Robby Ashford has appeared in two games so far this season serving primarily as the backup to LaNorris Sellers. Now with Sellers going down to injury, Ashford will be asked to step up against Akron.

South Carolina will try and start 3-1 for the first time in seven years and bounce back from a heart-breaking, 36-33 defeat to No. 16 LSU last week when it takes on Akron.

Tune-up game: The Gamecocks committed 13 penalties in their first loss of the season last week. Two of those came at the cost of pick-sixes by USC’s defense, which would’ve won the game. Akron is a perfect opportunity for South Carolina to get right heading into its first of two bye weeks.