The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Capital One Bowl game by the score of 30-13. With the win, USC gets a historic school record 11 wins on the season.
Here are three things we learned from the win:
1. Alshon Jeffery is a man amongst boys – Just check out his hail mary touchdown grab – HERE. Yes he lost his cool and got ejected (video here) but he still played a amazing game. Jeffery finished the day with four receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown. With the 100-yard receiving day, he set the school record for most career 100-yard receiving games with 12. He moved into a tie with former Gamecock Sidney Rice for most career TD receptions in school history with 23. Jeffery also moved into sole possession of second place on the SEC career receiving yards list with 3,042 yards. Hate to see him go to the NFL but he is a projected first round pick so it is hard to turn down that chance.
2. Connor Shaw has made us forget Stephen Garcia – Gamecock quarterback Connor Shaw had a stellar end to his sophomore campaign as he concludes the season with a 8-1 record. Shaw simply when out and did his job in managing the offense with no mistakes. He completed 11-of-17 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. He added 42 yards and one touchdown on the ground. We loved Garcia but our new love is Shaw as his results make me proud to be a Gamecock fan.
3. It is nice to cheer for a 11-win team – The Gamecocks now sit at 11-2 heading into the postseason and an important recruiting cycle. It feels so nice to be a fan of a 11-win program and it is something, for us Gamecock fans, that we have never experienced. This season has been amazing and filled with ups and downs. USC proved once again you have to believe. Last season, they won the SEC East. Beat Clemson three times in a row. Now 11 wins. The list of “first’s” keeps growing and Coach Steve Spurrier deserves all the credit.
South Carolina will begin spring practice on Monday, March 12 and the Garnet & Black Spring Game is scheduled for Saturday, April 14. Hope 2012 is ready as the Gamecocks have swagger.
