Nov. 23, 2011

The University of South Carolina football squad worked out Wednesday afternoon at the Bluff Road practice fields. The 9-2 Gamecocks (No. 14 AP/13 Coaches/12 BCS) are preparing for their regular season finale on Saturday against their in-state rivals, the 9-2 Clemson Tigers (No. 16 AP/17 Coaches/17 BCS). Game time is set for 7:45 p.m. at a sold out Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. ESPN will televise the game nationally with Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe describing the action.

Linebacker Damario Jeffery and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney did not practice again on Wednesday. However, linebacker Quin Smith returned to practice today. Also walk-on running back Jacob Baker, who suffered a knee injury in the spring, practiced for the first time this fall.

Following the practice, assistant head coach – defense Ellis Johnson indicated he was not sure if Clowney would be available on Saturday. “He’s not been able to get a good practice week in. With those concussions, it’s just whether he passes the tests if they release him. We don’t have the word yet. Most of (the linebackers) are getting back on the practice field,” continued Johnson. “I think we’re probably not full speed, but we’re going to have them all. Everybody practiced today. We’ll have to see how full speed we are, but we’ll have them all back.”

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Thursday afternoon.