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News Nuggets, 03.21.05
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Spurrier straps on visor, gets down to business

COLUMBIA — Wearing a new white Gamecocks visor, Steve Spurrier returned to the college game Saturday, hitting the practice field for the first time as South Carolina coach.

Spurrier hadn't done this since his final spring with Florida in 2001, missing the next two years as coach of the Washington Redskins and sitting out last season after his dismissal.

Afterward, Spurrier was happy to finally begin the program's revival.

``Guys were excited. Threw the ball around a little bit. Threw some interceptions, but threw a few completions here and there,'' Spurrier said. ``It was an OK start.''

About 2,500 people showed up at Williams-Brice Stadium — more than five months before South Carolina takes to the field for real — to greet their newest hero and cheer even the most routine practice moments.

They clapped when Spurrier — dressed in khaki shorts, a white shirt and black wind vest — ran into the stadium and began working with the quarterbacks. They cheered each time the Gamecocks hit a long pass — something people hadn't witnessed much under the more conservative attack of former coach Lou Holtz.

For Spurrier, there was no extra kick at returning to the game where he succeeded at Duke, then won six Southeastern Conference titles — and the 1996 national championship — with the Gators.

``It hadn't been that long. Been calling the same plays you've called for 20 years,'' Spurrier said.

Not everything went smoothly. During one stretch, quarterback Antonio Heffner had two fumbled snaps and Michael Rathe one. When practice ended, Gamecocks assistant David Reaves had the passers out practicing center exchanges.

And Cory Boyd, elevated to starter with the dismissal of leading rusher Demetris Summers, pulled his left hamstring during an individual drill and remained on the sidelines much of the practice.

Spurrier's first practice moved South Carolina's focus back to the football field and away from the police blotter. Since the end of last season, nine players have been arrested and Summers was kicked off the team.

While no one's happy with the problems, University of South Carolina President Andrew Sorensen says he's been pleased with Spurrier's strong response.

``I'm very supportive of how he's handled all this,'' said Sorensen, who spoke with the players at Spurrier's behest on Friday.

NCAA Tourney Sweet 16 pairings & schedule

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

Chicago Region, Allstate Arena (Rosemont, IL)

(12) UW-Milwaukee (26-5) vs. (1) Illinois (34-1) 7:25 pm
(3) Arizona (29-6) vs. (2) Oklahoma State (25-6) 9:55 pm

Albuquerque Region, University Arena (Albuquerque, NM)

(4) Louisville (30-4) vs. (1) Washington (29-5) 7:10 pm
(7) West Virginia (23-10) vs. (6) Texas Tech (22-10) 9:40 pm

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

Syracuse Region, Carrier Dome (Syracuse, NY)

(10) N.C. State (20-13) vs. (6) Wisconsin (23-8) 7:25 pm
(5) Villanova (23-7) vs. (1) North Carolina (28-4) 9:55 pm

Austin Region, Frank Erwin Center (Austin, TX)

(5) Michigan State (23-6) vs. (1) Duke (26-5) 7:10 pm
(6) Utah (29-5) vs. (2) Kentucky (27-5) 9:40 pm

Tournament's television ratings up over 2004

NEW YORK — The first two days of the NCAA tournament were the highest-rated since 1991, the same year CBS began full-day coverage of the games.

The network's coverage averaged an overnight rating of 5.0 with an 11 share. That's the best since 1991's 5.0 with a 12 share.

The average through days one and two were up 4 percent from last year's 4.8 with a 10 share.

The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether or not they are in use. The share is the percentage of homes with sets in use.

Overnight ratings measure the 55 largest TV markets in the United States, covering nearly 70 percent of the country.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically based on material supplied by staff members; data published by ECU, Conference USA and its member schools; and reports from Associated Press and other sources. Copyright 2005 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Page Updated: 02/23/2007 12:22 PM