Aug. 19, 2009

|

The offense was sharper as the South Carolina Gamecock football team scrimmaged Wednesday night at Williams-Brice Stadium. It was the squad’s final workout before classes begin at the University on Thursday.

“Typical scrimmage around here – the good part is nobody got hurt,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following the 94-play scrimmage. “Nothing major. The offense had some good moments and the defense recovered a few fumbles. Just a very average night. We have a lot of work to do on both sides.”

The offense generated 622 yards of offense on Wednesday, including 291 yards and three touchdowns on 24-of-32 passing by the top two signal-callers, sophomore Stephen Garcia and redshirt freshman Reid McCollum. Garcia was especially efficient; completing 14-of-16 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed six times for 22 yards and another score.

“(Garcia) looked better,” said the Head Ball Coach. “He can still throw a lot of them a little bit better, but he did throw a lot of good ones tonight. He was much improved. The protection was better. We had some guys open and he threw it where he was supposed to most every time.”

Freshman wide receiver DeMario Bennett continued to impress, catching four passes for 93 yards, including a 43-yard scoring strike from McCollum. Junior tight end Weslye Saunders was the favorite target, catching five passes for 46 yards.

Walk-on Bryce Sherman also continued his strong camp showing, leading the rushers with 11 carries for 76 yards. “Bryce Sherman is a good little football player,” acknowledged Coach Spurrier. “He really is. He’s a tough little kid. He has a chance to help us out. We had two running backs in gold jerseys (for injured players). Sometimes as the season goes along you get one or two running backs hurt. He could play some ball for us this year.”

The Gamecocks will return to the Bluff Road practice fields on Thursday afternoon at 4:15 p.m.

SCORING PLAYS:

Stephen Garcia 2-yard run (Spencer Lanning kick)

Jarvis Giles 3-yard run (Lanning kick)

DeMario Bennett 43-yard pass from Reid McCollum (Lanning kick)

Lanning 21-yard field goal

Jason Barnes 2-yard pass from McCollum (Lanning kick)

Lanning 47-yard field goal

Weslye Saunders 6-yard pass from Garcia (Lanning kick)

C.C. Whitlock 93-yard interception return

Lanning 37-yard field goal

PASSING:

Stephen Garcia 14-16-0-150, 1 TD; Reid McCollum 10-16-2-141, 2 TD; Zac Brindise 3-4-0-26; Stephon Gilmore 1-2-0-32; Aramis Hillary 2-5-0-28. TOTALS: 30-43-2-377, 3 TD.

RUSHING:

Bryce Sherman 11-76; Jarvis Giles 7-38, 1 TD; Kenny Miles 9-33; Reid McCollum 2-29; Stephon Gilmore 7-25; Stephen Garcia 6-22, 1 TD; Patrick DiMarco 3-16; Zac Brindise 1-14; Alshon Jeffery 1-4; DeMario Bennett 1-4; Dalton Wilson 1-0; Team 2-(-11). TOTALS: 51-250, 2 TD.

RECEIVING:

Weslye Saunders 5-46, 1 TD; DeMario Bennett 4-93, 1 TD; Tori Gurley 3-39; Jason Barnes 3-28, 1 TD; Stephen Flint 2-44; Foxy Foxworth 2-28; Joe Hills 2-18; Patrick DiMarco 2-2; Moe Brown 1-37; Bryce Sherman 1-12; Scott Spurrier 1-12; Alshon Jeffery 1-8; Justice Cunningham 1-8; Mike Triglia 1-5; Kenny Miles 1-(-3). TOTALS: 30-377, 3 TD.