Aug. 18, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina’s football team had a walkthrough Monday morning to go over corrections from Sunday’s preseason scrimmage. Coach Lou Holtz said the team had a productive film session early in the morning and was able to focus on making the corrections at the walkthrough. The afternoon practice was more of a physical practice in full gear.
* A couple of players had excused absences from the afternoon practice. Tailback Demetris Summers was out of town attending his cousin’s funeral and defensive end Moe Thompson was attending to a personal matter. Both are expected to be back at practice on Tuesday.
* Injury update: S Corey Peoples was limited with a bruised shoulder; LB Ricardo Hurley (ankle sprain) is expected to be in a cast for 4-5 days and then re-evaluated.. At best, he would be listed as doubtful for the season opener on Aug. 30 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette. DL Brandon Schweitzer (knee sprain) is slated to return to action on Tuesday. WR Andre Hemphill is out with an ankle sprain. LB Jeff Mullis is out with a shoulder injury. DT Chris Tucker (foot) practiced on a limited basis for the first time Monday.
* Following the afternoon workout, head coach Lou Holtz met with the media. Here are some of his comments:
“Maybe Sunday’s performance by the defense was the best thing that could have happened to us, because it gave us the opportunity to have a productive film review this morning. I liked the way we came back out and practiced in the afternoon. The biggest concern I have right now on defense is at linebacker. With (Ricardo) Hurley and (Lance) Laury (knee) out right now, that means that two of the starters we are counting on are unavailable. Sunday’s scrimmage was a disaster for the defense. We weren’t able to get to the passer and the offense pretty much did what they wanted to. Coming into the scrimmage, we had had four pretty good days on defense, but that wasn’t the case on Sunday. I did like what I saw from the defense today, however. We’re still trying to find our number one defensive unit. I think Sunday’s scrimmage was a good wake up call for us all. Kevin Caldwell (senior walk-on from Cornelius, N.C.) is one of our starters at linebacker now based upon his performance in the scrimmage. Is he our most talented linebacker … no, but he played as good as any of them in the scrimmage. He’s smart and he knows where he is supposed to be … I thought Dondrial (Pinkins) started off slow in the scrimmage but finished strong. Michael Rathe played pretty well until the last four or five plays. I think our quarterbacks were 22-48 throwing the ball, so our coverage was pretty good, but our backs must have averaged 8-9 yards a carry and that can’t happen.”
* Following Monday afternoon’s practice, a group of youngsters from “Children’s Chance” had dinner with the players in the Zone at Williams-Brice Stadium. “Children’s Chance” is an organization that assists young cancer patients and their families.
* Tuesday’s schedule: The team will have a morning practice and will also work out in the afternoon. Coach Lou Holtz will be available to the media following the morning workout at approximately 11:05 a.m. Requested players will be available during the lunch hour between 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday’s practices are closed.
