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South Carolina names Doty starting quarterback to open season

Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / Getty

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer named Luke Doty the starting quarterback to begin the 2021 season.

Doty received the starting nod Sunday following a 5-for-7 performance in the Gamecocks' Garnet and Black spring game.

"Unless something totally changes between now and when we watch the tape, Luke Doty is our starting quarterback," Beamer said, according to John Whittle of 247Sports.

"Like every other position, that’s going to be competition throughout the summer. By no means are we anointing Luke, but he’s taken every rep with the first team all spring practice and I didn’t see anything today to make me think otherwise. He’s great."

South Carolina won't return its two most experienced passers from 2020 after losing Collin Hill and with Ryan Hilinski transferring to Northwestern.

Doty completed 43 of 70 pass attempts for 405 yards, throwing two touchdowns to three interceptions as a freshman last season.

The sophomore passer edged out recent transfer Jason Brown, freshman Colton Gauthier, and walk-on Connor Jordan.

Beamer and offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield are tasked with improving a passing attack that averaged just 187 yards per game through 10 contests last year, producing more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8).

The Gamecocks open the season on Sept. 4 at home against Eastern Illinois.

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