Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward wouldn’t tip his hand about South Carolina’s starting secondary Thursday, but it sounds like D.J. Swearinger won’t be at safety and DeVonte Holloman won’t be at spur this week

“We’re going to look to match up their personnel,” Ward said after the No. 12 Gamecocks held their first full practice of the week. “We’ve got to play tighter coverages and not show the quarterback what we’re doing.”

The Gamecocks have practiced starting safety D.J. Swearinger at cornerback the past two weeks, and he could start in that spot against Arkansas, secondary coach Grady Brown said Wednesday. Swearinger could start at cornerback or nickel back, Ward said.

That could mean Holloman, who has started the first nine games of the year at spur, will move back to Swearinger’s safety spot. Holloman started at safety last season. Damario Jeffery would take Holloman’s spot at spur in that alignment, Ward said Thursday.

Cornerback Akeem Auguste “is probably about 80-85 percent” due to a groin injury that kept him out of the Tennessee game, Ward said, and Auguste’s health could have an impact on the secondary rotation.

Cornerback Jimmy Legree is healthy and ready to play, Ward said. Cornerback Victor Hampton said this week that Legree was bothered by a leg injury. Spur Sharrod Golightly will not play due to a hamstring injury.

Turn out the vote

Coach Steve Spurrier made an unscheduled stop with the media Thursday evening to help rally his team’s fan base.

“We need to treat Arkansas like it’s Georgia, Tennessee or Clemson,” Spurrier said. “This team has beaten us more than all of those teams have beaten us in the last three years combined. So we need to get after Arkansas, we need the fans screaming and yelling. This is a huge game for us. I think our guys are ready to play. Come to the ballpark ready to scream and yell for the Gamecocks.”

Byrd brain

Sophomore wide receiver Damiere Byrd was named Thursday to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-District 4 team. The Academic All-America team will be announced Dec. 6. Byrd has caught 12 passes for 303 yards, including a 94-yard touchdown, this season.