The University of South Carolina football team returned to the practice fields Monday night for the first time since its 38-14 win over South Carolina State on Saturday. The 25th-ranked Gamecocks (4-1) are preparing for their SEC showdown against Kentucky (2-2), which is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

“Kentucky is very good team,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following Monday’s workout. “They’ve been a good team. They’ve won a bowl game the last two years, something we’ve certainly not done. If they hadn’t played Florida and Alabama, they could be 4-0. I look at this game very similar to the Ole Miss game. They are very capable of beating us and I think we’re capable of beating them. The team that plays the best will probably win it. This year’s game will stand on its own merit,” noted the Head Ball Coach when asked about the Gamecocks nine-game winning streak over the Wildcats.

Coach Spurrier confirmed that offensive tackle Quintin Richardson was back at practice and would be available on Saturday. He missed the SC State game due to a sore shoulder and illness. Tight end Weslye Saunders has a sprained ankle and is listed as doubtful for this week’s game. “Justice (Cunningham) will get his first start it appears right now,” said Coach Spurrier.

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