Dec. 17, 2014

The University of South Carolina football team continued its bowl mini-camp on Wednesday at the Bluff Road “Proving Grounds.” The Gamecocks (6-6, 3-5 SEC) are preparing for the Saturday, December 27, Duck Commander Independence Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes (6-6, 3-5 ACC). Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and the contest will be televised nationally on ABC.

Following practice, head coach Steve Spurrier talked about junior college transfer Marquavius Lewis, who signed his letter of intent today. “I guess the big news of the day is Qua Lewis, the highest rated defensive lineman in junior college ball this past year signed with us and will be here in January,” said the Head Ball Coach. “We’ve been saying for months now that we have defensive help, a pass rusher, on the way. We’re fired up that Qua Lewis is coming with us. Quay didn’t pay attention to all these guys saying that Coach is leaving or getting fired and all the coaches are leaving. I really think Qua came for the University of South Carolina. He knows his home state university and the advantages here. Facility-wise we’re as good as anybody. We’re fired up about him and fired up about these next guys that are coming soon. That gives us all a shot in the arm that help is on the way.”

The Gamecocks have had several recruits de-commit over the past few months. “That happens I guess when you have 30 quick ones,” said Coach Spurrier. “Maybe some of these guys will come back, who knows? You just keep recruiting. We say all the time it’s never over until February. That’s when they sign. We’ll see how it plays out. Everybody just keeps recruiting. One day you look pretty, the next day you don’t look so good.”

Coach Spurrier addressed his statement about coaching for another two-to-three years. “You’re right, you need to always go under the four-to-five (more years plan),” said Coach Spurrier. “The pay’s pretty good for college football coaches as all of you know. We’ve got an excellent group of coaches here. If there’s some help we need somewhere along the way then I need to do that. I’m back on the four-to-five (year plan).”

Coach Spurrier confirmed that reserve offensive lineman D.J. Park would not be eligible for the bowl game due to academics and would not make the trip to Shreveport. He also said he expects this to be junior running back Mike Davis’s last game in the Garnet & Black, as Davis is expected to turn pro. Starting right tackle Brandon Shell did not practice today due to a shoulder injury, but is expected to return to practice later this week.

The Gamecocks will return to the practice fields on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. All practices in Columbia are closed.