Rushing attack is crucial for Gamecocks and Bulldogs

Ground game. That was the point of emphasis in Tuesday’s media meetings for South Carolina football players and coach Will Muschamp.

USC’s next opponent, the Georgia Bulldogs, are well versed in the rushing attack on both sides of the football. The Gamecocks will take on the number five defense in rushing yards allowed per game, and the number 13 offense in rushing yards gained per game.

“We want to be able to run the football and stay balanced offensively,” Muschamp said.

Georgia has yet to give up a rushing touchdown this season. The team ranks fifth in the nation in total rushing yards given up this season. They’ve allowed 298 rushing yards all year.

The Gamecocks proved they can run the football in their game against Kentucky when the team had 247 rushing yards on 46 attempts. The Gamecocks scored all three of their touchdowns against the Wildcats by running the football in.

Gamecock offensive lineman Eric Douglas said the offensive line takes pride in the run game.

“Without the run game and everything else, we’ve gotta rely on sitting back 50-something times and passing,” Douglas said. “That’s not ideal in this league.”

USC threw the ball 57 times at home against Alabama, 41 times on the road against Missouri, and lost both games.  The Gamecocks passed only 27 times in their win against Kentucky. Muschamp said the run game can help take some of the pressure off freshman quarterback Ryan Hilinski.

Some good news for the Gamecocks is that fourth-year running back Rico Dowdle has been practicing and is expected to play Saturday at Georgia. Dowdle left the Kentucky game in the second half with an injury. 

The Gamecock offense will have its hands full trying to move the ball against Georgia, but the defense has just as tall of a task in trying to stop the Bulldog rushing attack.

The Georgia offense ranks 16th in total rushing yards gained this season and 13th in rushing yards gained per game.

“They’re really talented at running back and they’re really talented on their offensive line,” Muschamp said. “They’ve got a quarterback that gets them in and out of the right run schemes.”

Georgia running backs have combined for 30 plays of 10-plus yards outside of the tackles this year. This will put a little extra pressure on the South Carolina secondary this week.

Defensive back Jaycee Horn said, “We know we’re going to have to tackle when the ball gets on the edges because those running backs, if you miss one play, they’re gone.”

Georgia’s star running back D’Andre Swift is averaging more than seven yards per carry this year and will be a tough matchup for Horn and the rest of the South Carolina defense. 

While Georgia has been near the top in the country for rushing offense and defense, South Carolina has had a bit of a different season.  

The Gamecocks defense currently ranks 51st in the nation in total rushing yards given up and are 53rd in rushing yards allowed per game. The worst game for the rushing defense was the first game of the season where they gave up 238 rushing yards to North Carolina.  They improved mightily in their last game against Kentucky though, only giving up 115 rushing yards.

The Gamecock offense currently ranks 41st in the nation in total rushing yards gained and 38th in rushing yards per game. The bulk of South Carolina’s total rushing yards came against FCS opponent Charleston Southern when they put up 493 yards. 

The Gamecocks take on the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday at noon in Sanford Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.