Not Good Enough

by Skulls and Spurs on Sep 20, 2025 3:56 PM EDT

Stephen Garcia hasn't played bad this season, but he hasn't played well consistently, either. Unless we get better play from our fourth-year RS Jr quarterback, the Gamecocks will not have the season we are hoping for. 150 yards and a 2:2 TD to INT ratio against Furman won't cut it. Worse than those numbers is the continual display of poor decision making. He simply refuses to throw the ball away at times, and I've seen twelve-year-olds do a better job of protecting the football on the run. If your heart doesn't drop nearly every time he takes off, it should. Sure, he's gained yardage, and only lost one fumble in the first three games (albeit a very critical one that would have changed the complexion of the Georgia game had Washaun Ealey not given it back to us on the goal line), but he bumbles along carrying the object of everyone on the field's desire like it's yesterday's homework assignment that he's already been given credit for. What bothered me most this past Saturday was the play where he lofted the ball in the air as he was being slammed down by a Furman defender. That's the kind of thing you see a freshman QB in high school do. It's simply inexcusable for the starting QB on an SEC Championship contending football team.

Fans that think Garcia doubters are being too harsh on him like to point out his completion percentage, but what would it look like if you take away the numerous spot pass WR screen play completions? I think it's obvious that we'd be looking at a different number. Our QB is physically talented enough to get the job done. He's made some good throws and had some good runs, but Garcia MUST eliminate the bonehead mistakes and protect the football for South Carolina to get to Atlanta this year. The reality is that we have a shot. We really do. The other reality is that, right now, I expect Garcia to make errors in big games that leave us at home watching Florida play Alabama again. Prove me wrong, Stephen. Please, prove me wrong.

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Comments

I don't think he has done that bad.

Yeah, he’s made several errors, but he’s also made some great throws, like you said. No quarterback makes good decisions all the time. I like, though, that Spurrier isn’t one to hesitate switching to a reserve if the starter isn’t getting it done. Shaw has a lot of talent too. Between Garcia, Shaw, and Lattimore, I assume one of them can put up some points against most any defense. That’s really where the strength lies in this year’s offense. It isn’t one dimensional, or even zero dimensional as it has been in the past. If the passing game is struggling, there are some backs who can get yards. If the running game is struggling, there are two quality quarterbacks that should be able to find some points between them.

stuff 'bout stuff.

by silver82blade on Sep 20, 2025 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

I don't think he's done bad, either.

Just “Not Good Enough” to lead us to Atlanta in early December. He’s got to do the little things right. You’re right, though, no QB makes good decisions all the time.

by Skulls and Spurs on Sep 20, 2025 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

If you want to talk about carrying the ball,

we ought to throw Alshon Jeffery into the discussion. That kid has the worst ball carrying form I have ever seen. Garcia fumbled because he was trying to switch hands in order to protect the ball. It might have been ill-advised at that time, but at least the thought was there. I’m not sure Alshon knows how to protect the ball. At some point this season Alshon will fumble a ball in an important game. He nearly did it against Southern Miss.

Dum spiro spero - "While I breathe, I hope"
State motto of South Carolina

by The Feathered Warrior on Sep 20, 2025 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah. He basically one-hand palms it half the time.

I’m really surprised no one has talked to him about that. He’s perfect in almost every other ways—runs great routes, has impeccable timing, can block, knows how work DBs at the line of scrimmage, etc. It’s surprising that his one problem would be such an easy one to fix.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Sep 20, 2025 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree on A1, but . . .

I feel it’s a bit different in the open field, and, this sounds strange, but he seems so comfortable carrying it that way that it doesn’t bother that much. He’s also not known to cough it up. Plus, Jeffery’s got some big ol’ hands. Regardless, I’d like to see him and Garcia both put two hands on the football before contact.

by Skulls and Spurs on Sep 20, 2025 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Bumped.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Sep 20, 2025 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Part of me thinks that

the HBC and Mangus have realized Garcia has reached his ceiling, but that as long as Steven protects the ball (in a big game), then he still gives us a better chance to win than true FR Connor Shaw - despite the fact Shaw seems to be more athletic, smarter and more coachable in the long run. In other words, Shaw is still a bit too new. That won’t be the case next year, of course.

Otherwise, I cannot fathom why Spurrier was so mild after our play against Furman about SG’s two INTs.

I hope for Steven (and for Connor, honestly) that Steven can somehow get focused on playing the best, smartest football of his life these next two months.

This season and next season are critical … I mean this is the time when we can make a move in terms of SEC wins, and all that means for recruiting and consistently being in the discussion as a threat to win the SEC east.

by tryptic67 on Sep 21, 2025 7:53 AM EDT reply actions