Gamecocks poised to turn full attention to Vanderbilt

South Carolina’s coaches already have started preparing for the first opponent of the season. The Gamecocks’ players won’t get their first in-depth look at Vanderbilt until Thursday.

“Kids get tired of working on an opponent,” South Carolina head coach Will Muschamp said in explaining why his team wouldn’t turn its focus to the Commodores sooner. “Guys get tired of seeing the same stuff over and over, and you lose the mental focus you need in a practice. We’ll have six good practices and a walk-through on Vandy.”

The Gamecocks take on the Commodores in Nashville, Tenn., on Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. Vanderbilt, which is in its third season under head coach Derek Mason, was 4-8 last season. South Carolina will practice Monday and Tuesday and have an off day Wednesday.

Injury Update

Starting guard Zack Bailey (undisclosed injury) has missed the last four days of practice but is expected to return by Tuesday, Muschamp said. Safety Jordan Diggs (shoulder) did not practice Saturday night but is expected back Monday. Wide receiver Randrecous Davis has missed “the last couple days” due to a strained hamstring but is expected back by Tuesday. Offensive lineman Trey Deouen (undisclosed injury) is expected back Monday.

Running backs Rico Dowdle (groin) and Mon Denson (knee) and linebacker Larenz Bryant (knee) will all miss the first game “and maybe more” due to their injuries, Muschamp said. Tight end Kyle Markway (foot) “is about 50-50 for the first game right now,” Muschamp said.

Turner Still RB Starter

Redshirt freshman A.J. Turner remains the top tailback on the team, but junior David Williams drew some praise from Muschamp for his performance in the scrimmage.

“I thought David did a nice job last night,” Muschamp said. “He got behind his pads on two occasions and really jumped out at me. He’s just got to continue to do that. I don’t know that we have a pecking order other than A.J. being our No. 1 back. It’s going to be by committee. You don’t make it through the season in the SEC with one back; that’s not going to happen.”

No Love

South Carolina did not receive any votes in the Associated Press preseason Top 25, which was released Sunday. That fact didn’t bother Muschamp, he said.

“That’s a waste of newspaper,” he said.

Rico’s Return

After missing several days for personal reasons, senior cornerback Rico McWilliams returned to the team this weekend.

McWilliams, a starter last year, boosts the Gamecocks secondary depth. Rashad Fenton, Chris Lammons, Jamarcus King and McWilliams are the team’s top four cornerbacks, Muschamp said. Stephen Montac and D.J. Smith would be the fifth and sixth cornerbacks. Fenton worked mostly at nickel during Saturday’s scrimmage due to Diggs’ injury.

“I don’t know that anybody has sewn up a starting job yet,” Muschamp said.

Offensive improvement

Muschamp praised his team’s passing game.

“We threw it extremely well (in Saturday’s scrimmage),” he said. “Hayden Hurst, Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards and K.C. Crosby all had big plays as far as catching the ball down the field.”

Extra Points

... Freshman T.J. Brunson (linebacker) and Dennis Wonnum (defensive end) “are going to play good football for us this year,” Muschamp said.

... Veteran defenders Taylor Stallworth (defensive tackle), Rashad Fenton (cornerback) and Bryson Allen-Williams, T.J. Holloman and Jonathan Walton (linebackers) were praised by Muschamp for their performance in Saturday’s scrimmage. “Rashad Fenton continues to have an outstanding camp,” Muschamp said.

... Junior Cory Helms likely will start at center as incumbent Alan Knott continues to recover from a hand injury.

... Turner “had a big kick return” in the scrimmage, Muschamp said.

This story was originally published August 21, 2016 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Gamecocks poised to turn full attention to Vanderbilt."