Spurrier accounces Taylor Rank as No. 1 running back for Thursday's opening game

COLUMBIA - Steve Spurrier delivered a stunner Monday evening about his starting runner for Thursday's opener.

Instead of senior Mike Davis, who's been slowed during camp with a shoulder injury, Spurrier says he'll go with junior Taylor Rank as his No. 1 running back against North Carolina State (8 p.m., ESPN).

Spurrier did say he expects Davis to see the field, too.

"He looks OK. He looks OK," Spurrier said of Davis. "Taylor Rank's going to start. He's had a little bit better preseason practice. He had a good summer with going to workouts. And Mike did, too. But Mike will be in early. He's ready to play."

Rank, the 6-foot, 214-pounder from Vancouver, Wash., had been practicing with the first team for about the past week.

Davis injured his shoulder Aug. 7 during a non-contract drill. He was slow to come back, and then dealt with a stomach bug just before he returned to the field.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the new South Carolina blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/gamecocks.