Dec. 5, 2010

The University of South Carolina has accepted an invitation to appear in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl, it was announced today. The Gamecocks (9-4) will face the Florida State Seminoles (9-4), out of the Atlantic Coast Conference at 7:30 p.m. ET on December 31, 2010, in the Georgia Dome. The game will be televised by ESPN, running unopposed in its prime time slot.

“This will be the first time in our history we have been able to match the ACC and SEC runners up in our Bowl,” said Gary Stokan, Chick-fil-A Bowl president and CEO. “With two nationally ranked teams and a regional rivalry built in this is obviously one of the best bowl match-ups on the board this year.”

Florida State and South Carolina have met 18 times dating back to 1966 with the Seminoles holding a 15-3 advantage. The two regional rivals have not met since 1991.

“Since I’ve been at South Carolina, our fans have told me time and time again how exciting it would be to have an opportunity to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta,” said South Carolina Athletics Director Eric Hyman. “This is an opportunity to renew a rivalry with an ACC school in Florida State and a great way to cap what has been a remarkable season of Gamecock Football. I know the folks in Atlanta do a wonderful job with this bowl and will make this a memorable trip for the Gamecocks.”

“We’re excited about returning to Atlanta and playing in the Chick-fil-A Bowl,” said head coach Steve Spurrier. “If we’re ever going to win the SEC Championship, we’re going to have to win a game in the Georgia Dome and this gives us another opportunity to play there. Hopefully we’ll play much better than the last time. We will try our best to represent the University of South Carolina in a very positive way.”

South Carolina has appeared only once in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, then known as the Peach Bowl, dropping a 14-3 decision to West Virginia.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl is expected to announce its 14th consecutive sellout within the next few days. The Bowl will also eclipse the $100 million mark in cumulative team payout this year with a total $6.7 million being disbursed to the teams.

Gamecock Club members should check the official website of Gamecock Athletics, GamecocksOnline.com for ticket information. For bowl travel information, check out GamecockSportsTravel.com.