Sept. 21, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina improved its record to 3-1 with a 42-10 victory over UAB last Saturday night in Columbia. The Gamecocks hit the road to take on eighth-ranked Tennessee this Saturday, Sept 27 at Neyland Stadium. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN and will kick off at 7:45 p.m.
* Lefovers from the UAB game: Comments from USC head coach Lou Holtz – “The game will dictate Demetris Summers’ role. He played awfully well Saturday night. He needs to protect the ball better. He made some outstanding runs. He also received excellent blocking downfield, particularly from Matthew Thomas. We had a back at Notre Dame from North Carolina named Lee Becton, who could stop all of a sudden and change directions. Demetris runs somewhat like that, only he’s faster. Demetris is more comfortable in the I formation. Our offensive staff came up with a nice wrinkle with the I formation and the off set back. We don’t have a true fullback. That will be one of our recruiting needs. Skip (Holtz) had used this formation some at Connecticut. Demetris does a nice job of catching the football out of the backfield. He’s got good hands.”
* On the placekicking woes: “I don’t know of any other options at this point. I really don’t. Other than go for two. What’s frustrating is that we kick it pretty well in practice and in pregame. Anytime you have a kick inside the 30 yard line, you should be accurate and consistent, but right now, we’re not.”
* On facing Tennessee: “This may be the best Tennessee team we’ve faced since we’ve been here, when you consider offense, defense and kicking game. They won the battle of wills against Florida. Florida only scored 10 points at home on their defense. That’s impressive, because I know what kind of skill Florida has on offense. They are a dominating defensive football team.”
* Injury update: DT Preston Thorne (ACL tear in knee is out); C Chad Walker (dislocated knee cap is out); LB Ricardo Hurley (ankle sprain is doubtful); CB Deandre’ Eiland (rib strain is probable); S Jamacia Jackson (low back strain is probable); OL Jabari Levey (finger surgery is probable); S Rodriques Wilson (cracked ribs is probable).
