Oklahoma Defense Dominates South Carolina


Coach’s Corner – Oklahoma vs. South Carolina – VIDEO

The Oklahoma Sooners took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards on 10 plays to take an early 7-0 lead and never looked back on their way to a 26-7 win over the slumping South Carolina Gamecocks. Oklahoma’s defense, ranked No. 1 nationally completely overpowered the Gamecock offense holding them to 224 yards on 67 plays. Oklahoma surrendered only one touchdown on a fourth down two-yard pass from Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellars to wide receiver Nick Harbor.

South Carolina’s offense did not convert a third-down play until 10:45 to go in the game and they were 0-10 until that point, while Oklahoma converted on eight of its 13 third-down conversion attempts.

The Sooner defense had 13 tackles for loss for 68 yards, including six sacks. Preseason Heisman candidate Sellars was held to 17 of 25 passing for 124 yards, along with 14 carries for minus nine yards. The Gamecocks rushed 34 times for 54 yards, averaging less than two yards per carry.

Carolina played its worst game of the year and after the game Head Coach Shane Beamer was not very happy. The Gamecocks came into the season with high expectations after finishing the season last year with six straight wins. They just missed making the College Football Playoffs last season and many thought this season would be their year with Sellars, one of the top offensive players in the country returning for his sophomore season. 

Even though the Gamecocks lost numerous players on defense to the NFL, the defense for this season still looked to be strong. The Gamecock season thus far has been disappointing. Carolina sits 3-4 overall and 1-4 in the SEC. They must find a way to win three of their remaining five games just to become bowl eligible. Their next three games are against No. 4 Alabama at home, and away games against No.8 Ole Miss and No. 3 Texas A&M. The Gamecocks will finish the season at home with games against Coastal Carolina and Clemson.

South Carolina fired its offensive line coach, Lonnie Teasley, this week after the offensive line has been a weak link for the Gamecocks. They have been flagged for numerous pre-snap penalties, and once again lead the SEC in sacks allowed. South Carolina has recruited good offensive line prospects, but Teasley never developed the talent. Shawn Elloitt, a former Carolina offensive line coach and current tight ends coach, was given the job to try to clean up the mess that Teasley left.

Many fans are placing the blame on new offensive coordinator, Mike Shula, for the Gamecocks inept offense. In the third quarter  chants rang out to “Fire Shula.” 

After the game Beamer said, “My goal for the team is to get the most out of our team on offense, defense and special teams. I am not getting the most out of this team as head football coach. Every week I look to how we can be better and I will continue to do that. I will be back to work this week to help this team reach our potential.”

Beamer went on to say that what gives him hope on the season is that he sees how they practice every day, and the talent they have on offense and defense. 

“We have the right culture in this building and that gives me hope,” said Beamer.

Under great pressure Beamer showed character and took total responsibility for how his team has played this season, and he remains totally committed to building a winning program at South Carolina. 

There have been numerous college head football coaches fired so far this season, and there looks like more to come in the weeks ahead.