Sept. 22, 2010

The No. 12/15 South Carolina Gamecocks (3-0, 1-0 SEC) were back at the Bluff Road “Proving Grounds” Wednesday afternoon as they continue preparations for Saturday’s SEC showdown at No. 17/14 Auburn (3-0, 1-0 SEC). Game time Saturday is set for 7:47 p.m. ET (6:47 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium) with a national television audience watching on either ESPN or ESPN 3D.

“Jarvis Giles has decided he’d like to transfer,” confirmed head coach Steve Spurrier following practice, “so we certainly wish Jarvis the best and he’ll have a release to go where he wants to. Jarvis is a fine young man and we wish him the best. We understand sometimes you get in situations where the opportunity to play doesn’t look all that good, so we wish him the best. He can go anywhere he wants to,” continued the Head Ball Coach. “I don’t think it’s fair to limit a player if he wants to go play somewhere. He wants to go play. I encourage guys that want to enjoy college football, if it’s not working out where you are and that’s one of your big goals, then I encourage them to transfer and go play. Now, if graduating from your state university is important, then that’s another side that may keep you here, even if you’re not playing. There are all kinds of reasons in life we do things, and Jarvis wants to play.”

Coach Spurrier confirmed that the team will wear a number 11 decal on their helmets this week in remembrance of former Gamecock wide receiver Kenny McKinley, who died on Monday.

Coach Spurrier noted that most of the offensive linemen were back at practice today, including Garrett Chisolm, Rokevious Watkins and Terrence Campbell. Hutch Eckerson “didn’t do much today,” according to Coach Spurrier. C.C. Whitlock was not at practice today, but is scheduled to play on Saturday.

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