Nov. 9, 2006

The University of South Carolina football squad (5-4, 3-4 SEC) continued its preparations for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. CBS tilt with sixth-ranked Florida (8-1, 6-1 SEC) by working out at the Bluff Road practice fields on Thursday afternoon. At the conclusion of practice, the squad was serenaded by the USC Marching Band. Coach Spurrier announced that freshman Captain Munnerlyn would start at the cornerback position, replacing Carlos Thomas. It will be Munnerlyn’s second start of his career.

Following the session, head coach Steve Spurrier met with the media:

“We’ve got an excellent band and they wanted to come out and give the guys a little motivation. That was nice of them. They’re all going down to the Swamp this weekend, so hopefully we’re all excited about it. This is the first time I’ve had (a band) come out on the practice field. It was pretty nice.”

On revealing any secrets for the weekend: “No, we’ll wait until we get down there. We’ll start playing and see what works. That’s the plan we always have. We’ll see what works and if it’s not working, try something else.”

On Syvelle Newton playing defense: “He’s been working over there a little bit. But if Blake (Mitchell) gets in trouble, he’ll be ready (to play quarterback). We think he could help us (at safety) if they’re throwing the ball. I think he could knock it down.”

The Gamecocks will have their walk-thru on Friday in Columbia before leaving for Ocala, Fla. mid-afternoon, arriving around 5 p.m.