Sept. 18, 2008

The University of South Carolina football team continued its preparations for Saturday’s game versus Wofford College by going through a 90-minute session on Thursday afternoon at the Bluff Road practice fields. The Gamecocks (1-2) and Terriers (2-0) will kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium. The game can be seen throughout the Palmetto State on a pay-per-view basis.

Gamecock captains for this week’s game will be Jarriel King and Patrick DiMarco on the offensive side of the ball and Darian Stewart and Jonathan Williams for the defense. Scout team players of the week were Alex McGrath and Clark Gaston.

King will start at left tackle with Jamon Meredith sliding down to start at left guard ahead of Lemuel Jeanpierre.

“We didn’t bring him in here to be a backup,” said head coach Steve Spurrier about King. “Hopefully he will be a starter the rest of the year.”

Wide receiver Kenny McKinley will not play on Saturday. He continues to be hampered by a hamstring injury. He has not practiced all week. C.C. Whitlock pulled left thigh muscle on Wednesday and is very doubtful for Saturday’s contest.

Coach Spurrier indicated that both running backs Brian Maddox and Eric Baker are scheduled to play more this week. “Hopefully we can get the ball to them several times to see what happens,” said Coach Spurrier.

Coach Spurrier continued to express his confidence in quarterback Chris Smelley. “Chris Smelley we feel is definitely our best chance to go win the game, so he’s our quarterback. We keep thinking Chris can keep improving as he goes, so he’s our guy. Stephen (Garcia) is next in line. We think Chris gives us the best chance to win the game.”