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Practice report: QB options remain open
Posted on 10.28.08
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News of the day
Coach Steve Spurrier left the door open for Chris Smelley to be USC’s starting quarterback on Saturday.
Redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia is still the favorite to make his second consecutive start. But Spurrier isn’t setting that in stone just yet.
“Right now we’re planning on Stephen Garcia starting,” Spurrier said after Monday’s practice. “But if Chris Smelley has a much better week in practice, it could be Smelley by the weekend.”
Smelley last started at Kentucky, when he was relieved by Garcia in a comeback victory. Garcia played throughout the subsequent 24-17 loss to LSU, leading Spurrier to consider another change. The coach did seem satisfied with Garcia’s workouts so far this week.
“He was overthrowing a few downwind today,” Spurrier said. “But other than that he’s doing fine.”
Stock rising
The tailback position got a much-needed boost with the return to practice of Mike Davis and Eric Baker. That probably keeps the redshirt on Kenny Miles, a true freshman who was working with the first team last week. Brian Maddox (knee) and Taylor Rank (shoulder) remain sidelined with injuries.
Stock falling
Spurrier may never have been serious about going with walk-on quarterback Zac Brindise. But the fact the coach did not mention Tommy Beecher, who started the opener, as a fallback option only reinforces how forgotten the redshirt junior has become.
Injury report
Tight end Jared Cook, who reinjured his foot during practice last week, missed practice. Spurrier said he hoped Cook would be able to resume working out Wednesday. ... Left guard Jamon Meredith (left ankle) is uncertain to play. “We’ll see if he can do anything (today) or Wednesday,” Spurrier said. “If not we’ve got Lem (Jeanpierre) and T.C. (Campbell) ready.”
Quote of the day
“Hopefully it’ll help recruiting a little bit this time of year. Recruits like to know who’s going to be there. So Ellis’ defense is a good one, and hopefully a lot of high school kids want to play defense here at Carolina. And hopefully someday we can get them to where they want to play offense.”
— Spurrier, on the contract extension defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson received last week.
Extra points
USC’s Nov. 8 game against Arkansas will be at 7 p.m., the school announced on Monday. It will be televised on a pay-per-view basis. CBS selected the Alabama-LSU game for its 3:30 slot, while ESPN is holding the option to televise either Florida-Vanderbilt or Georgia-Kentucky. Raycom will televise the one ESPN does not pick.
Scouting report
Tennessee’s defense is keeping the Volunteers from getting blown out. It ranks 14th in the nation in yards allowed per game, 10 spots behind South Carolina. The Vols are 23rd against the run and 20th against the pass.
— Seth Emerson
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