Spurrier opens Gamecocks practice

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Steve Spurrier moved a step closer to his college football return as he opened fall practice at South Carolina on Tuesday night.

It's the first college camp he has led since his final season at Florida in 2001. In less than month, Spurrier, with a humbler attitude and wearing a new Gamecock visor, will take the field again when South Carolina faces Central Florida on Sept. 1 at a sold-out Williams-Brice Stadium.

"We are excited to get started," Spurrier said after the players officially reported Monday night. "Most of the guys worked very hard this summer."

Spurrier's enthusiasm, and the hope for big-time success he has fostered in South Carolina fans, has been the Gamecocks' chief asset so far.

Spurrier's confidence comes from winning six Southeastern Conference titles in 12 years at Florida and one Atlantic Coast Conference crown in three years at Duke.

Spurrier has several areas of concern with the Gamecocks, however, heading into camp.

Sophomore Blake Mitchell is the only quarterback on the roster with any experience - and he threw just 22 times over five games with a touchdown and three interceptions.

Dismissals and suspensions have cost South Carolina its two top tailbacks in Demetris Summers and Cory Boyd. With senior Daccus Turman having to sit out a one-game suspension for his actions in the Clemson brawl last November, that means it's likely someone who hasn't ever carried the ball for South Carolina will do so against the Golden Knights.

The team's top receiver from last year, Troy Williamson, gave up his senior season to go seventh overall to Minnesota in the NFL draft, so Spurrier's choices at that spot also are unsettled.

South Carolina's defense appears to be its best quality. Linebackers Lance Laury and Ricardo Hurley lead an experienced unit, while safety Ko Simpson is a preseason all-Southeastern Conference selection and anchors a secondary that could be one of the league's best.

Spurrier has limited his quips since returning. He says two seasons with the Washington Redskins where he went 12-20 gave him a different, muted perspective of the game. He understands and appreciates the effort all coaches put in to make their teams successful. "I was lucky to have a lot of great teams in Florida, no question about it," he said.

Through the ups and down at South Carolina, Spurrier has kept smiling - and pointing players to what he believes will be an eventual SEC championship down the road.

Of the dismissed players? Spurrier says they made their own choices not to be part of South Carolina's team and he's pleased with the hard work from his new group.

South Carolina has "not done all that much in the past," Spurrier said, "but everything is there as far as facility, stadium, fans, the alumni give generously to the school. Everything is there for us to do it.

"So we have absolutely no excuses not to get it done."