Nov. 9, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina’s football team (6-3/4-3) continued preparations for its final Southeastern Conference game this Saturday evening at 7:00 against the Florida Gators (5-4/3-4) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The Gamecocks worked out for two hours in full pads Tuesday afternoon.

* Injury update from the Gamecock camp: QB Dondrial Pinkins is out with a rotator cuff injury (right shoulder). OL Chris Tucker has a left knee sprain and is limited; OT Na’Shan Goddard (knee sprain) was limited Tuesday; LB Marcus Lawrence (groin) was limited; RB/WR Andrea Gause, RB Cory Boyd, and DT Marque Hall were all out of Tuesday’s practice with flu-like symptons.

* Here are some of Coach Lou Holtz’s comments following Tuesday’s workout: “Offensively, we didn’t have a very good performance today. Several players were out with the flu. Syvelle Newton threw the ball very poorly in practice on Monday; yet today, he came back and threw it beautifully. He’s still limping some. He’s really just a shadow of himself right now. Our offensive line is hobbled with (Chris) Tucker and Na’Shan Goddard’s injuries. Goddard should be able to go on Saturday, but it’s the lack of repititions that are hurting him right now. Tucker may have to have surgery at some point. Defensively, you’re really not going to stop Florida. They have an excellent offensive football team. (Ciatrick) Fason is a great back and Chris Leak is an outstanding quarterback. What we hope to do is provide some damage control. We need to pressure the quarterback, but pressure really doesn’t bother him (Leak). Florida is excellent when they get in the red zone. I have been pleased with some of the things we’ve done in practice in our return game. I really couldn’t tell you about the bowl situation. Different scenarios will have to play out before anything is really determined. We want to beat Florida. That is our main focus right now. (On the rumors of him not returning and Steve Spurrier taking over as USC’s next head coach) “I’m just concerned about preparing for Florida and doing what’s best for this program. Steve Spurrier and I are friends. He would be an excellent coach for any program. But, the last time I checked, there wasn’t an opening here (at USC).”