GamecockCentral Film Room: Breaking down Justin Okoronkwo's interception from South Carolina-Vanderbilt

On Saturday, South Carolina’s record dropped to 2-1 with a home loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Gamecocks didn’t have a lot of highlights in this one, but we will take a look at a few of them.

In each game’s aftermath, I will be breaking down three positive plays (in separate articles) from a South Carolina perspective.

First, we broke down the Gamecocks’ first offensive play, a 33-yard pass from LaNorris Sellers to Jordan Dingle. Next, we will look at the defense and linebacker Justin Okoronkwo’s interception at the goal line.

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Gamecock Film Room: South Carolina-Vanderbilt Edition
Justin Okoronkwo’s goal line interception

Late in the third quarter against Vanderbilt, the Commodores were driving while leading 21-7. If South Carolina was going to have a chance at a comeback, they had to get a stop. Though the comeback never came, the Gamecock defense got the stop to at least give the USC offense a chance.

On 3rd-and-8 from the 11-yard line, Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia scrambled around and threw a pass toward the end zone. Carolina linebacker Justin Okoronkwo stepped in front of the pass at the goal line, intercepted it, and returned it 21 yards to keep the team’s fading hopes alive.

You can watch the entire play below.

South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White sent his unit out in its typical 4-2-5 to counter Vanderbilt’s singleback, four-receiver set. The ‘Dores were in trips right with two receivers inside the hash and one other way outside.

Dylan Stewart (6) and Bryan Thomas Jr. (46) were standing up at both EDGE spots, and tackles Monkell Goodwine (44) and Nick Barrett (93) were alongside Stewart and Thomas, respectively. At linebacker, Fred “JayR” Johnson (0) and Justin Okoronkwo (17) were at standard depth. Corners Vicari Swain (4) and Myles Norwood (3) were out wide on opposite sides. Nickel Jalon Kilgore (24) and safety Peyton Williams (31) were lined up over the inside receivers on the trips side, and safety DQ Smith (1) was deep on the opposite side, lined up between the solo X receiver and the offensive line.

At the snap, the Gamecocks showed a twist up front with Stewart and Goodwine and one with Thomas and Barrett. As Goodwine headed toward the outside, both Vanderbilt offensive linemen on the right side had eyes on him; that’s a mistake when Dylan Stewart is heading inside. Thomas whipped his man inside as Barrett waited to head to the outside. Beyond the line of scrimmage, the Gamecocks dropped back into zone in what looked like cover four pre-snap but shifted into something more exotic. Norwood carried the outside receiver into the end zone, while Kilgore and Williams dropped, keeping their eyes on the two inside receivers. Swain gave the single receiver a quick jam to buy time for Smith and then stayed in a more shallow zone on the backside. Meanwhile, the linebackers played the middle.

Both Thomas and Stewart got held, but no flag came out. Even so, the Gamecocks got pressure as Stewart won inside, and the left guard had to help on Thomas, allowing Barrett to win outside. Swain positioned himself between the flat and the deep zone. Smith, Williams, Kilgore, and Norwood all dropped into the end zone. Williams and Kilgore shifted their zones toward the offense’s left side as every receiver but Norwood’s headed that way. Because there was nothing underneath in the middle, Johnson and Okoronkwo were able to get some depth on their drops.

When Vanderbilt held Barrett (at least the third hold on the play), a yellow flag finally flew. Stewart flushed quarterback Diego Pavia (2) from the pocket and nearly got him for a sack. It worked out nicely for the Gamecocks that he didn’t quite get there.

As Pavia rolled left, Thomas continued his pursuit. With no one crossing into the middle zone, a linebacker (Johnson) was able to come up and force Pavia into committing. The Vanderbilt quarterback elected to throw the ball across his body, looking for tight end Eli Stowers (9). Stowers began the play as one of the inside receivers on the trips side. Away from the camera, the other USC DBs stuck with receivers who had come through their zones.

The throw was right to Okoronkwo. Even had he not been there, Kilgore likely would have had a play on the ball, too. As you can see from the photo below, the Gamecocks had all of Pavia’s options covered up. Because the interception occurred at the goal line, the sophomore had to return the football.

During the return, Barrett got away with a blindside block right in front of the official. The Vanderbilt running back gave a hilariously bad acting performance to try to sell the call but to no avail. Swain also got a little piece of a block that aided in the return.

Okoronkwo was drug down by the bottom of his helmet as he brought the ball back to the 21-yard line.

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The interception kept South Carolina within striking distance, but the offense couldn’t take advantage. The Gamecocks’ final five offensive (pronounced uh-fenc-ive) drives resulted in two turnovers on downs, two lost fumbles, and an interception.

Okoronkwo’s play marked his first interception as a Gamecock. South Carolina now has three picks on the year. JO joins fellow linebacker Fred “JayR” Johnson and safety Peyton Williams, who each had one against Virginia Tech.

This Saturday, South Carolina will play in Columbia, but they won’t be at home. Instead, the Gamecocks are traveling to Columbia, Missouri for the Mayor’s Cup battle against Mizzou. Kickoff has been set for 7:00 p.m. (Eastern). ESPN will handle the broadcast, and the ESPN app will stream the game.

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