JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State head coach says the Gamecocks are getting better with each practice and he is impressed with the play of some of his young players as the team continues to prepare for the season opener at Ole Miss on Sept. 4.

“I think we are really gaining ground on what we are trying to accomplish,” Crowe said following Wednesday's two-a-day workout. “It's not a straight line of improvement.

“Everyday, I see a young player bringing more and more to what we're doing out here,” Crowe added. “To giving you an example, Shawn McAllister, from Pleasant Valley, is a walk-on and it looks like we need to get him ready to take him to Ole Miss.

“He's a redshirt freshman that comes out here everyday and just gets better and better and better,” Crowe added. “He's not somebody you expect to accomplish what he has. This is a place of work and discipline and press clippings don't count out here, it's what you do.”

Crowe said that he plans to redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Coates for the 2010 season.

“We're going to redshirt Steven Coates, unless we lose someone,” the 11th year head coach said. “He will be an exceptional football player.”

Crowe said that punter Coty Blanchard will work under center as the back-up quarterback to Marquis Ivory.

“We will give the reps to Coty (Blanchard) and he's good enough to go in there and win the football game for us,” Crowe added.

Jacksonville State will hold a situational scrimmage on Thursday and will also scrimmage again on Saturday.

The Gamecocks will hold their annual Fan Day on Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. at Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium. Fans will have the opportunity to get autographs and meet the 2010 Gamecocks, and then the team will scrimmage at 6 p.m. The JSU Marching Southerners will also be on hand Saturday to perform, along with the JSU Cheerleaders and Cocky. The event is free and open to the public.