Dec. 30, 2008

Coach Spurrier | Coach Spurrier Jr. | Coach Lawing | Coach Johnson

The University of South Carolina football team worked out for about 90 minutes Tuesday at Jefferson High School in Tampa as they continued their preparations for the New Year’s Day Outback Bowl game against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

“We had a nice practice today, a typical `Thursday’ practice,” said head coach Steve Spurrier following the workout. “We’ll rest up today and tomorrow and try to play our best game of the year Thursday morning.”

Several special guests were on hand to watch the Gamecocks practice on Thursday, including University president Harris Pastides and Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Jon Gruden.

“(Dr. Pastides) gave an excellent talk to our guys,” said Coach Spurrier. “He really loves our team and how they represent our school, and he’s pulling for us all the time. “It was nice to see Coach Gruden come out here,” noted Coach Spurrier. “They had a very tough ending, as we all know. It was nice of him and his boys to come out here, and they’ll be pulling for the Gamecocks.”

The Gamecocks will hold their final workout and take a brief walk-thru at Raymond James Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The Gamecocks (7-5) will face the Hawkeyes (8-4) at 11 a.m. ET on January 1. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Gamecock fans attending the New Year’s Day game can listen to the Gamecock Radio Network in Raymond James Stadium on the primary frequency of 96.3 FM. The secondary frequency will be 100.1 FM.