Jan. 10, 2012

The University of South Carolina football team reached another benchmark in a long-line of “firsts” under head coach Steve Spurrier. The 11-2 Gamecocks finished the season ranked among the nation’s Top-10 teams for the first time in school history.

South Carolina is ranked ninth in the final Associated Press poll and eighth in the final USA TODAY/Coaches poll, which were both released today. The previous high-water mark was 11th in the AP poll following the 1984 season. The Gamecocks have finished ranked among the nation’s Top-25 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2000 and 2001.

“This is another “first” that we’re proud of – another goal reached,” said head coach Steve Spurrier of the squad’s first Top-10 finish. “There’s still some room higher than that, and we’ll shoot for that next year.”

“I was excited when I heard about it,” said senior defensive tackle Travian Robertson. “I was hoping we would be a little higher, but it’s something that’s never been done before.”

The Gamecocks made history last week by winning their school record 11th game with a 30-13 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be known as the best team in South Carolina history,” added junior center T.J. Johnson. “That’s what we came here to do and it shows that all of our hard work is paying off.”

Alabama, a 21-0 winner over LSU in the BCS National Championship Game, garnered the top spot in both polls. LSU finished second, ahead of Oklahoma State, Oregon and Arkansas.

AP Top 25

RK TEAM RECORD PTS

1 Alabama (55) 12-1 1495

2 LSU (1) 13-1 1425

3 Oklahoma State (4) 12-1 1399

4 Oregon 12-2 1250

5 Arkansas 11-2 1198

6 Southern California 10-2 1181

7 Stanford 11-2 1167

8 Boise State 12-1 1127

9 South Carolina 11-2 1013

10 Wisconsin 11-3 905

11 Michigan State 11-3 873

12 Michigan 11-2 839

13 Baylor 10-3 780

14 TCU 11-2 653

15 Kansas State 10-3 621

16 Oklahoma 10-3 572

17 West Virginia 10-3 547

18 Houston 13-1 518

19 Georgia 10-4 439

20 Southern Miss 12-2 411

21 Virginia Tech 11-3 329

22 Clemson 10-4 188

23 Florida State 9-4 154

24 Nebraska 9-4 143

25 Cincinnati 10-3 103

Others receiving votes: Brigham Young 51, Auburn 40, Northern Illinois 33, Missouri 23, Texas 15, Rutgers 3, North Dakota State 2, Penn State 2, Virginia 1

USA Today Poll

RK TEAM RECORD PTS

1 Alabama (59) 12-1 1475

2 LSU 13-1 1404

3 Oklahoma State 12-1 1367

4 Oregon 12-2 1290

5 Arkansas 11-2 1188

6 Boise State 12-1 1162

7 Stanford 11-2 1106

8 South Carolina 11-2 1084

9 Michigan 11-2 925

10 Michigan State 11-3 912

11 Wisconsin 11-3 911

12 Baylor 10-3 775

13 TCU 11-2 710

14 Houston 13-1 673

15 Oklahoma 10-3 610

16 Kansas State 10-3 602

17 Virginia Tech 11-3 574

18 West Virginia 10-3 554

19 Southern Miss 12-2 429

20 Georgia 10-4 345

21 Cincinnati 10-3 248

22 Clemson 10-4 237

23 Florida State 9-4 205

24 Nebraska 9-4 144

25 Brigham Young 10-3 79

Others receiving votes: Northern Illinois 36, Missouri 33, Texas 29, Auburn 28, Rutgers 11, Penn State 10, Texas A&M 5, Virginia 4, Washington 2, Temple 2, Florida 1, Louisiana-Lafayette 1, Mississippi State 1, Arkansas State 1, Notre Dame 1, Ohio 1