CHRONICLE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

The bye week is here at the best possible time for the South Carolina football team.

Coming off a 24-7 dominating win over Kentucky, the Gamecocks held their opponent to the lowest total yards allowed in the Will Muschamp era.

A pair of running backs eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time in SEC play since 2001. And yet, we still don’t know who this team is through 5 weeks of 2019 action.

Sure, South Carolina (2-3, 1-2) gets to rest before a big trip to Athens, Ga. on Oct.

12. But, this season has not gone the way fans dreamed it would in early August.

We can talk about the wins and losses or how South Carolina squandered Game 1 or looked disinterested in Missouri. But, I believe we need to dive deeper into the context of how this team is beginning to mold into who they are.

Against Kentucky, South Carolina forced 2 turnovers and collected 4 sacks. The Wildcats were scoreless until a garbage time touchdown put them on the board.

Against Missouri, South Carolina’s defense allowed 3 points in the opening half before an inept Gamecock offense allowed the Tigers to dominate the time of possession in the 2nd half.

So, it speaks to this USC defense being a bit more controlled in their approach over the last 2 games. If fans are willing to discuss this, outside of Alabama and two late drives against UNC, this defense has actually performed fairly well through the first half of the season.

Offensively, the strategy is different than Week 1 as South Carolina committed to the running game against Kentucky. Fans shouldn’t see this as boring, but as their best chance to win games.

Keeping true freshman Ryan Hilinski from making the “big mistake” each week only benefits the offense.

It also allows the defense to catch their breath with extended drives.

The second half presents a wealth of challenges. Georgia, Florida, and Clemson are still left on the schedule. The Gamecocks will be fighting down to the wire to get 6 wins.

Enjoy the bye week as this team is already showing improvement.

Gamecocks earn SEC Honors

University of South Carolina defensive end D.J. Wonnum was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week and punter Joseph Charlton were named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, the Southeastern Conference announced this past Tuesday.

The 6-5, 260-pound senior Wonnum was in the Kentucky backfield all night, as he was credited with 5 tackles, all solos, including a career-high 3 sacks, accounting for 25 lost yards, with a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.

Charlton was called on nine times in the win over the Wildcats and responded with a 51.2-yard average, with 5-9 attempts putting Kentucky inside their 20. Included was a season-long punt of 65 yards and four were over 50 yards.

Justin Hall is the director of media/broacasting for the Lexington County Blowfish. He’s also the co-host of the ‘Fifth Quarter Post-Game Show’ on WVOC (560 AM) with former Gamecock Tim Frisby.