Aug. 23, 2006

The South Carolina Gamecocks worked out Wednesday at Williams-Brice Stadium, as the Bluff Road practice fields were saturated due to the heavy rains in the area over the past several days. The squad worked out for over two hours in shoulder pads and shorts as they continued to prepare for the season-opening game at Mississippi State on Aug. 31.

Wide receiver Sidney Rice returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out Tuesday’s scrimmage with a strained left shoulder. Offensive guard Thomas Coleman (right ankle), wide receiver Mo Brown (left ankle), defensive end Terrence Campbell (left knee), tight end Andy Boyd (shoulder), safety Brandon Isaac (hamstring and shoulder) and safety Nick Prochak (hamstring) continued to be sidelined with an assortment of injuries. Captain Munnerlyn and Kenrick Ellis did not practice again due to NCAA Clearinghouse issues.

The Gamecocks will hit the practice fields earlier on Thursday, as they are scheduled to work out from 4:15 – 5:30 p.m. as the fall semester begins at USC.

Follow the practice Head Coach Steve Spurrier addressed the media:

“They looked about like normal. The line is coming around. The defense is coming around, the offense is coming around, special teams are coming around. We’ll find out how much we’re coming around when we play Mississippi State a week from tomorrow night.”

On the status of Sidney Rice: “Sidney was able to run and catch. He sprained his shoulder a little bit. The doc thinks he should be fine in a couple of days.”

On beginning preparations for Mississippi State: “That will be tomorrow or the next day. We’ve been working on a little bit of stuff. Everybody’s playing similar coverages nowadays. Some play them a little differently than others. You practice your offense and try to plug in your plays for the other team’s defense.”

On school beginning: “We’re ready to do one-a-days. We’ve met and met and met. They’re pretty much ready to go to class tomorrow.”