Sept. 3, 2002
Columbia, SC –
* The Gamecocks went through a physical two-hour practice Tuesday in preparation for their showdown against Virginia this Saturday night at the Carl Smith Center in Charlottesville (ESPN, 7:45 p.m.). Head coach Lou Holtz said the team got after it more today and the defense has made some progress the past couple of days. “Defense is the key for any team and we’ve made improvement this week,” said Holtz. “Virginia will be a real test for us. They will have had time to prepare for Corey Jenkins after seeing him on film for the first time last week. They have an excellent two quarterback attack and a big-time receiver in (Billy) McMullen. They have talented young backs who can run and an athletic defense.”
* Coach Holtz said he has been working with the cornerbacks this week. “I coached the secondary all my life,” said Holtz. “Dunta Robinson has had a good week of practice. He has a great deal of naturalness. Taqiy (Muhammad) and Rachiem (Monroe) have also improved.”
* Coach Holtz said that Gonzie Gray, who has been playing tailback, and Andrea Gause, who has been playing wide receiver, have also received some work at cornerback this week. “It’s difficult to just raise your hands and say “you are a cornerback,” said Holtz. “Andrea Gause has a chance … if he doesn’t learn too much, he’ll be okay. We’re looking at what’s best down the line. We have such an acute need at corner. We have had problems on the perimeter and we need to get that corrected.”
* Coach Holtz said it takes a different mentality to play cornerback. “You’re out there by yourself and all of a sudden, you look around and your nearest teammate is 22 yards away,” said Holtz. “It can get kind of lonely out there.”
* Coach Holtz complimented the scout squad on their work this week, and singled out freshman Chris Clark from Lexington, S.C. “Chris Clark is a walk on who has a great work ethic, is very talented and has been impressive on the scout team this week (posing as UVA quarterback Marques Hagans). He may be a candidate for a scholarship.”
