Sept. 19, 2002

Columbia, SC –

? Expect to see some new faces at wide receiver for South Carolina this weekend, as the Gamecocks play host to Temple Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is 7:00. Head coach Lou Holtz said Thursday that freshmen Kris Clark, Troy Williamson and Andre Hemphill will all see action against the Owls. Ryan Brewer and Michael Ages are slated to start at receiver, but all three of the freshmen will be on the field extensively.

? Coach Holtz said that the pass protection by the offensive line hasn’t been as sharp as it needs to be this week. “We’ve been banged up in the offensive line, but we expect them all back,” said Holtz, referring to guard Cedric Williams (shoulder), and tackles Travelle Wharton (neck) and Watts Sanderson (back).

? Coach Holtz said Temple was a dangerous team with a bevy of talented athletes. “They have speed at wide receiver,” said Holtz. “(Sean) Dillard is the BIG EAST sprint champion and they have a couple of more like him at receiver.”

? Coach Holtz’s first career coaching victory came against the Temple Owls in 1969, when his William & Mary squad defeated Temple 7-6 in the second game of the season. “Trust me, we didn’t beat this Temple team,” said Holtz. “We would have never beaten this team. That was a big win for us at the time, though, but honestly, I can’t remember much else about the game other than it was played on a muddy field.”

? Holtz said the Gamecocks may operate by committee at running back on Saturday. “We’ll play Daccus Turman, Kenny Irons, Thez Robinson and Andrew Pinnock,” said Holtz. “We’re not sure who will start; it probably will be based upon field position and the type of formation we open in. We’ll play them all and see if one of them steps forward.”