Sept. 29, 2015

The University of South Carolina football team (2-2, 0-2 SEC) worked out on Tuesday afternoon as they prepare for Saturday’s SEC Eastern Division showdown with the Missouri Tigers (3-1, 0-1 SEC). The battle for the Columbia Cup will be televised on the SEC Network beginning at noon ET with Tom Hart and Andre Ware in the booth and Laura Rutledge working the sidelines.

The Carolina defense had its best performance of the season against UCF last Saturday. One of the changes was inserting T.J. Holloman into the MIKE linebacker position, with Skai Moore moving over to the WILL position. “He did good,” said linebackers coach Kirk Botkin of Holloman’s performance. “He’s a smart kid, a good leader. He gets them all lined up. He did a really good job.”

The Gamecocks hope to take that success from Saturday’s win into this week’s contest at Missouri. “Any time you get a win and play good, it helps build confidence in everybody,” noted Botkin.

Part of the key to success against the Knights was more consistent pressure up front.”The guys did a great job,” said defensive line coach Deke Adams. “The guys are working hard. It was probably our best game technique-wise all year. We’re getting better every week, so I was pleased with it. The great part about it is we’re learning to study film, too. That was really good for us.”

Freshman tight end Kyle Markway is from St. Louis, Mo. He is the first Gamecock from the Show-Me State since James Adkisson played for Carolina from 2000-02. Adkisson, a wide receiver who was also from St. Louis, graduated from Ritenour High School before attending Kemper Junior College in Boonville, Mo. for one season.

The Gamecocks will practice again on Wednesday afternoon.