COLUMBIA — South Carolina football opened its 2024 season with a 23-19 win over Old Dominion on Saturday in Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Gamecocks struggled to score most of the game. Without kicker Alex Herrera's success, South Carolina would have been in trouble for the entire first half. Running back Rocket Sanders had the first touchdown of the day with a 1-yard run, but South Carolina didn't score again until six minutes remained in the game, which was a 3-yard rushing touchdown after the Gamecocks recovered a fumble at the 6.

Coach Shane Beamer said during preseason that South Carolina likely would use many wide receivers during each game but on Saturday, the Gamecocks mainly used the running game and redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

Here are three overreactions from South Carolina's win, including a tough showing on offense:

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina offense has much to work on

Sellers is a redshirt freshman with very little playing experience and on Saturday looked frazzled at times. In the second quarter, running back Juju McDowell switched directions on a run and while Sellers attempted to block for him, he ended up running into McDowell, taking down his own player.

Sellers threw to seven receivers, and his passing wasn't entirely clean. Sellers finished 10-for-23 passing, for 114 yards. Sellers rushed for 68 yards and the go-ahead touchdown, but there was a lot of disconnect in the passing game.

South Carolina's defense will need to step up all season

The first play of the game for Old Dominion resulted in a forced fumble by edge Kyle Kennard that was recovered by linebacker Debo Williams to set up a Sanders touchdown run. On the Monarchs' next drive, DQ Smith got beat long for a 72-yard touchdown throw by Grant Wilson to Isiah Page.

After that, the Gamecocks' defense looked better. In the first half, South Carolina had five sacks, including two by Kennard. Kennard and Williams combined for 12 tackles in the game.

With six minutes to play, a fumble recovery by DT DeAndre Jules set up South Carolina's game-winning drive, a saving grace for the bleak offense.

Wilson finished 22-for-38 for 197 yards passing, and Old Dominion rushed for 108 yards. If South Carolina's offense needs weeks to grow, the defense will have to hold down the fort as it did Saturday. It may be more difficult against SEC opponents.

REQUIRED READING: South Carolina football 23, Old Dominion 19: Highlights from Week 1

Vandrevius Jacobs will be the No. 1 receiver for South Carolina

South Carolina hadn't identified a go-to receiver ahead of Saturday's game, but Beamer might consider Vandrevius Jacobs after the season opener. A redshirt freshman transfer from Florida State, Jacobs came to South Carolina with five appearances for the Seminoles. On Saturday, the 6-foot wide receiver looked strong and had the Gamecocks' biggest play, a 41-yard reception. He had two catches for 59 yards, by far the most for a South Carolina receiver.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina's offense has work to do, more overreactions after opener