supergenius
09-13-2005, 09:38 AM
Scott Hood
GamecockCentral.com
South Carolina tight end Andy Boyd, who left Saturday's game against Georgia in the first quarter with a sprained right knee, will not require surgery and should be sidelined for two to four weeks, USC head coach Steve Spurrier said Monday night following the team's first practice of the week.
"He's not going to need surgery," Spurrier said. "He should be back in two, three, or four weeks. We'll wait and see."
Spurrier said on his weekly television show on Sunday morning that Boyd had possibly suffered a torn ligament in his knee and would miss the rest of the season. However, further examination Monday confirmed the injury was just a sprain.
USC announced Boyd will be reassessed in seven to 10 days.
All-SEC defensive back Ko Simpson suffered a hip pointer against Georgia but he practiced Monday night and should be ready for the Alabama game this week.
"He just got a helmet on the hip," Spurrier said. "He'll be all right."
Offensive tackle Jabari Levey suffered a right ankle sprain Saturday night and is listed as day-to-day. He practiced Monday on a limited basis and should be ready to play against Alabama this week.
PRACTICE REPORT: Carolina worked out for about two hours Monday night at the Bluff Road practice fields in the first workout heading into Saturday's crucial SEC matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The contest will be nationally televised by CBS at 3:30 p.m.
"We had a good practice," Spurrier said. "We've flushed out (the Georgia loss). The only thing we can do is learn from all of the mistakes and all the little things that happened. It's history. Sometimes it's a game of inches and sometimes it doesn't go your way. Sometimes it does. We got a few good breaks in the game. We got a few bad ones. We can't do anything about it except try not to do it the next time."
Spurrier knows the Crimson Tide's defense, ranked second in the nation among Division I-A teams in rushing defense (21.5 yards per game) and fourth in total defense (178 yards per game), will present the USC offense with a formidable challenge.
"We're looking forward to playing Alabama," Spurrier said. "They look like they have as good a defense as any in the country. I think they're leading the SEC in most categories, which is not surprising because I think they did it last year also. It will be a tough challenge for us. We're looking forward to it, though. Traditionally, they're one of the best in the country and it looks like they're pretty close to some of their former teams right now. We'll see what happens Saturday."
USC will practice on Tuesday from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m.
OFFENSIVE LINE REPORT: Spurrier described the play of tackles Jabari Levey and Na'Shan Goddard as "very so-so" and the play of the entire offensive line as "so-so."
"There has not really been a standout player thus far in the first two games," Spurrier said. "We have competition for positions all the time. If some of these other linemen look like they can play better than the linemen we have out there, we'll certainly give them a chance."
Offensive line coach John Hunt wasn't so charitable.
Hunt, mincing no words, insisted Monday night that the entire offensive line, including Levey and Goddard, has "vastly underachieved" and has the potential to play much better.
"We have plenty of room for improvement," Hunt said. "I thought we played a little bit harder (against Georgia). We just have to get better. All five of our guys across the board will admit they didn't play well and they're disappointed in the way they played. My job is make sure I coach them as hard as I can."
While the problems in run blocking have received most of the attention due to USC's struggles to generate an effective running game, the pass blocking hasn't been substantially better, Hunt said.
"In our meetings, I tend to point out opportunities during the game where we had guys wide open but the quarterback didn't have time (to throw the ball)," Hunt said. "Given the time, we can complete some passes. They see that. They want to do well."
Levey and Goddard, based on their size and skill levels, are potential All-SEC tackles but both have struggled so far in the first two games.
"I expected those guys to play a lot better than they are right now," Hunt said. "They've had two disappointing games for them."
Despite the current difficulties, Hunt plans to make no changes due to a lack of quality depth. Thomas Coleman is the primary backup at tackle, while Fran Person is backing up Chris White at center and, along with Kyle Bishop, is one of the top two reserves at guard behind Freddy Saint-Preux and William Brown.
THOMAS HONORED BY SEC: USC freshman Carlos Thomas was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after his jaw-dropping performance at Georgia on Saturday.
Thomas started the game at wide receiver and was credited with one catch for four yards. He also played in the defensive secondary and made a key interception late in the first half to preserve USC's 9-7 lead at intermission.
"He needs to play more," Spurrier said. "He's a good player."
Spurrier added that Thomas will continue to play both ways.
"He'll play wide receiver and we'll stick him over (on defense) in some man-to-man situations," Spurrier said.
TROY GAME ON PPV: The USC-Troy football game on Sept. 24 at Williams-Brice Stadium will be televised on a pay-per-view basis. Most cable systems in South Carolina will carry the game. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
NOTES: Spurrier said circumstances prevented freshman running back Bobby Wallace from playing much in Saturday's loss to Georgia. "It was the same reason a lot of guys didn't play," Spurrier said. "We just didn't have a chance to get him in there. It was a close game. The whole front offensive line played every play. Some of the defensive linemen played every play. Some of the other defensive guys played just about every play. We went with guys who were in there holding onto the ball". . .Spurrier has mentioned Person and Jamon Meredith as offensive linemen who may possibly see increased playing time. "Once they prove they're worthy, we'll get them in there," Spurrier said. . . . .Hunt said his confidence in Meredith was "increasing". . .Quarterback Blake Mitchell has to learn to move his feet better, Spurrier said. "He can play a lot better," Spurrier said. "I didn't realize until I watched the tape that his steps were not nearly as good as they should have been. That will help him get away from the line and give him some more time to throw the ball. His performance was one that he can improve upon a lot. He's doing okay for a kid that's only played a couple of games". . .After completing 22-of-34 passes for 236 yards against Georgia, Mitchell is now ranked 13th in the nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 169.7. Clemson's Charlie Whitehurst is ranked 15th. . .USC got one vote in this week's USA Today Coaches Poll. Spurrier declined to say whether he voted for the Gamecocks. "I don't have to announce my vote until the end of the season," Spurrier said. Spurrier said he had no problem making public the ballots submitted by the coaches. . .Defensive back Chris Hampton played well in the first half of Saturday's game before he cramped up, Spurrier said. Hampton was credited with five tackles. "He was really playing well back there," Spurrier said. "He was very active". . .Spurrier described Sidney Rice's performance Saturday as "pretty good". . .Hunt said William Brown is "doing a decent job" despite being undersized by about 20 pounds for a SEC offensive lineman.
GamecockCentral.com
South Carolina tight end Andy Boyd, who left Saturday's game against Georgia in the first quarter with a sprained right knee, will not require surgery and should be sidelined for two to four weeks, USC head coach Steve Spurrier said Monday night following the team's first practice of the week.
"He's not going to need surgery," Spurrier said. "He should be back in two, three, or four weeks. We'll wait and see."
Spurrier said on his weekly television show on Sunday morning that Boyd had possibly suffered a torn ligament in his knee and would miss the rest of the season. However, further examination Monday confirmed the injury was just a sprain.
USC announced Boyd will be reassessed in seven to 10 days.
All-SEC defensive back Ko Simpson suffered a hip pointer against Georgia but he practiced Monday night and should be ready for the Alabama game this week.
"He just got a helmet on the hip," Spurrier said. "He'll be all right."
Offensive tackle Jabari Levey suffered a right ankle sprain Saturday night and is listed as day-to-day. He practiced Monday on a limited basis and should be ready to play against Alabama this week.
PRACTICE REPORT: Carolina worked out for about two hours Monday night at the Bluff Road practice fields in the first workout heading into Saturday's crucial SEC matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The contest will be nationally televised by CBS at 3:30 p.m.
"We had a good practice," Spurrier said. "We've flushed out (the Georgia loss). The only thing we can do is learn from all of the mistakes and all the little things that happened. It's history. Sometimes it's a game of inches and sometimes it doesn't go your way. Sometimes it does. We got a few good breaks in the game. We got a few bad ones. We can't do anything about it except try not to do it the next time."
Spurrier knows the Crimson Tide's defense, ranked second in the nation among Division I-A teams in rushing defense (21.5 yards per game) and fourth in total defense (178 yards per game), will present the USC offense with a formidable challenge.
"We're looking forward to playing Alabama," Spurrier said. "They look like they have as good a defense as any in the country. I think they're leading the SEC in most categories, which is not surprising because I think they did it last year also. It will be a tough challenge for us. We're looking forward to it, though. Traditionally, they're one of the best in the country and it looks like they're pretty close to some of their former teams right now. We'll see what happens Saturday."
USC will practice on Tuesday from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m.
OFFENSIVE LINE REPORT: Spurrier described the play of tackles Jabari Levey and Na'Shan Goddard as "very so-so" and the play of the entire offensive line as "so-so."
"There has not really been a standout player thus far in the first two games," Spurrier said. "We have competition for positions all the time. If some of these other linemen look like they can play better than the linemen we have out there, we'll certainly give them a chance."
Offensive line coach John Hunt wasn't so charitable.
Hunt, mincing no words, insisted Monday night that the entire offensive line, including Levey and Goddard, has "vastly underachieved" and has the potential to play much better.
"We have plenty of room for improvement," Hunt said. "I thought we played a little bit harder (against Georgia). We just have to get better. All five of our guys across the board will admit they didn't play well and they're disappointed in the way they played. My job is make sure I coach them as hard as I can."
While the problems in run blocking have received most of the attention due to USC's struggles to generate an effective running game, the pass blocking hasn't been substantially better, Hunt said.
"In our meetings, I tend to point out opportunities during the game where we had guys wide open but the quarterback didn't have time (to throw the ball)," Hunt said. "Given the time, we can complete some passes. They see that. They want to do well."
Levey and Goddard, based on their size and skill levels, are potential All-SEC tackles but both have struggled so far in the first two games.
"I expected those guys to play a lot better than they are right now," Hunt said. "They've had two disappointing games for them."
Despite the current difficulties, Hunt plans to make no changes due to a lack of quality depth. Thomas Coleman is the primary backup at tackle, while Fran Person is backing up Chris White at center and, along with Kyle Bishop, is one of the top two reserves at guard behind Freddy Saint-Preux and William Brown.
THOMAS HONORED BY SEC: USC freshman Carlos Thomas was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after his jaw-dropping performance at Georgia on Saturday.
Thomas started the game at wide receiver and was credited with one catch for four yards. He also played in the defensive secondary and made a key interception late in the first half to preserve USC's 9-7 lead at intermission.
"He needs to play more," Spurrier said. "He's a good player."
Spurrier added that Thomas will continue to play both ways.
"He'll play wide receiver and we'll stick him over (on defense) in some man-to-man situations," Spurrier said.
TROY GAME ON PPV: The USC-Troy football game on Sept. 24 at Williams-Brice Stadium will be televised on a pay-per-view basis. Most cable systems in South Carolina will carry the game. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
NOTES: Spurrier said circumstances prevented freshman running back Bobby Wallace from playing much in Saturday's loss to Georgia. "It was the same reason a lot of guys didn't play," Spurrier said. "We just didn't have a chance to get him in there. It was a close game. The whole front offensive line played every play. Some of the defensive linemen played every play. Some of the other defensive guys played just about every play. We went with guys who were in there holding onto the ball". . .Spurrier has mentioned Person and Jamon Meredith as offensive linemen who may possibly see increased playing time. "Once they prove they're worthy, we'll get them in there," Spurrier said. . . . .Hunt said his confidence in Meredith was "increasing". . .Quarterback Blake Mitchell has to learn to move his feet better, Spurrier said. "He can play a lot better," Spurrier said. "I didn't realize until I watched the tape that his steps were not nearly as good as they should have been. That will help him get away from the line and give him some more time to throw the ball. His performance was one that he can improve upon a lot. He's doing okay for a kid that's only played a couple of games". . .After completing 22-of-34 passes for 236 yards against Georgia, Mitchell is now ranked 13th in the nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 169.7. Clemson's Charlie Whitehurst is ranked 15th. . .USC got one vote in this week's USA Today Coaches Poll. Spurrier declined to say whether he voted for the Gamecocks. "I don't have to announce my vote until the end of the season," Spurrier said. Spurrier said he had no problem making public the ballots submitted by the coaches. . .Defensive back Chris Hampton played well in the first half of Saturday's game before he cramped up, Spurrier said. Hampton was credited with five tackles. "He was really playing well back there," Spurrier said. "He was very active". . .Spurrier described Sidney Rice's performance Saturday as "pretty good". . .Hunt said William Brown is "doing a decent job" despite being undersized by about 20 pounds for a SEC offensive lineman.