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I don't know if head coach Steve Spurrier was just trying to ignite some excitement into an otherwise down beat media session, or if he just had a change of heart, but a short time after releasing a depth chart for this Saturday's game against UCF that included Perry Orth as the Gamecocks starting quarterback, he announced true freshman Lorenzo Nunez would take the field first instead.
And although it's a move almost no one expected to take place just three games into the 2015 season, it's one he had to do. This team is reeling at the moment, and in need of a spark to propel it back into winning form. It's Spurrier's hope that Nunez can provide just that.
"He gives us a spark running the ball. We need to spread out and run the ball. That's where we are," Spurrier said about Nunez.
— GamecockCentral.com (@GamecockCentral) September 22, 2015
In all likelihood, Nunez won't be the only quarterback to take the field for the Gamecocks this Saturday, but don't count on the true freshman to shy away from an opportunity to solidify himself as the starter for the remainder of the year. As raw as he may be, he provides the play making mobility absent in Orth and Scarnecchia for a team that can't seem to get its offense going.
Here's some other highlights from the rest of today's session media session:
Spurrier mentioned former SEC Commissioners Ray Kromer and Mike Slive and current commissioner Greg Snakey will be in attendance this weekend to celebrate 25 years of SEC play for the Gamecocks.
Coaches will also honor prostate cancer awareness this weekend.
Steve Spurrier: Coaches honoring prostate cancer awareness this week, and will celebrate USC's 25th anniversary of joining the SEC.
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) September 22, 2015
On the current state of the Gamecocks defense:
Spurrier says there will be maybe 3 or 4 new starters on defense.
— GamecockCentral.com (@GamecockCentral) September 22, 2015
Steve Spurrier: "I don’t know that we can assume that we can stop anybody consistently because we haven’t yet." UCF last in NCAA in offense
— Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) September 22, 2015
On the negative energy that may be surrounding this team after a 1-2 start:
Spurrier on fans' reax: "We're not where we thought we'd be. We'll find out where we're going to be after 4 games ... and go from there."
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) September 22, 2015
Steve Spurrier: "If they want to really play well, I still think we are very capable of turning this thing positive.".
— Josh Kendall (@JoshatTheState) September 22, 2015
Spurrier: Still capable of turning it around. Although he admits the team is not very positive right now.
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) September 22, 2015
On the running backs:
With Brandon Wilds banged up with a bruised set of ribs, it looks like Shon Carson will get the nod to start this week. Spurrier said the coaches haven't given up on David Williams, and hope he can break through this week.
At least someone's still optimistic:
Matulis: "It could end up being 11-2. That's still a possibility."
— David Cloninger (@DCTheState) September 22, 2015
You can catch Spurrier's full press conference, along with the session with Lorenzo Nunez and Mike Matulis here.