USC offense is among nation’s worst in 3 categories. How Gamecocks plan to fix that

South Carolina does not have a scoring problem. Not right now.

Over the past two games, the Gamecocks have put up a combined 64 points against SEC teams. Heck, in the past two weeks Georgia played Tennessee Tech and Kentucky and didn’t manage to total 64 points.

So the Gamecocks are not inept offensively — we know that. But there are some glaring concerns — namely three categories where they have performed as poorly as almost any team in America. And, for this, we didn’t even include penalties — South Carolina averages almost nine penalties per game (T-121 out of 133 teams in the country) — because defense and special teams contribute to those numbers.

This is just about the offense. The three areas where South Carolina needs to improve.

Sacks allowed

South Carolina has allowed 13 sacks for minus-103 yards.

SEC rank — 16th (Last)

FBS rank — 131st (Only UMass and Old Dominion have allowed more)

You would think giving up over four sacks a game would have a simple answer — like, well, the offensive line must just be atrocious.

But that’s not quite it for South Carolina, which makes 13 sacks even that much more frustrating. Sure, some of those 13 sacks are because an offensive lineman (or two) got beat and the quarterback was dead in the water.

But there are plenty of examples of the quarterback going down because a wide receiver, tight end or running back missed a block. Or, simply, no one was blocking and a pass rusher busts around the edge like a freight train. Or the quarterback thinks he has 15 seconds and holds on to the ball too long.

“It’s too many,” said coach Shane Beamer. “Thirteen sacks is 13 sacks. Through three games, that’s not what you want.

“You have to look at everything,” Beamer added. “Like what are we asking our guys to do schematically? Checking at the line of scrimmage, we’ve done some of that. Personnel-wise, (is it) just a guy getting beat?”

Passing offense

South Carolina is averaging 147.3 passing yards per game.

SEC rank — 15th (Only Kentucky is worse, and its opener got suspended with 25 minutes to play)

FBS rank — 122nd

This is probably the least-concerning stat of the three — it’s basically the answer to what happens when you combine a freshman quarterback with a bunch of transfer skill players and a new-look offensive line and a ground-and-pound scheme.

Is it concerning that South Carolina has had little semblance of a passing attack? Or that the Gamecocks have just two passing touchdowns? Or that no receiver has emerged as a consistent threat? Yes, yes and yes.

But this should also be aided by time. The more time QB LaNorris Sellers and the receivers have to gel, the better the product will be. Heck, in a way it’s quite impressive that South Carolina is 2-1 — and was almost 3-0 — while having one of the worst passing offenses in the country.

That’s what can happen when you have a lights-out defense and an explosive run game. But it might be tough to expect Sellers and Rocket Sanders to both reel off 65-plus-yard touchdown runs every week.

Also, it might be tough to fix the passing game in the near future as Sellers’ status is in doubt for the Akron game this week. Perhaps there will be strides made during the bye week or maybe it’s something that doesn’t click until late October or November.

Fumbles lost

South Carolina has lost three fumbles in three games.

SEC rank — 13th (Alabama has lost four, Auburn has lost five)

FBS rank — T-111th

Beamer has pulled out every ball security drill possible. One to practice stiff-arming. Another where guys run with two balls. Another called “stumble-bum” where a defender is trying to dislodge the ball as you fall.

So far, nothing has worked.

“It’s frustrating,” Beamer said. “It’s something we’re emphasizing, but we have to do a better job of emphasizing it.”

South Carolina has fumbled nine times — a nauseating stat that gets better when you consider they’ve recovered 66% of those. That’s called fumble luck ... and it doesn’t last forever. Even with that, the Gamecocks have still lost three fumbles — including two against LSU.

And so far the biggest culprits are the quarterbacks. Sellers has put the ball on the ground already five times this season (he’s only lost two) and Robby Ashford has fumbled three times, losing one in the fourth quarter against the Tigers.

Some of the problems relate back to the sacks. It’s harder for the quarterback to fumble if he’s not being pressured. But, still, there has to be better awareness and technique to ensure that the ball isn’t popped loose.

“You’re not gonna beat SEC teams when you turn the ball over three times,” offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. “Most of the time, fumbles are a technique thing and the quarterbacks had two (lost fumbles). So I hold myself accountable and that’s where I hold myself accountable.”

SOUTH CAROLINA VS. AKRON GAME, TV INFO

Who: South Carolina (2-1) vs. Akron (1-2)

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

TV: ESPNU

Line: USC by 27.5