Sept. 11, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 24/23 South Carolina (1-1, 0-1 SEC) continued workouts at the Bluff Road practice fields Thursday afternoon in preparation for Saturday’s contest vs. No. 6/6 Georgia (1-0, 0-0 SEC). Kickoff for the contest is 3:30 p.m. ET in front of a sellout crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250). The game will be televised nationally on CBS and available on the Gamecock Radio Network from IMG College including flagship station, 107.5 FM, “The Game,” as well as Westwood One Radio.
South Carolina defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward met with the media after practice. Ward noted that a key for the defense will be limiting missed assignments vs. the Bulldogs.
“We have to make sure we take care of our assignments,” said Ward. “We’ve played this offense before. We’ve done well against this offense and we’ve done not so well against this offense. We’ve been preaching all week that we want to play with a lot of emotion and a lot of effort.”
Ward added that all 11 starters from last week’s win vs. East Carolina are likely to start against Georgia.
“I think it will still be Brison (Williams) and Rico (McWilliams) at corner and T.J. (Gurley) and (Chris) Moody at the safeties. D-line will be the same and linebackers will be the same.”
Senior defensive back Brison Williams has been a steady influence on the defense and Ward praised his work ethic in the secondary and in practice.
“Brison is becoming more vocal, said Ward. “We expect a lot of Brison Williams and he has given it to us.”
With the anticipation of a physical game on Saturday afternoon, Ward mentioned it is likely that a lot of players will see action throughout the contest. It is likely safeties Chaz Elder and Kadetrix, “J.J.” Marcus will play as will defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth.
“Both (Chaz & J.J.) will play a lot,” said Ward. “Chaz has had a great week of practice, J.J. too. This is J.J.’s kind of game. Physical football game, that’s what he is, an in the box safety. You could even see Taylor Stallworth in this ball game. He is a big, physical guy and this is going to be a big, physical game. He has shown in practice he is ready to play.”
The Bulldogs bring in an offense that scored 45 points on 459 yards vs. Clemson almost two weeks ago led by junior tailback Todd Gurley.
“Todd Gurley is special,” said Ward. “He is a big, physical back that can run around you or over you. We all know that. You can’t simulate that.”
