COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s best defensive player opened the game standing on the sideline with his helmet in his hands, and with everyone wondering why Skai Moore wasn’t playing against The Citadel.
The junior linebacker, who leads USC in tackles and interceptions, was held out of the early stages of USC’s 23-22 loss because he had missed practice time earlier in the week to return home to South Florida and attend a funeral. Interim head coach Shawn Elliott said the move was made not out of punishment, but because other players were better prepared against The Citadel’s triple-option offense.