Aug. 8, 2002

Columbia, SC –

“I met with the football team yesterday. We had a very good meeting. I like the attitude. They worked as hard this summer as any football team that I have been associated with. Now we have to go out.”

“We’ve had three full practices with the incoming freshman. I think it is as talented of a group that I’ve been around in a long time. Based on first impressions, there are many athletes that will have an opportunity to play for us this year in certain roles. As far as quickness, athleticism, I don’t think they will be out of place when we start tonight.”

“I’m anxious to see Corey Jenkins. He’s an unknown but based on what I have seen I’m anxious to see him. Same thing with Andrew Pinnock, he’s been waiting his turn. Cedric Williams, Shane Hall, Travelle Wharton, Jeff Barnes at offensive line. I’m anxious to see Lance Laury at linebacker. Langston Moore, Dennis Quinn on the defensive line.”

“A lot of people have to come through and progress and we’re going to have to face adversity and difficulty. How we handle that will depend on how well we do things.”

“Offensively, for the first time we have talent in place that we would like to have in our offense including a quarterback who is very mobile and a threat as a runner and throwing the ball. We have a stronger offensive line that operates as a unit, they’re a close group. We have speed at wide receiver, this is as much speed as we have had. We will be able to stretch the field. We have a lot of unknowns but our talent is in place on offense.”

“Defensively we didn’t create enough turnovers or sacks last year and we need to do a better job of that. This is the fastest defense I have ever been associated with, top to bottom. The big thing is going to be depth. Two years ago, Langston Moore, John Stamper and Dennis Quinn were backups in this defense and we always had fresh people. We now need to develop depth at defensive line that’s a key. Randy Jackson and Moe Thompson it’s critical that they progress and come along.”

“I don’t think there is any doubt about the athleticism on this team. We just don’t have experience, the camaraderie and togetherness that success brings.”

“Corey (Jenkins) not only has maturity, but he has a love for the game. He has an enthusiasm.”

“I talked to Ryan (Brewer) two days ago and his ankle feels fine. He will not be full-go tonight and won’t be until the doctors turn him loose. The doctors want to operate on the cautious side.”

“Depending what happens at linebacker, we could possibly move George Gause to linebacker. In the spring, our biggest need was defensive line. George Gause will be on the football field. I don’t want to rush him. He’s a talented individual and I hope he realizes how good he can be.”