South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia had one of the worst games of his career in the Chick-Fil-A bowl against Florida State.
After throwing just nine interceptions during the entire 2010 regular season, Garcia threw three picks in the first half against the Seminoles – staking Florida State to a 10-point halftime lead. Garcia also completed just 56 percent of his passes against the ‘Noles – well below his season average of 64.2 percent.
Favored heading into the game, South Carolina wound up losing 26-17 – although most of the post-game focus was on the first half injury to star freshman running back Marcus Lattimore, not Garcia’s poor play.
That’s understandable. With Lattimore out of the lineup last season, South Carolina coughed up a huge second half lead against Kentucky and put just 21 points on the board against Vanderbilt.
They were helpless, in other words …
With Lattimore? They defeated multiple SEC powerhouses including Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee en route to the school’s first-ever SEC East championship.
But was the loss of Lattimore the only reason head coach Steve Spurrier’s team choked in its third consecutive bowl game?
“Not so much,” we’re hearing …
Multiple sources tell FITS that Garcia – who is known to party like a rock star – was involved in a massive, all-night bender in his hotel room the night before the bowl game. In fact, Garcia’s alleged party became so raucous that the S.C. Highway Patrol – which provided security for the team during its stay in Atlanta – was called to investigate.
Upon entering Garcia’s hotel room, they are said to have discovered the quarterback in a highly-intoxicated state in the company of five different young women – two of whom were completely naked.
We know, we know … more power to him, right? He’s 21 years old, and there’s obviously no law (yet) against enjoying some female companionship.
But what happened after the quarterback was busted?
Rather than let Garcia sleep his big night off, our sources say that the USC coaching staff forced him to run on a treadmill while he was still hungover. There was reportedly even talk of benching him for the bowl game – or at least sitting him out for a series.
Obviously Spurrier chose to start him, but Garcia clearly wasn’t himself.
Garcia is a rising senior who is coming off of his best season ever (3,059 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 148.7 quarterback rating). Still, he’s notoriously undisciplined and hasn’t impressed coaches with his work ethic – or lack thereof.
He’s also no stranger to trouble. After a pair of arrests in 2007 (his redshirt year), Garcia was busted again in 2008 for underage drinking.
Sources close to the S.C. Highway Patrol have confirmed the first-hand accounts we’ve been provided about Garcia’s big night in Atlanta, although no one from the agency will go on the record. Also, the University of South Carolina has declined to comment on the allegations.
Whatever happened in Atlanta, we’re not trying to bash Garcia. We’re big fans of his, actually – and he’s obviously the most talented quarterback the Gamecocks have had in some time (perhaps since Steve Taneyhill).
Garcia is also an honest-to-God “football player” – a tough runner who takes big hits and hangs in the pocket even when its collapsing – which is probably the biggest compliment you can pay a quarterback.
Still … Garcia has yet to fully realize his potential, in large part because he remains unfocused and undisciplined off the field.
That’s fine when you’re a redshirt freshman, but it’s inexcusable from a fifth-year senior.
Anyway, let’s hope 2011 is the year Garcia puts everything together. South Carolina fans deserve a monster year out of him … and more than any other player save Lattimore, as he goes – so go the Gamecocks.
UPDATE: We are getting conflicting information about whether the incident took place the night before the bowl game or the previous night.
UPDATE II: Garcia suspended.
Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
***
By Dr Rosen Rosen March 3, 2011 at 1:43 pm
nice…charlie sheen takes garcia vitamins
By stimulus March 3, 2011 at 2:02 pm
i think Shaw had a temp of 103 or he would have been playing…
By Just Another Joe March 3, 2011 at 2:09 pm
Why is money being spent on this little shit’s education. Kick his stupid ass off the team. Like Innovista another waste of money.
By Steve V March 3, 2011 at 2:14 pm
I wonder if those girls were from Tallahassee…
By Lawbust March 3, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Gossip is great as long as its not about you.
Was the writer there or is he citing now 3 month
old triple here say sources??
By Jackie March 3, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Great training for the NFL – not that he’ll have to worry about going pro …
By Wilford Brimley March 3, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Who cares? Let’s cut the strings and move on from this embarrassing loss. Besides, how much of this is proven, factual information?
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By NoName March 3, 2011 at 3:25 pm
This is bull shit and shows your ignorance of the game.
Obviously the five people in the room were operating as his lineman….he could not very well keep his actual players up that late…. he was going over his plays and audibles and hopefully his snaps of his balls and his shotguns delivery ….. when the troopers opened the door he was obviously running a naked bootleg.
Hater …get in the game.
By Brewster March 3, 2011 at 3:33 pm
If this is true and this game meant no more to him than that Spurrier needs to start another Quarterback and prep him for next season and the future. Those who pay their money to see Carolina play deserve better than that. Now I do say if it is true? I sure hope it is not.
By RAS March 3, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Garcia sounds like a Willie-wannabe… an over-sexed under-achiever. Just kidding Willie, relax.
By fitsnews March 3, 2011 at 3:43 pm
“Lawbust” and “Wilford,”
We received this information shortly after the game from an anonymous source.
We have spent several weeks following up the original tip with information obtained from numerous other sources – including firsthand (and we mean firsthand) sources who spoke with us about what transpired on condition of anonymity.
As is our longstanding practice, we do not reveal the identity of people who provide us with information on a confidential basis – but we stand by our story.
Also, while this item is newsworthy as it relates to an explanation for Garcia’s atrocious play in the Chick-Fil-A bowl, we are not in any way, shape or form alleging that the quarterback broke any laws.
-FITS
By GarciaSucks March 3, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Garcia spends more time at the Village Idiot than he does on the football field practicing.. That’s probably why. He’s a loser.
By SECfan March 3, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Sounds to me like the USCjr faithful are still trying to come up with excuses for getting whooped by the Seminoles.
By Tee March 3, 2011 at 4:15 pm
SECfan, i dont think carolina fans are going to use this as an excuse…losing lattimore on that hit in the first quarter is a better excuse…just saying
By Yourmom March 3, 2011 at 4:57 pm
I would say the loss of a starting QB by FSU was just as much of a hurdle to overcome….the difference is that USC wasn’t able to get past their own tears
By 1 Patriot March 3, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Maybe Carolina should take a lesson from BYU, who threw one of their basketball players off the team for having sex with his girlfriend. If the allegations against Garcia are true, Spurrier should throw him off the team. What is alleged has to be a violation of team rules, right?
By Lewis March 3, 2011 at 7:36 pm
Garcia has a psychiatrist, psychologist, a “life coach,” a “mentor” or two and tutors for EACH class he takes. This doesn’t count the well paid football staff and coaches who have some responsibility to guide him. Shouldn’t SOMEBODY have just thought to hire a babysitter for him the night before the game?
By Bob March 3, 2011 at 8:01 pm
You retards believe this bs? whoever wrote this can go actually get a real job and write real articles instead of this stuff…
By Brewster March 3, 2011 at 8:02 pm
SEC Fan;
Fact of matter Lattimore being taken out let the air out of the ballon.Marcus is the spark that lites the fire. Seminole defense was allowed to loosen up quickly after that. Maybe a little depth this year will bring Carolina over the hump,time will tell.
By Rankin Fitch March 3, 2011 at 9:42 pm
“We have spent several weeks following up the original tip with information obtained from numerous other sources…”
Understandable, but if you spend weeks following up before publishing a story where you don’t cite your sources nor offer any concrete evidence, other than your “sources,” what’s the point in waiting to print the news? You should have just printed it when you found out about it. Regardless, anyone on a message board already knew about this, it’s been discussed to death, and nothing’s going to change.
By Dr. Rosen Rosen March 3, 2011 at 10:56 pm
um, no response by the hbc or the a.d….guess that means it’s all true or it’s all false….the anticipation is killing gamecock and tiger fans.
By MajorC March 4, 2011 at 1:02 am
I saw Garcia leaving the Village-I late one night, with a skank, and he was weaving a route to the parking lot behind Yesterdays. He flashed his hash, or should I say pizza, behind the dumpster. He took a gin flask out of his pocket and swigged down the regurgitated pepperoni on his lips and I then watched him walk hand in hand with his date to their SUV. I followed them to Emily Douglas park where I saw her, with little lacy black boy shorts, climb on top of him like a sacked quarterback. She repeatedly kept slapping him saying “Spurrier ain’t your daddy!” He seemed all shook up and I kinda’ felt sorry for him because there under the street light, at 2:00am in the morning, he didn’t look like a football player, nor any kinda’ player at all. As I pulled away I heard him tell the skank, “Baby, I’m sorry, real sorry, I promise I’ll be better next time. I swear I will.” (in the back of the SUV was a crumpled up Cocky costume with the chicken head all smashed up next to the spare tire) If anybody doubts this story I’m willing to testify to a sworn affidavit to its factuality.
By Nik March 4, 2011 at 7:38 am
Like my grandfather always said “excuses are like A**holes……” USC just got beat flat out. Nothing worse than “what if’s” 3 months later
By Kenny Powers March 4, 2011 at 9:01 am
Why did we lose to FSU? Because they’re a good football team perhaps? We lost Marcus which completely took us out of our gameplan offensively, then when Ponder went down and Manuel came in our defensive gameplan was shot going from a pocket passer to a mobile QB. None of this is an adequate excuse for losing, we have to get better, I have to get better, period.
This story, this author, it’s a joke, a fabrication, just more refuse in the landfill that is sports blogging. Eat it up haters, the world keeps spinning with or without your irrelevant two cents.
And for all you haters that like to be internet tough guys, bring all that tough talk to the proving grounds AND BEAT ME OUT FOR THE JOB. But you won’t, cause bullshit walks, and all you got is TALK.
By marshall March 4, 2011 at 9:15 am
http://www.tigernet.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=948170&tstart=o
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By Just Wonderin' March 4, 2011 at 10:07 am
What kind of authority does the SCHP have in the state of Georgia?
Why would they need to investigate a party?
Why would he be “busted” for being intoxicated in his hotel room?
Did they want to see naked women?
I want to see naked women!
Where’s the next party?
By tbone March 4, 2011 at 10:12 am
We’ve been arguing about Achilles and the Marriott 5 all day, see: http://www.therubberchickensblog.com
By steve March 4, 2011 at 10:21 am
This is exactly the reason that I gave up my tickets to USC athletics. Even if this artical was false… which I don’t believe it is…. look at his past record. USC needs to send a message to all the parents (mothers) of the football team and let them KNOW that bad behavior will not be tolerated. USC fans think they have to put up with thugs to get good players, well lets take a look at Stanford…. or BYU…. or Boise State… Or TCU… Ok,,, they are not winning national championships,, but how many has USC won? enough said…. and get over the SEC championship you won.. LOL.. every powerhouse in the east had a down year… repeat what you did last year and I will eat these words, but I think Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia will all beat USC this year.
By Crooner March 4, 2011 at 11:13 am
A little more detail might enhance the credibility of this post.
By political hack March 4, 2011 at 11:53 am
You can’t take the Five Points out of man no matter if he is on lockdown by the SCHP before the big bowl game he is getting paid for. Perhaps his abysmal play was the result of ol Jimbo teeing up the USC game plan, aka Marcus Lattimore, like Bubba Watson and swinging away.
By Curious March 4, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Seems simple to find out if this is true or not. If Highway Patrol were on the scene, FITSNEWS should do Freedom of Information request with the HP. What are their incident records? Did they go to his room or not? What did they find?
I can’t imagine them risking their jobs to protect Garcia and company. If its been 3 months why hasn’t FITSNEWS done this???
By John March 4, 2011 at 1:28 pm
If my memory is right Garcia completed his first 3 passes and had us right outside The FSU red zone. Of his 3 int’s one was off the wr hands, one was a long throw on 3rd and long under pressure and was downed at The FSU 1 yard line (Great Punt) and the third was just a bad pass.
By Dontworry March 4, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Anyone that believes this is ignorant. Garcia did get in trouble during bowl week, but it was NOT the night before the game…
By Charlestonnative March 4, 2011 at 4:05 pm
This is the first time this website has seen more than a hundred hits since he gubernatorial race. What a joke! Don’t send me junk mail either ya bottom feeder!
By Bobolo March 4, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Who cares college football season is OVER!
By By Grandpa Mccoy March 4, 2011 at 8:45 pm
If this article is true and Spurrier knew of it and did not bench Garcia, I have lost a lot of respect for Steve Spurrier. Just look at a coach that has 0 tolerance for bad behavior. His name Ray Tanner. Oh yes, he has won a national championship. Enough said.
By Dino March 5, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Garcia’s partying hard with 5 chicks, 2 were naked!! YES!!!! What a life—I wish I was in college again. Booze and wild women–a great combo baby!
By NativeNothAugusta March 5, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Just another exuse. IMHO, with Lattimore out, our chances to win went way down. Garcia did ok, even if he was hungover. That is very unfortunte, if a junior can’t be more focused for a bowl game than that. Our defense couldn’t stop FSU’s attack. So, that is what really lost the game for us. Garcia kept us in the game.
By i'm not Gullible March 6, 2011 at 10:51 pm
This is a bunch of BS!! Anyone thats believing this right now is really not paying attention!! You telling me that a FIGHT took place with a COLLEGE FOOTBALL QB in ATLANTA the NIGHT BEFORE a NEW YEARS EVE ESPN BRODCASTED GAME? AND IT TOOK 3 MONTHS FOR THAT TO SPILL? And for FITSNEWS to be the first one’s to publish any news on it, rumor or otherwise? This isn’t NFL Countdown but C’MON MAN!!
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By benito March 7, 2011 at 11:45 am
MajorC –
No one drinks GIN!
By more fits garbage March 7, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Funny how this comes out 2 MONTHS after the alleged incident by guy with no credible sources on a website with a history of fabricated stories.
By Majorc March 7, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Benito. I agree with you. I’m only saying what I saw. It said “Tanqueray” on the flask. Maybe he had something else different in it. Gin and juice? I don’t know. I just call ‘em as I see ‘em.
By lilgamecock March 7, 2011 at 6:50 pm
This is NOT true. I know this for a fact. I saw Garcia with my own eyes that night, and he was not the slightest bit drunk. If you are a fan of his, why would you publish something like this?? If you want to start rumors and make trouble for Hollywood stars, or even professional athletes that make millions, be my guest. But attempting to embarrass, or ruin the reputation of a student athlete, with slanderous rumors is morally reprehensible. I would be careful, one day you will learn that actions like these have legal consequences.
By Majorc March 8, 2011 at 10:25 am
lilgamecock, which night are you referring to? The night in the parking lot or the night before the game? Two naked women in a hotel room and no one is drinking? It is hard to party sober like that! Did you administer a breathalyzer? “Your own two eyes” will never hold up in a court of law. You might want to rethink your statements.
By EasleyJack March 9, 2011 at 9:21 am
Now that Gamecock Central has questioned your character on tihs story, and obviously other stories involving gamecock athletes, how you gonna respond?
By fitsnews March 9, 2011 at 9:32 am
“Easley Jack,”
Gamecock Central can kiss our asses.
We stand by our story – and our sources.
-FITS
By EasleyJack March 9, 2011 at 10:41 am
Pretty harsh response. Just asking. Personally, on the heels of Wesley Saunders, I would find it hard to believe that this would stay surpressed. I certainly believe Gartcia capable of such a night. But, USC can’t afford to keep something of that magnitude quiet and not take some action.
By Jeremy March 9, 2011 at 4:52 pm
The sad part about this is that I actually paid about $800 to travel to Atlanta and see my team play. Now I find out that despite my best efforts (and financial hardships) my teams quarterback couldn’t give a shat about the fans or the rest of the team. I’m sorry but for the amount I paid to see a good game I feel completely robbed by the University and this loser punk wanna be a rockstar quarterback. To Mr. Garcia I say “You will have plenty of time to party once you find a suitable factory job after college if you do manage to graduate. Sadly the girls and the nice hotels will not be there for you. As a father I am glad to see that you are looking out for your family’s best interest by parting with hookers before the biggest game of your career. See you in Five Points sht head.
By Majorc March 10, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Jeremy, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Garcia will end up coaching some 2A high school in some cross road town where he will be a big shit with all the Rotarians and the Woodsman of the World big daddies. He will drink beer on the tailgate of his truck and tell ‘em all what a stud he was. His wife will grow fat eating lunch with all the gals at the local diner. Party while you can, big boy. The future looks bright for you…
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By sterlingrogers May 7, 2011 at 3:31 am
Losing by 9 points with your QB in a (questionable state of mind) and without the NCAA freshman of the year RB is a loss yes but closer than one would think!
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