Spurrier: Garcia is out, Gamecocks have to move on

By Pete Iacobelli

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Oct. 12 2011 5:41 p.m. MDT

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South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier yells onto the field during the third quarter in an NCAA college football game against Kentucky at Williams Brice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, in Columbia, S.C.

Rich Glickstein, Associated Press

Summary

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier wished Stephen Garcia had finished what he started with the 15th-ranked Gamecocks. Now, Spurrier says it's time for the team to move ahead.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier wished Stephen Garcia had finished what he started with the 15th-ranked Gamecocks. Now, Spurrier says it's time for the team to move ahead.

Garcia was dismissed from South Carolina on Tuesday after failing an alcohol test, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because South Carolina has not specified the reason for Garcia's departure.

Spurrier learned Garcia would be kicked off the Gamecocks on Monday night and he spoke with his former quarterback the next day.

The coach says he wished Garcia "could've finished his career as a Gamecock."

Sophomore Connor Shaw will make his second consecutive start for South Carolina at Mississippi State on Saturday.

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