2003 Statistics

Quarterback
Dondrial Perkins will be in his second year at the helm of the Gamecock offense. Built more like a fullback, Perkins is not a scrambler; he is a runner. He also has a very strong arm but needs to drastically improve his career 50% passing accuracy. Perkins has a low INT percentage, so we realize essentially mistake-free ball alone won't get it done. Head coach Lou Holtz also needs to move South Carolina's passing schemes into the 21st century and quit using the same schemes he used successfully at Notre Dame in the late '80's. Two unproven quarterbacks are behind Perkins on the depth chart, so it is squarely up to him to breathe some life into the offense.

Running Back
Daccus Turman and Demetris Summers will again share the load. Turman, who broke Hershel Walker's Georgia high school rushing record, has surprising speed for his size. Summers is smaller and more of a slasher. Both runners averaged over five yards per carry in 2003 and broke big plays as receivers out of the backfield. Cory Boyd is good enough to get the start, which he will as a quick, darting runner. The running game should again be productive for South Carolina.

Wide Receiver
The Gamecocks' two leading receivers from 2003 return looking for more opportunities to strut their stuff. Troy Williamson, a former high school track star, has been given few chances to utilize his speed downfield, and converted defensive back Matthew Thomas has seen even fewer passes thrown his way. Both receivers have the potential to stretch the field and develop a vertical passing game should the coaching staff show the inclination to do so. South Carolina needs big plays if they are going to compete with the top teams in the SEC - only 12 TDs again through the air will spell similar team results.

Tight End
As you might imagine on a Lou Holtz team, the Gamecocks' tight end is essentially another offensive lineman. Brian Brownlee, a converted linebacker, is an excellent athlete and a solid blocker.

Offensive Line
The Gamecocks bring back four starters on a veteran offensive line. Along with experience, Carolina's line is one of the largest in the land. The "baby" of the bunch, John Strickland, tips the scales at a petite 304 pounds. Jabari Levy anchors the line at 340 pounds. This is an outstanding unit, strong both on the run and protecting the passer. They allowed only 15 sacks in 2003 and paved the way for a very predictable running game to be successful. The line should be even better.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Watching a Lou Holtz-coached offense is seldom a thrill a minute, but it was downright tedious to see the '03 Gamecocks when they had the ball. While South Carolina fans were watching other teams adapt to more creative and complex passing schemes, the Gamecocks were proving to be quite resistant to change. South Carolina fundamentally played well, but their scoring numbers just never showed the same results that the combined individual numbers reflect. They have the personnel to be explosive if quarterback Dondrial Perkins continues (and coaches allow him) to grow into his job. Carolina has speed to burn at both receiver and running back and a solid offensive line to keep Perkins upright.

Defensive Line
Moe Thompson and George Gause give the Gamecocks a pair of strong pass-rushing ends. They tied for second on the team in sacks and are both good at coming off the edge and pressuring quarterbacks. Starting tackles Darrell Shropshire and Freddy Saint-Preux both occupy blockers, sometimes two each. Neither one makes very many plays, however, putting a heavy burden on the linebackers to make tackles. South Carolina's defensive line looks soft against the run and gets very little push up the middle.

Linebacker
Marcus Lawrence is the closest thing to a big play man on the Gamecock defense. He is the leading returning tackler. Neither he nor Lance Laury, the other returning starter, is particularly strong in pass coverage. With the lack of plays from the front line, South Carolina linebackers have to commit to stopping the run, making them vulnerable to the pass. Lawrence and Laury keep plays in front of them, but don't make many big plays, either.

Defensive Back
Jermaine Harris and Taqiy Muhammad give the Gamecocks seniors at both starting safety positions. Harris, the nephew of former Pittsburgh Steeler Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris, is both big and a heavy hitter. Third safety/nickel-back Jamacia Jackson has good speed and can cover a lot of ground. Neither Harris nor Jackson, though, has shown the ability to make big plays. South Carolina will have an open competition for both cornerback spots. The Gamecock secondary was mediocre at best in 2003, and could be a big liability with question marks at both corners. As answers come, we will let you know about this area.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The strength of South Carolina's defense lies in what is does not do - give up big plays. The weakness also is something this unit does not do - make big plays. The Gamecocks don't give up home runs to opposing offenses very often, but they don't make the type of plays than can change the momentum of a game. The secondary, in particular, is devoid of this type of player. The safeties are good tacklers, but, due to their own assignments, are usually several yards down the field once they help. Carolina's corners are vulnerable and could be torched on occasion. The middle of the defensive line keeps blockers off their linebackers, but they fail to gain significant penetration into opponents' offensive line. The linebackers themselves are more run-oriented, opening the short middle of the field to a ball-control passing game. Ironic, how the patterns which plague the USC offense are precisely what will succeed most against their defense.