SOUTH CAROLINA: Lou Holtz suffered a hairline fracture in his leg Saturday in practice when he was run over by tailback Cory Boyd. The 67-year-old coach did not need a cast. Holtz said these have been the longest, hardest spring practices he has ever overseen. Holtz said the young quarterbacks Blake Mitchell, a redshirt freshman and Syvelle Newton, a sophomore, are improving. He also pointed out the progress of linebackers Ricardo Hurley, Lance Laury and Marcus Lawrence. Holtz said receivers Noah Whiteside and Matthew Thomas have had tremendous springs. He had implemented a new unity council consisting of 15 players to change the culture of football at USC. Rod Wilson, who began his career as a quarterback, is now playing outside linebacker. This is his fifth position since coming to USC. (Gamecockcentral.com) Former USC quarterback Phil Petty and former lineman C. J. Frye are new Gamecock grad assistants. USC was 17-7 during Petty’s last two years. Work has begun on a $3 million weight center that will be located behind the south end zone at Williams-Brice Stadium. Center Chad Walker’s career is over after he suffered a setback in his recovery from knee surgery. (The State)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: In Sly Croom’s first few practices, the defense has out-performed the offense. The Bulldogs put on pads for the first time Tuesday. However, Croom said there was little hitting going on. He compared the practice to a “pillow fight”. Four quarterbacks-junior Kyle York, sophomore Omarr Conner, sophomore Aries Nelson and junior Brett Morgan, who has been a reserve safety and punter. (Bulldogblitz.com) Bulldog athletic director Larry Templeton said the school is submitting a response to the NCAA concerning 13 allegations against the football program. Templeton expects the school to appear before the infractions committee June 11-13 in Indianapolis. He is hoping to have a resolution before the season begins. (Clarion-Ledger)

TENNESSEE: James Banks, last year’s leading receiver with 42 catches, has been suspended for the entire spring for a violation of team rules. The suspension was not alcohol or drug related. He had been working mostly at quarterback, even though his primary position will be receiver. Banks has had a history of academic issues and poor practice habits. Vol coach Phil Fulmer said if Banks did not follow his plan then he could be gone for good. Running backs coach Trooper Taylor is making a name for himself in terms of his energy and attention to detail. In last Saturday’s scrimmage, Tennessee punter Dustin Colquitt averaged 42 yards on eight kicks, but kicker James Wilhoit struggled. Victor McClure, a 310-pound tight end, had three catches for 25 yards. Quarterback C. J. Leak was 12-of-18 for 133 yards. Rick Clausen was 12-of-20 for 119 yards including a 32-yard scoring pass to Jayson Swain. The only turnover by the quarterbacks was a Clausen interception. Senior linebacker Kevin Burnett, sophomore Jarrod Parrish and freshman defensive end Antonio Reynolds stood out in the scrimmage. Jabari Davis led the running back with 39 yards on nine carries. (Volquest.com)

The Volunteer safety positions are clearly a concern for the coaches. Omar Gaither is going to get a look at safety this week. He was a backup at strongside linebacker last season. Jason Allen will also get a look at safety. The coaches want more consistency out of sophomore linebacker Daniel Brooks. He played on special teams last year. Junior fullback William Revill has given up football. Incoming signee David Holbert is hoping to replace him. Cory Anderson has been moved from defensive end to fullback. Sophomore guard Arron Sears (foot), tailback Corey Larkins (ankle sprain), defensive tackle LaRon Harris (knee sprain) will either miss all or part of the remainder of spring practice. In Tuesday’s smaller scrimmage, center Jason Respert pancaked Justin Harrell on a 25-yard running play by Cedric Houston. Defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona turned some heads with his play. (Volquest.com)

GEORGIA: Coach Mark Richt was not happy with the first scrimmage of the spring. Nearly two-dozen players were out with injuries. The only receivers available in the scrimmage were juniors Bryan McClendon and Tyson Browning and redshirt freshman T. J. Gartrell. Sophomore tailback Kregg Lumpkin was the highlight of the scrimmage with two runs of more than 20 yards. Tailback Albert Hollis has been cleared to take part in tackling drills. He has been trying to recover from a serious knee injury since March 2001. In the injury, he dislocated his knee, ripped the hamstring from the bone, tore three ligaments and suffered severe nerve damage. Defensive lineman David Pollack has slimmed down from 292 to 262. He had 14 sacks in 2002, but last year he only had 7.5. Redshirt freshman linebacker Dana Graydon is transferring to Georgia Military College for disciplinary reasons. Linebacker Odell Thurman went to GMC before returning to Georgia. Quarterback David Greene is now 223 after losing 11 pounds. Junior D. J. Shockley, who is allowed no contact, is looking good in his return from a knee injury. Lumpkin is close to solidifying the No. 1 tailback spot. He has gained 10 pounds and is now up to 220. The No. 2 job is a battle between senior Tony Milton, sophomore Michael Cooper and freshman Danny Ware. Cooper has been sidelined with migraine headaches. Sophomore offensive lineman Randall Swoopes has left the team again. Last season, he spent the year at Georgia Military College. Swoopes, a center was expected to challenge for a starting position. He was one of five players arrested on marijuana possession charges last spring. Sophomore linebacker Jarvis Jackson dislocated his shoulder and will miss the rest of spring. Sophomore fullback Christopher Hickman has been dismissed from the team for disciplinary reason. (UGASports.com) Richt said McClendon has improved as a receiver in all areas. Sophomore safety Tra Battle and junior long snapper Brian Jordan has been awarded scholarships after the loss of Hickman and Swoopes. (OnlineAthens)

OLE MISS: The Rebels had their first scrimmage of the spring March 25. Rebel coach David Cutcliffe praised the play of running backs Vashon Pearson (47 yards on 10 carries) and Alan Abrams (58 yards on 14 carries). The Egg Bowl will not be on Thanksgiving this year. The game has been moved to Saturday after a six-year run. ESPN decided not to renew the contract. Ole Miss has won the game by lopsided scores the past two meetings. (Clarion Ledger) The Rebels have to replace seven defensive starters. Defensive tackle Daniel Booth is the only returning starter among the defensive front six. Ole Miss announced the 2004 football schedule this week that features home games with Memphis, Vanderbilt, Arkansas State, Tennessee, Auburn and Mississippi State. Road games are at Alabama, Wyoming, South Carolina, Arkansas and LSU. Homecoming is against Arkansas State. (RebelGrove.com)

ARKANSAS: In Friday’s scrimmage, Robert Johnson stood out after completing 6-of-7 passing for 156 yards and four scores. Tailback De’Arrius Howard showed his improvement with eight carries for 48 yards and two scores. The offensive line has demonstrated great progress according to Houston Nutt. The spring scrimmage is set for Saturday at noon in Razorback stadium. Quarterback Matt Jones has shaken off the rust. He hit receivers Carlos Ousley, Cedric Washington and Chris Baker on deep patterns Monday. (Hawgsports.com)

ALABAMA: For 15 years Tide coaches have handed out the Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award. The award has been re-named the Bart Starr Commitment to Excellence Award. When told about the change by a Clarion-Ledger reporter, Croom was “visibly shaken”. Croom said if legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant were still alive, the slight would not have happened. Croom was one of the finalists for the job that was offered and taken by Mike Shula. Alabama still has the Woodrow Lowe Most Improved Linebacker Award. Lowe is now a member of the UAB staff. Former Alabama booster Logan Young still has a room named for him at the school’s Bryant Conference Center. Young was one of three boosters disassociated from the university as a part of NCAA sanctions in February 2002. (The Birmingham News)

LSU: The Tigers their first scrimmage Friday. Marcus Randall appears to be comfortable as the starting quarterback. Matt Flynn, the No. 2 quarterback, has improved his mechanics and appears to be throwing the ball better. JaMarcus Russell is spending more time with the third team. (Tigerbait.com) With the departures of Marquise Hill and Chad Lavalais, junior defensive end Melvin Oliver has an expanded role. Oliver has gained 10 pounds and is up to 280.

AUBURN: Former running back Brandon Jacobs is transferring to Southern Illinois. He was considering a transfer to Nebraska, Georgia Tech or Clemson. (Mobile Register)

KENTUCKY: The Wildcats started spring practice Wednesday. Coach Mike Archer, the defensive coordinator, is hoping the second year of his 3-4 front will bring more success. The defense returns nine starting players. Shane Boyd should replace Jared Lorenzen. Boyd has played in 26 games. (Kentucky Sports Report)

NORTH CAROLINA: Receiver Mike Mason, a sophomore, is out for the rest of the spring after suffering a concussion and a fractured jaw in practice. He had 22 catches for 313 yards as a freshman.

CLEMSON: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was 9-of-14 for 108 yards in Saturday’s 76-play scrimmage. Receiver Kelvin Grant caught five passes for 52 yards. Chansi Stuckey, a converted quarterback, caught three passes for 61 yards. The offense scored on nine of 16 possessions. Two weeks ago, the offense scored on seven-of-eight chances. C. J. Gaddis has moved to cornerback for the remainder of spring practice. He was the third string quarterback. Steven Jackson has made a smooth move from fullback to linebacker. (TigerIllustrated.com)

N. C. STATE: The biggest question in spring practice is who is going to replace quarterback Philip Rivers? The possibilities are redshirt junior Jay Davis or redshirt freshman Marcus Stone. Head coach Chuck Amato said new defensive coordinator Reggie Herring has brought an intensity to the staff that he appreciates. (Wolfpacker.com)

VIRGINIA: One of the biggest priorities of the spring is to replace long snapper Ryan Childress and holder Matt Schaub. Kicker Connor Hughes returns as one of the most accurate kickers in the ACC. Cavalier coaches must also find a punter to replace Tom Hagan. The possibilities are Noah Greenbaum, Bryan Lescanec, Chris Gould and Sean Johnson. Replacing quarterback Matt Schaub is a huge priority. Marques Hagans has the most experience coming into spring. Chris Olsen, Anthony Martinez and Kevin McCabe will challenge him. Jason Fuller (6-6, 225), a defensive end/tight end, has committed to Virginia. He is the fourth verbal commitment joining quarterback Vic Hall, tight end Alex Field and receiver Maurice Covington. (Wagononline.com)

FLORIDA STATE: In Saturday’s scrimmage, tailback Lorenzo Booker caught five passes for 47 yards. Although the defense shut down the offense for most of the day, the offense was 7-out-of 10 in the red zone. Wyatt Sexton completed 9-of-15 for 79 yards including a 22-yard pass to Booker. FSU coach Bobby Bowden was pleased with linebackers A. J. Nicholson and Buster Davis. Once again tight ends Donnie Carter and Paul Irons played well. (Warchant.com)

In Monday’s mini-scrimmage, the defense dominated the offense with four picks and no touchdowns allowed. Receiver Chauncey Stovall and Booker were held out of the scrimmage. Charles Howard, who has moved from defensive end to tackle, had two sacks and two tackles for loss. Linebacker A. J. Nicholson had two quarterback sacks and a tackle for loss. Four different defensive backs had interceptions. Junior Chris Hall has basically solidified his spot as the starting punter. Leroy Smith, a senior, is battling sophomore Antonio Cromartie for the starting right cornerback job. Receiver DeCody Fagg had another setback when he tore his meniscus and will have surgery Friday. Last year, he broke his leg in practice at Hargrave Military. (Warchant.com)

MIAMI: Jon Beason has been moved to middle linebacker, the third position he has played since arriving at Miami. Larry Coker said the defensive ends (Alton Wright, Eric Moncur and Bryan Pata) have been hard to block in drills. Coker had praise for Brock Berlin and Derrick Crudup. Coker said Tyrone Moss is still the team’s best back. Last week, running backs coach Don Soldinger said Moss was behind Quad Hill. Moss said Tuesday that he and Soldinger have cleared the air. Receiver Roscoe Parrish might miss the rest of the spring with an ankle and knee injury. Defensive end Javon Nanton, the team’s returning sack leader, is making a lot of noise. (CaneSport.com)