Stephen Garcia News

Times Sports Staff paul.gattis@htimes.com Florida improves to 8-0 in SEC for first time since its title season of 1996 It came as no surprise when top-ranked Florida defeated South Carolina 24-14 on Saturday.

University of South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier hangs his head as the Florida Gators dominate the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Associated Press South Carolina's Weslye Saunders makes a catch for a touchdown as Florida's Joe Haden defends during their game in Columbia on Saturday.

In this case, there is some rest for the weary. The South Carolina Gamecocks have lost three straight, but offensive guard T.J. Johnson and Co.

Published: Monday, November 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, November 16, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. This isn't like a year ago, when the Florida Gators were putting away opponents in the first half or early in the third quarter.

COLUMBIA - The Bluff Road practice facility was quiet on a Monday night for the first time in three months.

This week, the No. 1 Gators take on the OBC in Columbia in what may amount to the game of the year for the Gamecocks.

The bad thing about losing before an open date, as Steve Spurrier noted Sunday, is your team has two weeks to think about the loss.

He's gone. Been gone. Stayed gone. For 12 years, Steve Spurrier was the face of Florida football, the focus of seemingly all things Gator.

Tim Tebow tied the Southeastern Conference touchdown record and No. 1 Florida gained its first perfect league season in 13 years with a 24-14 victory over South Carolina on Saturday.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier was having a conversation this week with his starting quarterback, Stephen Garcia, when the subject of last year's game against Florida came up.

Florida At South Carolina GAME NOTES: The top-ranked Florida Gators close out the SEC portion of their season this weekend, as they invade Columbia to battle Gator great Steve Spurrier and his South Carolina Gamecocks.

This is a big week in the bowl pecking order for the SEC, especially in terms of the middle of the pack.

With its offense sputtering at times, Florida hasn't been quite as dominant as expected for a team that was an overwhelming pick to repeat as national champions.

Some random thoughts after the Razorbacks' win over South Carolina. The Good Let's start with Ryan Mallett, who torched the SEC's best pass defense for 329 yards and a school-record 85.2 completion percentage.A USC defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was determined to stop the big play by staying in 'Cover 3' most of the day.A Mallett was patient ...

Where critics see South Carolina's last-in-the-SEC rushing attack, Eric Wolford sees two Gamecock backs averaging 5 yards a carry.

The whispers are growing louder. A couple of more losses and they will become deafening.

FAYETTEVILLE - Not in the house last week because of something handled in-house, Jerell Norton Saturday ascended Arkansas to the penthouse.

USC receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. throws passes during practice in this August file photograph.

LET'S LOOK AHEAD: South Carolina looks poised for another late-season meltdown after starting the year 5-1. The USC offense has scored three total touchdowns in losses to Tennessee and Arkansas, which compiled almost 750 yards on USC's once-steady defense.