The 3-2-1: Key Plays, Game Balls, and a Burning Question from South Carolina's win over Coastal

South Carolina routed Coastal 51-7. Here are the key plays, game balls, and a burning question from the win.

Three Key Plays

1. The first play

The first snap of the game was a bubble screen from LaNorris Sellers to Jayden Sellers. Sellers picked up a couple of blocks and scampered through the defense for a 75-yard touchdown. You can’t start a game much better than that.

2. Fourth down

Last week’s blown 30-3 lead was certainly fresh in the minds of fans, and probably players, too. So when Coastal Carolina drove 49 yards to get to the Gamecock 22-yard line, it made South Carolina a little restless despite a 20-0 lead. Coastal went for it on fourth and two, but Nick Barrett stuffed a run up the middle, and the Gamecocks were able to breathe a sigh of relief.

3. Blocked punt

South Carolina had its backups in the game, but allowing Tucker Jameson to come in virtually untouched to block Mason Love’s punt and return it for a touchdown was disappointing. It also ended South Carolina’s quest for its first shutout since September 4, 2021, against Eastern Illinois.

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Two Game Balls

Jayden Sellers

On South Carolina’s first drive, Sellers caught a 75-yard touchdown. Then on the second drive, he caught a 42-yard pass that led to a touchdown. Sellers finished with 127 yards on four catches, but those plays on the first two drives were what really set the stage for the blowout.

Bryan Thomas, Jr.

Like Sellers, Thomas made a big play early to set up the rout. On Coastal’s second possession, he beat the left tackle for a blindside hit on quarterback Tad Hunter. Hunter fumbled, and Jalon Kilgore recovered to give South Carolina the ball at the Chanticleer 29-yard line. South Carolina was in the end zone four plays later, taking a 20-0 lead and starting the rout.

One Burning Question

What can you do next week?

Blowing out Coastal 51-7 and making a bunch of highlight plays was fine and dandy, but that was a mismatch. Next week is the game that matters. 

Mike Furrey sprinkled in some new looks, like the “Brady Bunch” tush push play on the goalline, things to give Clemson something to worry about when it studies film. But mostly, he kept the play calls simple. Did that work because Coastal is so physically overmatched, or because thinking less allowed South Carolina to make more big plays?

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