Oct. 19, 2009

The University of South Carolina football team returned to the Bluff Road practice fields Monday night. It was the Gamecocks’ first practice since their 20-6 loss to Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. The Gamecocks (5-2) are beginning preparations for Saturday’s 7 p.m. SEC contest with Vanderbilt. That game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

“(Vanderbilt) is a very good team,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following Monday’s workout. “They’ve lost some close games. They’re a very good defensive team. Their offense has struggled a little bit like ours has, but we’re looking forward to playing this week and seeing if we can’t play a lot better. Our team is ok mentally. That’s not our problem. Our problem is playing our assignments. Hopefully we’ll look like we know what we are doing Saturday night. Vanderbilt has outplayed us for two years,” continued the Head Ball Coach. “That’s why we’ve lost to them. They kicked our tails and outplayed us. And if they outplay us Saturday night, there’s a chance they’ll beat us again.”

Questions continue to swirl around the departure last week of offensive lineman Heath Batchelor. “Heath I think is still in school,” said Coach Spurrier. “I haven’t talked to Heath, but from what I hear, he’s still going to class. He’s suspended from the team. Hopefully he’ll stay in school and go to class.”

Wide receiver Tori Gurley continues to work with the second team after being a key part of the Gamecocks’ offense early in the season. “Tori has slipped down a little bit,” confirmed Coach Spurrier. “But he could get back up, just like Jason Barnes got back up with a good game the other night. Moe Brown is out this week, so Jason will start at one of those positions. Tori is limited to one position. He’s having trouble learning more than one position and Alshon (Jeffery) is ahead of him. If he can learn some other positions, it would be helpful for him to get on the field.”

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