COLUMBIA - South Carolina defensive end Cliff Matthews will dress for Saturday’s game against No. 1 Florida, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll play.

Defensive head coach Ellis Johnson said Matthews, who dislocated his shoulder two weeks ago at Tennessee, would be a game-time decision.

“He’s physically been given the OK by the doctors,” Johnson said. “It’s one of these things where the shoulder isn’t 100 percent, but it’s not going to endanger it if he plays.”

Even if he does play, Johnson said there will be small, specialized packages for him. In other words, don’t expect a fully healthy, ready-to-go Matthews.

“We’re just not sure how effective he would be, not having practiced,” Johnson said. “He’s going to see how it feels in warm-ups.”

The 6-4, 250-pound junior left Williams-Brice Stadium on Thursday night with a giant ice pack over his left shoulder.

Whenever he plays next, he’ll wear a protective brace under his shoulder pads. Safety Chris Culliver has worn a similar harness.

Redshirt freshman Devin Taylor would normally start in Matthews’ place, as he did last week at Arkansas, but he has a bruised sternum and is out against the Gators.

So, defensive tackle Melvin Ingram will slide outside to start at end.

“I’m not sure if he’s had a great week of practice, but he’s done well,” Johnson said. “It’s more mental with him than physical.”

Look for the Gamecocks to play a lot of three-man fronts and get linebacker Eric Norwood close to the line against Tim Tebow and Florida’s running attack.

Other personnel changes

Spurrier said junior running back Brian Maddox will start Saturday. Freshmen Kenny Miles and Jarvis Giles are still expected to get carries.

Kyle Nunn will start over Jarriel King at left tackle, Spurrier said.

On defense, Darian Stewart struggled last week at spur. He’ll move back to strong safety, and Antonio Allen will start at spur.

Call for play-calling

Spurrier’s leaving no doubt about who’s calling the offensive plays this week.

He had a parting shot Thursday as he left Williams-Brice.

“I’m calling the plays this week,” he said. “Put it in the paper.”

Spurrier and Steve Spurrier Jr.’s play-calling had been put under the microscope in recent weeks.

The Gamecocks rushed for 89 yards in the first half last week at Arkansas, but there were only two called runs in the second half as the Razorbacks ran away for a 33-16 win.

Live wire

Spurrier had a lively call-in show Thursday.

He faced one critical question of red-zone play-calling.

“I used to be a good offensive coach,” Spurrier said. “I never had a bad play. You know why? Because the quarterback could get to a decent play.”

He pre-emptively addressed fans that are upset with consecutive losses.

“Pretend we were 4-4 and just won our last two and we’re 6-4,” Spurrier said. “It’ll make you feel better.”

Cully’s comeback

Johnson said Culliver’s shoulder is OK and he’s responded well after being suspended for the Arkansas game.

“It’s a good situation for us to get a body back,” Johnson said. “I hope he’ll come back and play at a level that he’s capable of. When he tweaked that shoulder (at Tennessee), he didn’t play well enough that night that we missed him.”

Takeaway drought

South Carolina has gone three games without forcing a turnover. It’s a streak that Johnson can’t explain.

“Those things are kind of like free throws. You kind of get in runs when you can’t make one. The more you practice it, you get worse.”

But Johnson said there are things the Gamecocks can do to have a better shot at creating turnovers.

“I believe in being physical at the point of attack,” he said. “And if you’re physical on quarterbacks, you can get more turnovers. I don’t think we have been lately.”

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