South Carolina defense considers tackling one of its keys to success against Ole Miss
When South Carolina's defense lines up against Ole Miss' offense on Saturday, arguably the Gamecocks' toughest test of the 2024 season will officially commence.
Through five games, the Rebels have one of the top offenses in the country. Ole Miss is currently first in the country in total yards per game and seventh in points per game.
But South Carolina already has a plan for how it aims to keep the Rebels off the scoreboard for as long as possible.
"The (secondary) will have to play well. We'll have to do a good job tackling. And that's a key for us this week – we've really got to tackle well," head coach Shane Beamer said. "That's one thing I thought Kentucky did a great job of last week – making one-on-one tackles."
The Rebels have generated 607.2 offensive yards per game, making them the only FBS team with over 600 yards of total offense per contest.
And Ole Miss has gained this yardage in multiple ways. The Rebels' 390.4 yards of offense per game is the second-most in the country, trailing only Miami. The team has also generated 216.8 yards on the ground per contest.
Keeping Ole Miss' gains to a minimum will be important for South Carolina's defense, Beamer said.
"Ole Miss is going to get their yards. They're going to get their carries and catches," Beamer said. "We just got to do a great job tackling – not just in the secondary, but all 11 guys on defense – to make sure that those five-yard gains don't turn into 30-yard gains."
Defensive coordinator Clayton White believed Kentucky excelled in this area during its 20-17 upset win over Ole Miss last weekend. The Wildcats held the Rebels to a season-low 353 yards of offense that afternoon.
"I thought they did a really good job of playing aggressive, playing with courage and making sure they were where they're supposed to be at," White said. "They did a really good job in the pass rush, and they tackled well. Those were the keys."
South Carolina's secondary consists of multiple players who are capable of making key tackles when the team needs it. Nick Emmanwori currently leads all Gamecock defensive players with 24 tackles. Both Jalon Kilgore O'Donnell Fortune have recorded double-digit tackles this season, too.
But Beamer said South Carolina will need tackling production from more than just its defensive backs.
"They get to going fast, and there's a miscommunication or somebody isn't playing the right technique and you're giving touchdown passes over your head. That's what can't happen," Beamer said. "And it's not just the secondary – it's the linebackers and everyone that have to do a great job from a coverage standpoint."
