Oct. 21, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – o South Carolina’s football team went through an early workout in shorts on Thursday, finishing up practice prior to morning classes beginning. The coaches were headed out on the road recruiting Thursday morning. The team will not practice Friday, Saturday or Sunday. There is a junior varsity game Sunday at 3 p.m. against Georgia Military at Williams-Brice Stadium. The public will be admitted free of charge. Parking is available on the stadium lots. Fans should enter through the gates on the west side of the stadium only.

o Injury update: QB Dondrial Pinkins (bruised rotator cuff) threw during individual drills Thursday morning … QB Syvelle Newton (ankle sprain) did not practice … WR Travis Lee (broken finger) did not practice.

o Following the workout, head coach Lou Holtz met with the media. Here are some of his comments: “As far as the quarterback situation goes, we’ll know more on Monday. We should have a better idea of how much Dondrial can throw and how well Syvelle can move … I was pleased with the manner in which the team went about practice this week. Even though it was an open date, we were able to get some good work done … We’ll be facing one of the best Tennessee teams they’ve had in several years. We’ve talked to the team about what’s happened in the past (close losses to Tennessee). Hopefully, we’ve learned from history … The open week came at a really good time. We need to get some players healed up, in particular our quarterbacks, and the players need to get away from practice for a few days … The team’s frame of mind has been excellent. I’ve been impressed with their focus and their commitment … Yesterday (Wednesday) was a special day. Our team visited with the group of kids from “Children’s Chance” (support organization for children who are battling cancer). Our players did an outstanding job. I can’t say enough good things about a player like Troy Williamson. He was beautiful with those kids.”

o A reminder to the media – There will be no Lou Holtz teleconference this Sunday. That media service will resume on 10/31 at 4 p.m. Coach Holtz will conduct his weekly news conference this Monday, Oct. 25 at 12 noon in the Lettermen’s Lounge at Williams-Brice Stadium.