Dec. 19, 2009

The University of South Carolina football squad spent Saturday afternoon practicing at Williams-Brice Stadium in preparation for the Papajohns.com Bowl game, scheduled for January 2, 2010 in Birmingham, Ala. The Gamecocks (7-5) will face the UConn Huskies (7-5) out of the Big East Conference at 1 p.m. CT at historic Legion Field.

“We had a decent practice – the guys did a pretty good job,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following the two hour session. “We probably will not practice tomorrow on Sunday. We’ll give them the day off after we have our chapel services. We’ve had decent practices. We’ll practice through Wednesday morning then come back the following Sunday night and get ready for the week of the ballgame.

“I would say we have installed approximately 75, 80 percent (of the game plan),” continued Coach Spurrier. ” During this time you add a little here and there, take a little out here and there. Sometimes you can have a month to prepare and you put way too much stuff in. We’re not trying to do too much. I think you can get ready too early. We try to build it as we get up to the game.”

Coach Spurrier confirmed that Eric Baker will have to have surgery to repair his left knee. “He’s got to have some ligaments repaired in there, so he’ll be out five or six months and miss spring practice. An unfortunate injury.”

Coach Spurrier admitted the Gamecocks’ offensive line would have their hands full with the UConn defensive line. “They’re tough. UConn is very tough up front. They’re very good pass rushers too. They’ve given up a few passing yards – that’s because they’re so tough to run on. Everybody tries to throw a little bit more than run.”

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Monday at 1 p.m.