Sept. 16, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – Tuesday’s highlights: Head coach Lou Holtz termed Tuesday’s workout a “good, solid practice.” The Gamecock #1 offense worked against the #1 defense. Three quarterbacks are in the running for the starter’s job for this Saturday’s game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Junior Dondrial Pinkins, who has been the starter the first three games this fall; redshirt freshman Bennett Swygert, who threw a touchdown pass late in last Saturday’s game against Georgia; and true freshman Blake Mitchell, who has been impressive in practice the past several weeks. Coach Holtz said that all three of the quarterbacks rotated with the first team. “We’ll be able to make a better evaluation after we look at today’s film,” said Holtz.
Injury update: OL Woodly Telfort bruised his shoulder in practice Tuesday; OL Jabari Levey had surgery Tuesday afternoon to clean up an infection he has in his left ring finger; LB Ricardo Hurley’s ankle was sore during practice; S Rodriques Wilson has a cracked rib but should be okay by this Saturday; OL Jonathan Alston has a loose cartilage and has been slowed the past few days with that injury. “All of a sudden, we are decimated along the offensive line,” said Coach Holtz. “For the most part, we’ve stayed away from injuries, now we are getting dismantled with them.”
Lou Holtz says: “Our defense came to play today. Darrell Shropshire had a good practice and so did our linebackers. Jeremiah Garrison is playing well at linebacker. We moved Darel Slay from linebacker to defensive end. Today, our starting offensive line unit was Travelle Wharton, Chris White, Chad Walker, Stephen Sene and Na’Shan Goddard. (on the play of the quarterbacks): “Someone is really going to have to step forward to unseat Dondrial (Pinkins). I’m a Dondrial Pinkins fan.” (on what the coaches are looking for from their quarterback): “We are looking for productivity from that position. It takes a long time to develop a solid quarterback. Bennett Swygert is probably two years behind due to his two knee surgeries. Dondrial had done a decent job of protecting the football until the Georgia game. We’ll have a better idea after looking at today’s film and going through practice on Wednesday.”
UAB returns tickets: UAB returned 400 tickets for this weekend’s game and they will go on sale to the general public Wednesday morning at 8:30. Tickets are $24 each and may be purchased at the USC Athletic Ticket Office on Rosewood Drive or by calling 800-4SC-FANS.
Wednesday media availability: Requested players are available outside the players’ entrance between 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Skip Holtz will speak to the press following practice at approximately 6:20 p.m. outside the players’ entrance.
