Nov. 2, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – COMMENTS FROM Lou Holtz’s SUNDAY TELECONFERENCE WITH THE MEDIA

“After looking at the film (from the Ole Miss game), I did see some good things. They (Ole Miss) controlled the line of scrimmage more than I would have liked for them to. Our pass coverage wasn’t particularly good, especially in the first part of the game. We did have some people play well. Moe Thompson (DE) was outstanding as was Dunta Robinson (CB). Our receivers played pretty ? Noah Whiteside, Syvelle Newton and Matthew Thomas. Demetris Summers needs to get the ball more, because he does some awfully good things when he has the football. (On having to play Arkansas Thursday night in Little Rock): “We’ve had to play Arkansas there the past three times. They haven’t lost a game there under Houston Nutt. I always thought Little Rock was a tougher place to play than Fayetteville. The noise and enthusiasm of the fans can be tough on the visiting team. Little Rock is as hard of a place to play as there is in the SEC ? (On Arkansas’ seven overtime victory over Kentucky Saturday night in Lexington): “Winning a game like that is a great impetus for their team, especially for the 21 seniors that play. They found a way to win. I congratulate them on doing just that. It was a great win for them ? (On the safety that was called in the first half against Ole Miss): “All I can say is ? ?unbelievable.’ We had two receivers in the area where Dondrial threw the ball (Hart Turner and Matthew Thomas). The ball was snapped before the quarterback was ready to make the call. It threw it out there and even though he threw it high, there were receivers in the area. If we had caught the pass, I don’t think they could have called intentional grounding. There was no way Dondrial was in the end zone when he threw the ball. Unbelievable. I would have liked to have gotten an explanation. I noticed where no one was available for comment ? (On Daccus Turman’s touchdown run): “From what I saw, his knee and elbow never touched the ground. Obviously, Daccus thought the same way and he kept running until they signaled touchdown ? (On having the short week with Thursday night’s game): “You’d like to go into a Thursday night game coming off a victory like Arkansas had.” (On some of the adjustments that must be made on defense): “Defensive end is a key position we need to look at, particularly with George Gause possibly out with the knee injury. The linebacker situation on pass coverages and the safety position all need to be addressed ? (Did the safety cause a swing in momentum at Ole Miss?): “Dondrial did come out and over throw some passes after that. I think he felt like he had cost the team two points. We didn’t play very well after that and it wasn’t until late in the third quarter that our offense came alive again ? (On the comeback the team made late in the game, cutting a 43-14 deficit to 43-40): “Our team showed amazing resilience on the sidelines. They did not panic. It’s a shame we couldn’t execute the final kick off properly and were unable to stop them on their final drive.”

Injury update: DE George Gause (knee sprain); WR Troy Williamson (thigh bruise); DL Jason Capers (low back strain); TE Hart Turner (heel bruise); DE Darel Slay (cramps and dehydration); S Rodriques Wilson (ankle sprain); DB Rachiem Monroe (ankle sprain). All will be re-evaluated on Monday.

Media availability: Head coach Lou Holtz will have his weekly media luncheon Monday, Nov. 3 at 12 noon in the Lettermen’s Lounge at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks will practice late Monday afternoon. Player availability after practice will be announced at the media luncheon. Players will also be available before Tuesday’s practice (1:45 p.m. ?2:30 p.m.) and after practice Tuesday. Due to the short week, Tuesday is the final day of player and coach availability prior to USC’s game at Arkansas on Thursday night (ESPN, 7:45 p.m.,eastern time). Assistant head coach Skip Holtz will be available following Tuesday’s practice. Head coach Lou Holtz will be available via his Wednesday SEC teleconference at 11:28 a.m. (eastern time).