Shane Beamer acknowledged that Tennessee's defense completely tricked Spencer Rattler on key play
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer acknowledged on Sunday that the Tennessee Vols' defense completely tricked quarterback Spencer Rattler on a key play in the first half of UT's 41-20 win last Saturday night in Knoxville. Beamer was asked during his Sunday teleconference with reporters why several of Rattler's third down throws were short […]
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer acknowledged on Sunday that the Tennessee Vols' defense completely tricked quarterback Spencer Rattler on a key play in the first half of UT's 41-20 win last Saturday night in Knoxville.
Beamer was asked during his Sunday teleconference with reporters why several of Rattler's third down throws were short of the first down marker.
The third-year South Carolina head coach explained that on one of the third down throws, Rattler checked out of the play the Gamecocks had called because he thought Tennessee was bringing pressure.
Tennessee, however, was disguising their defensive look as they ended up rushing only four on that particular play, which led to a short completion that put South Carolina in a fourth down situation.
"That wasn't good," said Beamer when asked about the throws short of the sticks. "You know, for that to happen, that wasn't the plan. I can think of two of them off the top of my head. One was the one over there on our sideline. Spencer checked that one. [He] thought he was getting a pressure look and checked it because he thought he was getting some pressure. And the play that we had called was not going to be a good play for what he thought he was getting. And we kind of guessed wrong a little bit on that one. Would liked to have stayed with that play."
It's unclear exactly which play Beamer is referring to, but I'm pretty sure it was the third-and-10 play with 6:33 to go in the first quarter. Tennessee showed pressure with linebacker Aaron Beasley and cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally, but both players dropped into coverage as the ball was snapped.
Rattler's pass ended up going to wide receiver Xavier Legette for a two yard gain and the Gamecocks had to settle for a field goal.
Banks has received plenty of criticism at times for some of the Vols' rough defensive performances (even though there have been several stellar defensive performances from Tennessee over the last couple of years). But he was at his best against South Carolina on Saturday night.
After getting carved up by Rattler a year ago in Columbia, Banks showed that he can learn from a bad game by holding the South Carolina quarterback to 169 passing yards, 0 touchdowns and one interception in a game where it was critical for Tennessee's defense to make a statement.
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