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Smelley will start vs. Vandy
CommentsSouth Carolina has its quarterback for the Vanderbilt game: And it's the player many fans figured would be the starter all along.
USC coach Steve Spurrier announced Monday that Chris Smelley will start Thursday night at Vanderbilt, a week after the redshirt sophomore came off the bench to lead the Gamecocks to three fourth-quarter touchdowns in their 34-0 win over N.C. State.
Smelley, who was 4-2 last year as a starter, lost the spot to Tommy Beecher after Smelley threw five interceptions in the spring game. But Beecher struggled (four interceptions) against the Wolfpack and left the game near the end of the third quarter after injuring his shoulder and head at the end of a scramble.
Though Beecher returned to practice Monday after missing two days, Spurrier said Smelley's opening-game performance earned him the start.
"He played well and he deserves to start, probably if Tommy wasn't injured," Spurrier said. "But Tommy is injured, so we don't have to worry about this, that or the other. So it appears Chris is going to be our starter right now unless something happens between now and Thursday night."
Spurrier said redshirt freshman Stephen Garcia would be the No. 2 quarterback if Beecher is not 100 percent by game time.
Smelley was 5-for-5 for 92 yards and two scores against the Wolfpack.
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