The South Carolina Gamecocks acquired a constructive replace concerning quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ well being on Thursday, setting him as much as return for his or her first street SEC sport of the season towards Related Press No. 23 Missouri Tigers.
LaNorris Sellers returns to observe
On3’s Pete Nakos and Chris Low reported that Sellers (head) “is trending in the direction of enjoying … barring a setback,” with Nakos noting the fashionable preseason Heisman choose was working towards with the staff two days earlier than kickoff.
Sellers suffered a head damage within the first half of final Saturday’s 31-7 upset loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores, which entered the Related Press ballot at No. 20 following the win. Earlier than leaving the sport, Sellers was 6-of-7 for 94 yards (13.4 yards per try) and an interception.
South Carolina’s hopes rely upon LaNorris Sellers
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that South Carolina’s hopes of pulling off a street win towards Missouri hinges on Sellers’ well being. As CBS Sports activities famous, the Gamecocks averaged 4.5 yards per play and turned the ball over 3 times with Luke Doty at quarterback. Their seven factors had been their fewest at house towards an unranked convention opponent since 2007 (h/t Stathead).
Sellers put up modest numbers in his first two video games, averaging 168.5 passing yards in wins towards the Virginia Tech Hokies (0-3) and FCS South Carolina State Bulldogs (2-1). However little was wanted of Sellers in these video games. In opposition to more durable SEC competitors, together with Missouri (3-0), which is first within the convention in whole offense (587 yards per sport), South Carolina’s offense might want to shoulder extra of the burden.Â
The Tigers have been notably efficient operating the ball, rating third in FBS in dashing offense (907 yards). With their skill to shorten video games due to a potent dashing assault, Sellers’ skill to hit on explosive passing performs might be essential.Â
This season, he is accomplished three of his 4 makes an attempt which have traveled no less than 20 air yards for 126 yards (31.5 yards per try) and two touchdowns. In 2024, Sellers had the best adjusted completion proportion, which accounts for receiver drops, on deep passes amongst SEC quarterbacks with no less than 20 makes an attempt at 56.4 p.c (h/t Professional Soccer Focus).
Final Saturday was an enormous setback for South Carolina, which fell from No. 11 to out of the AP ballot with the 24-point loss to Vanderbilt, the most important in program historical past in a ranked-vs.-unranked house sport. However the Gamecocks can shortly flip the web page towards Mizzou, and getting Sellers again at quarterback would give them a legit likelihood of doing so.Â
