Backs duel for slightest advantage

Cory Boyd has wearied the past two weeks auditioning for USC's starting tailback piece of work making his teammates forget about his suspension in 2005 and preparing to make a splash in his first season in Steve Spurrier's offense

quiet has not factored into the equation.

"I can't repose at night," said Boyd, who sat on the outside last season after violating an undisclosed team policy. "I'm counting the days down."

He is counting down to USC's season opener nearest week at Mississippi State. That it is the Gamecocks' first regular-season litigate is easy for Boyd to digest. thus might be that it will be played upon the first night of major-college football games this season and that the game will be televised nationally.

The source of Boyd's butterflies is it will be the junior's first game since Nov. 20 2004 when he rushed for 19 yards