Nov. 2, 2009

The University of South Carolina football squad (6-3, 3-3 SEC) worked out on Monday night at the Bluff Road practice fields. The squad began its preparations for Saturday’s SEC showdown in Fayetteville against the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-4, 1-4 SEC). Game time is set for 12:21 p.m. ET and will be televised regionally on the SEC Network. It can be seen locally in Columbia on WIS-TV.

The Gamecocks are trying to keep from going into a late season slide similar to those that have occurred each of the last two seasons. “We have to play better. Play better and get more points, that’s what we can do,” said head coach Steve Spurrier. “That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

Coach Spurrier indicated that walk-on offensive lineman Garrett Chisolm could make his first start of the season on Saturday. “He held his own and didn’t get shoved back into the quarterback’s face like about four of the other guys did the other night. So he’s got a chance to be a starter.”

Arkansas has a defense ranked in the lower half of the SEC. “They’ve given up some yards here and there, but they’ve got some quick, fast guys,” noted the Head Ball Coach. “They’ll give us fits with the pass rush – they always have. They’ve always been tough to run against. They’ve got a good offense. They are favored over us, which they should be. We’ve got a challenge in front of us. We’ll see if we are up to it. They’re 4-4. Hopefully we’ll play like a team desperate for a win.”

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Tuesday afternoon.