Aug. 9, 2004
Columbia, S.C. –
• South Carolina’s football squad worked out Monday in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets. It was the first practice in “shells” of the preseason for the Gamecocks. The freshmen spent most of the morning in academic orientation meetings, while the returnees lifted weights and watched film from Sunday’s workout.
• There were no injuries to report. Following the practice, assistant head coach Skip Holtz met with the media. Here are some of his comments: “We had 45 minutes of offense going against defense. The offense made a lot of mistakes and we still have a ways to go. We pretty much have the entire running game installed. The offensive line has looked solid. John Strickland, Jonathan Alston, Na’Shan Goddard, Jabari Levey and Woodly Telfort have all done some good things. Two freshmen look like they may get on the two-deep along the offensive line, and that’s Justin Sorensen and James Thompson. They’re both physical and have shown some flashes. The receivers are catching the football. Matt Thomas has had a good camp thus far. I think we have five solid running backs who can all play – Daccus Turman, Cory Boyd, Demetris Summers, Gonzie Gray and now Andrea Gause. I think you’ll see Andrea Gause help us at running back this year. Dondrial Pinkins is getting most of the work with the #1 offense. Syvelle Newton and Blake Mitchell are also rotating in. They are all three different kinds of quarterbacks and we pretty much have different packages to best suit their talents. I think Syvelle and Blake are both talented enough to run the team with a limited offensive package. At fullback, Jamie Peters has done some good things. Daccus Turman has played there before, but I don’t think he’s big enough to take the type of physical beating for the long haul that that position takes.”
• Former Gamecock standout Ryan Brewer dropped by practice on Monday. Brewer spent this past spring and summer playing in the NFL Europe for the team in Berlin. Brewer’s team won the league championship. The 2001 Outback Bowl MVP said he’s still hoping to get a call from an NFL club, but is also looking to get into business in the Columbia area. Brewer is engaged to former USC volleyball player Liz Price and they are scheduled to marry this February.
• Noting USC freshman wide receiver Sidney Rice’s athletic ability: The two-sport standout from Gaffney High School says he has a 38 inch vertical jump … The first and second team units left the practice field a few minutes early on Monday to get in some ice tubs that were located outside of the training room … Coach Holtz isn’t the only one from the football staff to take a hit during practice. Gamecock fans can recall that this past spring, running back Cory Boyd collided with Coach Holtz during a drill and the USC coach suffered a hairline fracture in his leg. On Monday towards the end of practice, freshman running back Albert Ashcraft took a pitch from a quarterback and headed down the sidelines only to run over Director of Football Operations Clifford Snow. No one was injured, but afterwards, Snow did say he definitely “took a hit.”
• Practice resumes on Tuesday. It is closed to the media. Defensive coordinator Rick Minter and requested players will be available following practice at approximately 6:15 p.m. outside the players’ entrance.
