Sept. 27, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina’s football team worked out indoors Monday evening, as heavy rains came through Columbia as a result of Tropical Storm Jeanne. The Gamecocks were able to work out on new turf in the indoor practice facility. The artificial surface was laid 10 days ago and today was the first time the team had practiced on it. The surface is similar to the playing field at Ole Miss.

* Tailback Demetris Summers, who has missed the past two games due to an ankle sprain, went through practice Monday night. The team worked out in shorts and shoulder pads and Summers was able to go through and finish the workout. Afterwards, he made these comments to the media: “The ankle felt better today. I was able to cut on it without it hurting. Last week, I was able to do some things on Thursday, but nothing earlier in the week. I’m thinking I can be ready Saturday for Alabama. That’s my goal. I met with Coach Holtz earlier today and he wanted to know how I was doing. He said for me to get in the training room and get the ankle well. Hopefully, it will continue to get better each day. I want to get back out there real bad.”

* Senior quarterback Dondrial Pinkins says he believes the two quarterback system employed by the Gamecocks will be a positive for the offense. “I think it allows both of us to be fresh, both physically and mentally. I know I felt that way the other night against Troy. It really doesn’t matter who starts. I believe we’re both going to play. As long as we’re moving the team; that’s the main thing. I pull for Syvelle and he pulls for me. We’re teammates, plain and simple.”

* Sophomore quarterback Syvelle Newton says he and Dondrial have become close, both on and off the field. “I think this has drawn us closer together. It’s not like a competition or anything like that. We both want to win. The team wants to win. Whichever one of us is in the game, the other is standing by, ready to go in when called upon. Dondrial does some things better than me and I do some things better than Dondrial. He’s more experienced and knows the passing game better than me and I may be quicker than him. It gives the other team two quarterbacks they have to prepare for.”