Practice report: Chris Lammons expected to miss UK game
South Carolina will be without starting cornerback Chris Lammons on Saturday against Kentucky after the sophomore was injured earlier this week in practice.
Co-defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said Lammons is doubtful with a rib injury, while Steve Spurrier said on Carolina Calls that Lammons is “out” with a twisted knee.
Ward said Al Harris Jr. and Rico McWilliams likely will be the starting cornerbacks against the Wildcats.
Nunez to see first action?
True freshman Lorenzo Nunez might see his first action Saturday, and if so it won’t necessarily be at quarterback.
Spurrier said the Gamecocks need to let Nunez “get in there and see what happens.”
“We’re trying to work him in. He got a few snaps today at quarterback. We may move him around a little bit, this, that and the other,” Spurrier said. “Lorenzo has got a lot of ability, and he throws the ball well.”
Tough opener
Spurrier said playing North Carolina to open the season kept the Gamecocks from getting everyone in the game that they were hoping to.
The Head Ball Coach added that, because the game was so close, he was nervous to let some of his freshmen receive their first college action.
Spurrier pointed to Florida’s 61-13 win against New Mexico State to open the season as a game that builds a team’s confidence.
“When you play a little team like that, everybody gets to play,” he said. “Everybody’s happy, and you get to play your young guys. When you play a tough opponent, you don’t get a chance to play your guys. One bad play and we lose to North Carolina.”
Encouraging signs
Ward said he was impressed by the play of South Carolina’s defensive line last Thursday after the Gamecocks recorded four sacks against the Tar Heels.
“Coach Adams has done a great job of grinding the D-line during practice,” Ward said. “We want effort, and the guys know they have to run to the football. They’re not going to play if they don’t give effort.”
Gamecocks fortunate?
North Carolina running back Elijah Hood rushed for 138 yards and averaged 10.6 yards per carry against USC but had only 13 carries.
Of Hood’s 13 carries, three came in the fourth quarter. Spurrier is hopeful the Gamecocks will be better against the run on Saturday.
“We’ve gotta get better against the run. There’s no question about it. Our coaches know it,” he said. “Fortunately, they didn’t run that guy that averaged about nine yards a carry, whatever it was, too much more.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 9:00 PM.