 "Photo: Katie Kirkland / The Gamecock")
The Gamecocks' running game will get a shot in the arm Saturday when freshman running back duo Bobby Wallace and Mike Davis will be backed by fullback Daccus Turman and guard Freddy Saint-Preux.
Turman, USC's leading rusher in 2003, and Saint-Preux return after serving one-game suspensions for their roles in the fourth-quarter brawl at Clemson last November.
The USC passing assault that spirited fans Sept. 1 should expect greater support with the return of the 230-pound Turman, a proven backfield blocker.
"I'm hoping I can be a good runner, but I take pride in being a good blocker out on the field," Turman said Monday.
Turman is 2 to 4 inches taller than the freshman duo and 20 to 40 pounds heavier, a sign that he could be Carolina's best option between the tackles. Turman had three 100-yard running games in 2003 and led the team in touchdowns with seven.
Saint-Preux, at 6-foot-5-inches and 314 pounds, should certainly help against a formidable Bulldog defensive line with multiple All-SEC candidates.
"We hope we're going to try to do a little bit more running," Turman told the media. "We got Saint-Preux back, and we had to make some adjustments."
Georgia's run defense last week was impressive on paper but still appeared to have its holes, allowing nearly 5 yards per carry and two touchdowns in the Dogs' opener against Boise State.
The going will likely be tough regardless, as Georgia pummeled a notorious Boise State offense with six turnovers, tops in the country.
A poor performance from the running game against UCF places USC 59th in the nation in team offense, despite quarterback Blake Mitchell being the nation's most efficient passer thus far.
"If we want to have a chance, we better come much better prepared to perform then last game," USC coach Steve Spurrier said. "And I think we will. I think we can play much better."
Sidney Rice, a 6-foot-4-inch freshman wide out, could see some action for jump-ball passes after missing week one with a broken finger, another asset to Spurrier's red-zone offense.
Former USC coach Lou Holtz's prediction of a win at Georgia not long ago caused a stir among the media.
For Turman, that's all the prediction was.
"Predictions are just predictions until the final seconds go off the clock," Turman said.
While no predictions can be made for Turman's output, his inspiration will be there. This is the seniors' last game against Georgia, an important opportunity for Turman, a Washington, Ga., native.
"This is my last chance to play against Georgia, so I just want to go out there and give it my best shot."
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