Weslye Saunders hauls in a pass as Arkansas' Freddy Burton defends in the second half.
South Carolina junior tight end No. 88 Weslye Saunders hauls in a pass as University of Arkansas Freddy Burton defends in the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas on Saturday, November 7, 2009. Arkansas won 33-16.
USC tight end wants more passes thrown his way; coaches want more Sherman
It was Weslye being Weslye.
After a good game at Arkansas, USC tight end Weslye Saunders suggested his lack of involvement in recent weeks was related to the fact that Steve Spurrier Jr., who shares play-calling duties with his father, coaches the Gamecocks' receivers.
It is not the first time Saunders, whose father is a columnist with The News & Observer in Raleigh, has spoken out this season. Before the opener against N.C. State, Saunders said he would ask Steve Spurrier if he could take a 15-yard, celebration penalty if he scored against his hometown school.
"Sometimes Weslye says things I don't think he really means what he's saying, and it comes out as if he's very individualistic about just wanting passes thrown his way all the time," Spurrier said Sunday.
Saunders had three catches for 55 yards against the Razorbacks, although Spurrier pointed out he dropped a touchdown late in the game and had a couple of "big drops" the previous week at Tennessee.
"My philosophy's always been that a player who can get out and get open and catch the ball is the guy you throw most of them to. And right now Alshon (Jeffery) is getting a little more thrown (to him)," Spurrier said.
"I don't think Weslye really meant it that way, but it came out as if he's just worried about how many passes get thrown his way. We all need to be worried about how our team can win, instead of individual things."
Spurrier said any discipline for Saunders would be handled internally.
Sherm the Worm. USC coaches have talked several times about getting diminutive tailback Bryce Sherman more touches. But after the 5-foot-6 walk-on had a 48-yard reception and a 32-yard kickoff return at Arkansas, they might follow through.
"Maybe all year we should have been getting him the ball somehow or another a little bit more," Spurrier said. "He's a player that can make some guys miss, and he can run forward. So we need to keep using him."
Injury report. Offensive tackle Jarriel King, who sat out against Arkansas after getting a concussion at Tennessee, should be cleared to play against Florida. ... Defensive end Devin Taylor, subbing for the injured Cliff Matthews, is questionable with a bruised sternum. Spurrier said Taylor will be re-evaluated later in the week. ... Matthews, who dislocated his shoulder against Tennessee, also will be re-examined, although defensive line coach Brad Lawing said last week Matthews likely was out until the Clemson game.
Scouting Florida. As he nears the end of his career, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is approaching another record. The senior needs one touchdown to tie LSU's Kevin Faulk's SEC mark for most career touchdowns (53). He is tied with Georgia's Herschel Walker for second.
Tebow has a 31-5 record as a starting quarterback - the sixth highest winning percentage (.861) in SEC history. He has never lost to USC.
Extra points. Safety Chris Culliver, benched last week after walking out of a practice following an argument with a coach, is set to return this week. ... Spurrier said he planned to send a couple of USC's four false start penalties vs. the Razorbacks to the SEC to review. "It's sort of a judgment call there. Those didn't go our way, but we've got to watch the ball better," he said.
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
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