COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -South Carolina safety Emmanuel Cook was arrested on a gun charge and suspended from the university on Friday, making him ineligible to play for the Gamecocks.

Cook, 19, was charged with unlawful possession of a pistol, according to a police report.

Cook and James Gore III, 21, were arrested by University of South Carolina police Thursday night at a parking lot near campus dormitories, the report said.

The athletic department issued a statement saying Cook was suspended from the university because of an arrest involving a weapon.

Cook, a sophomore from Riviera Beach, Fla., played in 10 games a year ago, starting five of them. He had 47 tackles last season and was named to the all-Southeastern Conference freshman team.

When police arrived at the campus dormitories Thursday, officers saw Gore try to hide something inside a car, according to the police report. Cook told police there was a gun in the car, and a loaded magazine was found on Gore, authorities said.

Gore, 21, from Chester, was charged with unlawful carry or display of a firearm.

Both were taken to the Richland County jail, where they remained Friday afternoon, according to the detention center's Web site.

Athletic spokesman Steve Fink said coach Steve Spurrier would be available after Friday afternoon's practice.

Cook's arrest comes a day after coach Steve Spurrier said three players, including starting quarterback Blake Mitchell, would sit out the first game against Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 1 because of excessive absences during summer school. The other players were running back Bobby Wallace and defensive back Chris Hail.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.