Oct. 21, 2008

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina football team returned to the practice field on Tuesday afternoon for the first time since last Saturday’s game vs. LSU. In addition to practice, the Gamecocks also took its team picture before heading on to the field. The Gamecocks are off this week and will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 1 hosting Tennessee with kickoff set for 7 pm from Williams-Brice Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

HEAD COACH Steve Spurrier QUOTES

On the play involving Stephen Garcia running into the umpire in LSU game

“I didn’t notice that much about (the play) until I saw it again yesterday. I actually watched it again today but we didn’t pay much attention to it.”

“If (Stephen) Garcia would have ran forward instead of sideways, he wouldn’t have had to worry about the (umpire). He is a sideways runner and we are trying to teach him to run forward most of the time. As I told him, he is the first quarterback that I have ever had that ran backwards and then ran out of bounds. I’m not going to have that. He has to quit doing that. He’s got a lot to learn. Hopefully, he can. In the second half (of the game) he played like a true freshman.”

On the team’s offense vs. LSU

“We didn’t play very well offensively. I say that about every week. Hopefully, we can get better before the year is out.”

On probability of Stephen Garcia starting vs. Tennessee next week

“He may (start), he may, but he may not finish. Both of them (Stephen Garcia & Chris Smelley) play better off the bench. That’s what we have learned. It’s not what you hope for but it is what it is. When one of them takes the reins and plays like they can, hits guys that are open, he can be the starter for a long time. But, you know, there is nothing wrong with playing two quarterbacks. LSU plays two quarterbacks. Heck, they won a national championship playing two.”

“Not much going on. It’s the off week practice. The young guys scrimmaged a little bit. Off week, you let the young guys play a little bit.”

Injury Report – Gamecock offensive guard Jamon Meredith was held out of practice with a left ankle injury. Running back Eric Baker also did not practice and is still out with a head injury.