Rice breaks thumb, scheduled for surgery

SIDNEY RICE COLUMBIA - Former Gaffney High standout and South Carolina star receiver Sidney Rice will miss the rest of spring practice with a broken left thumb.

Rice, a sophomore, will need surgery. But Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier says the injury should not keep Rice out of summer workouts.

Rice ''will not participate in the spring game, but should be at full speed for summer workouts,'' Spurrier said.

Rice is scheduled for surgery on Thursday.

Rice was South Carolina's breakout star last fall. He caught 70 passes for 1,143 yards and 13 touchdowns as a freshman. His total yards and TD catches were singleseason records at South Carolina.

Rice led the Southeastern Conference with 103.9 receiving yards per game last year.

He also caught a touchdown pass in a schoolrecord eight consecutive games to help South Carolina to a 7-5 record in Spurrier's debut season.

Rice finished strongly, too. He had 12 catches and 191 yards in the Gamecocks' 38-31 loss to Missouri in the Independence Bowl last December.

South Carolina concludes workouts with its annual spring game on April 8.