West Virginia reinstates Garvin for Gator Bowl

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez has reinstated wide receiver Travis Garvin for Thursday's Gator Bowl.

However, Garvin will not play until at least the second half, Rodriguez said Wednesday.

Rodriguez initially said Tuesday that Garvin had been sent home for an unspecified violation of team rules. But the coach later issued a statement saying the player would remain with the team because his family was already en route to Jacksonville. Rodriguez said he did not "want to penalize them as well."

After talking with Garvin's family, Rodriguez allowed Garvin to dress for the game.

"How the game goes will have no bearing on whether he gets in," Rodriguez said.

No. 20 West Virginia (8-4) will face No. 23 Maryland (9-3) at Alltel Stadium.

Garvin, a senior, is West Virginia's third-leading receiver with 16 catches for 307 yards and two touchdowns, including a 93-yarder in a win over Virginia Tech. He also had 14 carries for 135 yards this season.

Garvin missed last year's Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., for personal reasons.

He also had left the team twice earlier this year, including after a cousin was shot to death in a parking lot Oct. 3 in Garvin's hometown of Bradenton.