Dec. 8, 2005

South Carolina wide receiver Sidney Rice and defensive end Dakota Walker have been selected to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team as selected by the league’s 12 coaches, it was announced today.

Rice, a redshirt freshman from Gaffney, S.C., was a unanimous selection for the all-freshman squad after being named to the SEC first team all-conference by both the Associated Press and the coaches earlier in the week. The 6-4, 191-pounder leads the SEC in receiving yards, averaging 95.2 yards per game, is third in receptions at 5.80 per game and had 12 receiving touchdowns, just two off the NCAA freshman record.

Rice was also named to the SI.com honorable mention All-America team, announced Wednesday.

Walker, a 6-4, 219-pound defensive end from Mays Landing, N.J., figured in on nine tackles this season, including 3.5 sacks, which tied for the team lead. He was limited to just eight games due to a serious staph infection that required hospitalization.

Rice and Walker will be in Shreveport, La. on Friday, December 30, when the Gamecocks take on the Missouri Tigers in the 30th edition of the Independence Bowl. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. For tickets, please call the USC Athletics Ticket Office at 803-777-4274 or 1-800-472-3267.