South Carolina heads into its bye week banged up but overall in solid health after Saturday night’s physical 35-13 win over Kentucky.
Head coach Shane Beamer shared encouraging updates on Sunday, including news about offensive lineman Markee Anderson, who left late in the game with a knee injury.
“It was a physical game and glad that we came out of it in pretty good shape from an injury standpoint,” Beamer said during his weekly teleconference. “I don’t think Markee Anderson’s injury is going to be anything significant, or at least I hope not. He’s got an MRI coming up, but we’re optimistic on that one. Everybody else came out of it in pretty good health. The bye week is coming at a good time, there’s no question about it.”
South Carolina is also hopeful the break will give right tackle Cason Henry and center Nolan Hay time to heal fully. Both missed the Kentucky game, but Beamer noted Saturday that they could be ready for the next matchup.
“I would say that we’re optimistic for LSU in a couple of weeks,” Beamer said.
Henry, who injured his shoulder against Vanderbilt, briefly returned for Missouri before reinjuring it on the first play. Hay, who made his first career start versus Missouri, has been sidelined with a knee issue.
Saturday did bring good news for the secondary, as cornerback Judge Collier saw his first significant action since Week 1. After missing nearly the entire season with a knee injury, Collier logged 18 snaps off the bench against the Wildcats. The bye week should give him more time to get fully back in rhythm.
The Gamecocks return to play on Saturday, Oct. 11, with a road trip to Baton Rouge to face No. 13 LSU. Kickoff at Tiger Stadium will be announced Monday and is expected to fall between 3:30 and 8 p.m.
