Sept. 8, 2002

Columbia, SC –

* USC senior wide receiver James Adkisson is scheduled to have an MRI performed on his knee later today to determine the extent of an injury he suffered at last night’s game against the University of Virginia. Adkisson injured the knee returning a kickoff. The initial prognosis was that there could be possible ligament damage. A full report is not expected until Monday morning. Cornerback Andrea Gause had his knee drained before Saturday’s game and there is some swelling. Cornerback Taqiy Muhammad has a thumb fracture but is expected to be available for this week’s game against the University of Georgia. Linebacker Rod Thomas is questionable with an ankle sprain. Nose tackle Langston Moore has a slight knee sprain but should be available.

* Losing James Adkisson would be a blow to USC’s passing game, offensive coordinator Skip Holtz said Sunday. “We didn’t have a whole lot to go with a deep passing game to begin with,” said Skip, “and losing James would be a setback. He has really come on the past few weeks and had developed into a big-play threat.” Skip said that possibilities to replace Adkisson in the starting lineup would include Michael Ages and Chavez Donnings. He also indicated that Ryan Brewer could play more receiver now.

* Skip said that he expects Andrea Gause to remain at cornerback and George Gause to stay at linebacker. Any other personnel decisions had not been finalized as of late Sunday afternoon.

* Quarterback Dondrial Pinkins is expected to be available for this week’s SEC opener against Georgia. Pinkins fractured his ankle in a scrimmage on Aug. 23, but returned to practice last Wednesday and was in uniform this past Saturday at Charlottesville, but did not see action.

* When asked about the extraordinary number of turnovers the Gamecocks committed Saturday night, Skip said it was almost mind-boggling. “I don’t know if it was playing on the road for the first time, or it was lack of protecting the football, but more than likely it was a combination of both,” said Skip. “It’s frustrating to turn the ball over that many times. At times, we moved the ball well against Virginia, but you can’t win against anyone if you turn it over that frequently.”

* Skip said that the youth and inexperience at the receiver position showed at times this past Saturday. “We make the catch but fall to the ground,” said Skip. “We also didn’t block that well downfield.”

* Skip said he expects the team to bounce back with a fervor and be ready to compete against the 10th-ranked Bulldogs this week at Williams-Brice Stadium (3:30 p.m./CBS-TV). “We are going to put the people on the field that are going to compete, but Georgia has a great football team, maybe the best team in our conference. We may have trouble making a first down.”