My God, a Freshman!
by GwinnettGamecock on Oct 15, 2025 5:47 PM EDT
in Football
Email
PrintThe most astonishing part of our win over Alabama was the performance of the Carolina running game. Before sitting out a series after banging his funny bone, Marcus Lattimore was on pace to become the first back in over three years to break the 100 yard barrier against a defense a week removed from turning a potentially competitive game [with Florida] into a suffocated and forgone conclusion. Lattimore still wracked up 93 yards, or 29 more than the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and his widely acclaimed backup combined.
His performance against the reigning SEC and national champs could be a prelude to a huge second half for the freshman from Duncan. Lattimore is already on pace to break South Carolina freshman records for rushing yards (848, Thomas Dendy), total yards (1143, Sidney Rice), TD's (13, Rice), and points (Collin Mackie, 113). However, a look at the schedule reveals that Lattimore could potentially put up even better numbers over the next seven games.
The Gamecocks have already faced the #2, 3, and 5 rushing defenses in the SEC. Even Southern Miss, the out of conference tune up, is currently 11th in the nation against the run.
The SEC teams left on our schedule are the five worst running defenses in the conference. The Gamecocks also have non-conference games with Troy and Clemson. In case you missed the riveting drama in the ACC this past Saturday, the Tigers just lost to the North Carolina JV squad.
Side by side, there is a stark difference in the teams we have already faced, and the teams to come.
| Opponent | YPG | NCAA Rank | Average YPC |
| Southern Miss | 92 | 11 | 3.1 |
| Georgia | 111 | 24 | 3.03 |
| Auburn | 95.7 | 14 | 2.79 |
| Alabama | 102.5 | 17 | 3.34 |
| Past Opponents' Average | 100.3 | 16.5 | 3.07 |
| Kentucky | 190.3 | 97 | 4.8 |
| Vanderbilt | 183.8 | 93 | 4.14 |
| Tennessee | 153.5 | 69 | 4.08 |
| Arkansas | 134.6 | 43 | 3.47 |
| Florida | 117.8 | 34 | 3.66 |
| Troy | 136.4 | 43 | 4.08 |
| Clemson | 163.2 | 77 | 3.94 |
| Future Opponents' Average | 154.2 | 65.1 | 4.02 |
The remaining opponents allow 1.5 times as many yards per game as the D-I teams we have played to date, and almost an entire extra yard per carry. If Lattimore increases his production by the same factor, it would translate to roughly 135 yards per game and a 1400 yard season. Not only would that shatter the South Carolina freshman record by over 500 yards, but it would be the third highest total in school history, bettered only by the junior and senior production of George Rogers. That turned out pretty well for Big George.
Tomorrow night in Lexington could be the launching pad for one of the greatest runs in South Carolina history for both the team and it's star running back. I've been extremely cautious in the preseason and early going with the team, but it may be time for everybody in the Gamecock family to buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Tweet
13 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
There's an excellent chance that he'll rush for 150 or so tomorrow.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Oct 15, 2025 5:53 PM EDT reply actions
In case you are wondering, the SEC FR record is held by
Herschel, with 1616 yard. Lattimore could conceivably break that, though he have the benefit of at least one extra game. If everything goes perfectly, Lattimore will get to play fourteen games. I’m going to go out on a limb and say 14 games means Lattimore probably averaged around 140 for the next seven. That puts him at 1439 through the twelve regular season games, giving him two games to get the 177 yards separating him from Herschel.
Other prominent freshman yardage totals :
Adrian Peterson: 1,929 (NCAA record)
Marshall Faulk: 1,429
Emmitt Smith 1,341
Maurice Clarrett: 1,237
Bo Jackson: 829
George Rogers: 629
Barry Sanders: 325
"They've just discovered a new use for sheep over there at Clemson... wool." - Lewis Grizzard
by GwinnettGamecock on Oct 15, 2025 6:06 PM EDT reply actions
He was a sophomore when he gained 1616
right? Wasnt that during the time Freshmen couldnt play? Not taking away anything from HW -his greatness is undeniable.
But he had been in the UGA system for a fulll year, playing freshman football, being coached and in UGA’s weight and nutrition programs - or am i wrong?
They wore garnet helmets.
by tryptic67 on Oct 15, 2025 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe he played when he was a freshman.
I think freshman started playing sometime in the 70s.
Aren’t UGA fans always ragging on us and saying George Rogers would have never won the Heisman if the voters had been willing to give it to a freshman?
As far as Marcus breaking the record, I think it’s unlikely. It’s certainly possible, but I doubt we see Spurrier run him 30 times per game consistently enough for it to happen. Our passing game is opening up, and Spurrier will continue to use it. And anytime we get out to a big lead, I expect Spurrier will give Maddox some carries. I may be wrong.
Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.
by Gamecock Man on Oct 15, 2025 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
You are probably right
but I would love to see him swallow his pride in passing the ball to allow Latti to make a run at Herschel’s record.
If Spurrier allows him to it is more than conceivable, of course he will need some help from the team as a whole, as he will probably need that SECCG showing to do it.
by Gamecockrock on Oct 15, 2025 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Know your SEC historical allusions
The post title is from one of Herschel’s most famous runs. His freshman season is the gold standard for RB’s, as the 1,616 yards came in eleven games* over an SEC schedule. Adrian Peterson’s stats came in 14 games vs. mainly Big 12 defenses. Even without the Big 12, tackling optional discount, Peterson averaged 10 less yards per game .
- Bowl stats weren’t counted until the last decade or so, and, inexplicably, were not retroactively added to season totals when the NCAA changed the rule.
"They've just discovered a new use for sheep over there at Clemson... wool." - Lewis Grizzard
by GwinnettGamecock on Oct 16, 2025 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I hadn't heard that Munson call before
and thanks for the link.
I found a better description of Herschel’s career than I had found on Wikipedia. Don’t know where I got that “didnt play as a freshman” in my head.
I hadn’t heard that Munson call. Don’t you miss the old guys like that? My favorite Larry Munson call probably was from the ‘93 UGA game; it won’t be in his greatest hits, but it was great for us!
They wore garnet helmets.
by tryptic67 on Oct 16, 2025 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
That's most definitely my favoirte Munson call, as well.
I was sitting in the opposite end zone when Brandon Bennett broke the Dawgs hearts. Carolina 23 #14 UGA 21
by Skulls and Spurs on Oct 16, 2025 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
That was the best away game ever
even better than the 92 CU game in my avatar. Cooked in the sun. Froze in the rain. Cooked in the sun again. Was in that same endzone as you … couldnt see anything … the improbable drive … just a gaggle of bodies far away … and then the score!
They wore garnet helmets.
by tryptic67 on Oct 16, 2025 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Lay down! Lay down!
Brandon Bennett leaps over the pile and just broke our hearts with two seconds to go.
THAT was my favorite Larry Munson call. :-)
"They've just discovered a new use for sheep over there at Clemson... wool." - Lewis Grizzard
by GwinnettGamecock on Oct 16, 2025 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess, according to that chart, he should have his best game against Kentucky.
We’ll see.
stuff 'bout stuff.
by silver82blade on Oct 15, 2025 6:51 PM EDT reply actions
I expect him to have
two 200 yard rushing games by seasons end. He should get it done against UK or Vandy, and he should also come near or above 200 rather easily against Troy.
by Gamecockrock on Oct 15, 2025 7:03 PM EDT reply actions
Personally
I’d rather him get 10 or less carries against Troy so he can get a little breather before Clemson and possibly 2 pretty huge games after that. Although, I was surprised he got so many carries versus Furman, so maybe he can handle whatever we give him.
Now, of course that doesn’t negate what you said - I certainly wouldn’t bet against him to put up 200 on Troy with 10 or so carries.
by R-F on Oct 15, 2025 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
- Start posting about the Gamecocks
- Follow @GABAttack
- Subscribe to Garnet And Black Attack Stories
The Absolut Bloody Hour Countdown
::
Enjoy with ABSOLUT Responsibility®
Related FanPosts on Garnet And Black Attack
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
NCAA Football -- FanHouse
- Tulsa Lives Up to Hurricane Nickname, Blows Out Hawaii 62-35 in Hawaii Bowl
- Hawaii vs Tulsa: Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
- Five-Step Drop: So Long, JoePa?
- Brady Hoke's Coaching Profile on Rise as San Diego State Thumps Navy
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
