Dec. 27, 2006

The South Carolina Gamecocks worked out for 90 minutes on Wednesday afternoon at Rhodes College in Memphis, as they continued their preparations for Friday’s AutoZone Liberty Bowl clash with the Houston Cougars.

Following the practice, Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier met with the media:

“Nothing unusual. Just a usual “Thursday” practice – getting ready for a game in two days. It was a lot nicer today, probably about 15 or 20 degrees warmer (than Tuesday). Supposed to be around 60 Friday – maybe a little rain but it should be pleasant. Should be good football weather.

“We weren’t all that super today, but maybe we’ll be better on Friday, who knows? How we play Friday is what’s important.

On the Houston defense: “They play a lot of coverages. They have a lot of zone coverages. To compare them with someone you’d think they play a little bit like Clemson, except they play more man-to-man than Clemson. They’ve got a lot of different kinds of zones. They disguise them well. They do a good job. It means you better be able to run as well as throw. Hopefully we can mix it up.

“(Houston’s) bowl record is a lot like ours. They haven’t won a whole lot of bowl games in their history, just like South Carolina. It should be a heck of a game.”

Many of the Gamecocks will enjoy either a night at the rodeo or at an NBA game Wednesday night. They will go through their final walk-thru on Thursday afternoon at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, then will be set for Friday’s 3:30 p.m. (CT) kick against the Cougars. ESPN will televise the contest nationally with John Saunders, Doug Flutie and Craig James in the booth.