Aug. 16, 2011

The University of South Carolina football squad returned to the Bluff Road practice fields Tuesday night for a two-hour workout.

Following the practice session, running backs coach Jay Graham was asked if he had named a No. 2 back behind incumbent Marcus Lattimore. “Not yet,” said Graham. “We have a scrimmage tomorrow. I think we’ll let it play itself out. Kenny (Miles) has done well. Kenny has played in games. He is in that position where he could easily be the number two guy.”

Graham feels that his backs had a good first scrimmage last Saturday. “The guys played well. Pass protection – we need to get a little bit better. But the guys ran the ball really well.”

Coach Graham wasn’t ready to concede that any of his backs were headed for a redshirt season. “As we get closer, we’ll talk about it as a staff. Probably in the next 10 days or so. We’re still 18 days away from the first game, so we still have a little time.” To avoid that, Graham said they needed to understand the offense enough to go on a drive and do all the things that running backs need to do to be successful.

In other notes, defensive tackle Travian Robertson and safety Sheldon Royster both donned the white “full contact” jerseys.

The Gamecocks will practice again on Wednesday night. The team is expected to scrimmage in Williams-Brice Stadium. The practice, which is closed, is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.