08/26 USC Preseason Football Practice Report

Columbia, S.C. - Senior tight end Hart Turner has been named offensive co-captain for the 2003 Gamecock squad. USC head coach Lou Holtz said that members of the team approached him earlier in the week and spoke on Turner's behalf. Seniors Travelle Wharton, Jeremiah Garrison and Dunta Robinson were chosen team captains this past spring. "Hart Turner has become an outstanding leader and deserves to be a co-captain," said Holtz, following Tuesday afternoon's practice ...

* Coach Holtz also announced that junior wide receiver Matthew Thomas has received a one-game suspension for violation of team policy and will not dress out for the season opener this Saturday night against Louisiana-Lafayette.

* Athletics department spokesperson Kerry Tharp said following practice that the playing status of another player for this week's game would be determined on Wednesday.

* Coach Holtz said that sophomore linebacker Ricardo Hurley, who has been out the past 10 days with a high ankle sprain, did some conditioning on Tuesday. "Ricardo looked much better out there today," said Holtz. Hurley is still listed as out for this Saturday's opener.

* Coach Holtz said that the status of junior college transfer Charles Silas had still not been officially finalized. "I'm not an official, so until I hear it from someone who is an official, that's all I can say at this time." Silas has missed the last eight days of practice while awaiting admission into the University.

* Coach Holtz said that he expects Louisiana-Lafayette to throw a lot of different things at the Gamecock defense. "In an opening ball game you are defending ghosts, because you really don't know what they are going to do."