Aug. 11, 2003

Columbia, S.C. –

* The Gamecocks returned to the practice field for a full contact workout Monday morning at the practice facility. Monday was the first time the team went through a true two-a-day practice session since camp began a week ago. The squad was scheduled to come back with an afternoon practice in shorts and shoulder pads.

* Linebacker Lance Laury was limited during practice with a sore knee. Laury had surgery on his knee during spring practice and the past couple of days it has been bothering him.

* Offensive lineman Kris Mick had surgery Monday morning to repair his broken right wrist. Mick, who had been working at center, will be moved to guard due to the injury. He is expected to be back at practice on a limited basis within the next week. With Mick’s injury, junior Chad Walker has been moved from guard to center, where he will back up John Strickland.

* Head coach Lou Holtz met with the media following the morning practice. Here are some of his comments: “I know I am way to impatient, but I want our defense to make themselves proud. I probably holler too much at them, but I want them to be the best they can be. I want their families to be proud, I want the alums to be proud and I want their girlfriends to be proud. I realize I am tough on them, but if they don’t perform well on Saturdays, there’s only one person to blame, and that’s me … Our linebackers are kind of up in the air right now. Lance Laury wasn’t able to finish practice and his knee is bothering him. I think Deandre’ Eiland may have a slight edge at the other cornerback position opposite Dunta Robinson. We did some good things on defense today until we got into goal line. You’re not going to be a great defensive football team unless you are good in goal line and we were far from that today … The running backs are looking good, as are the receivers. Taqiy Muhammad gives us something extra at wide receiver. Our receivers don’t resemble last year’s group at all. They are much improved … Tuesday afternoon we will scrimmage. I’d like to see our players go out there and do what they’ve been taught. We’d like to come up with some kind of depth chart after tomorrow’s scrimmage.”

* Coach Holtz said that his wife, Beth, is scheduled to have an extensive battery of tests run on Wednesday at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Coach Holtz said he plans to travel to Jacksonville Thursday morning to be with his wife when she visits with the doctors. “She doesn’t ask the tough questions,” said Coach Holtz. “We’re looking forward to receiving some good news. We always expect the best.”

Tuesday’s schedule: The team will have a walk through in the morning at the indoor practice facility (no head gear). Requested players will be available during the lunch hour (11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.) in the lobby of the Roost Dormitory. This is a change from the previous schedule. Following Tuesday’s practice (which is closed), Coach Holtz will be available to the media at approximately 5:45 p.m. in the press room behind the lobby of the football building.