right time.

–Jalin Hyatt is going to get some catches but they want to make sure they challenge him and limit yards after the catch. Then when it’s their turn to make a play and change the game to make it.

Pete Lembo

–Extremely loyal to Shane Beamer and reiterates he does indeed know who Adele is but doesn’t know her songs. In terms of how she turned into the call for the Florida game, said he comes up with themes each week. Last week, he struggled to come with one. Said Britney, for Britney Spears, then countered with Adele.

–Calls Florida a “disappointing loss” at Florida. Said “we win as a team and lose as a team.” Whatever they did on special teams was good but it wasn’t enough. They have to be at their “absolute best.” Did some good but not enough and can still get a lot better in fundamentals and basic execution. Still very much a work in progress.

–Vols are “excellent” in kick coverage. They play with a lot of energy across all their units. They reloaded another guy at returner and he’s been great. Present a lot of challenges. The Vols’ punter, he thought he was a “forward on the basketball team.”

–Really enjoyed his time with Josh Vann. Gotten along well since day one. They have a good respect for each other and personalities and quirks. They’ve connected and appreciated what he’s brought to the table. Stepped up and done more recently. Played some gunner last week at Florida too. Coming out of last season they really challenged Vann on the punt return end and try to give them more plays back there. He’s stepped up and done that. He’s continued to make an impact as a receiver, maybe not in terms of volume, but made some big catches. Proud of how he’s handled family while also playing ball. He’s mature. He’s more even-keel this year and hope he gets a shot to play at the next level. A lot of scouts pop into his office and “that’s who we usually talk about.”

–In terms of scouting Tennessee, a team that hasn’t really punted this year, have to have a feel on how the game plays out and study the film but the statistics and go with feel in terms of how to approach the week.

–When you play a really good returner, the more onus there is for the specialists to do their job. Mentions against Kentucky Mitch Jeter had a ton of touchbacks and limited a dangerous UK return game. Then with Kroeger this week, can he give you the hangtime and direction so your coverage unit has a chance to be successful.

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–Field goal blocks start with effort. Mentions people have to turn on the film and watch the first special teams play and final one and see a “fanatical” effort. Mentions Zacch Pickens is the poster child for that. Then it comes down to attention to detail. The difference between a six-inch alignment and protection is going to be the difference in getting one and not getting one. Said last year they got one from an interior push, this was the first off the edge. Cam Smith didn’t waste any movement and he was able to get there efficiently. That was good to see.

–Very humbled and grateful to be on the Broyles nominee. None of that happens without the support from a guy like Shane Beamer. Said he tells his players that any postseason award is a direct reflection of the team and the program itself. No one is interested in you if you’re a two-win team. It’s a positive reflection on the program, the team’s success and the progress they’re making, the buy-in of the players, the support from Beamer, then the staff. He doesn’t coach any of the units by himself. On any given unit it could be three or four full-time assistants. If a coach is disinterested in coaching on special teams, then it doesn’t work.

–Jeter’s handled that pressure very well. Been very consistent with his field goals but more consistent with his field goals. Calls the FG “awesome.” He’s bought into some situations where he could have kicked a field goal but elected to call a fake. He’s a team player and doesn’t get upset with it. Tried hard to understand what they’re trying to do conceptually and where he fits in with kick coverage. He’s a team guy and focused. Mitch Jeter, Nate Adkins and Hank Manos are the three guys always early for meetings.

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