Mike Shula Addresses Gamecocks’ Offensive Struggles Ahead of Kentucky Matchup
South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Shula spoke with the media this week, offering his perspective on the Gamecocks’ offensive inconsistencies and what lies ahead in Saturday night’s showdown with Kentucky at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET.
When asked whether quarterback LaNorris Sellers is being coached with an eye toward the next level, Shula made it clear his focus is on the present.
“None. I mean, we’re getting ready to go win football games,” he said.
On the team’s issues in the run game, Shula didn’t single out any position group.
“We just got to be better overall. I mean, it’s all of us. It’s coaching and playing better. It’s up front, it’s the backs, it’s a little bit of all of us.”
Shula emphasized the importance of balance, even when the rushing attack isn’t producing.
“You always want to be balanced… if you kind of stay ahead of the chains, and you stay out of long yarded situations, then all that stuff ties in better with the pass and run.”
The receivers have been a bright spot, but Shula wants to see steadier output.
“Guys running by people for big plays, guys getting open on zones, and guys taking short passes and getting yards after the catch. Just got to see more of it.”
On Sellers’ ability to extend plays, Shula admitted it’s a balancing act between risk and reward.
“You can’t take the freedom away from him… You have to be careful, as a coach, telling a player, ‘Hey, don’t do this,’ and then all of a sudden, you’re applauding him when he does what you’re not telling him to do, but he breaks the tackle and runs for 30 yards. So it’s hard. It’s a fine line.”
Despite the run game’s struggles, Shula noted that it can still help the passing attack.
“Maybe some of the reasons that the run game struggled… were the reasons why we got some explosive plays in the passing game.”
He also defended a controversial goal-line play call from the Missouri game.
“If it’s wide open and you’re saying, ‘Ah, that’s a great call!’… Those are things you’ve got to live with as a play caller all through your career. You just hate for it to be a second and long after.”
On the running backs, Shula remained confident.
“Our guys can run and run behind their pads and push the pile. Our guys can break tackles. Our guys can make people miss.”
Shula praised tight end Brady Hunt as a steady presence and highlighted Dre Jacobs’ progress, while noting that competition could lead to lineup changes.
“There might be different guys this week on the field that weren’t on the field last week. Competition… gets the most out of each individual.”
Still, he stressed the need to eliminate costly mistakes.
“We’ve gotta be better, obviously. We gotta move the ball better. We gotta stay out of negative plays. We have to be more successful on first and second down.”
Shula said free rushers can’t be pinned solely on the offensive line, pointing out the responsibility is shared across the unit.
Finally, on using Sellers outside the pocket, Shula urged caution.
“There’s a time and place for all of them… He throws, he does a really good job on the run, but he’s also a good pocket passer.”
Bottom line: Shula stressed accountability across the board and the need for balance in play-calling. If the Gamecocks are going to bounce back against Kentucky, those two elements will be critical.
