April 11, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – With the Garnet and Black game set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, the excitement around the South Carolina football program continues to build, and senior linebacker Ricardo Hurley is one of the many players anxious to take the field.

Hurley said that his mother, brother and a few others close to him will be among the expected crowd of 25-30,000 fans for the scrimmage.

“We are really looking forward to this game,” Hurley said. “This is something that we enjoy doing for the crowd and we have a lot of fun with, and the fans will have a good time.”

Hurley registered 53 tackles, including 4.0 tackles for loss and one sack last year. The 2005 season should be no different, as Hurley said he enjoys playing for co-defensive coordinator John Thompson this spring.

“I can really feel the energy with the defense this year,” Hurley said. “We are hiding our coverages and blitzes and we’re having fun.”

The Garnet and Black Game is set to kick off at 1:07 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ESPNU and ESPN2.

Garnet and Black Game Info

PARKING INFORMATION
Stadium parking lots and the Key Road lot will open at 9 a.m. Parking for the Fairgrounds will be available at 10 a.m. Gate 10, located on Bluff Road, must be used for all football parking at the Fairgrounds. All parking, including the Fairgrounds, is FREE.

GATE INFORMATION
All gates will open two hours prior to game time at 11 a.m. Admission is FREE.

CONCESSIONS
Concessions will be available for purchase.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Several special events are planned in conjunction with the Garnet and Black Game. A dedication ceremony for the Charles F. Crews Football Facility, which features Carolina’s new football weight room and meeting facilities, will be held at 12:30 p.m. at the Southwest corner of Williams-Brice Stadium near Gate 5.

In addition, an unveiling of new signage inside Williams-Brice Stadium is planned for 12:45 p.m. The new signage will honor former Carolina football greats 1984 National Coach of the Year Joe Morrison, 1980 Heisman Trophy Winner George Rogers and 1986-1987 All-American Sterling Sharpe, along with USC’s 1969 Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Team.

THE GARNET AND BLACK GAME
Fans can expect an exciting game-day atmosphere on April 16. Be in your seats early as USC’s famous “2001” entrance will be broadcast live on ESPNU and ESPN2. The Gamecock cheerleaders and band will be on hand, and there will be numerous presentations on the video board. Spring football media guides will also be on sale for $3.

The game will consist of four, 12-minute quarters. A halftime break will be utilized.

AT HALFTIME
The 2005 NIT Champion Gamecock men’s basketball team, including NIT MVP Carlos Powell, will be honored at halftime.

Also at halftime, Coach Spurrier will present the spring practice awards to the team.