Sept. 25, 2008

The University of South Carolina football team worked out for about 90 minutes Thursday afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s non-conference battle with UAB. The Gamecocks (2-2) and Blazers (1-3) 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 and throughout the rest of the country on ESPN’s GamePlan package. It can be heard on the Gamecocks Radio Network, including 107.5 The Game in Columbia, as well as on XM satellite radio 144.

Following practice, Head Coach Steve Spurrier announced that redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Smelley would make the start against the Blazers, his fourth consecutive start and the 10th of his Gamecock career. Redshirt freshman quarterback Stephen Garcia would get into the game in the first quarter.

“He’s going to be in there early,” said Coach Spurrier of Garcia. “He’s going to get a chance to play. He’s going to be in there early and we’ll play football from there and try to win us a ballgame.”

The offensive line will feature Jarriel King at left tackle, Jamon Meredith at left guard, Garrett Anderson at center, Terrence Campbell at right guard and Justin Sorensen at right tackle. Joe Hills and Jason Barnes will be the starting wide receivers. Jared Cook will start at tight end and Brian Maddox will start at tailback. If the Gamecocks open in a two-back set, Patrick DiMarco will start at fullback, and if they open in a two-tight end package, Larry Freeman will get the nod.