Aug. 6, 2007

The University of South Carolina football squad worked out behind closed doors for the first time this fall, practicing for two hours and 15 minutes at the Bluff Road practice fields. The Gamecocks wore shoulder pads for the first time with their helmets and shorts.

Following the practice, Head Coach Steve Spurrier met with the media:

“It was a steamy night tonight, but we got some good work in. We didn’t go too “rapid fire” but hopefully we made a little progress tonight.”

On the return of senior quarterback Blake Mitchell, who was held out of the first two practices: “Blake looked alright. He looked about like always. Chris Smelley threw some good balls out here tonight, as did Tommy Beecher. Those three guys are definitely ahead of Stephen Garcia, and they should be. Receiver-wise, they all seemed to make a few plays here and there, but nothing exciting happened.”

Other notes: Wide receiver Joe Hills remains on crutches with a sprained right knee… wide receiver Leon Gamble sat out with a sore hamstring.