March 27, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – USC practiced Wednesday afternoon in the sunshine after cancelling practice Tuesday due to bad weather. The Gamecocks will practice on Thursday afternoon and then release the team until Monday’s team meeting at 1 pm (there are no classes on Monday due to the Easter Break). The team will then practice later that afternoon.

USC’s Offensive Coordinator Skip Holtz met with media after Wednesday afternoon’s practice. Skip Holtz felt the defense got the best of the offense in Wednesday’s practice, but was pleased with a number of younger offensive players. “We have four senior offensive lineman and we know what they are capable of. Right now we are looking hard at the younger players. They are showing a lot of promise and most days we are pleased with their efforts. We are looking to find the four best receivers. Ryan Brewer is on that list and then it’s just a matter of working to find the other three. We will also need our freshmen coming in to supply depth.”

“In spring practice, it goes back and forth. One day the offense looks great, the next day it might be the defense. It’s hard to evaluate on a daily basis because we might complete a 40 yard pass and then the next play we lose yardage due to a sack. In spring practice we have to run play after play to get better so we can be a more consistent offensive unit.”

On the play of the tight ends: “They have been a part time player in the offense the past couple of years. But we are trying to get them incorporated a bit more. We just need them to be more consistent. If they step up, because it’s up to them, then they will become a bigger part of our package. If not, then we will go another direction.”

On the quarterbacks: “We are working hard right not to put it all together in a format. We are finding out where they will fit in the equation. We need to see them developing every day, throwing the ball more. We were 18 of 24 at Saturday’s scrimmage and we want to do that on a consistent basis.

Injury Report: Cedric Williams – out with a bruised right knee. John Strickland – out with a right ankle sprain. Both are listed day to day