COLUMBIA, S.C. - As South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier watched video of Tennessee's defense, he couldn't help but notice Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson. And he liked what he saw.
"Their quarterback got rid of it quickly," Spurrier said. "That's the way you've got to play these days."
He hopes Stephen Garcia figures that out by Saturday night when the Gamecocks take on Tennessee at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Garcia, who will start against UT, was sacked six times in his last game, against LSU on Oct. 18. Spurrier blames the quarterback more than the offensive line for those sacks.
"Our offensive line is not all that super, but they're not as bad as some people think they are," Spurrier said. "Alabama's O-line didn't pass block that well against Tennessee. But, their quarterback got rid of the ball."
Garcia, a highly touted recruit from Tampa, Fla., remains a work in progress. Suspensions related to off-the-field problems have cost him practice time and slowed his development. But no one questions the athletic ability of the redshirt freshman.
He wrested the starting job away from Chris Smelley when he led South Carolina's fourth-quarter comeback against Kentucky on Oct. 11. He has completed 60.7 percent of his passes for 515 yards and rushed for 124 yards, which is his net gain after 74 lost yards in sacks.
"Stephen can run," Spurrier said. "He can dodge people and break some arm tackles.
"We're not discouraging him from running. We're just encouraging him to get rid of the ball and not take sacks."
Sometimes, Garcia has run out of necessity. The Gamecocks have allowed more sacks (30) than any team in the SEC.
"We try to give him a plan on each play," Spurrier said. "Sometimes, he reverts back to his old habits. That's human nature.
"You can't go back and say, 'I'll hit somebody (with a pass). If not, I'll just take off running.' That was Stephen's plan for a long time."
Garcia, who is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, passed for more than 8,000 yards in high school. He also rushed for 1,345 yards.
Hot Seat: At Tuesday's press conference, Spurrier was asked about UT coach Phillip Fulmer's job being in jeopardy,
"I got my own problems right here, trying to score a touchdown or two," he said. "He just got a new contract, so I thought Coach Fulmer would be safe for a couple of years to come."
Injury Update: Spurrier said he expected tight end Jared Cook to play. Cook, the Gamecocks' leading receiver, didn't practice Monday because of a sore foot.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or >adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 7
givehim6 writes:
With our Def. so banged up don't know if we can get to jeff that fast.
givehim6 writes:
Notice I made an intelligent comment, not waisted reades time by saying " 1st". sorry had to say it.
CoverOrange writes:
Appreciate the effort, givehim6.
Getting rid of the ball quickly was our bread and butter last year with Ainge. Is Stephens incapable of doing that or is he not taught that? I need to watch film.
Volomatic writes:
I hope garcia gets into an open spot so Berry can put him on the bench
newtonrail writes:
Think you could come up with some new material. A lot of players bled, were bruised, etc. with pride for Tennessee T on the Helmet. I could care less what you say about Coach Fulmer. It probably is time for him to go. But trashing the T that's flying outside my house is like spitting on Old Glory.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Agree that the "T" is above this malaise we currently suffering thru.
Would like to hear ol' Stevie's pregame "give-em-hell" speech.
TommyJack writes:
Get over it Randy. Life goes on.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.