Oct. 27, 2017
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
Previewing Saturday’s game between Vanderbilt and South Carolina (3 p.m. CT on SEC Network):
History Lesson: South Carolina leads the all-time series with Vanderbilt, 22-4. Among SEC East teams, the Gamecocks boast the longest winning streak (eight games) over the Commodores. But four matchups during that span have been decided by single-digits.
Names to Watch (South Carolina)
QB Jake Bentley
Bentley has made big strides during his sophomore campaign. The quarterback has thrown 12 touchdowns against just four interceptions in 2017 and is completing 60.8 percent of his passes. In his second season, Bentley looks more comfortable in the Gamecocks’ system.
LB Skai Moore
A steady senior and leader of the Gamecocks’ defense, Moore ranks second on the team in tackles per game (7.3) and has already cracked the program’s top 10 in career tackles (311). Moore led South Carolina in tackles in his first three seasons and could become the school’s first four-time tackles leader.
TE Hayden Hurst
Hurst is one of the more dangerous tight ends in the SEC. He is second on the Gamecocks with 19 catches and 297 receiving yards this season. Hurst, a former walk-on, has 75 career catches and sits just three receptions shy of the school record in that category by a tight end.
PODCAST: Breaking down Vanderbilt-South Carolina with beat writer Josh Kendall
The Statistical
163
Rushing yards by Ralph Webb in Vanderbilt’s last game, a loss at Ole Miss. The fifth-year senior had his best game of the season against the Rebels with season-highs of 163 rushing yards, two touchdowns and a 7.1 yards-per-carry average. The Commodores could use more of the same from Webb in the season’s second half.
+7
South Carolina’s turnover margin on the year, which is tied for second-best in the SEC. The Gamecocks’ opportunistic defense has 13 takeaways in 2017, while their offense has committed just six turnovers.
14
Touchdown passes thrown by Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur this season. The junior entered the fall with 14 touchdown tosses in his career. Shurmur brought his total to 14 with two touchdown passes against Ole Miss and now has the most by a Vanderbilt quarterback in a season since Jordan Rodgers (15) in 2012. This week’s opponent, South Carolina, ranks sixth in the SEC in passing defense (6.8 yards per attempt allowed).
The Big Question: Can Vanderbilt turn things around on defense? The Commodores were one of the best defenses in FBS during their 3-0 start. But in four straight losses to open SEC play, the Dores gave up 199 points. South Carolina’s offense is not a high-powered unit, so Vanderbilt could use this opportunity to fortify its defense going forward.
Vanderbilt Needs To: Lock down Jake Bentley. South Carolina’s offense ranks just ninth in the SEC in yards-per-play (5.5), but Bentley is still capable of beating teams on his own. Vanderbilt must put pressure on Bentley and force the Gamecocks into third-and-long situations. South Carolina’s run game has struggled all season, so if the Dores can keep Bentley in check, that’s a recipe for success.
Did You Know? South Carolina’s defense has held all seven of its 2017 opponents below their season scoring averages.
He Said It: “I can talk to them until they’re blue in the face, but there’s no call, no pep talk that’s going to make it better. It’s about, do you believe and are you ready to commit to it to make it better?” -Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason on his team’s defense
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics.