[fpic]http://www.sectalk.com/boards/images/logos/South_Carolina.gif[/fpic]USC’s versatile Newton in select company; ESPN to handle Vols game.

By: Joseph Person
www.thestate.com

USC will begin the second half of its season in good health.

The open date proved therapeutic for the Gamecocks’ injured players, several of whom are expected to play this week against Vanderbilt.

After a four-day weekend, USC returned to the practice field Monday with fewer players wearing the yellow jerseys designated for the injured. Receiver Mike West (hamstring), tight end Andy Boyd (shoulder) and guard William Brown (knee) participated in the two-hour workout.

“We’re getting to full speed almost,” Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier said. “We’re in good shape.”

West, who has one catch in two games, twice has aggravated his hamstring while trying to return. Boyd has missed four games, while Brown has not seen action since spraining his knee against Florida Atlantic.

Rover Emanuel Cook, who has missed the past three games with a sprained knee, practiced last week and played in an intrasquad scrimmage for USC’s younger players. Also, tailback Cory Boyd said he has recovered from a herniated disc in his neck that he sustained while weightlifting.

“It hasn’t bothered me the whole week,” Boyd said. “At practice we didn’t really have too much physical work going on, so I really didn’t get to tag anybody.”

The Gamecocks did not get through Monday’s practice unscathed.

Starting cornerback Carlos Thomas was carted off the field with a sprained knee. A team spokesman said Thomas would be evaluated today.

Select company. USC quarterback Syvelle Newton’s 77-yard rushing night against Kentucky gave the senior 646 rushing yards for his career. Newton, who has 2,035 passing yards and 666 receiving yards, is believed to be one of only four players in NCAA history to surpass the 600-yard mark in all three categories.

According to research by USC’s sports information department, the others are Georgia’s Hines Ward, former SMU standout Kyle Rote and Ohio’s Dave Juenger.

Prime-time players. The USC-Tennessee game on Oct. 28 will kick off at 7:45 p.m. and be broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2. ESPN officials next week will announce which channel will carry the game.

The game will be the Gamecocks’ fifth appearance this season on ESPN or ESPN2.

Extra points. Spurrier on USC’s improved chances in the SEC East following losses by Georgia and Florida: “We know that, but that’s really a long shot. Of course, we were longshots last year.” USC reeled off a school-record five consecutive SEC wins in 2005 to finish second in the East behind Georgia. ... Spurrier threatened last week to use offensive players, including receiver Sidney Rice, in the secondary in the prevent scheme. But Rice said Monday he has not seen any time on defense since the preseason.

Chris Dearing contributed to this report. Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.

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