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USC practice report: Jarriel King earns starting spot at tackle
Posted on 09.17.08
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Opening drive
As an Atlanta-area native, South Carolina defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye admits he knows little about Wofford, including the school’s location.
Asked to guess where Wofford is located, Ajiboye said, “Kentucky?”
USC’s upperclassmen can give Ajiboye the skinny on Wofford, the Football Championship Subdivision school in Spartanburg that gave the Gamecocks a scare two years ago before falling 27-20.
The Terriers rolled up 290 rushing yards with their triple option and mixed in a couple of play-action passes in the 2006 game, which was not decided until the final 30 seconds when USC forced a turnover at its 10-yard line.
With former Citadel coach Ellis Johnson now overseeing the USC defense, Wofford coach Mike Ayers does not expect to sneak up on the Gamecocks.
“He understands what we do and how we do it,” Ayers said. “That makes things a little bit more difficult.”
But Johnson is not taking any chances. Typically, USC lets its first-team units practice against each other on Tuesdays. But Johnson told USC coach Steve Spurrier he wanted his defense to get more snaps against the scout team running Wofford’s offense.
Stock up
Jarriel King. The junior college transfer, who played sparingly vs. Georgia, will start at left tackle. The move means three-year starter Jamon Meredith will compete with Lemuel Jeanpierre at left guard.
Stock down
Tommy Beecher. The opening-game starter, who threw four interceptions vs. N.C. State and has been bothered by a shoulder injury and stomach ailment, has dropped to third on the depth chart behind Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia.
Injury report
All-SEC receiver Kenny McKinley (right hamstring) is expected to miss his second consecutive game. McKinley, who has not practiced since his injury in the first quarter at Vanderbilt, is still jogging with a noticeable limp. “He obviously had a pretty good torn or pulled hamstring,” Spurrier said. ... Tight end Weslye Saunders (back) returned to practice.
Extra points
Tailback Mike Davis and the other players suspended for one game for violating the class attendance policy will sit next week against UAB, Spurrier said. Starting defensive end Jordin Lindsey is among the suspended players, according to a source. ...
Spur linebacker Darian Stewart and strong safety Emanuel Cook could switch positions Saturday to take advantage of Cook’s run support skills. Cook leads USC and is tied for fourth in the SEC with 8.3 tackles a game.
Quote of the day
“They’ve got to not be overwhelmed by the atmosphere — the crowd, the smoke, the music, the crow of the rooster. There’s a bunch of stuff going on down there.”
— Ayers on playing at Williams-Brice Stadium
—Joseph Person
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