Offensive Line Struggles Before the Switch (Under Teasley)
These are metrics and observations from the 2025 season (and late 2024) that highlight why the change was made:
- The Gamecocks rank 124th in sacks allowed (20) this season, pointing to major trouble in pass protection.
- They also rank 112th in rushing offense and 125th in yards per carry (3.19), showing that the run game is not being reliably supported.
- According to GamecockOnline, during the 2024 season under Teasley, South Carolina averaged 184.4 rushing yards per game and had a more balanced attack (passing and rushing) than in 2025. That suggests the OL had better continuity and performance when healthy and stable.
- In early-season games under Teasley in 2025, the Gamecocks’ offense has been near the bottom of the SEC in categories like total offense, penalties, and consistency. For example, in their opener vs Virginia Tech, they ran for 119 yards and allowed four sacks.
- In the LSU game — the loss preceding Elliott’s appointment — the OL’s issues were glaring. QB LaNorris Sellers had to escape pressure multiple times, and the unit gave up five sacks and was responsible for numerous negative plays. (SI)
These numbers give a bleak snapshot of the offensive line’s struggles under Teasley this year — especially in protecting the quarterback, sustaining the run game, and avoiding mental errors (penalties, misalignments).
What Elliott Inherits and What to Watch For
Although Elliott’s tenure as OL coach is brand new, here’s what his incoming baseline looks like — and the areas where he ultimately needs to prove improvement.
What he inherits:
- A deeply problematic pass protection environment: 20 sacks allowed already, along with constant pressure on Sellers.
- A run game that is being dragged down by the OL: averaging just 3.19 ypc across the season. (On3)
- Depth concerns and instability: injuries have hit the line, leading to rotations and lack of cohesion. (This is repeatedly mentioned in media stories covering the firing.)
- A culture of mistakes: penalties, snap issues, and pre-snap penalties have been chronic issues. (WLTX)
What he needs to improve (metrics to watch as his early benchmarks):
- Sacks allowed and quarterback pressures — a significant drop here would signal better protection schemes and technique
- Yards per carry and run-game consistency — improving from 3.19 ypc to something more respectable would show the run game is no longer being sabotaged
- Penalty counts, especially pre-snap penalties — cutting false starts, snaps, alignments will reduce negative yardage plays
- Snap-to-throw timing and shotgun exchange issues — fewer botched plays will smooth out both pass and run game
- Rush efficiency on early downs — success on 1st and 2nd down runs will relieve pressure on passing schemes
Tentative Comparison (Teasley vs. Elliott era baseline)
| Metric | Under Teasley (2025) | Under Elliott (Baseline / Inheritance) |
|---|---|---|
| Sacks Allowed | ~20 (124th nationally) (On3) | Same; Elliott inherits this high number |
| Yards Per Carry | 3.19 (On3) | Same baseline; needs upward movement |
| Rushing Offense Rank | 112th nationally (On3) | High bar to improve from that rank |
| Early 2025 Game Example | vs Virginia Tech: 119 rushing yards, allowed 4 sacks (247Sports) | That becomes Elliott’s starting baseline |
| Major Game Example | vs LSU: 5 sacks allowed; destructive protection breakdowns (SI) | That context illustrates what he must clean up immediately |
✅ Bottom Line
- Elliott inherits a troubled OL unit that is among the worst in the country in key metrics (sacks allowed, yards per carry, rush offense).
- Under Teasley in 2025, the line displayed poor protection, lack of cohesion, and repeated mental mistakes.
- For Elliott to succeed, he must show fast, measurable improvement in protection, run blocking, and limiting errors.
- Given his prior track record and familiarity with the program, he has a credible chance — but the margins are razor-thin.
If you like, I can create visual charts comparing the line metrics before and after — as soon as Elliott has coached a few more games — so we can more clearly see if the change is working. Do you want me to set that up?
