Aug. 10, 2010

by Steve Fink, Media Relations Director

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The University of South Carolina football squad split up its practice on Tuesday, first working out at the Bluff Road practice fields before moving over to Williams-Brice Stadium for some 11-on-11 work.

During the scrimmage portion of the practice, the defense played primarily with second and third teamers throughout, while the offense had four different quarterbacks direct drives. Sophomore tailback Jarvis Giles was the offensive standout of the session, rushing eight times for 86 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown burst that he bounced outside around left end. It was the only touchdown scored during the morning workout. Spencer Lanning added a 30-yard field goal to cap the scoring.

“We had sort of our usual little scrimmage out here today,” said head coach Steve Spurrier. “We had some errors – way too many fumbles – but it was productive. Nobody got hurt bad. Jarvis made some very good runs,” Coach Spurrier continued. “Jarvis shifted and went about 30 or 40 yards there for a score. He hit the hole pretty well.”

The offense used a balanced attack, rushing 25 times for 152 yards and completing 14-of-27 passes for 131 yards. Incumbent quarterback Stephen Garcia completed 3-of-7 passes for 26 yards. Connor Shaw hit on 4-of-6 passes for 47 yards, but was intercepted once by Quin Smith. Walk-on Seth Strickland caught the coach’s eye by hitting on 5-of-9 passes for 40 yards.

“Our last quarterback, Seth Strickland, probably played as well as any of them,” said the Head Ball Coach. “I told Coach Mangus our walk-on kid, Seth, we’re going to start getting him more snaps. He’s a kid who can think. Playing quarterback nowadays – if everybody can throw pretty decent – it’s the guy who makes the best decision. So we’ve got a new guy in the mix.”

Several players were held out of the scrimmage, including senior tailback Brian Maddox, who suffered a mild groin strain on Monday, and offensive lineman Ryan Broadhead, who suffered a torn ACL in his right knee on Monday and likely will miss the remainder of the season. Freshman offensive lineman Cody Gibson also sprained his left knee on Monday and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. The practice is closed.

SCORING PLAYS:

Jarvis Giles 34-yard run (Spencer Lanning kick)

Spencer Lanning 30-yard field goal

PASSING:

Connor Shaw 4-6-1-47; Seth Strickland 5-9-0-40; Stephen Garcia 3-7-0-26; Andrew Clifford 2-5-0-18. TOTALS: 14-27-1-131.

RUSHING:

Jarvis Giles 8-86; Marcus Lattimore 7-41; Bryce Sherman 4-26; Stephen Garcia 2-1; Connor Shaw 2-1; Dion Lecorn 1-1; Ace Sanders 1-(-4). TOTALS: 25-152.

RECEIVING:

Ace Sanders 3-41; Nick Jones 2-27; DeMario Bennett 2-27; Bryce Sherman 2-14; Marcus Lattimore 2-6; DeAngelo Smith 1-11; Justice Cunningham 1-7; Cedrick Snead 1-(-2). TOTALS: 14-131.