South Carolina’s ground game will be at less than full force for another week, although the situation is improving.
On the first play from scrimmage in South Carolina’s loss to Florida in Week 8, Rico Dowdle went down with a knee injury and didn’t return to the playing field. While the injury was subsequently diagnosed as just a sprain, he didn’t play in the Week 9 loss to Tennessee.
With Vanderbilt on tap this Saturday, head coach Will Muschamp has officially ruled the running back out for the SEC East matchup.
The good news is that, barring a setback, Dowdle should be healthy enough to take the field when USC plays host to No. 20 Appalachian State Nov. 9.
This season, the senior has rushed for 457 yards and four touchdowns on 78 carries. Both of those totals are second on the Gamecocks behind Tavien Feaster‘s 492 yards and five scores on the ground.