Call In Show: Muschamp updates Stanley, Turner injuries
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Donell Stanley has missed virtually the entire season with a severe high ankle sprain, and for the first time Will Muschamp has discussed the possibility of the Floydale, S.C. native petitioning for a medical redshirt.
Stanley left the season opener against Vanderbilt during the opening series and hasn’t stepped on the field since, missing the next eight games.
“Donell did not practice Wednesday and he has had a hard time coming off (the injury),” Muschamp said Thursday night during his weekly call-in show. “It has been disappointing. This has been a very severe ankle injury. When you weigh 315 pounds, the wear and tear of that (is a problem). It’s disappointing for Donell because he had a tremendous training camp. Unfortunately, the injuries have set him back and us back offensively.”
Stanley practiced Thursday and could be available in an emergency situation, Muschamp said. However, if his health remains an issue and he is unable to play in the next two games, Muschamp said discussions about a medical redshirt will commence.
Stanley will travel with the team to Gainesville and will dress for the game, but likely won’t play unless absolutely necessary.
“We have to feel comfortable putting him in that situation and he has to be able push off his toe,” Muschamp said. “I hate putting a young man in a situation where he can’t be successful. Donell is one of the toughest kids we have on the team. He is battling through it. Every time I ask him if he is OK, he says, ‘Yes, sir.’ That’s Donell. He is a wonderful young man. He wants to play. But we have to be smart as coaches.”
The Gamecocks have started the same quintet for the last five games (Mason Zandi, Zack Bailey, Alan Knott, Cory Helms, Malik Young) with DJ. Park serving as the sixth offensive linemen. Blake Camper is next up after Park.
“D.J. Park is ready to play all five spots and Blake Camper would be next,” Muschamp said.
Running back A.J. Turner exited last Saturday’s win over Missouri in the second quarter with a Grade 1 sprained knee and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s road game at the Swamp.
Turner, USC’s second leading rusher with 336 yards on 81 carries, has not practiced this week but will make the trip to Florida.
“A.J. will be a game time decision,” Muschamp said. “He has run sparingly. When you have a Grade 1 sprain, the straight-ahead stuff is fine. It’s the lateral movement that he is going to be restricted with. Again, we’re not going to put a player out there and risk any further injury.”
NOTES:
-- Despite his connection to Florida, Muschamp said he is approaching this game like any other. Nothing special just because he is returning to the Swamp. “There are a lot of guys on that other sideline we recruited,” Muschamp said. “Two parents of former players called me tonight to wish us luck.”
-- Why the decision to play Jake Bentley? “We needed a change and we needed to get something going,” Muschamp said. “A lot of the reason we went that way was how he progressed in practice. “But you never know until you play in a game.” Muschamp added Bentley is humble and understands his teammates are important to his success.
-- Muschamp said he has spoken with the team regarding the long shot scenarios for USC to win the SEC East. His main message? The Gamecocks must stick with what they can control, which is the level of their play.
-- Game Day Schedule: Team meal is Saturday at 8 a.m. at the team hotel in Ocala. The Gamecocks will arrive at stadium around 10 a.m. The players will be ready to play. The Gamecocks have practiced with crowd noise this week to prepare for the environment at the Swamp. Leadership from Mason Zandi, Perry Orth and other older players will be key.
-- Muschamp took a subtle shot at ESPN for how the network has portrayed him over the years. “There sometimes is a difference between perception and reality in life,” Muschamp said. “Sometimes, the perception of our friends at ESPN and what they want to portray is not always who you really are.”
-- Going on the road, the formula for success is not a secret: USC must be able to run the ball and stop the run, Muschamp said. The Gamecocks have struggled to stop the run this season, although the rushing defense has improved in recent weeks.
