March 25, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina’s football team worked out in full pads Thursday afternoon and tackled for the first time during spring camp, highlighted by the Oklahoma drill that pits offensive players against defensive players in one-on-one blocking and tackling situations in a confined space. With the energy level up, Coach Steve Spurrier had the following comments:

“It was a much better day today for the offense, and there was some improvement there. It was a pretty sad day for the offense Wednesday and we made progress today. Brett Nichols was hot throwing the football today, and a lot of times when a quarterback is hot, I’ll just leave him in there. Antonio Heffner came in there at the end and did some nice things as well. He threw some touchdown passes. Daccus Turman is our best all-around back at this time. If we were playing a game tomorrow, he would get about 25-30 carries. We’re not supposed to be very good right now and we’re not. Sidney Rice caught everything we threw at him and he can make some big plays for you. Syvelle Newton was a little gimpy with an ankle.

Injury update: Roverback Ko Simpson has a broken pinky finger on his left hand. His hand is in a cast and he will be re-evaluated. RB Cory Boyd is out with a pulled hamstring. WR Travis Lee is out 10-14 days with a neck strain (incurred while he was lifting weights). WR Michael Flint (shoulder) and CB Fred Bennett (shoulder) are limited. OL Fran Person bruised his right wrist. OL William Brown (low back strain) and OL John Paul Gillis (back surgery) are out.

The team will take Easter weekend off and returns to the practice field Monday.