WATCH: Jaheim Bell drags defender on 82-yard South Carolina touchdown
Midway through the first quarter in Columbia, South Carolina, it’s been all Gamecocks — really, all Gamecocks’ tight ends — as South Carolina leads Vanderbilt 14-3 after the latest Jaheim Bell touchdown.
Both of South Carolina’s touchdowns so far have come via Luke Doty passing touchdowns to two of his tight ends; first, a two-yard touchdown pass to Nick Muse. Then, this 82-yard monstrous reception by tight end Jaheim Bell.
Doty’s 82-yard touchdown to Bell was the longest passing touchdown of the sophomore quarterback’s career, and it was the tenth-longest touchdown in South Carolina Gamecocks’ history. On just the second play of the drive, Doty lined up under center and found Bell at South Carolina’s own 42-yard line. Vanderbilt defensive back Allan George was in pursuit of Doty, and he caught up to the tight end just past midfield, around Vanderbilt’s 40-yard line.
And Bell stiff-armed him straight to the ground, all while running at full speed, opening up a wide-open field ahead. Bell waltzed his way in for six after the physical move shook the final Vanderbilt defender.
After Bell’s 82-yard touchdown, the South Carolina tight end now has three receptions on the day, already tallying 92 receiving yards and one touchdown. Doty, on the other hand, is having himself a nice day under center, completing seven of his nine passing attempts for 132 passing yards and two touchdowns at the time of publication.
Mike Wright makes first career start against South Carolina
Vanderbilt will start sophomore Mike Wright at quarterback against South Carolina, replacing fellow sophomore Ken Seals, according to Kevin Ingram on Vanderbilt’s pregame radio show.
Seals, Vanderbilt’s typical starter, is missing the South Carolina game with a finger injury, according to Robbie Weinstein of 247 Sports. Saturday marks Wright’s first-ever college start at quarterback.
Through six games, Vanderbilt has a 2-4 record and Seals has been a microcosm of Vanderbilt’s sporadic offense. He holds a 55 percent completion rate, with 1,086 passing yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Last season, by comparison, Seals threw for 1,928 yards, 12 touchdowns and ten interceptions as a true freshman; though the stats may not show it, the Texas native showed plenty of upside as a true freshman in a tough season. Wright, a fellow sophomore, has played as a change-of-pace option for Vanderbilt, occassionally taking over for Seals.
Wright has completed 11 of his 23 passing attempts this season, good for just 95 yards, one touchdown and one interception in limited play. His usage rate last year was similar, as he completed six of ten passes for 51 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. However, Wright boasts impressive athleticism for a quarterback. He’s run for 98 yards this year, with many of his play calls designed as quarterback draws.