Dec. 29, 2008

Practice Report | Presser – Offensive Players | Presser – Defensive Players

The University of South Carolina football squad worked out for the third time at Jefferson High School in Tampa as they continued their preparations for Thursday’s Outback Bowl matchup with Iowa.

The squad worked out in the afternoon for the first time since coming to Florida, as they attended the DeBartolo team luncheon from noon – 1:15 p.m. prior to practice.

“We had a little hotter day than we’ve had, but the guys responded pretty well,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following the 90-minute workout. “We had a pretty decent practice, and we’re starting to get ready to play on (Jan. 1). “It got a little hot, but they’ve had good enthusiasm.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia, a local product from Jefferson High School in Tampa, continues to be a hot topic for the media. “Hopefully he’s progressing,” said Coach Spurrier. “He’s in his second year. He hasn’t played a whole lot, but he will have taken a lot of snaps leading up to this game. We’ll see how it goes.”

After missing out on a bowl game last year, the Gamecocks are happy to be participating in the postseason again this year. “We’ve already had some benefits before the game,” said Coach Spurrier. “Playing in a bowl game, it definitely helps. But we just need to win more. It’s always helpful (to win a bowl game). Everybody remembers what you did in your last game.”

Despite having a couple of openings on his coaching staff, Coach Spurrier indicated he was not in a hurry to fill those slots. “It will be a couple of weeks before we do that,” he said. “Probably sometime in mid-January.”

The squad will head to Ybor City Monday night to have some fun at GameWorks, while Coach Spurrier hosts his radio show at Splitsville in the Channelside area from 7-8 p.m. ET.

The squad will work out again on Tuesday at 11:45 a.m.

Gamecock fans attending the New Year’s Day game can listen to the Gamecock Radio Network in Raymond James Stadium on the primary frequency of 96.3 FM. The secondary frequency will be 100.1 FM.