Aug. 19, 2008

The South Carolina Gamecocks went inside Williams-Brice Stadium for the final half of Tuesday night’s practice and scrimmaged for what most likely will be the final time prior to the August 28 season opener against North Carolina State.

“It was nothing spectacular tonight, nothing big happened,” said Head Coach Steve Spurrier following the scrimmage. “Nobody got hurt and we had a bunch of plays. The defense looked better than the offense,” continued Coach Spurrier. They gave up a couple of big balls, but other than that, the offense didn’t have much going. We’ve got a lot of work to do to see if we can make a few first downs here and there right now. The offense is struggling, but we’re going to get better,” added the Gamecocks’ fourth-year head coach.

Redshirt junior quarterback Tommy Beecher completed 5-of-12 passes for 118 yards, including 57-yard scoring strike to redshirt freshman Jason Barnes, who got behind the Gamecock secondary for the longest scoring play in any of the squad’s preseason scrimmages. Beecher also connected with Moe Brown on a 52-yard completion.

“He did all right,” said Coach Spurrier of Beecher’s performance. “He just didn’t have a lot of time, didn’t have a lot of guys open. Chris Smelley probably did a little better overall. Maybe he had a little more time, maybe had a guy open. We’ll have to watch the tape.”

Smelley, a redshirt sophomore, completed 5-of-11 passes for 83 yards. He had a 29-yard pass completion to redshirt freshman Matt Clements and a 28-yard hookup with sophomore wide receiver Joe Hills.

Taylor Rank was the top rusher on the night, carrying five times for 24 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown burst. Brian Maddox carried five times for 14 yards and freshman Kenny Miles had a game-high eight carries for 23 yards, mostly against the third team defense.

Walk-on Stephen Flint was the only Gamecock with more than one reception. He had two catches for 23 yards.

True freshmen Jarrett Burns and Akeem Auguste and redshirt freshman Jamire Williams all recorded interceptions.

The Gamecocks will return to the Bluff Road practice fields on Wednesday at 7 pm. That practice is closed. It will be the final practice prior to the start of fall classes, which get underway on Thursday.

SCORING PLAYS:

Jason Barnes 57-yard pass from Tommy Beecher (Ryan Succop kick)

Ryan Succop 22-yard field goal

Taylor Rank 1-yard run (Succop kick)

D.L. Moore 13-yard pass from Reid McCollum

PASSING: Tommy Beecher 5-12-0-118; Chris Smelley 5-11-0-83; Reid McCollum 3-5-1-31; Aramis Hillary 1-3-0-15; Stephen Garcia 0-5-2-0; Zac Brindise 0-1-0-0. TEAM: 14-37-3-247.

RUSHING: Taylor Rank 5-24; Kenny Miles 8-23; Brian Maddox 5-14; Eric Baker 2-10; Bobby Wallace 4-9; Stephen Garcia 3-7; Zac Brindise 1-2; Aramis Hillary 1-1; C.C. Whitlock 1-(-3); Reid McCollum 1-(-5); Chris Smelley 1-(-7); Tommy Beecher 5-(-20). TEAM: 37-55.

RECEIVING: Stephen Flint 2-23; Jason Barnes 1-57; Moe Brown 1-52; Matt Clements 1-29; Joe Hills 1-28; Weslye Saunders 1-13; D.L. Moore 1-13; Alex McGrath 1-10; Brian Maddox 1-8; Taylor Rank 1-6; Bryan Kingrey 1-5; Eric Baker 1-5; Dion Lecorn 1-(-2). TEAM: 14-247.