Gamecocks Must Improve

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says his Gamecocks must improve this week to compete at Georgia on Saturday. Spurrier says South Carolina must tackle better and improve its rushing defense. He says the team also needs to cut down on mistakes. South Carolina gave up more than 250 rushing yards in a 28-14 win over Louisiana-Lafayette last week. Spurrier says he was pleased the Gamecocks were able to keep the Ragin' Caguns out of the end zone twice inside the five yard line in the second half. The Gamecocks have not beaten Georgia since Spurrier took over before the 2005 season. The Bulldogs have won five straight over South Carolina. Georgia beat Oklahoma State last Saturday.

Dawgs/Jackets Move Up...Michigan Moves Out

The latest Associated Press College Football rankings are out and Georgia and Georgia Tech are on the move after solid week one wins. The Bulldogs, who knocked off Oklahoma State, moved from number 13 to number 11 this week. Georgia Tech wasn't ranked last week, but thanks to their 33-3 thrashing of Notre Dame, the Yellow Jackets come in at number 21 this week. Michigan, who lost to Appalachian State 34-32, dropped completely out of the Top 25. The Wolverines were ranked number five last week. Their fall, the largest since the Associated Press begin a Top 25 back in 1989.

Mitchell Suspended for Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina quarterback Blake Mitchell was one of three players suspended for the opening game against Louisiana-Lafayette for missing summer school classes. Steve Fink, a spokesman for the athletic department, said Thursday that Mitchell, tailback Bobby Wallace and cornerback Chris Hail were suspended for the Gamecocks' home opener Sept. 1. The three players also were suspended from the team's first two practices this fall for missing classes. Mitchell is appealing his suspension, said South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, who will allow Mitchell to play if the appeal is successful. The suspension is the latest setback for the Gamecocks' starting quarterback. Mitchell was arrested a year ago and charged with simple assault after a nightclub bouncer told police that Mitchell punched him. The charge was later dropped, but Mitchell sat out for several weeks as Syvelle Newton ran the South Carolina offense.

Falcons Lose Shockley

The Atlanta Falcons have lost the services of rookie quarterback D.J. Shockley. The team confirmed Monday that Shockley will likely undergo surgery next week for a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Shockley also sustained a slight tear of the medial collateral ligament and a bone bruise when he went down awkwardly in Friday's preseason game at Buffalo. The former Georgia Bulldog was competiting for the Falcons number two quarterback spot with Chris Redman.

High School Football Scores

St. Andrew's 7

Charleston Collegiate 21

Colleton Prep 47

Bible Baptist 6

Hilton Head Prep 31

Hardeeville 6

Franco Heads to Rome

Atlanta Braves First baseman Julio Franco has reported to Class A Rome. A quarter century after his first game in the major leagues, the 48-year-old Franco is back in the minors. He was designated for assignment by the Braves two weeks ago. After clearing waivers, he agreed to a minor league assignment. The former American League batting champ, who turns 49 next week, said he will stay with Rome for the next four days, and might join next week's road trip in Savannah. He likely will rejoin Atlanta on September 1st when the major league rosters are expanded.

SCAD Soccer Teams Ranked

The Savannah College of Art and Design Men's and Women's soccer teams are ranked in the NAIA Pre-season polls. The SCAD men enter the 2007 season ranked Number 20. The Bees return seven starters from last year's 13-6-1 squad that lost to Northwood (Fla.) University 3-1 in the NAIA Region XIV title match. The SCAD ladies start the season ranked Number 17. That's the highest ranking in school history for the Bees. SCAD returns seven starters from last season’s 11-5-0 squad that lost to Northwood 2-1 in the title match of the NAIA Region XIV Tournament.

Colby May Commits to UGA

South Effingham senior Colby May has made a verbal commitment to play baseball at the University of Georgia. May, who is now a senior at SEHS, helped guide the Mustangs to the Class AAA state quarterfinals in the spring. Over the summer, May played for Junior Team Georgia, a team consisting of the top junior baseball players in the Peach State.