Carolina Calls: Spurrier Talks Tennessee

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier held his weekly call-in radio show Thursday to preview the Gamecocks’ Saturday noon showdown with Tennessee.

Notes:

– Cody Waldrop will not be on the trip to Tennessee after re-injuring his foot in practice this week.

– Spurrier said wide receiver Bruce Ellington is almost full-go after hurting his foot against Arkansas last weekend. He practiced Thursday for the first time this week. “Bruce (Ellington) is pretty close to full speed. I think he’s going to play a lot. If not, Pharoh Cooper is ready,” said Spurrier.

– Said wide receivers Shaq Roland and Damiere Byrd have had a good week of practice.

-“Sometimes when you watch Tennessee, you say, ‘Why aren’t these guys in the Top 25?’ They’ve got great athletes,” said Spurrier.

-Spurrier said he read a few articles last week that predicted the Gamecocks to lose against Arkansas, including an article by a Tennessee sports columnist in Knoxville. He said he thinks Arkansas was a better team than they showed.

– Spurrier said sophomore offensive lineman Will Sport has taken the majority of snaps in practice this week at right guard in Ronald Patrick’s absence and will start if Patrick can’t.

– “This will be the 14th time I’ve coached in Neyland Stadium. I’ve coached there more than some of their head coaches,” said Spurrier.

 – Spurrier thanked the fans who traveled to Arkansas. He also thanked USC AD Ray Tanner and the band members.

– Spurrier said kicker Elliott Fry should go on scholarship soon. Also said he thinks Fry is the lightest player in the SEC at 155 pounds.

– Spurrier said he can’t remember the last time USC lost a noon game. He said the Gamecocks seem to play well in games at noon.

– Spurrier said Jamari Smith was moved to running back this week with Brandon Wilds still out.