BC-FBC–T25-South Carolina-Swearinger,130
SEC suspends Gamecocks’ Swearinger for helmet hit
AP Photo SCBF106%reldate(2012-09-17T16:54:02COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The SEC has suspended South Carolina free safety D.J. Swearinger for a game after his hit on a defenseless UAB receiver.
The Southeastern Conference’s decision Monday means Swearinger will miss the seventh-ranked Gamecocks’ game this weekend against Missouri.
A personal foul was called against Swearinger after he launched into UAB’s Patrick Hearn while breaking up a pass in the third quarter Saturday. The side of Swearinger’s helmet crashed into Hearn’s facemask. Both players stayed in the game.
On Sunday, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said a Vanderbilt player was given a 15-yard penalty but no suspension for a similar hit against Gamecocks tight end Justice Cunningham.
Spurrier says the NCAA should also protect quarterbacks after they release a pass. Gamecocks QB Connor Shaw was knocked out of the UAB game.