Aug. 17, 2009

One day after going through a 100-play scrimmage in Williams-Brice Stadium, the University of South Carolina football team returned to the Bluff Road practice fields Monday night, just 17 days away from the start of the 2009 football opener at NC State. The Gamecocks practiced in shells on Monday.

Much of Monday’s post-practice talk centered around the young wide receivers, who combined to log 13 of the 23 pass completions in Sunday’s scrimmage.

“Alshon Jeffrey made a couple of leaping catches, so he’s sort of proven to be a guy that you can throw the ball at,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following Monday’s workout. “We moved Tori Gurley up right now, so his first (team) split end at the X position. Moe Brown is doing well. Jason Barnes didn’t have his best scrimmage, but we know he can play. Joe Hills caught one or two here and there. Alshon acts like he wants to play,” continued Coach Spurrier on the play of the true freshman. “He had a good practice tonight. He’s moving faster. He listens to coaches.”

Senior linebacker Eric Norwood sat out Monday’s practice and will be sidelined for some time after injuring his right wrist in the scrimmage. “He’s going to be ok,” said Coach Spurrier. “He’s sort of got a cracked bone in his wrist, but it should be ok in a week or so. He’ll be held out of all contact (until the wrist heals).”

The squad will have their second and final two-a-day on Tuesday, with practices scheduled for 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Both practices will be closed.