Pundits Like USC To Make a Run At East Title This Season

Football: Running problem gets new solution
A new coach, veteran line hope to solve USC’s rushing issues



Running coordinator and offensive line coach Shawn Elliott walks onto the field for practice in this April file photograph.
File/Rich Glickstein /The State

Written by CHRIS DEARING
Special to The State

Posted on 08.02.10

Many college football pundits believe if South Carolina is going to challenge for an SEC East title, this is the year.

The Gamecocks return seven starters on a defense that ranked third in the SEC behind division champs Alabama and Florida. They nearly have all their skill position players back and could have an offensive line with four senior starters.

The USC coaches believe a renewed commitment to the running game will be the best avenue to offensive success.

“We have mixed some of the runs Shawn Elliott brought with him with some of the stuff we were already doing,” running backs coach Jay Graham said. “At this point, it’s all about meshing some things together. I’m very excited about the run game and where the offensive line is. Only time will tell if it’s going to be better but that is a key to our success.”

Elliott was hired when Eric Wolford took the head coaching job at Youngstown State. He will be the third offensive line coach in as many seasons, and the Camden native has brought in a different approach and technique.

USC coach Steve Spurrier has said he will be the play caller this season, but Elliott and Graham will be the ones plotting the rushing attack each week.

“Shawn is the run-game coordinator and O-line coach,” Spurrier said. “He and Jay Graham look at all the running plays each week, and then myself along with (Steve Spurrier) Jr. and G.A. (Mangus) try and put it all together.”

Spurrier has said at various speaking engagements in the offseason that the running attack was not the problem. The Gamecocks allowed 37 sacks last season, tied for last with LSU in the SEC. Add to that a few errant snaps in the shotgun formation and what Spurrier calls “backwards” plays, and that is the reason for the low ranking.

Kenny Miles rushed for 626 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Parade All-American Marcus Lattimore is on board to help the rushing attack. Brian Maddox, Jarvis Giles and Eric Baker will look to get their share of the carries as well.

“A look of people look at our receivers and think I have a tough job deciding which ones get to play,” wide receiver coach Steve Spurrier Jr. said. “We have five good running backs, and they all can’t carry it. We have to have an unselfish team. And regardless of what their role is when the season begins, they have to be ready to play at all times.”

That competition and Elliott’s arrival has Graham excited about what the running game could produce. USC averaged 121.2 rushing yards per game last season, 91{+s}{+t} in the country.

Graham said the new zone blocking technique installed by Elliott and the better accountability among his group will lead to better results on the field.

“Guys understand how many runs we have each game,” Graham said. “I’ve been upfront with each of them from the beginning. They have to compete and be the guy that wants to do everything we ask in practice and they will be the guy that gets the bulk of the carries. We will know that first or second week of practice which of the guys has done the things over the summer to be ready for the season.”

Spurrier Jr. pointed to the Clemson game when USC rushed for 223 yards as probably the most complete offensive game of the season.

“When the running game is going well, that makes the offense better as a whole, bottom line,” he said.