Nov. 3, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina’s football team (5-3/3-3) went through a two-hour practice Wednesday in “shells” as preparations continued for the Gamecocks’ clash against the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-4/1-3) this Saturday (11/6) at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:33 p.m. with Jefferson-Pilot Sports televising across its SEC network

* Injury update from the Gamecock camp: There were no new injuries to report. QB Syvelle Newton (ankle) is progressing each day and is participating full in practice. Newton says his ankle feels “85-90 percent right now.” QB Dondrial Pinkins (shoulder) says his shoulder is “about 90 percent right now.” Both are expected to play Saturday against the Razorbacks.

* Following the workout, assistant head coach Skip Holtz spoke to the media . Here are some of his comments: “We’ve had a good week of preparation. To come back after a tough loss to Tennessee like we had has been encouraging. Syvelle is getting better every day. We are limiting Dondrial’s throwing some, because we don’t want to overdo it. I anticipate that as their health continues to improve, you’ll see both of them on Saturday. I’d feel comfortable if we open the offense up more some on Saturday. We had some success doing that late in the Tennessee game. I thought Dondrial did a good job of sitting in the pocket and picking out his receivers. I was proud of how Dondrial played. He has received a lot of criticism during his time here; some of it unecessary, I believe. A lot of that comes from back-to-back 5-7 seasons. I understand that. I think Dondrial has been a bit under-appreciated by the fans. Syvelle has been working off some of the rust. He really hasn’t played full speed since the Kentucky game. He’s definitely functioning much more than he was last week.”

* Saturday’s game is the final home appearance for 23 Gamecock seniors … USC will feature its annual “Salute to the Military” on Saturday. Representatives from the various military installations across South Carolina will be recognized. A special appearance by the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon will take place at halftime … “Team Gamecocks,” USC’s student-athlete community service program, will conduct a canned food drive Saturday prior to the game. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable canned food item and deposit it in the containers located outside the stadium gates. The canned goods will be donated to Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia.