No bowl for Gamecocks after COVID-19 issues arise
South Carolina’s football program managed to dodge any cancellations or postponements through the regular season, a feat accomplished by only two SEC programs.
But the Gamecocks’ first game lost during the coronavirus pandemic will cost them a chance to play in a bowl.
The Gamecocks will not take part in Saturday’s Gasparilla Bowl and have paused team activities because of the impacts of COVID-19, South Carolina announced Tuesday afternoon.
“The team was excited to learn Sunday that it would play in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa on Saturday,” athletic director Ray Tanner said in a statement. “However, between members of the coaching staff and student-athletes, COVID and contact tracing has taken a toll too high for us to overcome. I have notified the bowl and the SEC office that we are not able to play in the game on Saturday.”
A source told The State that every offensive coach except for Mike Bobo was in quarantine because of COVID-19 protocols. USC playing in the game at all was already an oddity, as the team went 2-8 and finished with the second-worst record in the Southeastern Conference.
The cancellation likely sends the players home for holidays and ends most of the 2020 coaching staff’s responsibilities. A few coaches are expected to be retained as the Shane Beamer era fully begins.
The team opened the week with just more than 50 scholarship players practicing.
The Gamecocks were set to face UAB for the fourth time in program history. College football insider Brett McMurphy reported Tuesday afternoon via Twitter that the Gasparilla Bowl was canceled.
Tennessee also had its participation in a bowl game canceled by a spate of COVID tests, including a positive for coach Jeremy Pruitt. Army took the Vols’ place in the Liberty Bowl and will play West Virginia.
“I am proud of this team,” Tanner said in the statement. “Their commitment to represent their program and university, themselves, their families, and their coaches, is second to none. With new head coach Shane Beamer, staff, and student-athletes, we will be ready for 2021 and we’re excited about the future.”
Full bowl statement from USC athletic director Ray Tanner
“Our football team has been on campus since the summer preparing for a football season that saw change being the only constant.
They had to go through strict COVID testing protocols that were as varied and numerous as any group of young people has had to do.
We had a season that was cut short but had to play more Southeastern Conference games than any year in history. Our players, who thrive on the energy from a full Williams-Brice Stadium, played in front of just 20 percent of a stadium, as dictated by state regulations.
Our team competed hard all season, despite injuries, positive COVID tests and contact testing, and several opt outs late in the year.
When the NCAA announced in October that it was waiving the minimum wins requirement to participate in bowl games, we knew that the SEC had enough bowl tie-ins, that we would likely get to play in a bowl game.
The team was excited to learn Sunday that it would play in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa on Saturday.
However, between members of the coaching staff and student-athletes, COVID and contact tracing has taken a toll too high for us to overcome. I have notified the bowl and the SEC office that we are not able to play in the game on Saturday.
I am proud of this team. Their commitment to represent their program and university, themselves, their families, and their coaches, is second to none.
With new head coach Shane Beamer, staff, and student-athletes, we will be ready for 2021 and we’re excited about the future.”
South Carolina 2020 football results, scores
Sept. 26: Tennessee 31, South Carolina 27
Oct. 3: Florida 38, South Carolina 24
Oct. 10: South Carolina 41, Vanderbilt 7
Oct. 17: South Carolina 30, Auburn 11
Oct. 24: LSU 52, South Carolina 24
Nov. 7: Texas A&M 48, South Carolina 3
Nov. 14: Ole Miss 59, South Carolina 42
Nov. 21: Missouri 17, South Carolina 10
Nov. 28: Georgia 45, South Carolina 16
Dec. 5: Kentucky 41, South Carolina 18
Dec. 26: vs. UAB in Gasparilla Bowl (USC pulls out)
This story was originally published December 22, 2020 at 1:31 PM with the headline "No bowl for Gamecocks after COVID-19 issues arise."
