GoGamecocks.com
Practice report: Search for McKinley replacement
Posted on 09.10.08
CommentsRelated Content
News of the day
Next in the search for a dependable complementary receiver to Kenny McKinley: redshirt freshmen Joe Hills and Jason Barnes.
Coach Steve Spurrier said Hills could start Saturday depending on what formation is used. Barnes is a backup in enough sets that he also could play a lot.
Barnes has one catch this season, and Hills has none. Spurrier said the coaching staff was trying to get freshman C.C. Whitlock involved as well, as it looks for options with McKinley almost certain to miss Saturday’s game against No. 2 Georgia.
“We go by how they practice,” Spurrier said. “You watch them in practice every day, and if they can get open and catch a ball in practice, they’ll be starters. But when they don’t get open and don’t catch very many balls in practice, it’s just hard to put them out there.”
Stock rising
The Gamecocks have the top-ranked pass defense in the country. After two games, USC is holding opponents to an average of 69.5 passing yards per game.
Stock falling
Receiver Matt Clements appears to be the odd receiver out this week. The redshirt freshman was performing well at the end of camp and was in the mix for playing time. But Spurrier left Clements out of the discussion Tuesday, instead talking about Hill, Barnes, Whitlock, Dion LeCorn, Freddie Brown and Moe Brown.
Injury report
McKinley (strained hamstring) remains doubtful.
“When you pull a hamstring like he did, it’s usually a two- to three-week deal,” Spurrier said. “I hope he can play, but right now we’re trying to prepare some of these other receivers.”
Quote of the day
“Coach Spurrier was saying to us, you normally only have one day to lick your wounds, and we had three. We should be done with that. We know there’s nothing we can do about it now. We don’t play them for another 367 days. We’ve got Georgia coming up. There’s nothing we can do about Vandy now. We’ve got to focus on Georgia.” — USC center Garrett Anderson
Extra points
Senior fullback Yvan Banag, a native of France, practiced for the first time Tuesday after having his student visa restored. “He’s an American now,” Spurrier quipped. “He’s not illegal anymore.” ... Junior Chris Hail, who had been at strong safety, was wearing a garnet, offensive team jersey at Tuesday’s practice. ... Anderson said the different cadences of Chris Smelley and Tommy Beecher were not to blame for false-start penalties in the first two games. “N.C. State was just lack of focus. ... Vandy, their crowd made a good bit of noise,” Anderson said. “One of them may have been my fault (because) I couldn’t hear Chris. I didn’t snap it in time. It’s something we’ve got to fix. It’s stupid to give away 5 yards.” ... Middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley will continue to miss some defensive meetings because of a conflict with a class. Spurrier said Brinkley has arranged for separate meetings with defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson and a graduate assistant.
Scouting report
Quarterback Matt Stafford hasn’t had to scramble much in Georgia’s first two games. But Spurrier thinks Stafford has the ability to do so.
“He’s not a sitting duck back there; he can move around,” Spurrier said. “Which is what you almost have to have nowadays — a quarterback that can move around a bit.”
— Seth Emerson
Most Viewed Stories
- Gamecocks' Gilmore wise beyond his years
- Men's pregame: USC vs. Miami
- Kentucky rallies to beat Georgia 34-27
- Parker Attends Clemson Game
- Barnes Has Good Visit With USC
- Gamecocks' bowl bid needs 1 for the road
- Women's pregame: USC vs. Penn State
- Clock runs out on LSU in 25-23 Ole Miss win
- USC fends off Bulls' charge
- Morris: Laval knew how to win, no matter the sport
@Nyx.CommentBody@