Sept. 21, 2011

Rains came through the Columbia metropolitan area on Wednesday afternoon, forcing the Gamecock football team off the practice fields for the second half of the scheduled workout. The No. 12/10 Gamecocks (3-0, 1-0 SEC) are preparing for Saturday’s SEC Eastern Division matchup with the Vanderbilt Commodores (3-0, 1-0 SEC). Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The contest will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

Offensive line coach Shawn Elliott met with the media following the practice and spoke about his unit’s play so far this season. “I think it’s just like any position on our football team – at times they do their job really well and at other times there are some breakdowns,” said Elliott. “We can all get better. We all play a big role in everything we do, both running and passing. Everybody’s got to do better. You can’t pinpoint one particular thing. We have to develop as an offense and strive to improve and we’re going to do that.”

Coach Elliott described what he likes and dislikes out of his offensive linemen on game day. “I don’t like a lot of smiling. I don’t like a lot of giggling, a lot of laughing. I like a lot of focused eyes. I think football is a violent sport and I think you’ve got to approach it like that each and every day. On game days, it’s one of those days you can let it all hang out and almost get away with everything out there between the lines.”

“This is an SEC contest,” said Elliott of the Vanderbilt game this week. “Those guys are playing for a championship just like we are. They are very well coached. They fly to the football. We’ve got to stay on blocks longer. You can’t assume the play is over when it’s not. We’ve got to keep fighting. They’re a good defense against the run. They’re a good defense overall. We’ve got to attack them.”

The Gamecocks will return to the Bluff Road practice fields on Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.