QB McCollum rebounds during USC scrimmage

COLUMBIA -- By the end of South Carolina's scrimmage Sunday afternoon, Steve Spurrier was buzzing about one of his quarterbacks.

But, no, it wasn't Stephen Garcia.

After being down on him earlier in camp, Spurrier was encouraged by what he saw from redshirt freshman Reid McCollum.

McCollum went 7-for-11 for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 90-minute scrimmage at Williams-Brice Stadium.

"He hit some long balls," Spurrier said, "threw some good ones."

Just a week ago, Spurrier said he was ready to demote McCollum. But the Summerville High product has rebounded.

"Reid is a pure drop-back passer. We've said that from day one,"

Spurrier said. "If he ever gets his mind really, really straight, he can be real good. And he can run. He can run that spread offense.

"It's just a matter of him and Stephen (Garcia) learning everything about football. These guys have ability."

On Sunday, McCollum hit an open Tori Gurley for a 57-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Later, McCollum and Alshon Jeffery connected for a 46-yard score.

It was one of two outstanding plays by Jeffery, who is clearly pushing for immediate playing time.

The strong, athletic freshman from St. Matthews has shown great hands and the ability to break tackles in the open field.

As for Garcia, he started woefully before eventually rallying by the end of the day. His only score was a 1-yard goal-line pass to tight end Mike Triglia.

Garcia went 8-for-16 for 110 yards, with the score to Triglia and an interception to safety Chris Culliver, who returned it 48 yards for a touchdown.

Beyond McCollum, Spurrier was also encouraged by the team's running game.

The team's top three backs -- Brian Maddox, Jarvis Giles and Kenny Miles -- combined to run for 187 yards and three scores on 33 carries.

The relatively unheralded Miles stole the show Sunday. He rushed 16 times for 98 yards and 2 TDs.

"We've got a top three," Spurrier said. "There's not a huge difference in all those guys. I think coach Jay Graham and I agree we've got to let them all play. We'll let them all play until one separates himself from the others.

Spurrier said the backs and line were equally responsible for the strong rushing day. USC had 276 yards on the ground.

Eric Wolford, who continues to shuffle new bodies into the first-team rotation, had another new wrinkle Sunday.

Heath Batchelor started at right guard, ahead of T.J. Johnson, who was thought to be one of the more sure-fire bets to start, based on what Wolford had previously said.

"I like the way coach Wolford coaches. He'll move those guys in and out of there," Spurrier said. "I don't know who's going to start in two weeks, to tell you the truth."

Spurrier's greatest frustration Sunday, as it has been throughout camp, is the center-quarterback exchange.

Garrett Anderson, splitting time between and first and second teams, fired one over Garcia's head in a shotgun set. Lem Jeanpierre and McCollum lost one under center that the defense collected.

"But we still had a lot of miscues, a lot of stupid plays," Spurrier said.

Injury report

Weslye Saunders (three catches, 93 yards) had a solid day before tweaking his knee. Spurrier said he thinks the big tight end will be fine. ... Eric Norwood sprained his wrist. The injury could limit him some this week in practice, but Spurrier didn't seem overly concerned about the All-SEC defender.