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South Carolina Football: Lorenzo Nunez injury won’t hurt starting chances

By Patrick Schmidt

Sep 26, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lorenzo Nunez (19) eludes UCF Knights defensive back Tre Neal (33) and defensive back Jerod Boykin (47) during the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lorenzo Nunez (19) eludes UCF Knights defensive back Tre Neal (33) and defensive back Jerod Boykin (47) during the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lorenzo Nunez will miss the rest of spring practice with an injured knee.

The first set of spring practices for new head coach Will Muschamp was met with some bad news on Monday when it was reported by Josh Kendall of The State that presumptive starting quarterback Lorenzo Nunez could be out for the rest of the spring with a knee injury.

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The rising sophomore quarterback started two games last year as a true freshman but battled injuries and was limited to 32-of-52 passing for 376 yards and three touchdowns. In limited time, Nunez showed he can be a dual-threat under center, finishing second on the team with 375 rushing yards on only 59 carries and two touchdowns.

Nunez, a former three-star prospect hyperextended his knee and sprained a ligament during Saturday’s practice. If he has to miss the remainder of spring practices and the Gamecocks spring game, his pursuit of the starting quarterback job will take a hit with Perry Orth, Brandon McIlwain, Connor Mitch and Michael Scarnecchia competing for the job.

South Carolina struggled to replace Connor Shaw since he graduated and it led to Steve Spurrier’s abrupt resignation/retirement and saw the Gamecocks go 3-9 last year.

If Muschamp is going to turn the program around and avoid the mistakes that saw him fired from the Florida Gators, it starts with getting production from the quarterback position. With Nunez out for the spring, the start of the Muschamp era is getting underway with an ominous start.

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The good thing is it is only late March and the knee injury is likely only to keep him on the shelf for a few weeks. If this was something that required surgery and extensive rehab it would be something to be concerned about, but Nunez will be back to full health well before fall camp begins.

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