Sept. 19, 2005

The South Carolina football team practiced for 90 minutes Monday evening, their first workout since Saturday’s 37-14 loss to Alabama. The Gamecocks have begun preparations for Saturday’s 7 p.m. tilt with Troy. Following the workout, head coach Steve Spurrier addressed the media:

“Weather was nice and it was a pretty decent practice. I hope we can play with a lot of effort this weekend.”

“We’re going to have some changes, but we’ll announce them later in the week. We don’t have to announce them right now. There will be some different starters. That just means you can’t play like that and represent the University of South Carolina as a starter. Hopefully, the message will get out there.”

“The coaches need to coach better. We’re taking full responsibility. But we have to play with more effort and more intensity. It’s not just the players, we’re all bad right now. We’re going to try to get better.”

“We won’t use (the word “flat”) anymore. That’s a bad excuse.”

“The guys were moving around a little faster.”

“Carlos (Thomas) is over on defense. We’ll give him a chance to be a starter over there and play most of the game. It might be easier for him to get on the field most of the game playing corner than playing wide receiver.”

“Blake (Mitchell) is still our starter. He had a few errant plays here and there, but we could have done a lot of things better.”

“There could be some freshmen we planned on holding that are going to play.”

INJURY REPORT: Offensive tackle Jabari Levey (ankle injury) practiced on Monday and is probable for Saturday’s game. Defensive back Yvan Banag sat out Monday’s practice with a shoulder injury but is listed as probable this week. Linebacker Lance Laury was released from the hospital after undergoing successful surgery to remove the infection from his right elbow. He is doubtful for Saturday. Offensive guard Freddy Saint-Preux has an injured right ankle and is doubtful for Saturday’s game. Running back Taylor Rank has an ankle sprain is out indefinitely. Defensive end Shea McKeen has a lower back ailment and is out indefinitely. Wide receiver Michael Flint (broken finger) returned to practice on Monday. Tight end Andy Boyd remains out with a right knee sprain.