Last Saturday, South Carolina football quarterback LaNorris Sellers was sacked late in the first half as the Gamecocks struggled to score a few points before halftime. Not only did the sack put the offense out of reasonable field goal range, but it also knocked Sellers out of the game, as the redshirt freshman didn’t play again, aside from an ill-advised comeback attempt for one drive, and backup Robby Ashford took over the position in his place.

During a brief halftime interview, the Gamecocks head coach said Sellers appeared to be having ankle issues, which he confirmed after the game. “Sprain” has been the only real description for Sellers’ injury since then, so his status for this weekend’s game against Akron (and his availability going forward) is questionable. Sellers says he wants to play, while Beamer was very noncommittal when asked about his young quarterback.

According to a report from Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, Beamer and his coaching staff have made their decision on the matter, at least for this week.

Zenitz says a source close to the South Carolina football program revealed that Robby Ashford will be the Gamecocks’ starter this Saturday against Akron. If Sellers sits out the entire game, he’ll have nearly three weeks total to recover from the LSU game, as USC has next week off before hosting the Ole Miss Rebels in Columbia on the first Saturday in October.

Ashford, who has some experience as a quarterback who relies on the run from his time with the Auburn Tigers, is viewed by many as a quarterback who relies on the run, but he also had some successful stretches as a passer on the Plains. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will likely schedule Ashford to throw the ball in advantageous situations to build his confidence (in case he needs to play more this season) while also allowing him to do what he does best as a runner.

The Gamecocks and Zips will play at 7:30 p.m. ET in front of a sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium and the game will be broadcast on ESPNU and streamed on the ESPN app.