Practice report: Players like role as spoilers

News of the day

Steve Spurrier said he’s not worried about what beating Florida would do to his alma mater’s season, but his players are relishing their role as spoilers to the Gators’ national championship party.

“It’d be huge. Right now I think they’re already playing for the SEC championship. But they’re going for national championship contention now, so hopefully we can upset ‘em and ruin their parade,” USC tight end Weslye Saunders said Tuesday.

Florida has clinched a spot against Alabama in the SEC championship game, the winner of which is expected to play in the BCS title game - assuming neither team loses before meeting in Atlanta on Dec. 6.

“It’s a little extra incentive to go out there and beat ‘em because I know a loss to us would probably end their national championship hopes,” said Saunders, a sophomore from Durham, N.C. “So it’s a little extra for us. We’re looking forward to it.”

Center Garrett Anderson echoed Saunders’ sentiments, saying the Gamecocks would like to keep the Gators out of the BCS championship game, even if it hurts the SEC financially.

Saunders was told his comments might end up on a bulletin board in Gainesville and was reminded the cameras were rolling.

“I know they can hear it,” he said. “I’m not talking any junk, but I think we can go out there and get it done.”

Stock rising

Saunders, known for his pass-catching ability, received the highest grade of his career (1.7 on a 2.0 scale) despite not being much of a factor in the passing game vs. Arkansas. “I only caught one pass for 7 yards, so I guess it was for blocking,” he said.

Stock falling

The snap count. Playing their first game in one of the SEC’s big stadiums, the Gamecocks’ quarterbacks will use a silent snap in the shotgun to try to offset the crowd noise at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Spurrier said.

Injury report

Freshman tailback Kenny Miles, who sustained bruises and abrasions in a scooter accident last week, was in full pads for Tuesday’s practice. Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (left foot) was limited, but is expected to play against the Gators.

Quote of the day

“Percy Harvin, if he was at Texas Tech, he’d be doing everything (Michael) Crabtree’s doing and more. He’s a special player that can catch, get open, run with it. He can do it all,”

— Spurrier on Florida’s leading receiver and fourth-leading rusher.

Extra points

Munnerlyn will handle the kickoff returns in the first half while Chris Culliver sits out following his ejection for fighting near the end of the Arkansas game. Munnerlyn, a starting cornerback who also returns punts, will drink Gatorade to avoid the cramping problems that plagued him last season, Spurrier said. ...

Left guard Jamon Meredith, who has not started the past two games because of an ankle injury, is expected to play more this week, although Spurrier did not say whether the fifth-year senior would start.

Scouting report

Florida has outscored its opponents 192-23 in the first half this season.

— Joseph Person