Georgia's defense preparing for Pharoh Cooper to play out of Wildcat formation
For two weeks, Georgia has known exactly what to do when it comes to the opposing quarterback.
This week, that changes just a tad. You can bet that South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier will have receiver Pharoh Cooper line up at quarterback and run the Wildcat formation. With Perry Orth making his first career start at quarterback, the Gamecocks will need to open up the playbook and try many different things to move the ball on Georgia’s defense.
Cooper has run the Wildcat some this year already and that role could increase. Asked about the possibility of Cooper playing more than just a Wildcat play here and there during his weekly SEC teleconference slot, Spurrier said his playmaker could get more time at quarterback if needed.
“We have enough plays he could hand it off and run around a little bit,” Spurrier said. “Yeah, he could play there a series or two.”
That’s not to say Cooper will. But the Georgia defense does appear cognizant of what Cooper brings to the table.
Given the dynamic of Cooper, who can throw the ball a little as he played quarterback in high school, safety Quincy Mauger said it’ll be on the defense to hone in on their fundamentals this week.
“Every player has different keys,” safety Quincy Mauger said. “You just have to know how to play your role, read run-pass, not attack the blockers. Just attack the ball.”
For the season, Cooper has 12 receptions for 145 yards as a receiver. He’s carried the ball four times for 20 yards, so it’s not like any of his Wildcat plays have busted for huge gains yet.
But that doesn’t mean Georgia won’t be ready for Cooper in that aspect of the game.
“Having Pharoh Cooper definitely changes the way everyone has to rush,” outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins said. “It changes the gameplan. The guy’s a great athlete. He does it all and you really have to focus on keys and see what you’re supposed to see, and not worry about someone else’s job.”
This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Georgia's defense preparing for Pharoh Cooper to play out of Wildcat formation."