USC allowing yards, but forcing turnovers when it matters most

[gtxvideo vid=’2BlxHNfO’ thumb=’http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/2BlxHNfO.jpg’ vtitle=’USC allowing yards, but forcing turnovers when it matters mo’]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Any good coach has to pick battles.

For Will Muschamp and his staff, this year’s give and take is exactly that: giving the ball away vs. taking the ball away.

Through the first two games of the season, Carolina has forced five turnovers, ranking 9th in the country. The Gamecocks have forced 3 fumbles and 2 interceptions.

But this has been by design.

“You can’t talk about it (forcing turnovers) enough,” said Will Muschamp in Tuesday’s press conference. “We do drill work defensively to identify what we call ‘violators’, guys who put the ball in jeopardy.”

So far this season, USC has only turned the ball over one time, an interception against NC State.

That means Carolina’s turnover margin (number of forced turnovers-offensive turnovers) is 4, good for 5th best in NCAA Division 1 football.

The Gamecocks host the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium.