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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says there's a chance injured defensive end Cliff Matthews could return to face No. 1 Florida on Saturday.

Matthews suffered a shoulder injury in a 31-13 loss at Tennessee and did not play in a loss to Arkansas last Saturday.  Spurrier had thought Matthews, a 6-foot-4, 249-pound junior, would not be ready until the Gamecocks' season finale against Clemson on Nov. 28.

atthews was running around at practice Monday and could see action against Gators.

With Matthews out, South Carolina used a three-man defensive front instead of its usual 4-3 alignment.  Tony Straughter opened at outside linebacker against the Razorbacks.

Matthews had started the first nine games this season.  He's fifth on the team with 39 tackles.

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