Five things we learned from South Carolina’s loss to Arkansas

After a season-opening win in Week 1, South Carolina wasn’t able to keep pace on the road against No. 16 Arkansas on Saturday.

Though the Gamecocks rallied late, they lost to the Razorbacks 44-30 to fall to 1-1 (0-1 SEC) on the season with Georgia slated to visit Columbia next week.

Here’s what we learned from USC’s loss.

Gamecocks defense can’t stop the run

A week after giving up 200 rushing yards against Georgia State, the Gamecocks allowed the Razorbacks to amass 295 yards on the ground on a whopping 65 attempts.

Using a lethal read-option with mobile quarterback K.J. Jefferson and stud running back Rocket Sanders, the Hogs gashed USC on the ground from the very beginning of the game. Sanders was especially effective, tallying 156 yards and two touchdowns.

The losses of defensive linemen Alex Huntley and Jordan Strachan and linebacker Mo Kaba certainly didn’t help USC’s run defense, but defending the run was an issue at full health in Week 1, and it’s something the Gamecocks will need to tighten up as they move deeper into SEC play.

Offensive line better, but USC run game still sluggish

Both head coach Shane Beamer and quarterback Spencer Rattler were quick to defend USC’s much-maligned offensive line after Saturday’s loss, with Rattler going out of his way to shout out the O-line despite taking six sacks in the game.

Even with the pressure he faced, the O-line held long enough for Rattler to take a few deep shots throughout the game — even if he didn’t always connect on them.

However, the Gamecocks continued to struggle in the ground game, particularly on runs up the middle as open lanes have been hard to come by. The Gamecocks finished with just 40 net rushing yards on 29 carries. Sophomore Juju McDowell was the team’s most effective runner, leading USC with 35 yards on six carries and scoring a touchdown.

Rattler was blunt in his assessment of the ground attack after the game.

“We’ve got to run the ball better,” Rattler said. “We rushed for (40) yards and that’s just not us. It can’t be us. We’re not going to win games if we can’t run the ball, and that goes for all of us.”

Antwane Wells emerges as top target

One of the bright spots for the Gamecocks in the losing effort was the emergence of Wells — a junior transfer from James Madison.

Nicknamed “Juice,” the 6-foot-1, 207-pound wide receiver showcased his top-end speed when he caught a Rattler pass in the third quarter and raced 62 yards for a touchdown — the most explosive play of the day for the Gamecocks.

In all, Wells caught eight passes for 189 yards. The next closest receiver was the running back Lloyd, who caught six passes for 65 yards in a checkdown-heavy approach from Rattler. Once Rattler started targeting Wells more, the Gamecock offense seemed more dynamic. The quarterback called Wells a “playmaker” after the game and said USC needs to continue to keep him involved.

Nick Emmanwori is the real deal

With injuries to R.J. Roderick, David Spaulding, Darius Rush and Cam Smith on Saturday, the Gamecocks had no choice but to tap into their depth in the secondary, leaning on seldom-used defensive backs like O’Donnell Fortune.

Among the depth, the Gamecocks have seemed to unearth a stud in the form of Irmo freshman Nick Emmanwori. Beamer raved about the freshman after Week 1’s win, after he stepped in for Roderick, who injured his arm on the game’s first drive.

With Roderick not making the trip to Fayetteville, Emmanwori earned his first career start, and the pressure of playing in his first collegiate SEC road game didn’t seem to faze him.

The 6-foot-4 defensive back trailed only defensive lineman Zacch Pickens with his 11 total tackles for the game, and his seven solo tackles led the team. Regardless of when Roderick returns, Emmanwori has at least earned himself a spot in the defensive rotation.

Special teams takes a step back

Special teams was the story of Week 1, when the Gamecocks blocked two Georgia State punts and returned them both for touchdowns, punter Kai Kroger nailed a 79-yard punt and kicker Mitch Jeter made two field goals over 50 yards — the first two of his career.

After the highs of Week 1, the special teams group came crashing down Saturday.

There were no blocked punts to speak of, but Kroger shanked one from USC’s 42-yard line, going out of bounds at Arkansas’ 37-yard line.

One week after making two big field goals, Jeter missed an extra-point attempt in the first half.

And down by multiple scores in the fourth quarter, Jeter and the Gamecocks attempted an onside kick that was returned 34 yards to the USC 9-yard-line, setting up an easy touchdown drive for the Hogs.