Aug 25, 2013

Season Ticket Info | Official Gamecock Gear | Facebook | Twitter | Media Guide

With less than a week remaining until the curtain rises on the 2013 season, the University of South Carolina football team worked out at the Bluff Road practice fields Sunday afternoon. The Gamecocks are preparing for Thursday’s season lidlifter against the North Carolina Tar Heels. The 6 p.m. ET game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Secondary coach Grady Brown was asked about the shuffling of positions and double-teaching that goes on with the defense. “We are trying to get the best players on the field,” said Brown. “We have a lot of good players on this team that play similar positions. You just have to find a way to get your best players on the field and get them in position to make plays.”

Ronnie Martin, a junior college transfer, has not been talked about much in camp, but Brown remains high on the Spartanburg, S.C. product. “Ronnie has a lot of natural ability. He’s blessed with the ability to run, jump, change direction and get to his top speed really fast. He’s a guy who once he learns the technique part of it and learns when to do and what to do certain things, he will be a good player for us.”

North Carolina has just one player from the Palmetto State on its roster, wide receiver Quinshad Davis. “Great size and great ability to position himself to get to the ball. He’s a really good receiver. They did some good things with him last year. It will be a good matchup for our corners here. We have some guys that can play and some guys that are excited about this game coming up on national TV. We just have to continue our preparation and go out Thursday and be ready to execute.”

Tight end Jerell Adams (ankle) returned to full practice on Sunday. Those who remain on the injury list include Rory Anderson (hamstring), Cedrick Cooper (elbow), Bruce Ellington (hamstring), Cody Gibson (knee), Carlton Heard (hamstring), James King (foot), Mike Matulis (shoulder), Kyle Morini (elbow), Gerald Turner (ankle) and Devin Washington (concussion).

The Gamecocks are slated to practice again on Monday evening beginning at 6:15 p.m.