Players eager to support project

COLUMBIA -- South Carolina's players seem to be taking seriously the opportunity Saturday to wear camouflage-splashed uniforms to help honor and support the Wounded Warrior Project.

"It's definitely an honor for me and my teammates," senior receiver Moe Brown said.

Brown said his uncle is retired from the Army, after stays in Iraq and Afghanistan. His brother, Martez, is in the Navy's reserve program.

On Monday, the team watched a video detailing what the Wounded Warrior Project does, helping to financially aid those who are injured in service.

"I don't think I could've watched another minute of it," Brown said. "They'd lost limbs, eyes, what have you. But they keep living life and keep doing the things they're doing and find new ways to do it.

"Seeing that, it just inspires you and makes you realize what you have is a gift and you need to use it to the best of your abilities. You never know when it's going to be taken away from you."

After watching the video, a wounded soldier, Steven Diaz, addressed the team. Diaz will be an honorary captain for Saturday's game against No. 1 Florida.

"Hearing him speak, it really makes you count your blessings," Brown said. "It shows how infinitesimal the things we do here are."

South Carolina's football apparel sponsor, Under Armour, is teaming up with the project to supply the uniforms and camouflage cleats.

Feeling Strong

USC coach Steve Spurrier noted earlier in the season that Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has improved as a coordinator. Florida is first in the country in scoring defense (10.1 points a game), eighth in rushing defense (240.7 yards a game) and second in total defense (232.4 yards a game). The Gators are first in the SEC in those categories.

"Charlie's developed into an excellent defensive coordinator, one of the best in the country," Spurrier said of the former USC assistant. "They do the zone blitzes and they disguise well, play a little man-to-man and so forth. We're hoping Charlie gets one of those head coaching jobs that's open right now.

"I see his name mentioned all the time and he's certainly deserving. Charlie Strong deserves one of those head coaching jobs coming open."

Protecting the house

South Carolina is 5-0 this season in home games. It's 3-0 in SEC games at Williams-Brice. Those records will be tested in the coming weeks, with No. 1 Florida and Clemson closing out the home slate.

"That's big for us," Brown said. "We want to give our fans the pleasure of knowing we didn't lose a home game. That would say a lot.

"You want to be able to protect your home field and say no one came into our house and beat us. It's an accomplishment in itself."

Calling the Hogs

The more days that pass, the more impressed the Gamecocks are with Arkansas. As part of his opening remarks Tuesday, Spurrier said the Razorbacks played "flawless" in a 33-16 win against USC last weekend.

He also closed his news conference talking about the Hogs (5-4, 2-4 in the SEC).

"They actually had a better-looking team than a lot of you thought," Spurrier said. "They've got some big offensive linemen and a pretty good-looking team. That little running back they got (Broderick Green), he can break tackles. They've got a good team. But it's history. We're ready for the Gators. Let's see what happens here Saturday afternoon."