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Hard Knocks Life For S.C.'s Garcia

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: November 15, 2008

Stephen Garcia had a tumultuous arrival at South Carolina. He twice missed entire spring practices while serving suspensions due to off-field legal issues.

Just 10 games into his redshirt freshman year, football hasn't been a particularly smooth ride this season, either. But Garcia, the former Jefferson High standout who broke the Hillsborough County record for career touchdown passes, knew it wasn't going to be easy playing quarterback in Coach Steve Spurrier's system.

Some national observers already have noticed Garcia's impact.

"It's like a different team since Stephen Garcia has been playing," said ESPN's Lou Holtz, the former South Carolina coach.

Spurrier has not been as forthcoming with praise.

Two weeks ago, on his call-in radio show, Spurrier said Garcia was playing too much of a one-man game, dancing in the pocket and not delivering passes with efficiency. After a 27-6 win against Tennessee, Spurrier said, "Stephen's really not ready to play. It's just a struggle for him knowing where everybody is."

As Garcia expected when announcing his commitment to the Gamecocks, the apprenticeship under Spurrier should be a rewarding - and fascinating - experience.

The latest chapter occurs today in Gainesville when the Gamecocks (7-3) face the Florida Gators (9-1). Like in last week's victory against Arkansas, Spurrier is expected to alternate quarterbacks - on every down. Garcia and Chris Smelley brought in the plays from the sideline, both joking that they ran enough back-and-forth to the huddle for competition in an Olympic distance event.

"He's tough on me, but he's coaching me and I'm just taking it," Garcia told The State newspaper of Columbia, S.C. "He's coaching me, and I'm trying to learn as much as possible."

Part of Garcia's learning experience is keeping a low profile.

For the third consecutive week, Spurrier did not make Garcia available for weekday interviews. Even after games, Garcia is limited in his media appearances. It's quite a change from the player's days in Tampa, where publicity was free-flowing and abundant.

"He's not one of those who needs a lot of compliments right now," Spurrier said. "History just tells us that the more attention they get, the worse they play. It's just a fact of life. He's a work in progress."

So far, Garcia's biggest claim to fame might be his much-discussed collision with an official while playing against LSU. Umpire Wilbur Hackett Jr., who played linebacker at Kentucky in the 1960s, looked like he tried to take out Garcia with a forearm shiver after the quarterback scrambled out of the pocket, near the goal line. Garcia, knocked to the turf, looked up in disbelief.

The Gamecocks scored two plays later and took a 17-10 halftime lead (eventually losing 24-17).

The Garcia-Hackett play had a long shelf life on YouTube, but now it's strictly comic relief. Garcia is going to take harder knocks - some from his head coach - but he's equipped to keep coming back stronger.

Even if the Gamecocks are not successful today at Florida, they have a rivalry game ahead at Clemson on Nov. 29. With a victory against the Tigers, South Carolina should lock up a bid to the Outback Bowl - in Garcia's hometown.

That's finishing on a high note. And according to every quarterback coached by Spurrier - yes, even Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel had moments on the bench - it's not how you start, it's how you finish.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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