April 4, 2005

The USC football team practiced Monday afternoon under sunny skies on the USC practice fields. The team will practice again on Tuesday, April 5 (4:15 pm) before scrimmaging on Wednes., April 6 at 4:30 pm in Williams-Brice Stadium. The scrimmage is open to the public.

Coach Spurrier commented on the practice afterwards:

“It was the typical practice. We will practice tomorrow and then scrimmage on Wednesday. After watching the video from the scrimmage on Saturday, I might have been a little too critical of the quarterbacks. They need to get better protection. The quarterbacks need to let the ball go a little sooner, but playing quarterback is a tough deal. You have to get back and get it out. We have a lot of new guys in there that are doing ok. We need to get them some good protection. Rex Grossman was a lost Gator his first year too, but he played well his second year.

“I am a little concerned about the offensive line. They have a ways to go, but they are playing hard. We want them to play a little tougher. The defense looked pretty good on film in the scrimmage. They showed the offense some good stuff – blitzes and schemes – our opponents might have trouble with that next year.

“I like to keep practice open. It’s good for the fans. We will sign all the autographs they want at Gamecock Club meetings, but we can’t sign autographs each day after practice.”

Coach Spurrier said he would attend the Charleston Southern spring game on Saturday, April 9 (10:30 am). His youngest son Scottie will play there next year and he and his wife will go down to Charleston for Senior Day with Scottie.

Updated Injury Report:

OG Eric Stroman: foot (day to day), DL Charles Silas: left ankle (day to day); WR Noah Whiteside: left wrist (day to day): RB Cory Boyd: left hamstring (day-to-day), DL Matt Raysor: right ankle (day-to-day), WR Travis Lee: neck strain (out). WR Michael Flint (shoulder) and CB Fred Bennett (shoulder) are limited. OL William Brown (low back strain) and OL John Paul Gillis (back surgery) are out.