Missouri Tigers football preview: South Carolina

The No. 23-ranked Missouri Tigers’ Week 4 matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks had much more hype a week ago, until the Gamecocks’ redshirt sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers went down with a head injury –– later diagnosed as a concussion –– late in the second quarter of last week’s matchup against Vanderbilt.

As of Sept. 2, Sellers had the second-best odds of winning the Heisman Trophy. The excitement of a showdown between two dual-threat quarterbacks in Sellers and Beau Pribula was abundant, but the Tigers have to play the team and players that are laid before them nonetheless.

Pribula has led Missouri to a 3-0 record and 155 points on the season, while South Carolina moved to 2-1 and dropped out of The Associated Press’ Top 25 rankings with its loss to the Commodores. Since joining the Southeastern Conference, the Mayor’s Cup has gone in the Tigers’ favor, boasting a 7-6 record. The Mayor’s Cup, named after the fact that both schools are located in cities called Columbia, is awarded annually to the winner of the Missouri-South Carolina game.

Scouting Sellers’ Replacement

Sixth-year quarterback Luke Doty is projected to start on Saturday with Sellers sidelined. Doty has spent his entire collegiate career with the Gamecocks and has nine starts to his name.

In just over a half of play against Vanderbilt, Doty completed 18 of 27 passes for 148 yards and one interception, while also losing a fumble in the fourth quarter. Compared to Sellers, Doty is not nearly as much of a worry in the rushing game, with an average of 2.0 rushing attempts per game for his career.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Missouri’s defensive coordinator, Corey Batoon, draw up more blitzes than usual against the turnover-prone quarterback.

Dealing with the Gamecock Pass Rush

One of the Tigers’ biggest flaws so far this season lies in the offensive line. Pribula has been sacked seven times this season, four from Kansas alone. With three new starters to Missouri’s unit, growing pains were expected, but pass protection has to be better, especially against South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart.

Stewart was originally expected to miss the first half of the Mayor’s Cup matchup after receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Vanderbilt, but he has since been cleared to play the whole game.

The sophomore has accumulated 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks on the season. Missouri’s offensive tackles will have their work cut out dealing with Stewart and the rest of the Gamecocks’ pass rushers.

Opportunities in the Passing Game

While last week was a chance for the Tigers’ running back group to shine, this week may be the time to air it out. Sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy should still see a heavy workload, but it would be surprising if the rushing attack accumulated 427 rushing yards again.

South Carolina has allowed over 170 passing yards in each of its three games so far. Pribula has thrown for 791 yards and seven touchdowns this season, despite not playing in the majority of the second halves of the games against Louisiana and Central Arkansas.

Missouri’s three-headed monster of receiving options – Kevin Coleman Jr., Brett Norfleet and Marquis Johnson – should give the Gamecocks’ secondary trouble with focus prioritized on stopping the run game.

Other Game Info

This is the Tigers’ first conference opponent of the season, and they are looking to avenge their narrow 34-30 loss to South Carolina a year ago.

Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Faurot Field. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

 

Edited by Killian Wright | [email protected]
Copy edited by Alana Sheba and Emma Harper | [email protected]
Edited by Chase Pray | [email protected]