Garcia, McCollum to play

COLUMBIA -- Despite a quirky sort of week, both sophomore Stephen Garcia and freshman Reid McCollum are expected to play Saturday against South Carolina State.

That's right, both of them.

"Reid has practiced more this week than any since he's been here," coach Steve Spurrier said of the Summerville native, who's had one career snap thus far. "There's a chance, even if the game is close, that we may put Reid in, see if he can do some good."

McCollum wasn't available for last week's game against Mississippi because of the flu. He got his energy back as the week progressed, although the medicine he was taking made him nearly as ill as the virus. McCollum was still feeling the side effects of the medicine even as of Wednesday.

Still, first-year quarterbacks coach G.A. Mangus said this has been McCollum's best week of practice under his watch.

That's a positive for the Gamecocks, considering Garcia hasn't exactly been sprightly after bruising his ribs last week against Mississippi.

"Stephen's ready to play. He's all right," Spurrier said. "He hasn't practiced a whole lot, but he'll be ready to play."

Earlier in the week, the coaches weren't entirely sure Garcia would be ready.

Garcia was listed all week as probable by the team's trainers, but the coaches had been reluctant to let Garcia throw much in practice because of his soreness.

The area, just above his waist on the left side, was extremely painful to Garcia as recently as Wednesday morning. He winced even when twisting slightly.

Thursday, Mangus finally asked Garcia to air it out, to ensure he could make the necessary throws to play this week. He performed fine, with marginal to no pain.

Mangus said it's more of an annoyance for Garcia than anything.

But if the Gamecocks could split the snaps against the FCS Bulldogs, it might help Garcia heal quicker for the approaching SEC games.

Lining up

Quintin Richardson has the flu and a banged-up shoulder and is out for Saturday's game, Spurrier said. Richardson had started the first four games at right tackle.

Junior Hutch Eckerson will get the start in Richardson's place. Spurrier said again -- for the third time -- that walk-on Garrett Chisolm, serving as the backup to Eckerson, would play.

"If I have to personally put him in, he's going to play," Spurrier said of the West Ashley product. "I've watch him in practice. He's a pretty good player. He'll be out there."

Chisolm, listed at 6-6 and 290 pounds, went to Pikeville (Ky.) College his freshman year before coming home and eventually landing at USC. This is his first year with the team.

Spurrier didn't talk about the left side of the line, which has been in more flux than the right.

Left tackle Jarriel King was battling Kyle Nunn for the starting gig. Left guard Terrence Campbell was still in a yellow jersey Thursday, so Heath Batchelor will likely get another start there.

Spur of the moment

Antonio Allen is still listed as the starter at spur, but Damario Jeffery will get a fair share of the work, too.

Allen is returning this week from a concussion. Practice is vital for the sophomore since he moved to the position just before the season.

"He's full speed, but he only had about one and a half days of practice," defensive head coach Ellis Johnson said. "He doesn't play well when he doesn't practice."

Jeffery has played well as a freshman, but he has a cast over his right hand that limits him to some degree.

Alonzo Winfield, who started three of the first four games, is expected to play at spur, also.

Fordham's redshirt

Johnson said the Gamecocks are reluctant to burn freshman defensive tackle Aldrick Fordham's redshirt, but there's little choice at this point.

Fordham has gone from 234 pounds to 253 since arriving on campus, but Johnson still wants him to beef up to play the middle of the line.

"He's very natural in there, his technique and fundamentals," Johnson said, "but he's too little to be an effective player right now. He's going to be a big kid one day, but right now he would struggle."