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Gamecocks want to give Spurrier another championship ride
The countdown continues to the SEC Championship game Saturday afternoon in Atlanta between USC and Auburn. In seperate interviews Thursday afternoon on SportsTalk First Edition, USC quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator GA Mangus and defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward gave their final views about the game from sides of the ball.
Here is the entire Steve Spurrier press conference . We will have a condensed version on SportsTalk tonight and here on the site in our nightly SportsTalk Rewind story. Highlights:
AUDIO: GA Mangus interview
AUDIO: Interview with Lorenzo Ward
Also, if you aren’t following us on Twitter, what in the heck are you waiting for? You missed solid gold tweets from both USC and Clemson’s pressers. You can follow us on Twitter @Twitter.com/SportsTalkSC
Safety Devonte Holloman works on interception skills
The University of South Carolina football squad added shoulder pads to its workout attire for the first time during fall camp as the squad practiced for a little over two hours at the Bluff Road practice fields on Thursday night.
“We had a good practice tonight,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following the workout. “Good spirits, a lot of energy amongst our guys, so I think we made some improvements tonight – offense, defense and on special teams. The guys are really hustling, hustling a lot more than maybe we used to around here, so it was encouraging. Tonight’s practice was very encouraging.”
The competition for the running back position continues to heat up. “Brian Maddox had some beautiful runs tonight, he and Marcus (Lattimore). Jarvis (Giles) had a few here and there but Brian Maddox may have had the most good runs,” noted Coach Spurrier. “Marcus had his usual two or three good ones too. And the O-line blocked a little bit better than we’ve been doing, so that was encouraging.”
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was on the practice fields for the first time this fall after having his wisdom teeth removed. Cornerback Chris Culliver returned to full go after sitting out Wednesday’s practice. Several of the players who sat out Wednesday’s practice, including Kenny Miles, Qua Gilchrist and Shaq Wilson, remained sidelined with hamstring issues.
Coach Spurrier confirmed that wide receiver/holder Stephen Flint has quit the squad. Ace Sanders and Seth Strickland figure to be the likely candidates to replace Flint as the holder for Spencer Lanning. “Ace Sanders is an excellent holder. He can catch that ball, spin it and put it down there as quickly as anybody we’ve got. Seth’s good at it too. We’re in good shape at the holder position.”
One of the former Gamecocks spotted at Thursday’s practice was signal-caller Blake Mitchell. Mitchell is the answer to the trivia question of which Carolina quarterback defeated Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee during his career.
The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Friday night at 7:30. The practice is open to the public. As noted following Tuesday’s practice, the schedule has been adjusted for next week. The practices from Monday, August 9 through Friday, August 13, will be held at 8:30 a.m., rather than in the evening as previously announced.
Post practice audio:
Steve Spurrier
RB Jarvis Giles
QB coach GA Mangus
The University of South Carolina football team worked out at the Bluff Road practice fields Monday night as they continued preparations for Thursday night’s SEC battle with fourth-ranked Ole Miss. Game time is set for 7:45 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium with a national ESPN audience watching.
“Hopefully we’ll be ready to play our best game of the year Thursday night,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following Monday’s two-hour session. “We’re getting some guys back on defense. Hopefully they’ll be healthy. Maybe we can put together our best game – that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
Defensive backs Chris Culliver (shoulder) and Antonio Allen (slight concussion) were held out of practice on Monday, but are expected to be ready to play on Thursday. Holder Stephen Flint has an infection in his arm and did not practice Monday but is also expected to be ready on Thursday, according to the Head Ball Coach.
The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Tuesday afternoon.
Steve Spurrier Audio (4:36)
GA Mangus Audio (4:38)
Following Monday night’s practice, Steve Spurrier, GA Mangus and Nathan Pepper met with the media.
Steve Spurrier (3:15)
GA Mangus (3:03)
Nathan Pepper (2:43)
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