Spurrier Releases Standout RB from SC

[MrMustang1965]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina dismissed leading rusher Demetris Summers from the team Tuesday for violating athletics department policy.

``There are certain policies and rules that our student-athletes must follow and unfortunately, Demetris chose to violate those,'' coach Steve Spurrier said in a statement. ``That's where we are with this and we'll move on from here.''

Summers ran for 1,125 yards and four touchdowns over the past two seasons, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The sophomore also had 23 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdown catches.

Summers' dismissal comes about a month after six South Carolina players were charged after a total of $18,000 worth of computer and video equipment and framed photographs were taken from South Carolina's stadium Nov. 22.

Summers, a highly touted in-state recruit, holds the state high school record with 9,076 career yards rushing and 127 touchdowns.

[Col. Nathan R. Jessep]

It's not surprising.

The running game interfers with the passing game Spurrier loves!

[DallasDiehard]

Since when is Spurrier a stickler for following rules?

[Mike Damone]

This is the guy who once didn't use, then released Stephen Davis.

[Hoofprint]

Yeah, but that was because of finances and because Spurrier didn't think Davis fit the offense. Had Davis been Danny Wuerffel (that was a brilliant signing), he could have lit the Washington Monument on fire and kept his job.

[Dutch]

he's establishing his position as the alpha male. sounds like it's necessary on a team where your players are stealing from their own stadium.

I wouldn't question a thing he does at the college level. when he was in washington, he had "Parcells' Syndrome" - bringin in familiar faces, trying to repeat past performance, but under different circumstances. In college, Spurrier is forced to work with new blood.

[leopold]

Since when is Spurrier a stickler for following rules?

Despite his arrogance and whining Spurrier has always played by the rules, especially when compared to his SEC bretheren. When Mike DuBois had his 'problems' at Alabama, Spurrier found out about it and sent him a warning letter, practically threatening him. In the late 80's when the SEC first decided to expand, Miami was the first target, not UA or SC. It was Spurrier who kept them out, most likely because he didn't want the competition in Florida, but also, according to a former AD at Vandy, because as he put it, "The SEC doesn't need another cheater."
It's also why he always gave Bowden such grief about being "Free Shoes U."
His problem isn't his scruples, it's his ego.

[gostangs]

Who cares what he did - lets sign him!!!

[MrMustang1965]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Two South Carolina players have been suspended indefinitely from the team after police said two televisions were stolen from university dorm rooms, the latest in a string of disciplinary problems involving the Gamecocks since late last season.

Defensive end Moe Thompson, a junior, and tackle Kevin Mainord, a redshirt freshman, were suspended, athletics spokesman Kerry Tharp said Wednesday.

Mainord was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree burglary and two counts of simple larceny. Thompson has not been arrested or charged in the incident, university spokesman Russ McKinney said.

Mainord and Thompson entered a room about 3:30 a.m. Feb. 23 while the female residents were sleeping and Mainord admitted to taking a television and DVD player as well as $12, according to an arrest warrant.

A second arrested warrant states Mainord entered another dorm room and stole a television with another person, but it does not name Thompson.

``We're all extremely embarrassed by these allegations,'' South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said in a statement. ``I apologize to everyone who loves the University of South Carolina. I have said many times as a coach I personally can't control what our players and former players do all of the time. But I can assure you that if these charges prove to be true those involved will never wear the garnet and black and represent our university on the football field.''

Thompson had 24 tackles and three sacks in 11 games last season. He is one of six players suspended for the Gamecocks season-opener against Central Florida on Sept. 3 for his part in an on-field brawl against Clemson last season. He also was one of several players not allowed to work out with the team last summer because of poor classroom attendance.

Mainord's arrest comes one day after Spurrier dismissed leading rusher Demetris Summers from the team for violating athletics department policy. The (Columbia) State reported Wednesday, citing anonymous sources, that Summers failed two drugs tests. The (Charleston) Post and Courier, also citing anonymous sources, reported that Summers tested positive for marijuana more than once.

``We've had some misfortune over the past several days with some of our student-athletes,'' Tharp said. ``However I can assure you this athletics department and football coaching staff will handle this situation decisively and appropriately.''

Last month, six other South Carolina players were charged after a total of $18,000 worth of computer and video equipment and framed photographs were taken from South Carolina's stadium Nov. 22. The theft occurred shortly after the team was told they would not go to a bowl game as punishment for the fight with Clemson.