Spurrier names Rank starter against N.C. State

The fourth-year tailback who has waited his turn will start for South Carolina against N.C. State.

But it’s not the tailback everyone figured it would be.

In a surprise move, Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier announced seldom-used Taylor Rank will start Thursday ahead of senior Mike Davis, who missed the final two weeks of preseason camp because of a shoulder injury and stomach virus.

“Taylor’s had a little bit better preseason practice. He had a good summer going to workouts - and Mike did, too,” Spurrier said Monday. “Mike will be in early, though. He’s ready to play.”

Davis, who shared carries with Boyd the past two seasons, did not question Spurrier’s decision.

“That’s the head coach,” Davis said. “Whatever the Head Ball Coach wants to say, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Davis injured his shoulder when he fell on it during a noncontact drill in the Gamecocks’ first full-pads practice. He said he does not know how his shoulder will respond to getting hit until the game.

Rank, a redshirt junior from Vancouver, Wash., has one previous start. He made the most of it, rushing for 101 yards on 15 carries two years ago against Florida Atlantic when Cory Boyd was injured and Davis was held out the first series for breaking curfew.

“He has performed well, taken care of the ball. Knows what to do,” Spurrier said of Rank. “He’s a good solid back.”

Rank, the Class 4A player of the year in Washington in 2004, had just two carries for five yards last season. He began the preseason third on the depth chart behind Davis and sophomore Brian Maddox.

Spurrier deferred to running backs coach Robert Gillespie when asked how Rank vaulted past Maddox, but said he hoped Maddox would be a factor against the Wolfpack.

“I hope they all are,” Spurrier said.

Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.