Nov. 3, 2011

The University of South Carolina football squad worked out at the Bluff Road practice fields Thursday afternoon. The Gamecocks (7-1, 5-1 SEC) are ranked ninth in this week’s BCS Standings. They are preparing for Saturday night’s top-10 matchup at No. 7 Arkansas (7-1, 3-1 SEC). Game time is set for 7:15 p.m. ET in Fayetteville’s Reynolds Stadium. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Senior spur Antonio Allen did not practice again on Thursday due to a neck sprain, but Assistant Head Coach – Defense Ellis Johnson is still counting on the Thorpe semifinalist to be available on Saturday. “He’s ok,” said Johnson. He’s got a strained neck that’s bothering him. It’s got a spasm in it. So they’re going to put some heat treatment on it. We’re counting on him. He’s obviously played very well this year and it would be a tremendous loss (if he couldn’t play), but that’s just part of football. If he’s not there, someone is going to have to step up and get the job done. I’m concerned he didn’t have a full week of practice. He should be ready to roll on Saturday. Demario (Jeffery) has been playing very well for us,” continued Johnson. “Antonio has played so well he’s just kept everybody else off the field. But Demario’s had a good camp. Ever since we moved him, he’s been consistent. The problem is if he goes too many snaps. But we’ve got to get ourselves off the field.”

Johnson was uncertain if C.C. Whitlock or Marty Markett would make the start at cornerback. “I don’t know if Lorenzo (Ward) has made that decision. They both have had a real good week of practice. I don’t know which one he will go with.”

The Gamecocks will have their final workout in Columbia on Friday afternoon before traveling to Fayetteville.