"For him to do something like this is just dumb," said Irmo native Curtis Lowery, a 19-year-old USC sophomore. "How can you put all this on the line? We're in college ... we're supposed to be adults."

On April 25, Lowery said he was at the Russell House University Union when Downey approached him and "tried to provoke me." Lowery confirmed the argument was over a girl and Downey tried to hit him.

"He did hit me, at one point," Lowery said. "Then he left, came back and apologized."

Russell House officials and USC police talked to both students and Downey apologized to Lowery. Lowery said Downey only lightly hit him and the apology was sincere enough for him to drop the charges.

"But then he tried to glorify the situation," Lowery said. "He was telling other people he beat me up, which didn't happen, he slapped me, which didn't happen, he punched me, which didn't happen."

Although it was 10 days later, Lowery contacted USC police and decided to press charges. Downey was arrested on Monday, charged with simple assault and taken to jail.

"There's two sides to every story, but it's 10 days later," said Downey's mother, Candance White. "The kid didn't want to press (any) charges, next thing you know they are going to arrest him? It's a bunch of mess, a bunch of mess."

Downey posted a personal recognizance bond and was out of jail late Monday night, according to his high school coach, DeAndre Scott. Scott, now at Myrtle Beach High School, said he spoke with his former Chester prize pupil and the incident is a complete misunderstanding.

"He was in his room late last night," Scott said Tuesday. "I don't think this will end up being too much. He was never in any type of legal trouble (at Chester). It just seems to be kind of blown out of proportion."

White also said she had spoken to her son and Downey told her he wanted to sit down and explain the entire situation. She said she'd never known him to fight but wanted to get him home and talk to him.

"Hopefully he'll be home (today)," White said. "I always hold Devan up to be right, but he's not so right he can't make a mistake. He's only human."

Downey did not return a call seeking comment. USC spokesman Steve Fink said Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn would not comment on the situation at this time but is "fact-finding" about the incident.

Scott said Downey told him he had already spoken to Horn and trusted the coach would handle the situation fairly. As per USC athletic department policy, Downey was automatically suspended from team activities when he was arrested.

A consensus first-team All-SEC selection, Downey became the Gamecocks' floor leader in his first season last year, taking over at point guard and leading the team with 18.4 points per game. A fan favorite, Downey's cause was quickly taken up by online message boards.

Lowery said he wasn't concerned with any potential backlash or hostile atmosphere, despite the length from incident to arrest.

"I'm not worried at all," Lowery said. "I should have pressed charges initially. If I would have done something to him, I would have been charged."