Oct. 6, 2011

The University of South Carolina football squad worked out at the Bluff Road practice fields Thursday afternoon. The No. 18/14 Gamecocks (4-1, 2-1 SEC) are preparing for Saturday’s SEC Eastern Division matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats (2-3, 0-2 SEC). Game time is set for 12:21 p.m. ET and will be televised on the SEC Network with Dave Neal, Andre Ware and Cara Capuano calling the action.

Following Thursday’s practice assistant head coach-defense, Ellis Johnson did not rule out defensive end Melvin Ingram from Saturday’s game. “It was a more optimistic comment on him today than it was Sunday or Monday,” said Johnson. “It’s not a real serious thing, but something you have to take seriously. It looks a lot better than they thought it would. I I just don’t know if he’ll have a shot this Saturday. He hasn’t practiced obviously. It’s more optimistic than it was.” Johnson said if Ingram is unable to play, either Jadeveon Clowney or Chaz Sutton would make the start at defensive end.

Johnson is pleased with the progress that safety Brison Williams has made since his return from a broken arm. “He’s making a step every day. He’s making progress but he’s still not ready to start or anything.”

Although the Wildcats have struggled offensively at times this season, Johnson is aware that the Gamecocks could have their hands full this week. “Kentucky is very capable of moving the football on anybody. They moved it up the field on Florida a couple of times. When they do get stopped it’s because they shot themselves in the foot and make a mistake here or there. But they’ve got good players. They’re a very capable football team.”

Senior cornerback Akeem Auguste remains sidelined with a foot injury and taking a redshirt this season could be a possibility according to Johnson. “It’s getting to that point, but no decision has been made.”

Tickets remain for Saturday’s game through the Gamecock Athletics Ticket Office.