South Carolina Spring Game 2014: Live Game Grades and Analysis

Keep it locked here for updates as Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks give fans a preview of the 2014 South Carolina Gamecocks. 

POSITIONAL UNIT	FIRST HALF GRADE	FINAL GRADE
Pass Offense	A	A
Rush Offense	B	B
Pass Defense	D	D
Rush Defense	C	B
Special Teams	C	C

Pass Offense: As a whole, the passing game looked sharp, particularly when starting quarterback Dylan Thompson was  in the game. Thompson completed eight passes in 11 attempts for 129 yards and a touchdown. Connor Mitch also was sharp, completing five passes in six attempts for 99 yards. The quarterbacks did a good job of spreading the ball around. Seven different receivers caught one pass each in the first half.

Rush Offense: The running game also looked sharp.Redshirt freshman David Williams carried four times for 20 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Seldom-used Devin Potter has 22 yards on four carries. Collectively, the running game produced 102 yards on 26 carries.

Pass Defense: South Carolina's secondary, particularly at cornerback, looked weak. Of course the Gamecocks are thin at corner, so it was somewhat to be expected. Also, according to the rules of the spring game, blitzing was not allowed, which certainly didn't help the secondary.

Rush Defense: The Gamecocks rush defense fared a little bit better. JUCO transfer Abu Lamin looked good at defensive tackle.Otherwise, the rush defense did a good job of not allowing any long runs fro scrimmage. 

Special teams: The return game was more or less taken out of the equation. Place kicker Elliott Fry made one field goal from 22 yards and missed one from 48 yards. Tyler Hull punted once for 40 yards.

Final analysis

Pass Offense: Thompson sat out the second half, turning things over to Mitch, Perry Orth and Brendan Nosovitch. Mitch looked the best of those three and will likely head into the offseason penciled in as the backup to Thompson.

Rush Offense: With starter Mike Davis limited, redshirt freshman David Williams looked the best of the remaining tailbacks. However, Shon Carson must have had a better body of work over the course of the spring. Carson was honored as most improve tailback of spring practice.

Pass Defense: South Carolina's weakest area by far, although Jamari Smith, converted from tailback to cornerback in the spring, did have an interception. South Carolina will have to wait for more help at corner when the incoming recruiting class arrives.

Special teams: The Gamecocks did not punt or try a field goal in the second half. Look for punter Tyler Hull to face a challenge for his starting job in the fall.