In thinking about South Carolina versus Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. I wanted to share one of my favorite memories of the South Carolina Gamecocks in a bowl game. It would have to be the Outback Bowl following the 2000 season.
Here some thoughts…
In that 2001 Outback Bowl game, the University of South Carolina defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes with a dominating performance by the score of 24-7. The Gamecocks win was fueled by running back Ryan Brewer’s performance as he gained 219 total yards and scored three touchdowns.
Being in attendance as the Gamecocks handed a beating to Buckeyes in Tampa, FL on national television was my favorite bowl game. It really had to do more with USC overcoming the struggles of the two seasons prior as the Gamecocks entered the season on a 21-game losing streak. USC would conclude the 2000 football season with a 7-4 record and a berth to the Outback bowl. It was like reaching the mountain top after going through the valley.
Speaking of the game itself, it was so nice to see the Gamecocks dominate in every aspect of the game as they would not be intimidated by the Buckeyes. The defense did their job in limiting every opportunity Ohio State could muster while the Gamecocks got the job done in the second half.
Ryan Brewer, playing with a chip on his shoulder due to not being recruited by Ohio State, rushed for 109 yards on 19 carries and scored on runs of 7 and 2 yards, as well as a 28-yard screen pass play. He was filling in for a suspended Derek Watson. Brewer’s efforts that day would make any college football fan appreciate the effort in helping to guide his team to one of their best bowl game wins.
The win satisfied the thirst of the Gamecocks present as the crowd was electric with the clock drawing to a close. The Gamecocks section in the stadium was filled with high-fives and the anticipation of what could be under Coach Lou Holtz was growing as he gave USC fans a memorable win.
Looking back on that day, it was one win that I point to in getting to where USC is today as far as a football program. That day in Tampa, South Carolina proved they could shake the “chicken curse” and get a win against a prominent football program. Now look at where USC is, fresh off a ten win regular season after a SEC East crown the year before.
The sun was shining bright on Carolina that day in the Outback Bowl and it continues to give hope to what can be with the South Carolina Gamecocks in coming years.
