USC Holds Abbreviated Bowl Practice Saturday

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier said the Gamecocks held an abbreviated practice Saturday as they begin preparations for the Outback Bowl against Michigan. “We didn’t do much at all today,” said Spurrier. “We had some confusion on finals and practice. Half of the team wasn’t here. We just did a little bit with the young guys and sent them to the weight room. We’ll really start getting into Michigan actually tomorrow – Sunday.” Connor Shaw is expected to practice Sunday. “He says he’s going to practice tomorrow,” said Spurrier. “The trainers held him out today. He was running around a little bit, so he’ll be able to practice, him and Dylan [Thompson].” Spurrier says the plan for the Outback Bowl remains the same: Shaw will start the game, and Thompson will get playing time sometime in the first half, or even the first quarter. The Head Ball Coach also says there are no academic issues that he is aware of at this time. However, there were a couple of players that will not join the Gamecocks in Tampa on January 1 for violation of team rules. Center Kyle Harris and senior D.L. Moore are done with their respective careers as Gamecocks. Harris will transfer from USC. Bruce Ellington will split duties between the football and basketball teams for the next few days. Spurrier said he will play in Wednesday’s basketball game against Appalachian State. After that, he will be solely with the football team until after the Outback Bowl. The Gamecocks return to the practice field Sunday, and will practice every day until December 22 when they break for the Christmas holidays.