Boynton's Banter

His numbers were far from awe-inspiring and it's never exactly the highest compliment when the best thing you might say is he didn't do anything to lose the game.

Still, I thought USC's Stephen Garcia looked like a much more poised quarterback in just his second career start in Saturday's 27-6 win over Tennessee.

But Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier didn't share that view in his post-game press conference.

Conducting a game plan that could be described as about a yard less than three yards and a cloud of dust, Garcia completed a very modest 9 of 19 for 139 yards and two short touchdown passes. He was intercepted once (and ended up injuring his knee on the play, leaving the game for good late in the third quarter), but more important didn't take a sack one game removed from taking six against LSU.

But while Garcia looked to have tamed his wild side somewhat, staying more patient and not forcing things, Spurrier basically described him as lost.

"Stephen's really not ready to play, he's just not ready," Spurrier said. "It's just a struggle for him knowing where everybody is. He's not familiar with everything and we had trouble sending plays in."

Of course Spurrier can see the potential. The guy's got an obvious skill set that includes a strong arm, scrambling ability and the kind of swagger you need from your field general, no matter what his age. It's just a matter of time before the brain catches up with the brawn.

"He hasn't even been through a spring practice with us yet (due to suspensions from off-field issues)," Spurrier said. "He's got a lot of ability, a lot of talent to make plays, but he needs to know what's going on out there. But he can make some plays, now. He can run out of there and freelance around.

"But our biggest problem is blocking, running, throwing and catching on offense, not that Stephen doesn't know what to do."

Garcia doesn't expect to have to wait for another chance as he believes his right knee is fine after being hit by a teammate who was diving to make a tackle on Eric Berry's interception. The thought is that the knee was just hyperextended and Garcia is due to have an MRI.