Aug. 31, 2004
Columbia, S.C. –
The South Carolina Gamecocks worked out in full pads Tuesday afternoon as preparations continue for their season opener against Vanderbilt (Saturday in Nashville on SEC TV, 12:30 p.m. eastern time). USC was forced to move the last 40 minutes of practice indoors when threatening weather moved over the Columbia area around 5:45 p.m.
* Injury update: OL Kris Mick (out) with a wrist injury.
* Following Tuesday’s workout, head coach Lou Holtz met with the media. Here are some of his comments: “We had to go indoors for the last part of practice. We wanted to work on our passing game live, but we couldn’t do much of that indoors. The running backs have looked good the past couple of days. Demetris Summers has practiced well. I’d say either he or Cory Boyd will start at tailback Saturday. But, we have several backs who are playing well right now. I feel pretty good about where we are right now. It will be interesting to see how we respond with something wrong happens on Saturday. That will be critical … We have been fortunate with the injuries thus far. I’d have to attribute to our conditioning, our attitude and I think we are better fundamentally. Also, I don’t think we do as many leg squats as we used to do. I’ve fought that wherever I’ve coached. I’ve never believed in full leg squats. I think that has a lot to do with knee injuries … We’ve scrimmaged over 400 plays during preseason so I think our conditioning has been pretty good … We’ll go over the final travel list on Wednesday. We may just take two kickers (Josh Brown and Joey Bowers) … Tremaine Tyler has kind of jumped up at the one cornerback position and latched on there. Johnathan Joseph has been bothered with a sore back, but I think that’s getting better. I feel pretty good about all four of our corners — Tremaine Tyler, Johnathan Joseph, Fred Bennett and Taqiy Muhammad.”
* Here are some comments from tailback Demetris Summers: “I’ve been working hard and am starting to catch on to the offense pretty well. I’ll wait my turn and see what happens. We have a lot of good backs. I think I’ve been coming along. I think my blocking is better. It’s kind of tough, but I’ve just stuck my nose in there. All in all, I think I’ve matured some. I’ve learned that school work is just as important as football. If you don’t do your school work, you’re not going to play football.”
* Here are some comments from cornerback Fred Bennett: “Vanderbilt’s quarterback is going to be a challenge for us. I feel like he’s going to try to come at us. We have some young guys back there, like myself for one, but I think if we execute like we’ve been taught in practice, we can do a pretty good job.”
* The correct spelling of the first name of USC’s junior college transfer cornerback is Johnathan Joseph, not Jonathan, as has been reported by USC since the spring. Our apologies to Johnathan.
* USC fans will get a sneak preview of the 2004 edition of the Gamecock football team Wednesday night at the Colonial Center during the first “Salute to Carolina.” Fans are invited free of charge to come to the event, with the program beginning at 8 p.m. Coach Lou Holtz will be the keynote speaker. Assistant head coach Skip Holtz and defensive coordinator Rick Minter will also provide comments. “Expert” football analysis will be provided by USC baseball coach Ray Tanner, track and field coach Curtis Frye, and volleyball coach Kim Hudson. The entire team will be in attendance and comments will be made by a couple of players. There will be an indoor fireworks display along with two new football videos. The cheerleaders and Cocky will also entertain.
