5 impact players for South Carolina when the Gamecocks play host to Florida

If Florida needed a wake-up call, the Gators got it last Saturday when Vanderbilt came into The Swamp and held the lead most of the game before the Gators pulled out a 9-7 SEC East title-clinching victory.

Much like Vanderbilt, South Carolina (3-6, 1-6 SEC) has little to lose against the Gators. With Shawn Elliott as interim coach, the Gamecocks have made inspired efforts in losses to Texas A&M and Tennessee.

The No. 11 Gators (8-1, 6-1) need to continue winning to maintain any hopes of earning a College Football Playoff berth.

Here are five impact players to watch for the Gamecocks:

1. QB Perry Orth — With the former walk-on leading the offense, the Gamecocks scored 28 points against Texas A&M and 24 against Tennessee. An accurate passer who makes solid reads, Orth has completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 1,180 yards and 7 TDs with 6 interceptions.
2. RB Brandon Wilds — Healthier than he’s been most of the season, Wilds has the ability to hit holes quickly. He’s rushed for 507 yards and 2 TDs, averaging 5.28 per carry.
3. WR Pharoh Cooper — For the Gamecocks to win, Cooper needs a big day. South Carolina’s only true game breaker, Cooper catches passes, carries the ball on jet sweeps, plays quarterback in the Wildcat formation and triggers many of the team’s trick plays. Cooper has 48 catches for 656 yards and 5 TDs. He’s run for 105 yards and one TD on 17 carries.
4. LB Skai Moore — The big-play producer on the defense, Moore has four interceptions and leads the team with 89 tackles.
5. LT Brandon Shell — Guarding Orth’s blindside from Florida pass rushers Antonio Morrison and Jarrad Davis, who have combined for 17 tackles for loss, often will be up to the Gamecocks’ veteran tackle.

John Brasier