Steve Spurrier Names Sophomore Connor Mitch Starting Quarterback

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

What many believed would be the inevitable decision all along became fact on Tuesday when South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier named redshirt sophomore Connor Mitch the starting quarterback for the Gamecocks.

Daily fall camp drama was coming out of Columbia with Spurrier attempting to push for a greater competition among his signal callers. The question each day was who will be under center when the season starts for the Gamecocks? Mitch, who was listed atop the depth chart after spring practices, beat out junior Perry Orth, redshirt freshman Michael Scarnecchia, and true freshman Lorenzo Nunez.

Despite South Carolina’s 7-6 record in 2014, the Gamecocks were extremely proficient in the passing game averaging 282.4 yards per game with graduated Dylan Thompson taking the majority of the snaps. USC’s leading returning passer is actually wide receiver Pharoh Cooper. Cooper connected on 5-of-8 pass attempts for 78 yards with two touchdowns.

Mitch (6’3”, 211) played in two games in 2014 completing 2-of-6 pass attempts for 19 yards. Orth was the only other South Carolina player to attempt a pass last season finishing 0-for-2.

Thompson has left a big void in USC’s offense after passing for 3,574 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 270 passes on 451 passing attempts.

South Carolina opens the season on Sept. 3 against North Carolina in Charlotte.

Photo credit: chatsports.com; No. 6 Connor Mitch.