Aug. 10, 2007

The South Carolina Gamecocks were back in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts as they worked out on Friday night at the Bluff Road practice fields on another steamy night.

One of the interesting battles in the early camp is for playing time in the middle of the offensive line, which lost senior starters Seth Edwards, Chris White and Thomas Coleman. “It’s still wide open,” said Head Coach Steve Spurrier. “James Thompson has done well. If we had to play tomorrow, James would be the right guard. I don’t know who would be the left guard right now, either Garrett Anderson or Kevin Young. Web Brown would probably be the center.”

Defensive back Sam Pope may have had a change of heart and may be playing this fall for the Gamecocks after all. However it would not be the South Carolina Gamecocks. “I heard he may be going somewhere else (than Hampton as originally reported),” said Spurrier. “I heard he was going to Jacksonville State now, is that right? He got his release so he’s free to go play.”

The Gamecocks will hold their first scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, when they move into Williams-Brice Stadium for an afternoon session. Saturday’s practice will begin at 4 p.m. with the scrimmage getting underway closer to 5. The scrimmage will be open to the public. Fans will be allowed to bring in a water bottle and concession stands will be open on the west (press box) side of the stadium.

Senior cornerback Mike West will have a busy day on Saturday. West will take part in commencement ceremonies at the Colonial Center before joining the Gamecocks for their afternoon scrimmage. West is graduating with a degree in retail management.