Sometimes you just wish you could start a week over.
That is probably the feeling of South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier today. Maybe he wishes he could go back to last Monday and just start over. Last Monday Spurrier berated a newspaper reporter before his weekly press conference, Tuesday it was announced starting quarterback Stephen Garcia had been kicked off the team, and Saturday came the worst news of all.
Running Back Marcus Lattimore would be out for the season.
In the Gamecocks 14-12 win over Mississippi State Saturday, Lattimore suffered a torn ligament in his left knee and also suffered some cartilage damage. Lattimore will require surgery; although doctors want to keep the knee braced and allow it stabilize for several weeks before operating. An MRI is being performed on Tuesday after some swelling goes down.
This might be the biggest blow to the season for South Carolina. Spurrier loves a quarterback driven offense. This offense, especially with Garcia gone, was going to be dominated by Lattimore’s running ability. Now that is gone for the season.
Lattimore had balanced out the pass-happy South Carolina offense this season with 818 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing. He was leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing before the injury.
Lattimore gained only 39 yards Saturday, but had a 4-yard touchdown run. It was his 30th career TD, just three shy of South Carolina’s career record.
Spurrier knows the team is disappointed but as the coach, he also has to plug someone into Lattimore’s spot. That will be freshman Brandon Wilds. Wilds had discussions earlier with Spurrier about redshirting because he was fourth tailback on the depth chart. Spurrier has named Wilds the starter at Tennessee on Oct. 29, South Carolina’s next game.
Meanwhile the offense might return to the passing attack Spurrier loves. Alshon Jeffery now has to step forward at wide receiver and help out new quarterback Connor Shaw. Jeffery caught the game-winning score against Mississippi State and said the game-winning play will give Shaw and the rest of the offense confidence.
Spurrier has always said Lattimore is one of his hardest workers, and he expects Lattimore to show the same determination in his rehabilitation.
”Marcus has always had a positive attitude. I’m sure he’ll approach this as positively as he possibly can,” Spurrier said.
The Gamecocks have the week off and will use it to rehab themselves as the season continues without Lattimore.
