April 12, 2002

South Carolina had its final full practice prior to the Spring Game, with a 2 1/2 workout Tuesday afternoon. The practice was split between the practice field and Williams-Brice Stadium.

Coach Lou Holtz said that the Gamecocks were fairly banged up as spring practice approached its conclusion. Expected to miss this Saturday’s Spring Game are tailback/wide receiver Ryan Brewer (ankle), wide receiver Matthew Thomas (ankle), and wide receiver Michael Ages (shoulder). Listed as questionable are offensive lineman Na’shan Goddard (ankle) and linebacker Lenny Williams (ankle).

On Tuesday the Gamecocks worked on the kicking game and also spent time correcting mistakes from this past Saturday’s scrimmage. The team concluded practice with a passing game scrimmage at the stadium.

Coach Holtz said that the Gamecocks “were not a very good team right now. But, I didn’t think we would be coming out of spring. We’ve got a lot of improving to do.”

Coach Holtz says his two biggest concerns with the Gamecocks are the defensive’s inability to stop the run on a consistent basis and the wide receivers’ inconsistency in getting open and catching the football.

This Saturday’s Spring Game will feature the #1 offense and #2 defense versus the rest of the squad. Coach Holtz said the coaching staff believed that would serve a better purpose because they wanted the offensive line and defensive backfield units to work together as one unit. Coach Holtz said it was undetermined whether the second team would be spotted a lead. “The second team said they didn’t want a lead. We’ll have to see what happens.”

When asked about the progress of quarterback Corey Jenkins, Coach Holtz said: “When Corey makes a mistake now, he recognizes it. His biggest flaw is that sometimes he doesn’t plant his toe properly when he’s throwing the ball. Early in the spring, he was treading water thinking he was going to move to another position. But, he’s a quarterback, that’s for sure.”

Coach Holtz said that his staff must evaluate the team and that despite the Spring Game being open to the public and being televised on a taped delay basis by ComCast throughout the Southeast region, the game must go on and be played like a game. Coach Holtz said that the defense will have some limitations on the amount of blitzing they will do and also there may be some restrictions on the kicking game.

Coach Holtz said that next year he hopes the Gamecocks can have two spring games – one that features the number ones vs. the number twos and another one that has a team draft.

Coach Holtz said that of all the positions on the team, wide receiver is the biggest question mark right now. “We need some players to come through, that’s for sure,” said Coach Holtz. “Most of the other positions are pretty well set.”

The Gamecocks’ final spring practice of the year will take place this Saturday with the annual Spring Game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for youth and $10 for a family. USC students will be admitted free upon showing their student ID card. A game program will also be sold for $2. All ticket and program sales net revenue goes to the USC Lettermen’s Association as a fund-raiser for that organization. Tickets are on sale at the USC Ticket Office on Rosewood Drive (803/777-4274 or 1-800-4SC-FANS) and will be sold at the stadium ticket office on game day.

USC players will be available on the field from 11:15 a.m. – 12 noon for an autograph session. Stands on the west side of the stadium will be open for seating during the game.

Parking is available on the stadium lots on a first-come, first-serve basis. No RVs will be allowed to park on the stadium lots. Free parking is also available in the Key Road Lot. Parking will be available in the Fairgrounds lots, as well, with a $1 charge per car, as there is an event being held at the Fairgrounds on Saturday. Fans are not permitted to carry in large bags or coolers into the stadium.

Here is a time schedule for the Spring Game:

Saturday, April 13, 2002