Sept. 12, 2012

The eighth-ranked University of South Carolina football team (2-0, 1-0 SEC) worked out on Wednesday afternoon at the Bluff Road practice fields. The squad is preparing for Saturday’s non-conference match with the UAB Blazers (0-1) from Conference USA.

Sophomore defensive end Jadeveon Clowney returned to practice on Wednesday. He had missed the last two days due to a rib contusion.

Offensive line coach Shawn Elliott indicated that his starting tackles would remain the same this week with Mike Matulis handling the left tackle position and Cody Gibson getting the call at right tackle. “Right now I’m planning on starting Mike and Cody and see how it goes. Right now I see them all (Matulis, Gibson, Brandon Shell and Cory Robinson) playing.

“I think we improved from week one to week two,” said Elliott of his offensive line. “Now we’ve got to continue to do that. They’re working hard. There’s going to be ups and downs during the course of the season but right now I think we’re on track. We’ve got to perform better than we have, and I think we will, but these guys are out here working. It’s not like they’re happy with their performance. They’re doing a good job, they have good focus and great attitude. If they want to be a great O-line, they can do it.”

Approximately 2,900 tickets priced at $35 each remain for the 7 p.m. contest. The game will be televised by FSN with Bob Rathbun and Tim Couch in the booth and Elizabeth Moreau working the sidelines.

The Gamecocks will practice again on Thursday afternoon.