Sept. 23, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – Tuesday’s Highlights: USC head coach Lou Holtz was relatively pleased with how his team practiced on Tuesday. The Gamecocks are preparing to face #8 Tennessee this Saturday night in Knoxville. “Tuesday is always a worrisome day, but I liked what I saw out there today,” said Holtz. “We had a very live practice. It’s the kind of Tuesday practice you like to see when you are preparing for a big game. I like our attitude and I like our approach to this game.”
Injury update: OL Jabari Levey (finger surgery) returned to practice Tuesday and has been cleared for full participation. Levey missed last week’s game against UAB. DT Brandon Schweitzer is still nursing a sore ankle, as is LB Ricardo Hurley. S Rodriques Wilson (cracked ribs) is back at practice and will be available Saturday. WR Matthew Thomas has a slight knee sprain. He is receiving treatment and only made it through the first half of Tuesday’s practice. WR Troy Williamson has a sore quadricep muscle and he likewise only went through the first half of practice. They both hope to play Saturday against the Volunteers.
Holtz on Tennessee: “This will be the best Tennessee team we’ve faced since we’ve been here. They present a lot of problems. The past three years, they’ve made the plays on offense and we haven’t been able to make the key plays on defense. Their offensive line is gigantic. Their arms are so big you can’t tell if they are holding or not. Casey Clausen is a seasoned veteran. They have an excellent kicking game.” Holtz on the Gamecocks: “Jabari Levey looks like Captain Hook with his hand all bandaged up ? Cory Boyd has tendinitis in his knee and is not able to do much at running back now, so we’re going to take a look at him at safety. I want to see if he’s able to do some things naturally at the safety position. He’s an excellent football player ? Demetris Summers will be a marked man from now on. The offensive line knows that and it’s their responsibility to help do something about that ? Daniel Weaver and Josh Brown kicked the best for us today in our live kicking scrimmage ? We moved James Scott over to be our third tight end and have moved Fran Person back to the three-technique along the defensive front ? We looked at Seth Edwards (walk on defensive end) some today at fullback ? Eric Stroman (foot injury) could be back for the Kentucky game (Oct. 9).”
Wednesday media availability ? Requested players are available between 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Assistant head coach Skip Holtz will be available to the media after practice outside the players’ entrance at approximately 6:30 p.m.
