COLUMBIA — There was no hesitation, no ambiguous plans to keep a poker face this time when Will Muschamp was asked about the status of South Carolina’s starting quarterback battle.
A week ago, Muschamp and quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper sat down together and decided freshman Brandon McIlwain would get the nod against East Carolina in Muschamp’s home opener at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.
That decision is here to stick, Muschamp said after his Gamecocks beat East Carolina 20-15. Senior Perry Orth might have started the Gamecocks’ first two games of the season, but at this point, the head coach is ready to hand over the reins to the 18-year-old true freshman McIlwain.