If Marcus Lattimore had his welcome-to-the-SEC moment during Thursday’s practice, the freshman tailback learned how sweet revenge can be during Saturday’s first full-pads practice.
Lattimore was knocked off his feet by safety D.J. Swearinger during a 7-on-7 (skeleton) drill Thursday, prompting a loud chorus of smack-talking from Swearinger’s defensive teammates.
On Saturday, Lattimore used all of his 6-foot frame and 218 pounds to exact a little payback.
Lattimore took a handoff, broke toward the goal line and didn’t let the fact that Swearinger was in his way stop him. The Parade All-American from Byrnes High bulled over the 5-11, 201-pound Swearinger – and this time it was the offense that was doing the celebrating.
Since neither player was available after practice, Steve Spurrier gave his rundown of the two biggest hits in the first week of preseason drills.
“D.J. said, ‘He got me, coach. I wasn’t quite ready for it.’ And I said, ‘Well, he wasn’t quite ready for yours the other day,’” Spurrier said. “He caught Marcus a little off-balance. Marcus went roaring up for the end zone and D.J., I don’t think, was expecting a full charge.”
“It was two good hits and no big deal and it’s all over with.”
There was no bad blood between the two players. But Saturday’s play could be the first big step in Lattimore’s transition from high school to the SEC.
And by the way, every day Kenny Miles continues to miss with a hamstring injury is another one when Lattimore is getting more carries than he would have otherwise. …
–Another group that took a step in the right direction Saturday – as opposed to going backward in 5-yard increments – was the offensive line.
Spurrier praised the group – or maybe it was damning with faint praise – for getting through the day without a false-start penalty after they were whistled for three in the first four plays of the team session Thursday.
“It might have been the first time we’ve had a complete practice without one of them false-starting,” he said. “So that was encouraging.” …
–The sight of defensive tackle Melvin Ingram limping off the field has become somewhat commonplace, so no one seemed too worried when Ingram hobbled off favoring his right foot. Spurrier said Ingram has a sprained ankle; it is not considered serious. …
–Left tackle Jarriel King (hamstring) returned to practice, but still had on a yellow jersey. Others in yellow: Miles, LBs Shaq Wilson and Qua Gilchrist and FB Matt Coffee. …
–USC will hold its media day Sunday, practice on Monday morning, and then hold its first scrimmage Tuesday morning. The remainder of the preseason practices are closed to the public, unless Spurrier decides differently.