Practice report: USC players have faith in Shawn Elliott as head coach

For three more games, South Carolina’s Shawn Elliott will carry the title of interim head coach. After that, his designation is uncertain.

For now, players don’t see that interim tag, right tackle Mason Zandi said.

“Coach Elliott is our head coach,” Zandi said Wednesday. “Everyone on this team is 100 percent behind him. He’s leading us in a direction that we can see is providing results, and he’s our head ball coach, that’s it.”

To the players, he’s not just the guy who had the job thrust on him, the one who has to steer the ship and see the season out. Senior tight end Jerell Adams said the players look at him as a head coach and as a friend, someone who can laugh and joke with them, but also keep them on track.

That said, the recent improvement in play is not built on the team playing hard with a goal in mind of ensuring Elliott gets the job Steve Spurrier vacated, Zandi said.

“We’re just playing for each other,” Zandi said. “We’re playing to get a win. We want to see coach Elliott here. We’d love him to be our coach for the next 10 years. But we’re not necessarily playing to keep him here.”

Getting Heard

During the offseason, Gamecocks wide receiver Carlton Heard wanted to be known as more a receiver and not only for the crucial blocked punt that helped South Carolina in its 23-20 win against Florida last year.

The season has been up and down for the former Gardner-Webb transfer, with five receptions for 78 yards and a lip injury that kept him out of a game. But with the Gators up on the docket, his position coach, Steve Spurrier Jr., told him the play from last year is something to relish.

“Being known as the man who blocked the punt against Florida is pretty good for me,” Spurrier Jr. said. “I told him after the game, ‘I said Carlton, I want you to know something, I will never forget you. I will remember you for the rest of my life for that.’ ”

Recruiting run

South Carolina’s run of three home games to close the season means a key stretch for recruiting. With moving the LSU game, South Carolina spent four of five weeks on the road, which meant fewer chances to get players on campus.

Spurrier Jr. said there are at least 100 prospects on the list for this weekend’s game with Florida, always a big one. It’s key to show recruits the kind of atmosphere Williams-Brice can have, and the homecoming is invaluable.

“Critical,” Spurrier Jr. said. “Golly, we’ve got a lot of people coming in this week. So obviously there’s a lot going on in recruiting this week. But to get guys here, get them in this environment, get them on this campus means a lot.”

Something secondary

The first things Gamecocks tailback Brandon Wilds will have to negotiate his way through Saturday once he gets the ball are a fearsome Gators front four and then a solid group linebacker behind them.

But the last line, the cornerbacks and safeties whose primary job has less to do with him, were the first thing the senior brought up when talking about Florida.

“They fly around to the ball,” Wilds said. “We know they like to strip (the ball), and of course they’re fast. So the secondary is probably the strongest unit in their defense.”

Zandi said the Gators front popped on film in the way it worked together. They rank in the top 20 nationally in sacks and tackles for loss per game.

“They have great athletes,” Zandi said. “They’re a hell of a team, hell of a ballclub. But they play real well as a unit.”

Bouncing back

Jerell Adams’ late-game fumble against Tennessee hasn’t been a topic of conversation in practice this week, the senior tight end said.

“It was tough. It got to me during the game,” he said. “Teammates picked me up and told me to move on. Everybody was very positive. Everybody put it behind them and let things go. We’re focused on Florida.”

Tennessee defensive back Malik Foreman punched the ball away from Adams at the Volunteers’ 18-yard line with 42 seconds left in the game. Tennessee recovered and ran out the clock.

“I didn’t see him,” Adams said. “He just came up behind me, got a lucky hit on the ball and knocked it out.”

Injury report

Linebacker Skai Moore (hip) returned to practice Wednesday and was full-go. Wide receiver D.J. Neal (hip) did not practice but has not been ruled out. Spurrier Jr. said the team will know Thursday whether or not Neal can play vs. Florida.

Offensive lineman Mike Matulis (rib contusion), cornerback Al Harris (shoulder) and defensive lineman Dante Sawyer (shoulder) all practiced but were limited.

Players who were injured or wore yellow jerseys were: OL Mike Matulis (rib contusion), DT Dante Sawyer (shoulder), DT Taylor Stallworth (chest), WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring), WR Javon Charleston (right foot), CB Al Harris (shoulder), SS Antoine Wilder (leg), TE Connor Redmond (back), QB Gage Pucci (knee) and C Cody Waldrop (ankle). WR Shaq Davidson (knee) and WR Jerad Washington (left leg) are out for the season.

Dwayne Mclemore contributed to this report

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 7:12 PM.