Gamecocks Carved Up By Tar Heels In 31-17 Season-Opening Loss
Most people predicted that this game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the North Carolina Tar Heels was gonna come down to the last possession in a potentially high-scoring affair. Shane Beamer's squad is wishing right now that either of those predictions rang true, but it quickly became apparent that the Gamecocks were going to be outclassed in several aspects in this matchup.
In the first half, South Carolina struggled to establish an offensive rhythm and were bailed out by a few explosive plays in the passing game, and the defense wasn't able to get off the field on multiple occasions. In the second half, it was much of the same story.
Offensively, the offensive tackle position saw multiple players get in the game, and nobody was able to hold up in pass protection for long periods of time. On several occasions, Spencer Rattler had to move up in the pocket or scramble in order to avoid the Tar Heel pash rush. Dowell Loggains tried to get a bit of quick passing game going, but to no avail.
Defensively, the Gamecocks were never able to put North Carolina's offense behind the sticks, which against an Air raid that's based on execution and finding open grass, is not a formula for success. It allowed for a plethora of manageable situations for one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Drake Maye, and thus, let the Tar Heels take full control of the game.
South Carolina had a chance to cut the lead to one score late, but their inability to keep Rattler upright dashed away any hope they had remaining in the fourth quarter. It marks the first time in the Shane Beamer era that South Carolina begins the season with a loss. They'll look to bounce back in week two when they take on the Furman Paladins in Williams-Brice Stadium.
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