GTmorris1970
09-29-2005, 02:21 AM
Posted on Thu, Sep. 29, 2005
Investigation of Boyd continues
Suspended tailback misses practice; Newton could see action at QB vs. Auburn
By JOSEPH PERSON
Staff Writer
Suspended USC tailback Cory Boyd missed practice Wednesday while campus police continued to investigate a claim that the junior threatened to slash the car tires of a female student Monday night.
“He didn’t come out today, so obviously there’s some issues there,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said.
Boyd is accused of becoming verbally abusive to Tericka Sanders and her East Quad roommate and threatening to slash Sanders’ tires if she did not settle a debt, according to the police report. About two hours after the incident occurred, Sanders informed police that someone had flattened the right rear tire of her SUV, causing $150 in damage.
Sanders declined to comment.
Spurrier said he has not talked to Boyd regarding the incident, adding that the matter was in the police’s hands.
“I was just aware of what I read in the paper and what I’ve heard internally,” he said. “As soon as I get a hold of him I guess we’ll hear his story. ... He’s not playing anyway, so I can’t suspend him. We’ll try to find out what happened, or if anything happened.”
Boyd is serving a yearlong suspension for a nonacademic violation of athletics department policy and is ineligible to play this season.
On call. Former quarterback Syvelle Newton, who was moved to receiver after Spurrier arrived at USC, was back under center Wednesday and will be the Gamecocks’ emergency quarterback Saturday at Auburn.
With starter Blake Mitchell out with a sprained left ankle, redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner will make his first start against the Tigers. But Spurrier said walk-on Brett Nichols or Newton also could play.
“He could be an emergency guy if we had to put him in there,” Spurrier said of Newton. “He can run most all these plays that we’re doing, so he’d be a candidate.”
Heffner said Newton “got a lot of reps” at quarterback, although Newton said most of his snaps came at the end of practice.
“It just felt like being a leader again,” he said.
Newton completed 53 percent of his passes for 1,093 yards in 11 games at quarterback in 2004, including five starts. He threw six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Not a fan. Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis has two reasons to root against USC on Saturday. Not only does the former Auburn star want his alma mater to do well, but he wouldn’t mind seeing Spurrier do poorly.
Davis played one year with the Washington Redskins under Spurrier, who released him before the 2003 season because Davis supposedly didn’t fit into his Fun ‘n’ Gun offense.
“I wish (Auburn) would beat their brains out,” said Davis, who lives in Columbia during the offseason.
Spurrier was not surprised to learn of Davis’ comment. “I’m sure he was real cute. He got all the answers,” said Spurrier, who figured Davis was complaining about his lack of carries with the Redskins.
Extra points. Spurrier said offensive lineman Jamon Meredith would play more Saturday, although he is not sure who the starting guards will be. ... Linebacker Lance Laury is wearing a bandage on his infected elbow that kept him out against Troy; he expects to play against Auburn.
Staff writer David Newton contributed to this report. Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson @thestate.com.
Investigation of Boyd continues
Suspended tailback misses practice; Newton could see action at QB vs. Auburn
By JOSEPH PERSON
Staff Writer
Suspended USC tailback Cory Boyd missed practice Wednesday while campus police continued to investigate a claim that the junior threatened to slash the car tires of a female student Monday night.
“He didn’t come out today, so obviously there’s some issues there,” USC coach Steve Spurrier said.
Boyd is accused of becoming verbally abusive to Tericka Sanders and her East Quad roommate and threatening to slash Sanders’ tires if she did not settle a debt, according to the police report. About two hours after the incident occurred, Sanders informed police that someone had flattened the right rear tire of her SUV, causing $150 in damage.
Sanders declined to comment.
Spurrier said he has not talked to Boyd regarding the incident, adding that the matter was in the police’s hands.
“I was just aware of what I read in the paper and what I’ve heard internally,” he said. “As soon as I get a hold of him I guess we’ll hear his story. ... He’s not playing anyway, so I can’t suspend him. We’ll try to find out what happened, or if anything happened.”
Boyd is serving a yearlong suspension for a nonacademic violation of athletics department policy and is ineligible to play this season.
On call. Former quarterback Syvelle Newton, who was moved to receiver after Spurrier arrived at USC, was back under center Wednesday and will be the Gamecocks’ emergency quarterback Saturday at Auburn.
With starter Blake Mitchell out with a sprained left ankle, redshirt freshman Antonio Heffner will make his first start against the Tigers. But Spurrier said walk-on Brett Nichols or Newton also could play.
“He could be an emergency guy if we had to put him in there,” Spurrier said of Newton. “He can run most all these plays that we’re doing, so he’d be a candidate.”
Heffner said Newton “got a lot of reps” at quarterback, although Newton said most of his snaps came at the end of practice.
“It just felt like being a leader again,” he said.
Newton completed 53 percent of his passes for 1,093 yards in 11 games at quarterback in 2004, including five starts. He threw six touchdowns and six interceptions.
Not a fan. Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis has two reasons to root against USC on Saturday. Not only does the former Auburn star want his alma mater to do well, but he wouldn’t mind seeing Spurrier do poorly.
Davis played one year with the Washington Redskins under Spurrier, who released him before the 2003 season because Davis supposedly didn’t fit into his Fun ‘n’ Gun offense.
“I wish (Auburn) would beat their brains out,” said Davis, who lives in Columbia during the offseason.
Spurrier was not surprised to learn of Davis’ comment. “I’m sure he was real cute. He got all the answers,” said Spurrier, who figured Davis was complaining about his lack of carries with the Redskins.
Extra points. Spurrier said offensive lineman Jamon Meredith would play more Saturday, although he is not sure who the starting guards will be. ... Linebacker Lance Laury is wearing a bandage on his infected elbow that kept him out against Troy; he expects to play against Auburn.
Staff writer David Newton contributed to this report. Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson @thestate.com.