South Carolina Gamecocks

Orth is now in command of Gamecocks' offense

Published Sep. 14, 2015 11:37 a.m. ET

foxsports

The injury to starting quarterback Connor Mitch opens up things for Perry Orth to take the reins of the South Carolina offense.

Mitch suffered a separated shoulder in the 26-22 loss to Kentucky this past Saturday. He was injured when diving for a loose ball on the turf. Mitch also is battling a hip infection, and has been hospitalized to eradicate the problem.

Orth gives South Carolina a different look at the position. While he isn't the running threat Mitch is, Orth appears to be a more consistent option in terms of throwing the football down the field. Versus Kentucky, he went 13-of-20 for 179 yards and a touchdown. He helped to bring South Carolina back from a 17-point deficit to nearly win the game.

"I think Perry threw some nice balls [Saturday] night. We have confidence in Perry," head coach Steve Spurrier told reporters after the loss. "[It's] unfortunate Connor got hurt, but you have to move on to the next player. That's what we'll try to do. We actually moved the ball with Perry in there the second half."

The offense generally stagnated with Mitch at the helm. There also was a general lack of energy throughout the squad. While Orth didn't win the starting gig in the fall, he could act as a galvanizing force for an offense in desperate need of one.