Sept. 5, 2005

After enjoying an off day Sunday, the South Carolina Gamecocks returned to the practice field on Monday afternoon for a two-hour session. 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:

“Just another day at practice. Should be a big game – it should be exciting.”

“We had just a normal practice. We’re looking forward to a good week of practice and going to Athens and playing a lot better than we did the last time out.”

On whether the squad has improved since the last game: “You can’t tell much by practice. You have to go the ballpark and see how your guys perform then – hopefully we’ll play a lot better.”

On the status of Syvelle Newton: “He practiced today and should be ok. Sydney (Rice) is scheduled to get back in there. He was able to practice today.”

“This is one of the big games of the year – they’re all big, but this is one of the biggest – Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Clemson, Alabama, Auburn… we have a lot of big games. If we’re going to have a chance we’re going to have come much better prepared than the last game. I think we can play much better.”

INJURY REPORT: Syvelle Newton (mild concussion) and Michael Flint (hand surgery) were in yellow jerseys on Monday.