Saturday marks one year since Jake Bentley got the reigns at USC

BY: TYRIA GOINES

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — This Saturday, Oct. 14, marks one year since Jake Bentley became quarterback for the Gamecocks football team.

Last week, South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley completed one of the most successful passing seasons in Gamecocks history.

Bentley’s 2,876 yards were the sixth-most in school history. His 21 touchdowns rank fourth in school history, and his 63.2 completion percentage ranks eighth in school history.

Bentley stretched his first full collegiate year over two seasons. The Gamecocks sophomore quarterback, who skipped his senior season of high school football to enroll at USC, took over the starting job at this point during his freshman season, taking the reins after the sixth game of the year, USC was 2-4 at the time, and starting the final seven games of the season. His six starts this year thus complete his first full season.

Bentley was 17-of-26 for 201 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate game, which came in a 34-28 win against UMass last October. His breakout game came the next week, when he was 15-of-20 for 167 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 24-21 win over then-No. 18 Tennessee.

The Gamecocks will face Tennessee this Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.