Quarterback Spencer Ratltler has thrown for 1,121 yards and four scores this season in five games. (South Carolina Photo)
Remember after Spencer Ratlerr transferred from Oklahoma to South Carolina when he said he thought he would do better this year because the SEC was an easier conference.
No kidding. He said that and must have obviously believed it.
Rattler threw for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2020 before he eventually lost his starting job in 2021 when he threw for 1,483 yards and 11 touchdowns. So far this season he is 98 of 151 passing for 1,121 yards and four touchdowns with seven interceptions in five games. He has a very respectable 126.7 quarterback rating.
He will play against Kentucky Saturday night at Kroger Field and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops says he is a “very good player” that will test UK’s defense.
“Watched Spencer for his time at OU (Oklahoma) and his time at South Carolina. Very talented quarterback. I like what they do with him. I like their offense, creating some time off play action. He has a very talented arm and can make all the throws. Very good player,” Stoops said.
Stoops said it is easy to see Rattler getting more comfortable in South Carolina’s system each game he plays in a new system.
“They do a really nice job with him. They really push their passing attack vertical, trying to create some shot plays and obviously on first, second down, play action, maxing things up and give him an opportunity to push the ball down the field because he’s got a big arm,” Stoops said.
“He can make all the throws and he’s also very hard to get down. He’s very smooth back there. So you got to be very disciplined in your rush lanes as well.”
Stoops said the defense cannot forget about running back MarShawn Lloyd. The redshirt sophomore has 324 yards and six touchdowns on 53 carries — 6.1 yards per carry. He also has 13 catches for 118 yards and two scores,
“I think he’s a really good player. I think they’re doing a good job creating some movement up front and really laying on some doubles, getting some movement, getting him started,” Stoops said.
“He’s such a talented back and he really just runs hard. He’s just a very good player, a complete player, good in the pass game as well. They’re doing a lot of things. Are they different? I’m not sure.”
“They do a nice job with their play passes on first/second down to give them some time to get the ball down the field, create some space, taking some vertical shots. So, like everybody, they’re going to put pressure on you.”
Lloyd had 169 yards and three scores against Charlotte and 80 yards and one touchdown last week against South Carolina State. However, in South Carolina’s first three games he had just 75 yards and 27 carries, including nine carries for just 22 yards against Georgia.
