GTmorris1970
10-11-2005, 02:10 AM
Posted on Tue, Oct. 11, 2005
Newton will get snaps at tailback
Spurrier’s desire to get the ball into junior’s hands more often prompts latest shift
By JOSEPH PERSON
Staff Writer
Another week, another position for Syvelle Newton.
USC’s do-everything junior practiced at tailback on Monday, two days after he caught Steve Spurrier’s eye with several nice runs from the quarterback spot near the end of a 44-16 victory over Kentucky.
Reminded Monday that he previously had scoffed at suggestions that Newton play tailback, Spurrier said: “A guy runs 40 yards and nobody touches him, things change.”
It has been nothing but change for Newton since Spurrier arrived in November. A starter at quarterback in five games in 2004, Newton moved to receiver in the spring and is tied with Sidney Rice for the team lead in receptions with 26.
The 6-foot, 214-pound Newton replaced starting quarterback Blake Mitchell for the final series against the Wildcats, rushing three times for 49 yards and a touchdown. Averaging 11.7 yards per carry, Newton could boost the Gamecocks’ sagging rushing attack, which ranks 112th out of 117 Division I-A schools at 78.5 yards a game.
Johnson update. Spurrier met with defensive end Josh Johnson, who is suspended indefinitely following his second arrest in a seven-month span. Johnson and his younger brother, Justin, were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after Columbia police responded early Sunday to a fight involving the brothers at Jungle Jim’s, a Five Points nightclub.
Josh Johnson, a sophomore from Gibsonton, Fla., also was charged with interfering with police and having an open container. He pushed an officer when police tried to handcuff him, according to the incident report.
“If it’s proven that he did what they charged him with, he’s finished. Simple as that,” Spurrier said.
Conference honors. USC rover Ko Simpson and Rice picked up SEC Player-of the-Week honors for their performances against Kentucky.
Simpson, a sophomore from Rock Hill, was the defensive honoree after coming up with two turnovers, including his first interception and a fumble recovery that he returned 19 yards for a touchdown. Simpson finished with a season-high 13 tackles.
Rice was voted the top freshman after posting career highs with eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Rice, a redshirt freshman from Gaffney, has caught at least one touchdown pass in five consecutive games, tying a school record set by Jermale Kelly in 1997.
Extra points. Several of the players who committed penalties against Kentucky did extra running following Monday’s practice. Spurrier said there could be other ramifications for oft-penalized players, noting that tight end Robert Pavlovic was benched a week after getting flagged several times at Auburn.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson@thestate.com.
Newton will get snaps at tailback
Spurrier’s desire to get the ball into junior’s hands more often prompts latest shift
By JOSEPH PERSON
Staff Writer
Another week, another position for Syvelle Newton.
USC’s do-everything junior practiced at tailback on Monday, two days after he caught Steve Spurrier’s eye with several nice runs from the quarterback spot near the end of a 44-16 victory over Kentucky.
Reminded Monday that he previously had scoffed at suggestions that Newton play tailback, Spurrier said: “A guy runs 40 yards and nobody touches him, things change.”
It has been nothing but change for Newton since Spurrier arrived in November. A starter at quarterback in five games in 2004, Newton moved to receiver in the spring and is tied with Sidney Rice for the team lead in receptions with 26.
The 6-foot, 214-pound Newton replaced starting quarterback Blake Mitchell for the final series against the Wildcats, rushing three times for 49 yards and a touchdown. Averaging 11.7 yards per carry, Newton could boost the Gamecocks’ sagging rushing attack, which ranks 112th out of 117 Division I-A schools at 78.5 yards a game.
Johnson update. Spurrier met with defensive end Josh Johnson, who is suspended indefinitely following his second arrest in a seven-month span. Johnson and his younger brother, Justin, were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after Columbia police responded early Sunday to a fight involving the brothers at Jungle Jim’s, a Five Points nightclub.
Josh Johnson, a sophomore from Gibsonton, Fla., also was charged with interfering with police and having an open container. He pushed an officer when police tried to handcuff him, according to the incident report.
“If it’s proven that he did what they charged him with, he’s finished. Simple as that,” Spurrier said.
Conference honors. USC rover Ko Simpson and Rice picked up SEC Player-of the-Week honors for their performances against Kentucky.
Simpson, a sophomore from Rock Hill, was the defensive honoree after coming up with two turnovers, including his first interception and a fumble recovery that he returned 19 yards for a touchdown. Simpson finished with a season-high 13 tackles.
Rice was voted the top freshman after posting career highs with eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Rice, a redshirt freshman from Gaffney, has caught at least one touchdown pass in five consecutive games, tying a school record set by Jermale Kelly in 1997.
Extra points. Several of the players who committed penalties against Kentucky did extra running following Monday’s practice. Spurrier said there could be other ramifications for oft-penalized players, noting that tight end Robert Pavlovic was benched a week after getting flagged several times at Auburn.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496 or jperson@thestate.com.