QB LaNorris Sellers didn’t play because of an ankle sprain suffered against LSU. Then running back Raheim “Rocket” Sanders — expected to be a workhorse against the Zips — left the field just minutes into the game.

South Carolina had avoided the sheer number of injuries that plagued it last season. Still, when star running back Rocket Sanders hobbled off the field Saturday night against Akron, unable to return to the game due to an ankle injury,

In the LSU game, Sellers was the more productive quarterback. He rushed 10 times for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns, also completing 9-of-16 for 113 yards with 1 interception. Robby Ashford, Sellers’ backup, was 2-of-4 passing for 42 yards and rushed 11 times for 11 net yards in the LSU game.