Feed pail: South Carolina Gamecocks news and notes

Welcome back to the feed pail! Where we take a look around the internet for some good South Carolina Gamecocks content and share it right back here with you.

While the blogging business around Columbia can be very competitive, I’m not here to try and box out other writers who are good at pumping out content. We don’t have all the resources some of the other blogs do and the staff here at Garnet and Black Attack can’t always be on the scoop.

There’s plenty of takeaways to gather from South Carolina 35-28 win over North Carolina State on and off the field. So let’s dive into what we could find on Google News regarding the Gamecocks from the weekend that was:

USC O-line aces tough task of pass protection - Jon Del Bianco, The Big Spur

A former co-worker of mine at Garnet Report, Jon does a great job covering the Gamecocks alongside the rest of the staff at The Big Spur. One of the biggest story lines heading into the NC State game was whether or not South Carolina’s offensive line could block Bradley Chubb and company.

As Jon writes it, the Gamecock offensive line was up to the task and them some.

“Making his first career start at left tackle after playing on the right side last year, (Malik) Young said this offensive line’s performance is a credit to the teachings of (Eric) Wolford, a coach that came in and changed up positions and techniques.”

Will Muschamp updates Gamecocks injuries - Hale McGranahan, SEC Country

From the Gamecock fan perspective, the team was fortunate to go into the NC State game relatively healthy. If Steven Montac is the biggest injury concern coming out of camp, that’s a win for South Carolina moving forward.

The update comes from Will Muschamp’s Sunday teleconference, where he had remarks on Montac, Randrecous Davis and Tayvn Jackson.

Even though there weren’t any significant injuries from the North Carolina State game, Muschamp did say freshman cornerback Tavyn Jackson (foot) isn’t quite ready to return. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Randrecous Davis (leg) is close to returning to action.

As he shines against NC State, Muschamp points to senior’s dynamic improvement - Ben Breiner, The Charlotte Observer via The State

It was odd to see Ben Breiner’s byline in the Charlotte Observer, considering how I’m used to reading his work in The State, but it didn’t change the quality of work on this piece about DJ Smith. Smith is now known as the defensive back who got his mits on the ball on the 4th-and-10 play to tie the game on NC State’s final drive.

Last season Smith was anywhere from a passable safety to a total liability, but if he is in fact improved this season that would mean big things for the Gamecock secondary.

“The breakups where part of a day when Smith came up big in some spots but felt he had a tough go at times. He made seven tackles, broke up three passes and pulled down N.C. State’s top offensive weapon, Jaylen Samuels, just short on the line on a crucial fourth-down stop. Smith also said he felt N.C. State targeted him at points, part of a day when USC struggled at times against the pass.”

The youth movement for the South Carolina Gamecocks could increase at Missouri - David Cloninger, Charleston Post and Courier

Speaking of strange bylines, I sometimes forget David Cloninger made the move from The State over to the Post and Courier over the summer. He points out that South Carolina used a lot of youth in the win over NC State and more could be coming this coming week against Missouri.

“Muschamp expects more to rotate in as the season progresses, especially if the defense has to play another 99 snaps (Missouri, which rang up 72 points and 815 yards against FCS Missouri State Saturday, may make that a distinct possibility). Newcomers expected to contribute this season (Brad Johnson, Damani Staley, Keisean Nixon, Dennis Daley) traveled to Charlotte but did not play, and they are expected to travel to the other Columbia this week.”