Sept. 3, 2005

After enjoying an off day Friday, the South Carolina Gamecocks returned to the practice field on Saturday afternoon for a two-hour session. It was the Gamecocks first practice since posting a season-opening win over UCF on Thursday night by a 24-15 margin. The Gamecocks are preparing for their September 10 match with Georgia in Athens. That game will be nationally-televised by ESPN at 5:30 p.m.

Following practice, USC head coach Steve Spurrier addressed the media:

“We just practiced a little bit today, trying to get better – trying to be a competitive team. If we don’t play a lot better than the other night, we won’t be very competitive, but I think our team can perform at a much higher level. But until we do it, we’re just an average bunch of guys right now.

“Today was all get UCF behind us and practice a little bit. We’ll start on Georgia on Monday.

On teams improving the most between the first and second games: “Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. I’ve never bought into it because I think you should be ready to play the first week. But like I told the guys, we got all the media hype behind us. We got all the national attention that first game. I probably did too much media myself. We need to concentrate on playing, I need to concentrate on coaching and the whole team needs to concentrate on going to school and playing football. That’s all they need to think about.

“Our team should improve, or else we’re lousy coaches if we can’t play better than the other night. Hopefully we can coach a little better too.”

The team will have Sunday off, then return to the practice fields on Monday at 4:15 p.m.

INJURY REPORT: Ko Simpson did not practice Saturday due to a cold. Travis Lee was sidelined with a lower leg bruise sustained in the UCF game. He is day-to-day. Kerry Bonds has a right knee sprain and is day-to-day. Sidney Rice saw a little more practice time and is probably for the Georgia game. Syvelle Newton was held out of practice after suffering a mild concussion in Thursday’s game and is doubtful for the Georgia game. Michael Flint remains out after having right hand surgery.