Freshman TE Justice Cunningham to get start for injured Weslye Saunders

South Carolina TE Saunders out with bad ankle

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says starting tight end Weslye Saunders will miss Saturday’s game against Kentucky because of an ankle injury.

Saunders is the 25th-ranked Gamecocks third-leading receiver with 14 catches for 156 yards this season. Spurrier says Saunders, a 6-foot-5 junior, aggravated the ankle injury this week.

Spurrier says freshman Justice Cunningham will get his first start in place of Saunders. Cunningham has played in all five games this season. He caught his only pass in last week’s 38-14 victory over South Carolina State.