Nov. 12, 2015

We apologize for the audio problems in tonight’s post-practice interview.

The University of South Carolina football team worked out for about 90 minutes on Thursday afternoon at their new Gamecock Park practice fields.

The Gamecocks (3-6, 1-6 SEC) and the No. 11/10 Florida Gators (8-1, 6-1 SEC) are set to kick at noon ET on Saturday, November 14 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN with Mike Patrick and Ed Cunningham in the booth and Dr. Jerry Punch serving as the sideline announcer.

Co-defensive coordinator Jon Hoke spoke with the media following Thursday’s practice. Here’s are some of Hoke’s comments:

On the status of Al Harris Jr.: “I think (he will be available). We’re seeing where he’s at. He practiced. He got some reps today. We’ll see where he’s at through tomorrow and then through Saturday morning. We’re going to start Chris (Lammons) and Rico (McWilliams).” Hoke also noted that Dante Sawyer would be available on Saturday, but Taylor Stallworth would not be available. Wide receiver D.J. Neal did not practice on Thursday.

On getting off to slow starts: “Starting fast would be a great thing. We need to start fast, absolutely. It’s been that way a little bit all year.”

On the challenge of preparing for the different looks that the Florida offense shows: “It is a challenge. They do a great job with their personnel, where they locate them, where they put them. It can be, if you let it, it becomes a distraction. You’ve got to minimize that distraction as much as possible.”

On Florida’s offensive inconsistencies: “When you see them play when they came back versus LSU – that was a football team. They are a talented football team. They are a little bit up and down, but when they’re ready to go, they’re ready to go and they play well.”

On Florida quarterback Treon Harris: “He can run the ball. He’s very quick and he’s a more than adequate passer. He’s had some drops along the way that have probably hurt him a little bit, but he can do both.”

On the identity of the Florida offense: “I think they like to mix it up as much as they can, but they do rely on the run. They’ve got a very good running back and a very good offensive line and they rely on those guys.”

On his emotions coaching for the first time against a school where he worked previously: “I had a great three years there. I was around a bunch of great coaches and a lot of great players that I’m still in contact with. I have very fond memories of Florida so it’s going to be different going against them.”

The Gamecocks will have their traditional walk-thru in the stadium on Friday afternoon in their final prep work for Saturday’s contest.