Aug. 5, 2008

The University of South Carolina football team worked out for a little under two hours Tuesday night at the Bluff Road practice fields. It was the squad’s fifth practice of the fall, and they were dressed in helmets and shoulder pads on another steamy night in Columbia.

“It was a normal night of practice with no incidents,” said Head Coach Steve Spurrier following the session. “Guys practiced well. We’re going to play a little bit in the stadium Wednesday night, open to the public. We’ll mostly let the young guys play a little bit. That will probably be close to our last open one for awhile.” Tommy Beecher, Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia are all expected to take some snaps during the scrimmage.

Freshman C.C. Whitlock did not participate in tonight’s practice due to some “academic woes that he had to take care of,” according to Coach Spurrier. He is expected back on Wednesday.

Marvin Sapp, who normally dons number 53, practiced in number 20 on Tuesday. “He looked faster in 20, didn’t he?” noted Coach Spurrier. “He looked different. Maybe we ought to leave him in 20. He was all over the place making some plays.”

Coach Spurrier also singled out the solid play of left tackle Jarriel King, defensive end Clifton Geathers and defensive end Cliff Matthews, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Tuesday.

Walk-on quarterback Zac Brindise returned to the squad. “He retired a couple of days ago but decided to come on back. He realized he made a mistake and wants to be a Gamecock,” said Coach Spurrier.

Tight end Jared Cook, who has been sidelined with a sprained toe on his right foot, is expected back “sometime next week,” according to Coach Spurrier. Ladi Ajiboye continues to wear a cast on his right hand. “He should be ok in a week or two,” noted Coach Spurrier.