Nov. 4, 2004

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina’s football team (5-3/3-3) went through a 90-minute workout in shorts Thursday 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.

* Following the workout, head coach Lou Holtz spoke to the media . Here are some of his comments: “It had rained more this afternoon than we thought, but we decided to go ahead and practice outdoors. It was a little muddy out there. We weren’t particularly sharp. We will have a walkthrough on Friday. We want to win this game and get bowl eligible. Dondrial (Pinkins) will start at quarterback, but Syvelle (Newton) will play. Dondrial’s shoulder is coming around and Syvelle has had a good week mentally. Troy Williamson has had a great week of practice, as have our other receivers. Matt Jones (Arkansas quarterback) is the MVP of this conference in my opinion. He scares me and he scares everybody in this league. Arkansas had Texas beat earlier in the season. They played Georgia well and had big comebacks against Auburn and Florida. They are a dangerous football team. Their defense is the type that will make you look ugly. They are quick and they will gamble a lot on defense. They like to isolate (defensive end) Jeb Huckeba and let him make big plays. It will be a big challenge for Jabari Levey … Jonathan Alston will start at guard, but Chris Tucker will play a lot. He (Tucker) is starting to come on. (on next season) … I just want what is best for the University and for my wife. We want to get this team to a bowl game and go from there.”

* 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.