South Carolina Gamecock’s coach Lou Holtz’s team hascome a long way since its winter program. Holtz said he has neverhad a team to have a bad winter program, bad spring practice and abad recruiting class in one season.
The coach’s outlook did not strike much confidence in histeam, but since spring practice the team has regrouped and foughtthrough the doubts imposed on them Holtz said. Last week’sgame against Georgia may have lifted the doubts. The Gamecocks ledfor the majority of the game before Georgia took a four-point leadin the middle of the fourth quarter to seal the victory 20-16.
The offense is being led by returning fifth year seniorquarterback Dondrial Pinkins. Pinkins is the first quarterback inDivision 1-A history to throw two touchdown passes of 98 yards ormore in his career. He was awarded the Joe Morrison Award forOffense (MVP) during spring practice.
Senior center, John Strickland also is on the lookout for awardsthis season. Strickland is on the preseason watch list for theRimington Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top collegecenter.
Sophomore running back Demetris Summers, will continue to add tohis resume. Last season Summers became the first USC freshman since1982 to rush for 100 yards or more in consecutive games. He wasalso named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team. Othertop rushers joining Summers are junior Daccus Turman, sophomoreCory Boyd and senior Gonzie Gray.
The offensive line weighs in at an average of 310 pounds andreturns four of the five starters from last season. Leading thepack are juniors Nashad Goddard and Jabari Levey.
On the other side of the ball, returning defensive ends MoeThompson and George Gause lead the defense this year.
The 6-3, 280 pound Thompson, a pre-season All-SEC selection,finished the 2003 season third on team in tackles with 60.
Thompson also brings a good deal of experience to the team,starting 23-of-24 games at defensive end for the Gamecocks in hisfirst two seasons.
On the other side of the line is the 6-5, 270 pound Gause, whofinished the 2003 season with 37 tackles and five sacks, matchingThompson’s 2003 total in sacks.
Thompson first established himself in his first career start,earning ten tackles and one sack against Ohio State in the 2002Outback Bowl, Thompson’s first start.
The biggest task facing the Gamecocks this season will bereplacing cornerback Dunta Robinson, who was drafted by the HoustonTexans in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Looking to replace Robinson will be junior Tremaine Tyler, whosaw playing time in all 12 games last year.
Finishing the year with 18 tackles, including a career-high fivesolo tackles against Ole Miss, Tyler came up with his first careerinterception this past season against LSU.
Highly-touted freshman Ko Simpson is expected to start at freesafety despite not enrolling until last spring.
Rated the No. 25 prospect in the SuperPrep South Carolina Top30, Simpson compiled his best high school season as a junior,finishing with 63 solo tackles and four interceptions.