Oct. 1, 2014

The South Carolina Gamecock football team worked out Wednesday afternoon at the Bluff Road practice fields.

The Gamecocks (3-2, 2-2 SEC) travel to Lexington, Ky, for another SEC Eastern Division matchup this week when they face the Kentucky Wildcats (3-1, 1-1 SEC) at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4. The 7:30 p.m. ET game will be televised nationally on the SEC Network with Tom Hart and Matt Stinchcomb in the booth and Heather Mitts on the sidelines.

Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper practiced on Wednesday and is probable for Saturday’s game. Right guard Cody Waldrop did not practice on Wednesday and is doubtful for the Kentucky contest. He has missed each of the last two games with a knee injury.

Quarterback Dylan Thompson, who sat out Monday’s practice, is feeling much better today, according to quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus. “He felt probably as good today as he’s felt since last Thursday,” noted Mangus. “He threw it around pretty good today. He feels good and is ready to go.”

Thompson’s completion percentage is at about 60 percent, which is higher than his career numbers entering the season. “We’d love to have it as high as we can get it,” said Mangus. “He’s done much better. It’s a lot higher than what his average has been. He’s done a better job of getting down underneath when need be. He’s missed some throws and we’ve had some drops. It all kind of evens out where it’s at. We’d always like to get it higher but he’s definitely improved.”

Mangus did not shed any new light on whether Perry Orth or Connor Mitch is considered the number two quarterback. “When they play, we’ll all find out,” said Mangus. “They’ve gotten a lot (of practice time) out here. They switched off and got a bunch of reps (on Monday). They’re practicing well. We’re looking forward to getting them in a game at some point in time.”

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Thursday.