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Practice report: King to start; Doerr leaves team
Posted on 08.31.08
CommentsLeading off
Less than a month ago, Jarriel King had not played offensive line in four years. Now the sophomore is USC’s new starting left tackle.
King was named the starter Saturday, after playing well as a reserve in Thursday’s 34-0 victory against N.C. State. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound King played defensive end for one season at Georgia Military College and played both ways in high school.
“I did quite well, coming from not playing this position and just the little bit of time I had to learn the plays,” King said. “But I’ve got a whole lot of learning to do.”
The move might be short-lived. Senior Jamon Meredith, who started last year at left tackle, is due to return from an NCAA suspension after Thursday’s game against Vanderbilt, though he might play left guard if King plays well.
Stock rising
The Gamecocks’ position in the rankings. No. 25 Pittsburgh lost to Bowling Green on Saturday, meaning USC, which was 26th in the preseason poll, likely will be ranked in Monday’s poll.
Stock falling
Hutch Eckerson lost his starting spot at left tackle after one game. But if the line does not improve its pass protection, there likely will be further changes made to the lineup.
Injury report
Quarterback Tommy Beecher (head and shoulder injuries) sat out practice and is questionable for today’s practice.
Quote of the day
“I was still thinking I wanted to tackle people during the game. On interceptions, I was running like (crazy) to get a tackle. I was trying to get that good feel back in me just one more time.”
—King, on his adjustment to playing offense
Extra points
Freshman kicker Ryan Doerr left the team due to “homesickness,” Spurrier said. Doerr did not play Thursday after losing to Spencer Lanning in the battle to be the starting punter. Doerr returned to his native Texas. Doerr’s scholarship will be given to sophomore deep snapper Charles Turner, effective in January. ... The Gamecocks’ base defense will be a 4-2-5 scheme, using a third safety and two linebackers, defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said.
Scouting report
USC did not get a full week to prepare for N.C. State’s quarterback because the Wolfpack named Russell Wilson the starter last week. There is no doubt who Vanderbilt will start at the position, the mobile Chris Nickson. “We spent a little bit of time on our quarterback plays last week, knowing that they had switched late in the week on who their quarterback was going to be,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to put more time in than that and fit it a little bit more to our scheme.”
Clarification
When Spurrier used the word “pitiful” in his Friday teleconference, he was referring to the Gamecocks’ pass protection and false-start penalties against N.C. State. Saturday’s story indicated Spurrier’s comment applied to the overall play of the offensive line.
— Seth Emerson and Joe Person
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