Aug. 26, 2004
Columbia, S.C. –
The South Carolina Gamecocks worked out in shells (shorts, shoulder pads, helmets) Thursday evening under the lights. The team worked on its offensive and defensive schemes vs. Vanderbilt and closed the session with a two-minute drill on offense.
* Injury update: OL Jonathan Alston (ankle) did not practice again Thursday. He is listed as day-to-day. WR Sidney Rice (shoulder) was limited again on Thursday . Both could return to practice by week’s end. Freshmen offensive linemen Jeremy Burgess (low back strain) and Evan Spanogians (right knee sprain) are out indefinitely with injuries. DT Darrell Shropshire did not practice Thursday after having dental work done earlier in the day.
* Following Thursday evening’s workout, defensive coordinator Rick Minter met with the media. Here are some of his comments: “We’re continuing to work to identify our #2 defensive unit, although there is still some good competition going on at a few positions in the starting lineup. Tremaine Tyler has moved slightly ahead of Jonathan Joseph at one of the cornerback spots. Jamacia Jackson and Jermaine Harris are battling at the safety position. Both are seniors who came to Carolina to play and they both will. Our linebackers are really competing. Rod Wilson, Marcus Lawrence and Ricardo Hurley are our three starters there, but we’re getting solid play behind them from Orus Lambert and Lance Laury. De’Adrian Coley is a young man who is coming on at defensive end. We moved him from linebacker and he will help us at defensive end. I believe that was the answer for him. He’s made it possible for us to move Jason Capers inside to tackle. The secondary is playing with some confidence, although they don’t have a whole lot of game experience. I think they are doing a good job. Guys like Stanley Doughty and Marque Hall bring a lot to the table up front. There’s not much drop off there. Vanderbilt has a very sophisticated offense that can exploit you in a variety of ways. I’m a big fan of Jay Cutler. He’s very efficient at everything he does. I like his (Cutler’s) leadership, his delivery and the way he handles the team. He is battle tested and he anchors their offense. We want to get our season off to a good start. This is a big, big ball game.”
* Wide receiver Troy Williamson has traveled to New York for his father’s funeral and was not at practice again on Thursday. He is expected back by week’s end.
* South Carolina will go through its Vanderbilt-type scrimmage late Friday afternoon. The scrimmage will include everything from warmups, to substitutions, to sideline decorum.
MEDIA NOTE – Following Friday’s practice, head coach Lou Holtz will be available to the media at approximately 7:20 p.m. in the press room behind the lobby of the football building. Player requests should be directed to Gavin Lang, assistant SID.
