Nov. 17, 2011

The University of South Carolina football squad returned to the Bluff Road practice fields Thursday afternoon.

The Gamecocks (8-2, 6-2 SEC) are ranked 14th in both national polls and come in 12th in this week’s BCS Standings. They will be facing a Citadel Bulldog team that is playing its final game of the season. The Bulldogs are 4-6 overall and finished the 2011 season with a 2-6 in the Southern Conference under seventh-year head coach Kevin Higgins.

“I think we had a pretty good week,” said Assistant Head Coach – Defense Ellis Johnson. “Wednesday was not good. We got interrupted with the weather and had to switch some meetings and practice around a little bit, but the players handled it well and it wasn’t a distraction, so we’ve had a good week of preparation.”

Johnson indicated that both safeties, DeVonte Holloman and D.J. Swearinger would play if they’re cleared on Saturday. “If we’re able to play them sparingly, we’ll see,” said Johnson. “If we have to play them the whole game, that’s what we’ll do. I think they’re going to be cleared. They came out today and practiced. As long as they feel ok and don’t have any problems from it, they’ll be ready to go.”

A limited number of tickets for Saturday’s noon kick were made available on Thursday after part of an allotment was returned. Tickets are available via TicketMaster.com or contact the South Carolina Athletic Ticket Office.