OLE MISS: In last Saturday’s scrimmage, quarterback Micheal Spurlock was 12-of-21 for 140 yards and ran for 31 yards. Receivers Burnell Wallace and Mike Espy each caught six passes for 59 yards. Tailback Jamal Pittman led the rushers with 14 carries for 72 yards. Receiver Taye Biddle had a 95-yard kickoff return for a score. He scored a touchdown in three practices (20-yard reverse, 54-yard catch and the kickoff return). Sophomore linebacker Marquis McBeath has apparently left the team after not showing up at practice last week. He is the fifth player to either quit or be dismissed since preseason practice began. McBeath has had an injury- plagued career and he was surpassed by freshman Robert Russell for the backup spot at middle linebacker behind Patrick Willis. Defensive line signee Jada Brown, who left the team Aug. 10, will enroll in classes on Monday and rejoin the team. (Clarion-Ledger and RebelGrove.com)

TENNESSEE: In Saturday night’s scrimmage, quarterback Rick Clausen was 10-of-15 for 181 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Erik Ainge was 10-of-20 for 91 yards. Jim Bob Cooter was 3-of-4 for 55 yards. Clausen hit receivers Lucas Taylor and Robert Meachem on long passes. Taylor and Josh Briscoe are two freshman receivers who Coach Phil Fulmer said would see playing time. Two picks and several fumbles marred the scrimmage. Vol coaches are looking for a backup tailback. The possibilities are Montario Hardesty, LaMarcus Coker, JaKouri Williams, Cory Anderson and Foster. Hardesty missed the scrimmage with a thigh bruise, but Coker had a solid performance. Safeties Jonathan Hefney and Antwan Stewart made drive-killing picks. Defensive coordinator John Chavis has spoken to the media only twice this preseason. Placekicker James Wilhoit kicked 6-of-7 field goals. Redshirt freshman outside linebacker Jerod Mayo has turned heads during the entire camp. With Richie Gandy (partial dislocation of kneecap) and David Ligon (ankle) on the sidelines, Rob Smith had played center. Gandy and Ligon will probably miss the opener. Freshman linebacker Rico McCoy will redshirt after undergoing foot surgery. (Volquest.com and Tennessean)

SOUTH CAROLINA: In Tuesday’s scrimmage, the defensive dominated. The quarterbacks were 18-of-51 for 151 yards with three scores and three picks. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph had two of the interceptions and dropped a potential third. Chris Tucker, an offensive lineman last year, may have beaten out Stanley Doughty for the starting defensive tackle spot. Next year’s game against Clemson looks to be moving to Thanksgiving weekend.

In Friday afternoon’s 69-play scrimmage, Gamecock freshman Cade Thompson was 10-of-16 for 157 yards and two scores with the starting offense. Blake Mitchell was 9-of-15 for 52 yards. Coach Steve Spurrier said all three quarterbacks including Antonio Heffner will play against Central Florida. Freshmen Bobby Wallace, Mike Davis and Taylor Rank were the three leading rushers. Jordan Dodds, a walk-on freshman from Edgewater High, was ahead in the place-kicking job until he had a bad day Sunday. The kicking job is wide-open. Freshman receiver O J Murdock caught two passes for 56 yards. (Gamecockcentral.com and The State)

GEORGIA: Kicker Andy Bailey is out four-to-six weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Brandon Coutu has stepped up to replace him. With defensive lineman Kedric Golston suspended for the first game due to a bar fight; Ray Gant starts in his place with freshman Jeff Owens backing him up. Freshman linebacker Tavares Kearney’s season is over after he will have season ending knee surgery. His decision leaves Georgia linebacker thin. Linebacker Jarvis Jackson was cleared for full contact and quickly moved into the starting lineup. He missed all of spring practice due to shoulder surgery. Tony Taylor is the projected starter at the middle linebacker spot. Verdun Wheeler competes with Brandon Miller for the starting strongside job. Sophomore receiver A J Bryant returned two weeks earlier than expected after dislocating his shoulder. Receivers Sean Bailey and Mario Raley are also back, but freshman receiver Mohamed Massaquoi is still out with a pulled hamstring. Freshmen Bryan Evans, Donovan Baldwin and C. J. Byrd are all being cross-trained at safety due to a lack of depth. (UGASports.com and Ledger-Enquirer)

MISSISSIPPI STATE: The Bulldogs went through a 100-play scrimmage Saturday. The first team offense faced the second team defense, and then the second team offense battled the first team defense. Quarterback Omarr Conner was 6-of-9 for 34 yards. Tailback Demarcus Johnson, who had 50 yards in the scrimmage, has won the backup job. Offensive lineman James Redmond should be back in 3-6 weeks following his back surgery. The coaching staff has cut down the amount of contact due to so many injuries. At nearly every practice, as many as 10 players at a time have been on the sidelines with injuries. Defensive end Michael Heard is having a big impact. Receiver Will Prosser is back at practice after breaking his foot. (Bulldogblitz.com and Clarion-Ledger)

LSU: The Tigers had their first major scrimmage Saturday. Coach Les Miles reported no injuries. LSU’s first team had 32 live snaps and the second team 26. No media members were allowed to attend. Senior center Rudy Niswanger sprained his shoulder Friday. The Tigers are ranked No. 5 in the AP preseason poll. Receiver Amp Hill is transferring to South Florida. Senior linebacker E J Kuale is out of action for 4-6 weeks. Jason Spadoni, a former running back, is expected to fill in for him. (Tigerbait.com and advocate.com)

ALABAMA: In Tuesday’s scrimmage, the defense dominated the offense. Quarterback Brodie Croyle was 9-of-14 for 130 yards. Freshman tight end Nick Walker caught a 40-yard pass and a 17-yard pass. Starting defensive end Mark Anderson is recovered from having his knee scoped. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry has had four sacks in the past two scrimmages. Freshman right guard Marlon Davis has made the most of several injuries on the line. Walk-on sophomore linebacker Matt Collins is battling for a second-team spot behind Freddie Roach.

The Tide defense bested the offense in Saturday’s scrimmage. Injuries to the -offensive guards Antoine Caldwell and B J Stabler have made the line depth nearly non-existent. Croyle was 16-of-34 for 137 yards. Freshmen running backs Glen Coffee and Roy Upchurch had 40 yards each. Receiver D J Hall had six catches for 41 yards and Tyrone Prothro had four for 60 yards. Gilberry had four tackles and three sacks. Kicker Jamie Christensen made all three field goals. Tight end Greg McClain will miss four weeks after separating his right shoulder. Former quarterback Jimmy Johns participated in the scrimmage as a tailback. Fullback Tim Castille looked good with two catches for eight yards and 12 yards on three carries. The status of Trent Davidson has yet to be decided yet after the tight end had