SOUTH CAROLINA'S GARCIA INJURES ANKLE

The Associated Press is reporting that redshirt freshman signal caller Stephen Garcia will miss a week of practice with a sprained ankle, including tomorrow night’s scheduled scrimmage. Garcia suffered the injury in Saturday night’s scrimmage. He practiced on Sunday, albeit on a limited basis.

He completed six-of-eight passes for 67 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Garcia only recently joined the team (August 1), following a school-imposed suspension for underage drinking. He was originally scheduled to return on August 15, but hit the practice field sooner because of good behavior.

He also missed spring practice and his most recent run-in with the law was not his first. Garcia had two prior incidents, one of which was also alcohol related.

The Gamecocks, who finished 6-6 last season and failed to make a bowl, return a stellar defense. However, they have serious questions at the quarterback position and while Garcia is officially the No.3 quarterback on the depth chart, he is widely considered their most talented signal caller.

Chris Smelley, one of the two quarterbacks ahead of Garcia on the depth chart, was also nicked up on Saturday, spraining his thumb on his throwing hand. Smelley did not practice on Sunday, but did return on Monday.

Smelley, a sophomore, was 9-of-18 for 114 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday’s scrimmage. Junior Tommy Beecher also threw for two scores, completing 9-of-13 passes for a team-high 123 yards. Neither QB threw an interception.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media