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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolinas once-sluggish offense is getting younger -- and more productive -- almost every week.Behind freshmen quarterback Jake Bentley, running back Rico Dowdle and receiver Bryan Edwards, the Gamecocks (4-4, 2-4 Southeastern Conference) have averaged 29 points in their past two wins after scoring only 14 points a game through their first six contests.Bentley had two touchdown passes, Dowdle rushed for 127 yards and Edwards caught a 17-yard TD in South Carolinas 24-21 stunner over then-No. 18 Tennessee this past Saturday. The trio will try to lead the Gamecocks to a third consecutive victory -- the team only had three wins in 2015 -- when they face last-place Missouri (2-6, 0-4) on Saturday.Its very exciting, said tight end Hayden Hurst, a 23-year-old sophomore. Seeing these younger guys come along quick, theres going to be a lot of special things going on around here.It has already been nothing like the Gamecocks endured in the seasons first six games. With senior Perry Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain trading off quarterback starts, South Carolinas attack never got going.South Carolina only had two TD passes in the seasons first half, both of those thrown by Orth in a failed comeback at Mississippi State last month. The running game, led by A.J. Turner and David Williams, also had struggled to find room to move.The Gamecocks quickly fell to last in SEC scoring and rushing, spots they still occupy now despite the past two victories.Things, though, are trending upward.South Carolina put up its most yards (395) and points (34) in the 34-28 win over UMass in Bentleys first college start two games ago. He figured to have a harder time moving the team against Tennessee, but led the Gamecocks to a touchdown the first time they had the ball. South Carolina never lost the lead.Dowdle had sports hernia surgery in the offseason and hurt his groin in August. After missing the first four games, Dowdle really got going against UMass with team-high 87 yards rushing.He notched his first 100-yard game in college last week, continually sweeping around Tennessees front line.Hurst remembered watching Dowdle make a sharp cut to escape a South Carolina linebacker during informal drills.I stood back and told Perry (Orth), `Hes going to be special, Hurst said.Edwards, a 6-foot-3, 210 wideout from Conway, was one of the top in-state prospects who briefly waivered from his long-held South Carolina commitment after coach Steve Spurriers mid-year departure and the Gamecocks 3-9 season.Muschamp made landing Edwards, among five finalists for South Carolinas Mr. Football award for the states top player, a priority and its paying this fall. He had eight catches for 101 yards in his debut, a win over Vanderbilt to start the season. He has caught TD passes each of the past two weeks, developing a quick and obvious chemistry with fellow freshman Bentley.Id rather play a young talented guy thats got a bright future than play an older guy thats not as talented, Muschamp said. Thats what its about. Thats where we are right now.Bentley, Dowdle and Edwards are unavailable to speak with reporters, per Muschamps policy.Muschamp said the players are talking bowl game and understand beating Missouri is an essential step. The Gamecocks have one more home game with FCS opponent Western Carolina on Nov. 19 between road trips to No. 10 Florida and No. 3 ClemsonMissouri has lost 10 straight SEC games, dating to its 24-10 win over the Gamecocks last year. First-year coach Barry Odom is also trying to blend young players with veterans to turn around his program.I know theyre hungry to win. Theyre hurt, he said. But I know weve been through a lot together. 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Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Joe Burns arms are scarred. The scars come from diving forward onto the abrasive squares of Sri Lankan cricket grounds in pursuit of catches at short leg. Painful as they are, deeper scars have been inflicted on Burns confidence as a batsman this tour, in which his struggles have been emblematic of a collective Australian failure not seen in many a long year.Having gone to India with Australia A last year, and again this year with a pre-tour advance party, and then spent two weeks in Colombo before the Tests began, Burns had seemingly been well prepared for the task. But from the moment he was bowled by a Rangana Herath skidder on the first afternoon of the series, Burns has slipped down an Asian wormhole of doubts and second guesses well known to plenty before him.In the second innings at Palekelle he was clean bowled by a Lakshan Sandakan special just when he looked to be getting set. He gifted Vishwa Fernando a first Test wicket in Galle with a hook to square leg, and then picked out cover when he attempted to take the attack to Herath in the second innings. If he has followed a personal mantra not to repeat the same mistakes, that is scant consolation for a return of 34 runs in four innings.Im not really one to be in or out of form, Burns said in Colombo. For me, every innings is different. I just try to focus on making sure Im not making those same mistakes over and over. And in a place like the subcontinent, theres so many things that you can learn from the experience that you dont really worry about form, its about executing different game plans and developing different skills.As a batter, you want to give yourself a chance to get in; its always disappointing to get out early in your innings. Especially in these conditions, you know its going to be tough to start. I guess that was the most frustrating thing about the second innings in Kandy - you know, when you do get a start you need to push on and make a game-changing score.Thats probably been the most frustrating thing for me so far on the tour, having an opportunity there in Kandy to really go on with it, and not take that opportunity. Like I said, we dont make any excuses, we just try to learn as much as we can. Ive learned a hell of a lot over the last four innings, and hopefully Ill take those lessons forward from here.For a batsman raised on the hard, true Gabba surface, these lessons have been something like a young students first forays in Latin or quantum physics. Burns agreed it took courage to go away from what was comfortable and familiar in order to succeed in Asia, but also acknowledged this could not be used as an excuse for poor batting displays.When you grow up, you learn a game, you play all your domestic cricket in Australia, Burns said. Some guys are lucky enough to play in the IPL or in County cricket and you get a taste of differrent experiences.dddddddddddd I guess the courage comes when youre asked to change your game in the cut-throat environment of the pressure-cooker that is international cricket. It does take courage.I think all our boys are doing that. The results probably dont show that so far. Thats why everyone wants to get back out there and prove it to ourselves, prove it to the world, that we are good enough to take the game on and to adapt our game and have success globally. Not only that, but to play well for Australia. Were two-nil down in a series. Its very frustrating at the moment. Its a tough spot to be in. I feel like were doing everything we possibly can to turn it around.All that is left for Burns, and for others such as Usman Khawaja and Adam Voges, is to hope they are retained for the dead third Test - Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann will discuss team selection on Thursday - and then attempt to show evidence of learning. Australia must now be looking upon this match as much for next years tour of India as the saving of face in Sri Lanka.It would mean a hell of a lot, Burns said of making consolation runs. The series has gone now, but youre playing for your country. Theres so much pride to play for in the third Test, not just for the country but as a group. Weve gone through a little bit of a tough time. But if we can turn it around and put in a good performance, it would be huge. I know all the boys are extremely motivated.Were doing absolutely everything we can to turn it around. We just have to trust that putting work into your game will get the results. International cricket is challenging because you play all around the world. To be an international cricketer you want to have success all around the world. That success hasnt come so far in the first two Tests, with the losses that weve had.But you want to be a part of winning teams as a group but also as an individual to be putting in strong performances around the world. That is what drives us as individuals and as a team. Thats why were working so hard and trying to be really open-minded to develop game plans and skills that are going to allow us to have success for a long period of time as a group.As for fielding at short leg, the scars, bruises and near misses to the helmet have not yet dissuaded Burns from the job - something else for the selectors to keep in mind. I dont hate it because I feel like Im always in the game in the subcontinent, he said. I feel like its an important position.At times it is quite painful and scary. You can sometimes hear the ball fizzing past you. You can certainly feel it hit you when it does. Whenever you get scared you kind of just look at the badge on your helmet and it makes it all worthwhile. ' ' '