Aug. 22, 2006

The South Carolina Gamecocks went through their third scrimmage of the fall on Tuesday night at Williams-Brice Stadium. Despite a steady rain for much of the workout, the Gamecocks turned in their longest scrimmage of the fall, reeling off 105 plays over the two-hour session.

The offense looked more impressive running the ball than they had in the previous two scrimmages. Junior tailback Cory Boyd led the way with nine carries for 78 yards and three touchdowns, while sophomore Mike Davis added 39 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Boyd scored on runs of one, 21 and 14 yards, while Davis scored from three-yards out.

“Cory Boyd ran well and Mike Davis had some good runs, but other than that, we weren’t extremely sharp,” said Head Coach Steve Spurrier following the scrimmage. “The weather was a little wet and the ball was a little slippery I guess. Overall, we need to play faster and with more effort. Hopefully we can learn how to do it in nine days.”

True freshman signal-caller Chris Smelley continued to put up strong scrimmage numbers, completing 14-of-20 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He hit Chris Hail on a 38-yard touchdown pass, then hooked up with Paul Haile on a 17-yard score. Junior starter Blake Mitchell completed 10-of-20 passes for 142 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His scoring pass went to tight end Jared Cook from 15 yards out. Redshirt freshman Cade Thompson was 4-for-15 for 31 yards, while Syvelle Newton hit on 2-of-5 passes for 16 yards with an interception.

“(Chris Smelley) did fine,” said Coach Spurrier. “He was in there with the third and second group, as was Cade (Thompson). Blake (Mitchell) played with the first group most of the night, so he had the best opportunity to look good. He had some good plays here and there. Overall it was decent, but nothing to get everybody too excited about right now.”

The Gamecocks will return to the Bluff Road practice fields on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.

INJURY REPORT: Offensive guard Thomas Coleman suffered a sprained ankle during the scrimmage. Wide receiver Sidney Rice did not participate in the scrimmage due to a left shoulder strain. Wide receiver Mo Brown also sat out the scrimmage after injuring his left ankle in the morning practice. Tight end Andy Boyd (shoulder), fullback Clark Gaston (shoulder) and safety Nick Prochak (hamstring) continue to be sidelined as well. Defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn did not practice as they have not yet been cleared by the NCAA clearinghouse, according to Coach Spurrier.

SCORING PLAYS:

Cory Boyd 1-yard run (Ryan Succop kick)

Chris Hail 38-yard pass from Chris Smelley (Jordan Dodds kick)

Mike Davis 3-yard run (Thomas Hooper kick)

Cory Boyd 21-yard run (Charlie Carpenter kick)

Ryan Succop 47-yard field goal

Jordan Dodds 27-yard field goal

Jared Cook 15-yard pass from Blake Mitchell

Cory Boyd 14-yard run

Ryan Succop 37-yard field goal

Paul Haile 17-yard pass from Chris Smelley

PASSING:

Chris Smelley 14-20-0-155 2 TDs; Blake Mitchell 10-20-1-142 1 TD; Cade Thompson 4-15-0-31; Syvelle Newton 2-5-1-16. TEAM: 30-60-2-344 3 TDs.

RUSHING:

Cory Boyd 9-78 3 TD; Mike Davis 8-39 1 TD; Taylor Rank 7-37; Syvelle Newton 3-24; Bobby Wallace 6-23; Marquise Brown 1-22; Noah Whiteside 1-15; Kenny McKinley 1-7; Bryan Kingrey 2-4; Blake Mitchell 1-3; Chris Hail 1-(-2); Chris Smelley 3-(-9); Cade Thompson 2-(-12). TEAM: 45-229 4 TDs.

RECEIVING:

Bobby Wallace 4-28; Taylor Rank 4-2; Chris Hail 3-68 1 TD; Paul Haile 3-18 1 TD; Freddie Brown 2-52; Noah Whiteside 2-34; Lanard Stafford 2-18; Marquise Brown 2-5; Cory Boyd 1-32; O.J. Murdock 1-28; Mike Davis 1-18; Jared Cook 1-15 1TD; Kenny McKinley 1-7; Jamal Hayes 1-7; Alex McGrath 1-7; Mike West 1-5. TEAM: 30-344 3 TDs.