Jan. 6, 2012

A pair of defensive standouts that helped the University of South Carolina to a school-record 11 wins this season will represent the Gamecocks in the 2012 Senior Bowl. Defensive end Melvin Ingram and safety Antonio Allen have both officially accepted invitations to the senior showcase event, it was announced today. The 2012 Senior Bowl is set for 3pm (CT) on January 28th in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game and all practices will be televised live by NFL Network.

“There’s no question Melvin and Antonio both played a key role in South Carolina’s record-breaking season,” Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. “We’re thrilled that they’ve chosen to compete against the nation’s top seniors and look forward to watching them maximize their value for the upcoming NFL draft.”

Ingram was a first team All-America selection by the AFCA and Walter Camp in 2011 and first team All- SEC honoree by both the Associated Press and league coaches. The 6-2, 276 pound defensive end tied a new single-season school record with 10 sacks in 2011. He added 48 total tackles, including 15 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two interceptions. He also scored three touchdowns on the season, two of which came in the Gamecocks’ win over Georgia–a 68- yard fake punt and a 5-yard fumble return.

“I feel like it’s going to be a wonderful experience just to showcase what I can do and get good work in against other good players,” Ingram said.

For his career, Ingram finished fourth on South Carolina’s all-time list with 21.5 sacks and fifth in tackles for loss with 30.5. He tallied 109 total tackles and played in 52 career games, making 14 starts. He was also instrumental in helping the Gamecocks to the school’s first ever 11-win season, a feat they recently accomplished after their bowl victory over Nebraska.

“We closed out the season on a good note, we could not ask for a better way to go out, so just to wear that helmet one more time is going to be an honor,” Ingram added.

Allen was a second team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press this season and the only player in the league to rank in the top ten in tackles (88), interceptions (3), forced fumbles (4), and fumble recoveries (3). He added 9.5 tackles for loss and one sack on the season. His 88 tackles were tops on the team and he was a part of a defensive unit that ranked second in the SEC in passing defense this season.

A native of Ocala, Florida, Allen wrapped up his career with 198 total tackles, including 20 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He made 31 career starts for the Gamecocks and appeared in 40 games.

Tickets for the 2012 Senior Bowl are currently available for purchase at the Senior Bowl ticket office (151 Dauphin Street), all area Food For Less locations, select Regions Bank locations, online at www.seniorbowl.com or by calling (251) 432-4109.

######

About the Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl is college football’s premier senior showcase event, annually featuring the nation’s best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects on teams coached by NFL coaching staffs. Senior Bowl practices and game week festivities are attended by more than 800 general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, scouts and other front office personnel from all 32 National Football League teams, making Mobile and the Senior Bowl the week-long host to a one-of-a-kind NFL Coaches Convention. For more information on the 2012 Senior Bowl please visit the bowl’s website at www.seniorbowl.com.

About NFL Network

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. Fans turn to NFL Network to receive information and insight straight from the field, team headquarters, league offices and everywhere the NFL is making news. NFL Network gives fans unprecedented year-round access to all NFL events, including the Super Bowl, Playoffs, regular season, preseason, Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend, NFL Draft, Scouting Combine, Senior Bowl, league meetings minicamps and training camps. For more information log onto NFL.com, the exclusive home of NFL Network, NFL video highlights, NFL chats news and information.