South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has been indefinitely suspended from the football program. This from the University of South Carolina.
Athletic director Eric Hyman announced the suspension Wednesday afternoon. Hyman said in a statement that Garcia exhibited "unacceptable" behavior for a university student-athlete and would not take part in any football activities until further notice.
It was said that it was not alcohol or drug related, nor did it involve any arrest; at least this is what Garcia told The Associated Press. This is Garcia's fifth suspension and second this spring since coming to South Carolina in January 2007.
He was suspended earlier this spring for his missing curfew in the bowl game loss to Florida State.
Hyman said that Steve Spurrier would provide more details to the press following the scheduled practice on Wednesday.
Is this a fifth strike and you're out scenario? We may not know as Spurrier may play his cards close to vest and say the suspension is indefinite and leave it at that.
The loss of Garcia would certainly throw a monkey wrench into the offensive plans of the Gamecocks this season should it last the whole season.
This would mean that sophomore Connor Shaw may be the starter and would take the reigns with little experience. Behind him is junior Seth Stickland, sophomore Andrew Strickland and freshman Dillan Thompson.
Blocking shots has been a hallmark of the gritty style that has allowed the Rangers to have a successful season despite what John Tortorella has admitted on more than one occasion is not the most talented roster in the NHL. The Blueshirts also have been aware of the danger of their ways since the first scrimmage of training camp, when Chris Drury broke his finger getting in the way of a puck.
Tuesday, the Rangers again had to pay the price for their aggressive defensive methods, as they learned that talismanic winger Ryan Callahan suffered a broken ankle when he blocked a Zdeno Chara slap shot near the end of Monday night's 5-3 victory over the Bruins, and is out indefinitely.
One of Callahan's last acts in the regular season was a no-look pass to Brandon Dubinsky to set up the tying goal with 3:48 left after the Rangers had trailed 3-0 in the middle of the second period. After Michael Sauer's goal gave the Rangers the lead 51 seconds later, Callahan gave up his body to protect that lead.
The season ends for Callahan, a restricted free agent this summer, with career highs in goals (23) and assists (25), despite the fact that he was limited to just 60 games. On Dec. 15 in Pittsburgh, Callahan blocked a shot by Kris Letang and broke his hand.
"It's been going on all year long," Tortorella said. "Guys have stepped up when we've had other key injuries. We'll handle it. They're used to it and we'll be fine."
In addition to Callahan's previous injury, the Rangers have at various times been without key players ranging from All-Star defenseman Marc Staal, to leading scorer Dubinsky, to last season's leading scorer, Marian Gaborik. The only players who have appeared in all 80 games are Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Brandon Prust and rookie Derek Stepan.
"Guys sacrifice their body and we haven't missed a beat," said Stepan, the 20-year-old center whose 21 goals and 44 points rank fifth among NHL rookies. "These guys go out, guys get injured, they're buying into the system. It's just the way we've played. Guys that are hurt, I've got a lot of respect for them. They're doing it the right way. It's been hard, but we've found a way to continue to play."
The Rangers get back to action Thursday night at the Garden against the Atlanta Thrashers, with a chance to clinch a playoff spot if the ninth-place Hurricanes lose to the Red Wings Wednesday night in Raleigh.
