Wolford looks for linemen to step up

Eric Wolford only played six offensive linemen in USC’s season opener. Upon further review, the Gamecocks offensive line coach would like to increases that.

The jobs on the line have been opened back up for competition this week, Wolford said after Monday’s practice. He offered no specifics, but indicated that the left side is being targeted.

Garrett Anderson and Lemuel Jeanpierre, who alternated at center, are both getting reps at left guard, where Terrence Campbell started against N.C. State. Wolford said he “wouldn’t be surprised” to see either get some time there, especially Anderson.

Left tackle Jarriel King also needs to pick it up, according to Wolford.

“Jarriel’s just got to mainly play faster,” Wolford said. “Jarriel’s a good football player, he hasn’t played the position very long. I expect him to play at a high level, and he will. It’s a learning process for him and he needs to learn faster.”

Wolford said right tackle Quintin Richardson played well for his first start, although he got “a little overwhelmed” late in the game. And he confirmed coach Steve Spurrier’s assessment that right guard T.J. Johnson graded out perfectly.

Ultimately, the assistant coach said he would like to play eight guys at Georgia on Saturday.

“We had a couple positions that needed to play better,” Wolford said. “I felt like I expected them to play better and they didn’t play up to standard. We’ve got some other guys going through at those positions and we’ll see at the end of the week who wants to play.”

Getting the kinks out. After a pair of miscues on field goals against N.C. State, kicker Spencer Lanning stayed after practice Monday working with snapper Charles Turner and holder Stephen Flint. Lanning missed a 27-yarder against the Wolfpack, while an earlier attempt was botched on a low snap by Turner.

“It’s sad that the (kicking) game almost cost us the other night. That’s something that’s really got me sort of disappointed,” Lanning said. “But I’m really proud of the defense for hanging in there, and they pretty much saved me.”

Adam Yates, who handled kickoffs in the opener, worked on placements Monday for the first time since injuring his groin in the preseason. But Lanning said coaches have stayed positive with him, and he remains the starter.

Spreading the carries. Spurrier wants backup tailbacks Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles to see more carries. Giles had five carries for 13 yards and Miles didn’t have any. Starter Brian Maddox rushed 23 times for 66 yards and had the game’s lone touchdown.

“I didn’t know he was going to carry 23 times until we got to the ballpark and Jarvis ran backwards,” Spurrier said. “We were afraid he was confused and was going to run backwards all night, so we didn’t put him in there much.”

Guarding Green. Georgia star receiver A.J. Green only had four catches for 52 yards against Oklahoma State. USC defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward expects the Bulldogs to try to change that.

“I think they’ll do things to move him around, to create ways to get the ball in his hands, because he’s so special,” Ward said of the former Summerville star. “So we’ve just got to prepare defensively and not let one guy take advantage of what we do on defense. I think we’ll have some things we change and do differently just for him.”

Extra points. Lanning praised the play of backup tight end Justice Cunningham, who filled in for the injured Rodney Paulk on the punt team. ... Campbell went to high school with Georgia defensive end Roderick Battle at South Cobb in suburban Atlanta before Battle moved to another school. ...

Junior Josh Dickerson said he is working second team at middle linebacker, but said he expected to rotate with Shaq Wilson.

Reach Emerson at (803) 771-8676.

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