Sept. 14, 2005

The South Carolina Gamecock football team practiced for a little over two hours Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s nationally-televised game against Alabama. Coach Steve Spurrier addressed the media afterwards:

“Another day of practice – getting ready for Alabama.”

“Jabari Leavey moved around a little bit today. I think he’s going to be able to play. Should be able to, I think. He’s just sort of banged up – knee, ankle. Usually those things you should be able to come back from in a week.”

On playing Clemson on Thanksgiving weekend: “I think that’s wonderful. I don’t know anything different. So it’s fine with me to play that Saturday. I think it’s a good idea.”

On his quarterbacks: “They’re getting quicker. Blake (Mitchell) had a good day yesterday. Today he wasn’t as sharp as he was yesterday. I don’t know why that is. He regressed today, but he got better right at the end of practice. We had a few extra tosses and he got a little quicker. He’s not a loud person at all. None of these quarterbacks are.”

“Taylor (Rank) has a little bit of an ankle, little bit of a back problem. I doubt that he’ll play this week.”

“Carlos (Thomas) is working a little bit in man coverage type stuff.”

On how he expects the running game to fare: “Let’s hope a lot better than against Central Florida. I don’t know how it’s going to fare to tell you the truth. But we’re certainly going to try to run the ball and I believe we can make some yards. Hopefully we’ll have the right play called at the right time. We can’t throw on every down.”

“I emphasize every game what’s at stake. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing so much as it’s every game is extremely important. We only have 11.”

“Alabama is not a real fool-`em type defense. They’re solid, fundamentally sound and just play extremely well, well-coached. If you make a run or hit a pass you have to earn it. They don’t give you any.”