Oct. 27, 2008

The University of South Carolina football team returned to the practice fields Monday afternoon for the first time since last Wednesday, as they continued their preparations for Saturday’s SEC contest against Tennessee. The Gamecocks (5-3, 2-3 SEC) and Volunteers (3-5, 1-4 SEC) will kick off at 7 p.m. ET at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPN2 with Mark Jones and Bob Davie serving as the announce team. The game can be heard on the Gamecock Radio Network, including the Gamecocks’ flagship station, 107.5 The Game in Columbia, as well as on XM satellite radio 141.

Following Monday’s practice, head coach Steve Spurrier announced that both running backs Mike Davis and Eric Baker were back at practice after missing some time last week due to injuries and should be ready to play on Saturday. Jared Cook did not practice on Monday as he continues to be bothered by a sprained foot. Coach Spurrier hopes that he will be able to practice again on Wednesday.

“Right now we’re planning on Stephen Garcia starting, but if Chris Smelley has a much better week in practice, it could be Smelley by the weekend,” said Coach Spurrier about his quarterback situation. Smelley has started six of the eight games this season, but Garcia made the start in the last contest against LSU.

Starting left guard Jamon Meredith remains questionable for Saturday as well. “I don’t yet,” said Coach Spurrier when asked about Meredith’s status. “We’ll have to wait and see if he can do anything Tuesday or Wednesday. If not, we’ve got Lem (Jeanpierre) ready and T.C. (Terrence Campbell) ready, so that’s probably the starters.”

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Tuesday afternoon.