Quarterback news mixed for South Carolina

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Posted 6:56AM on Tuesday, August 20, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. - It was a day of mixed results for South Carolina's injured backup quarterbacks. While Dondrial Pinkins' recovery time for a bone chip in his left ankle was reduced to three-to-four weeks, Bennett Swygert learned the devastating news that he reinjured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. ``Right now, he's out indefinitely,'' South Carolina athletic spokesman Kerry Tharp said after getting the results of Swygert's MRI from trainer Rod Walters. Walters said Swygert, who tore the same ACL at the end of his senior year at Summerville High, decided against surgery and will treat the injury conservatively through rigorous rehabilitation. Whether the skilled, 6-foot-3, 195-pound freshman can play is unknown. The extent of the ligament damage could not be determined from the test, Walters said. Swygert walked out of the locker room with metal crutches and a brace on the damaged knee. He did not want to comment about his injury. ``My heart bleeds for him right now,'' said senior quarterback Erik Kimrey, now the likely backup for Corey Jenkins. ``Bennett's worked so hard. When you see a young guy with his career ahead of him go through this, it hurts.'' Gamecocks offensive coordinator Skip Holtz wasn't sure how the team would deepen the quarterback position. He said the staff was looking at all options, including moving defensive back Rod Wilson and receiver Mikal Goodman back to their old quarterback positions. Also in the mix, Holtz said, was Scott Crouch, a 6-foot-4 sophomore transfer from Alabama. Pinkins had surgery to remove a bone chip Sunday night. The best news was the fragment was not attached to any ligaments or tendons in the area, meaning Pinkins could be back in time for home games against Georgia on Sept. 14 or the next week against Temple. For the time being, though, Holtz is shorthanded under center. But it's not the first time. In Holtz's first season three years ago, the Gamecocks went through six quarterbacks before Goodman then a freshman carried the load for an 0-11 season. Phil Petty started 23 of the last 24 games for South Carolina, with Kimrey getting the nod against Alabama in 2000 when Petty went down with an ankle injury. ``We've lost a lot a quarterbacks here,'' Skip Holtz said. ``I know we lost too many yesterday.'' Also on the injury front, Andrea Gause had only a bruised and not broken jaw from the scrimmage Sunday. Holtz said Gause, who'll return to wide receiver, should not miss any significant practice time. Despite the injuries, Holtz said the Gamecocks were a fiery, spirited bunch as they began preparations for the opener against New Mexico State on Aug. 31. Part of the reason was when coach Lou Holtz broke the news of the injuries Sunday at a team meeting, he was very positive and upbeat with the players. ``He told them old stories, had them feeling good about themselves,'' the younger Holtz said. His father's trademark, self-deprecating style has defused many situations. ``I may have the answers to Afghanistan,'' he told reporters Sunday, ``but I don't have the answers to quarterback.'' Don't bet on it, says Skip, who may know his dad best. ``Coach Holtz is best when his back is against the wall,'' Skip Holtz said.