South Carolina trying to develop chemistry in downfield passing attack

Shane Beamer knows South Carolina can’t be a nickel and dime kind of offense.

Yes, the Gamecocks need to be able to run the ball, but South Carolina also needs to go for the big-money downfield shots as well.

Which is why, at times Thursday against South Carolina State, the Gamecocks tried to stretch the field vertically in a 50-10 win.

“I think we’re getting there. We have got to be, there’s no question about it. We’re not going to be able to run the ball and dink and dunk down the field and win football games,” Beamer said postgame.

“We have to throw the football down the field. We need to continue to call it and continue to take those shots. But we have to be able to hit on them as well. I thought we were better tonight.”

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The Gamecocks still didn’t live and die with the long ball Saturday—14 attempts were at or behind the line of scrimmage—but did air it out some.

Eight of Spencer Rattler’s 27 attempts traveled at least 10 yards downfield with four of those 20-plus.

On medium-to-deep throws, Rattler was 4-for-8 for 15.9 yards per attempt. Both interceptions—which were on bobbled passes—came on deep throws with one touchdown in that range as well.

He did miss a few and leave some underthrown in the win.

A couple of those times, spencer would tell you he would have loved to air it out a little bit more and have guys catch and run,” Beamer said. “Jalen brooks made a phenomenal catch in the first half where he had to go up and get it in the air. Then the one to Jaheim, Jaheim came up pretty quick and got to get that. We work on it a lot.”

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The Gamecocks also showed flashes of being an offense that can stretch the field vertically, connecting with Jalen Brooks and Jaheim Bell for chunk plays.

“We made some great plays today. Jalen Brooks had a big-time catch down the field. Jaheim had a great catch,” Rattler said. “Definitely have the downfield shots. I mean, I love to throw it downfield. What quarterback doesn’t? I feel like we mixed it in pretty well today.”

As it stands Saturday, before the week four slate of games, the Gamecocks are tied for third in the SEC with 16 pass plays of at least 20 yards.

Georgia (21) and Tennessee (20) are the only schools with more. Auburn, Kentucky and also Vanderbilt are all tied with South Carolina.

Georgia, Kentucky and Auburn all play Saturday at some point.

“That comes from repetition in practice and building confidence within each other. We practice it a lot and are able to repeat it a lot,” Brooks said. “That creates better opportunity on Saturday.”

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But, South Carolina needs to be better in the downfield passing attack.

So far this season only 11.8 percent of Rattler’s attempts have been at least 20 yards downfield. He’s 8-for-18 averaging 19.8 yards per attempt with a score and four interceptions.

In the medium depth, he’s 12-for-23 while averaging 7.6 yards per attempt with a touchdown and two picks.

The Gamecocks have nine days off now before a pivotal road game at Kentucky and will need to hit big plays to come out of Lexington with the win.

“We’ve got the weapons on offense between the tight ends and receivers in the passing game. we have to hit those shots downfield,” Beamer said. “The more we’re able to run the ball successfully as well will help us in the pass game.”

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