Offense cruises in scrimmage

From The State

Garcia finds his targets; Gilmore runs new ‘Wildcock’ formation

By JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com

It was something old and something new at quarterback Wednesday for South Carolina — and it added up to a productive night for the Gamecocks’ offense.

Starter Stephen Garcia bounced back from a so-so scrimmage Sunday with an on-point passing performance in USC’s third and final full scrimmage of the preseason. The right-hander, who overthrew several receivers Sunday, completed 14 of 16 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown.

His only incompletions were dropped passes by Joe Hills, the second of which came on a well-thrown ball in the end zone.

“He looked better. He can still throw a lot of them a little bit better, but he did throw a lot of good ones tonight,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said. “He was much improved.”

And when Garcia took a break, freshman Stephon Gilmore stepped in and provided a spark in his debut in the “Wildcock” formation.

Gilmore, a starting corner who was the starting quarterback for South Pointe’s state championship team last fall, played 12 snaps over two series. He rushed for 25 yards on seven carries, and completed 1 of 2 passes — a lofted 32-yarder to Stephen Flint that set up a Spencer Lanning field goal.

Gilmore reacted to his most extensive action at quarterback as he does most everything — low-key.

“It was all right. A couple plays I did to change the pace of the offense,” Gilmore said.

As for the pass to Flint, he added: “There was a little wrinkle in it to keep them honest. So it was a good feeling.”

Gilmore said he practiced at quarterback a little earlier in the week, but has yet to attend a quarterback meeting or dive into the offensive playbook.

“I’m not looking at it because I’m really focused on cornerback right now,” he said. “I ran it in high school, so I’m just natural with it.”

Spurrier also had a muted reaction to the offense’s night, pointing out that the defense played without many of its starters, including its top two pass-rushers in linebacker Eric Norwood (sprained wrist) and defensive end Cliff Matthews (coaches’ decision).

“We took Cliff Matthews out of the game, so we were able to get off some passes,” Spurrier said. “Right now we don’t have anybody that can block him.”

Garcia guided touchdown drives on two of his four series during the main portion of the scrimmage. He capped the first drive with a 2-yard touchdown run on a misdirection play, and finished with 22 rushing yards on six attempts.

Walk-on tailback Bryce Sherman led all rushers with 76 yards on 11 carries, while freshman DeMario Bennett was the top receiver with four catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Bennett pulled down a 43-yard scoring strike from backup quarterback Reid McCollum on a broken coverage.

McCollum threw two touchdowns but also had two interceptions. Addison Williams picked him off on a ball McCollum badly underthrew, and C.C. Whitlock had a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown on a pass that freshman tailback Jarvis Giles could not handle.

As for Gilmore, at least one offensive player would like to see him show off his arm a little more.

“He’s a real good athlete. He’s an easy two-way player,” left tackle Jarriel King said. “He works hard, he plays hard. He’s smart. He practices. I love him back there. I want to see him actually pass a lot more. But I know he can do a whole lot for us.”

Just don’t expect him to gush about it.

Asked if he ever gets excited, Gilmore smiled and said: “I ain’t excited until we’re winning the SEC championship or until we’re doing something big, winning as a team.”