COLUMBIA, S.C. - Redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia is expected to start at quarterback against Tennessee on Saturday night. But Chris Smelley still has time to change his coach's mind.
"Right now, we're planning on Stephen Garcia starting," South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said after Monday's practice. "But if Chris Smelley has a much better week in practice, it could be Smelley by the weekend."
Spurrier has started three different quarterbacks this season. Tommy Beecher started the opener before giving way to Smelley, who was replaced by Garcia.
Garcia, who is by far the best runner of the group, started the South Carolina-LSU game Oct. 18. He was sacked six times and suffered a shoulder injury in the process.
Spurrier said Garcia's shoulder was fine after the open-date week.
"He was overthrowing a few downwind today (Monday)," Spurrier said. "We've got to teach him when the wind is behind you, you don't aim as high. Other than that, he's doing fine."
Injury Update: Starting running back Mike Davis and backup Eric Baker practiced Monday after overcoming minor injuries, but tight end Jared Cook was held out of practice with a foot injury.
Cook was first injured three weeks ago against Ole Miss and it was reinjured in practice last week.
"He's hobbling around but we hope get him back around Wednesday," Spurrier said.
Cook, who is 6-foot-5, 240 pounds with wide receiver speed, leads the Gamecocks in receiving. He has 31 catches for 460 yards.
Without Cook, the Gamecocks would have to rely more on Weslye Saunders, a 6-5, 273-pound sophomore who also is a good receiver. He has eight catches for 101 yards and has scored two touchdowns.
Batchelor Still Out: Offensive guard Heath Batchelor, a former starter, is still serving a suspension and will sit out the UT game.
Batchelor was suspended two weeks ago for missing classes and a punitive running session. He is expected to return for next week's game against Arkansas.
Recruiting Boost: South Carolina will benefit from Clemson's decision to fire coach Tommy Bowden in the middle of the season. A number of recruits who had committed to Clemson are wavering, and several of them are considering South Carolina.
Last week, running back Ben Axon of Bradenton, Fla., committed to South Carolina. He had committed to Clemson.
Extra Points: The Gamecocks have outscored opponents 58-27 in the fourth quarter. . . . No team has scored more than 24 points on South Carolina. . . . The Gamecocks' three quarterbacks have combined to throw 15 interceptions, compared to 13 touchdown passes.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 16
BIGORANGEdawgHATER writes:
1st
Volomatic writes:
Your so lucky to be sitting around doing nothing and can proudly proclaim 1st
looser
Volomatic writes:
loser sorry
CoverOrange writes:
Unless Berry intercepts one and returns it for a TD, we may not score in this one. On the other hand, SC won't score a lot either. Could be the Auburn game all over again.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
i smell something OOOOOO!!!!!
givehim6 writes:
Why are you worried steve? Your playing UT. You could win with Beecher in.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
It's no shame to lose to a man like Spurrier, he has won a National Title, too. And lost one more. We have been in contention 3 or 4 years for National Titles under Coach Fulmer. How dare you deride him at all! Who the he....are you and what are your great accomplishments. You are a coward that one thing is for sure! Keep your opinions for yourself if these kind of remarks is all you have to offer! You just think that this is a free country and that you can say what you want to. Go call your wife some names and see just how far that gets you, or call her a loser and look for us to save you.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
When is out offense gonna' crank it up! Our defense should be up to the challenge and do very well, but our offense has got to start putting some real points on the board. Come on Coach Clawson, give us something for "our" money!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Now this is a good fan. God will bless this man. I stand in with you for this game , Sir, and that your dreams come true and that we win this one. Thanks for being there and for caring@!!!
shoalcreekvol writes:
Spurrier: "it could be Smelley by the weekend."
Yes sir, it could and it probably will. Truth be told it's been smelly since the UCLA game.
shipperman#280095 writes:
That dude is a total idiot. What 3 or 4 years have we been in contention for a national championship?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
How many Vol fans will make this trek?
CoverOrange writes:
PD,
weren't there a couple of posters here that lived in SC? bowling-4-gzus or andy90210? They might make the sojourn.
jasonn1970 writes:
SC could probably win with Dupree in.......
volntx writes:
The only year I remember was 2001 when UT lost to LSU in the SEC championship game.
And 2 4th quarter fumbles killed us.
BTW, Casey Clausen played a great game that night,as well as that whole season,that is for all you CC haters.
gamecockguy46 writes:
All I know is UT returned (if I remember correctly) 800 tickets. I know you guys have problems up there right now with Phil; but, this amazed me. I never thought I'd see a lack of support for your beloved Vols. Or, is it simply reality setting in that you'll lose and lose badly to Spurrier this year?
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