2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl

The South Carolina Gamecocks went 7–6 in 2008, losing their final three games, including the 2009 Outback Bowl against Iowa, by a combined score of 118–30. Steve Spurrier was named head coach of the Gamecocks in 2005; in his four seasons in charge of the program, the team had a combined record of 28–21 and was bowl-eligible every year.[16]

South Carolina opened its 2009 season with a win against North Carolina State.[17] Their next game, against No. 21[Note 1] Georgia, featured a kickoff returned for a touchdown, an interception returned for a touchdown, a safety, a blocked extra point attempt, and 24 penalties. In the end, quarterback Stephen Garcia's pass on 4th-and-4 from the 7-yard line with 22 seconds remaining was batted down by the defense and fell incomplete, preserving a 41–37 win for Georgia.[18] South Carolina proceeded to beat Florida Atlantic 38–16.[19]

In their next contest, South Carolina faced No. 4[Note 1] Mississippi, and came away with a 16–10 upset; the Gamecocks had lost their previous 22 games against AP top 5 teams.[20] Next up was a win against in-state Division I-FCS opponent South Carolina State[21] With the victory, the Gamecocks earned their first Top 25 ranking of the 2009 season, appearing in the AP Poll at No. 25.[22] South Carolina finished the first half of their season against SEC opponent Kentucky. Defensive end Cliff Matthews knocked down Kentucky's pass attempt on what would have been a game-tying two-point conversion to preserve the 28–26 win. After six games, the Gamecocks had a record of 5–1 overall, 2–1 in the SEC,[23] and were a consensus No. 22 in the AP, Coaches', and Harris polls.[24][25][26]

After winning five of their first six games, the Gamecocks proceeded to lose four of their next five. Against No. 2[Note 1] Alabama, eventual Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mark Ingram II ran for a then-career record 246 yards and a touchdown; South Carolina lost 20–6.[27] The defeat dropped the Gamecocks to No. 23 in the AP and Coaches' polls,[28][29] and out of the Harris poll altogether;[30] in the first BCS standings released that week, the Gamecocks were ranked 24th.[31] South Carolina came back to beat Vanderbilt 14–10;[32] the Gamecocks rose to No. 21 in all three polls,[33][34][35] and No. 22 in the following week's BCS standings.[36] The next game, against Tennessee, was never close; South Carolina fell behind 21–0 early in the second quarter and lost 31–13.[37] The loss caused the Gamecocks to fall out of all three polls as well as the BCS standings.[38][39][40][41] South Carolina then faced Arkansas, who scored 23 unanswered points on their way to delivering the Gamecocks a 33–16 loss.[42] The following game was against No. 1[Note 1] Florida, who was undefeated. South Carolina was within three points of Florida as the fourth quarter began, but Garcia was subsequently sacked four times and intercepted twice; Florida won 24–14. The Gamecocks' record fell to 6–5 overall, 3–5 within the SEC.[43]

After a bye week, South Carolina closed out their regular season with a game against their fierce in-state rivals, the No. 15[Note 1] Clemson Tigers, who had already clinched a berth in the 2009 ACC Championship Game the next week. Clemson star running back C. J. Spiller returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown; he was held to 18 yards rushing the rest of the game. The Gamecocks scored 24 unanswered points to take a 24–7 lead through three quarters, and matched the Tigers the rest of the way to win 34–17. This win gave South Carolina a final regular season record of 7–5 overall, 3–5 in the SEC.[44]

Connecticut linebacker Lawrence Wilson

The Connecticut Huskies finished 8–5 in 2008, ending the season with a victory in the 2009 International Bowl. The departure of running back Donald Brown—the NCAA rushing leader in 2008—as well as three other Huskies selected in the first two rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft, was expected to hurt the team.[45] In the Big East preseason media poll, the Huskies were picked to finish sixth in the conference.[46]

The Huskies opened the 2009 season at Ohio University, and never trailed in the game, winning 23–16.[47] UConn's next game was its home opener, versus No. 19[Note 1] North Carolina. Connecticut led 10–0 through three quarters, but North Carolina tied the game with 2:36 left and took the lead when UConn was called for a holding penalty in its end zone, which by rule resulted in a safety. North Carolina won the game 12–10.[48] Connecticut rebounded in its next game at Baylor, winning 30–22;[49] they then faced Division I-Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-FCS) opponent Rhode Island, an historic rival of the team, and defeated them 52–10.[50]

The Huskies opened Big East conference play at the Pittsburgh Panthers. UConn held a 21–6 lead with less than four minutes left in the third quarter, but Pittsburgh rallied to win with a field goal as time expired.[51] Connecticut closed the first half of its season versus Big East opponent Louisville on homecoming weekend.[52] In the third quarter, with UConn leading 21–13, Louisville running back Bilal Powell ran off left tackle near the end zone. He was caught by cornerback Jasper Howard, who forced a fumble.[53] Connecticut kicked a field goal on the ensuing drive and won the game 38–25, giving the Huskies a 4–2 overall record, 1–1 within the Big East conference.[54]

Later that night, Howard and several other UConn football players were at a dance at the Student Union Center on the Connecticut campus.[52] At 12:26 am a fire alarm sounded, forcing the evacuation of the building. As the students exited, an altercation broke out between a group of UConn football players and a group of non-students. The attackers brandished knives and stabbed Howard before fleeing.[55] Howard was taken by ambulance to Windham Community Memorial Hospital, and then evacuated by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, where he was pronounced dead. Coach Randy Edsall was summoned to identify the body.[56] Howard's murder was the first homicide on UConn's campus in more than thirty years.[57]

Connecticut's next game, one week after Howard's death, was at West Virginia. In a close-run game, Connecticut lost 28–24 after West Virginia responded to the Huskies' late go-ahead score with one of its own.[58] Two days after the game, the entire UConn team traveled to Howard's hometown of Miami, Florida, for his funeral.[59] The next game, the first at Rentschler Field since Howard's death, was against Rutgers. Connecticut came back in the fourth quarter to take a 24–21 lead with 38 seconds remaining; Rutgers completed an 81-yard touchdown pass one play later to win 28–24.[60] UConn also lost the following game, 47–45, at undefeated No. 5[Note 1] Cincinnati. After three straight losses, the Huskies' record dropped to 4–5 overall; 1–4 in the Big East. The losses to this point were by a combined total of 15 points.[61]

Connecticut's next game was a nationally televised appearance at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish scored two touchdowns early but the Huskies responded with a touchdown and a field goal. Notre Dame expanded its lead to 17–10 in the third quarter, but Todman ran back the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a game-tying touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Notre Dame once again took the lead on a 23-yard field goal; after two touchdown-scoring running plays were negated by holding penalties, Connecticut tied the score on a 29-yard field goal with 1:10 left, sending the game into overtime.[62] The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, and the Huskies won the game with a touchdown in the second overtime. Edsall said the game was the "best win" in UConn football history.[62]

Connecticut finished the regular season by beating Syracuse[63] and South Florida at home. The South Florida game, played as snow fell on Rentschler Field, was won on a last-second 42-yard field goal by kicker Dave Teggart. The two wins gave UConn a final regular season record of 7–5 overall, 3–4 in the Big East.[64] They finished in a three-way tie with Rutgers and South Florida for fourth place in the conference.[65]

The Gamecocks struggled offensively for most of 2009, ranking only 76th in total offense and 96th in scoring. Their offense was quarterbacked by Stephen Garcia.[70] A highly touted prospect coming out of high school,[72] Garcia had a breakout season in 2009, finishing second in the SEC with 2,733 passing yards—more than former Heisman Trophy-winning Florida quarterback Tim Tebow—and 17 touchdowns against nine interceptions.[67] Freshman wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was Garcia's most frequent passing target; he caught 43 passes for 735 yards and six touchdowns. Although South Carolina's passing attack had success, its running game was the worst in the SEC and 91st nationally. The Gamecocks' offensive line struggled, ranking 104th in sacks allowed.[70] It did not help matters that Eric Wolford, the running game coordinator and offensive line coach, left the team before the bowl game to become head coach at Youngstown State.[73]

Todman (left) and Dixon (center) talk to running backs coach Terry Richardson on the sideline

The Connecticut offense was led by the rushing attack of running backs Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon, who were described as "one of the best running-back tandems in the nation".[67] The two combined for 27 touchdowns and more than 2,100 rushing yards during the regular season.[74] South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood described Todman as a speedy back, with "that burst and that breakaway speed to go with it", and compared him to Clemson running back C. J. Spiller. In contrast, Norwood described Dixon as a "taller, more downhill back, vertical guy".[75]

In previous seasons, UConn had been largely dependent on running the ball; the team developed more balance in 2009, ranking 41st of 120 Division I FBS teams nationally in rushing offense and 46th in passing. Marcus Easley's emergence as a productive wide receiver was key to the development of the Huskies' passing attack. A former walk-on who entered the season with only five career receptions, he led Connecticut in receiving in 2009 with 44 catches for 853 yards and eight touchdowns.[70] Quarterback Zach Frazer was inconsistent in the early season. He was injured in the game against North Carolina, but regained his starting role after backup Cody Endres was hurt in the Rutgers game later in the season.[67] In UConn's four games before the bowl, Frazer performed well; he threw six touchdown passes against only two interceptions and helped the Huskies score an average of 41 points per game.[61][62][63][64] Experts felt Frazer would need to have a good performance for Connecticut to have a chance to win.[70]

South Carolina had a strong defense, especially against the pass; the Gamecocks were 15th in the nation in total defense, 22nd in scoring defense, 46th in run defense, and 12th in passing defense. The Gamecock defense was led by linebacker Eric Norwood. Described as "one of the most disruptive defenders in the country",[70] Norwood was a three-time All-SEC selection and had compiled seven sacks on the season, tied for third-best in the conference. He was South Carolina's all-time leader in both sacks and tackles-for-loss.[76]

Connecticut had a weaker defense in 2010 than in previous seasons. The Huskies were 72nd in total defense, 60th in scoring defense, 48th against the run, and 94th against the pass.[70] UConn's pass defense was hurt by the loss of Jasper Howard; following his death, freshman cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson was forced into the starting lineup alongside senior Robert McClain.[66][77] Top performers for the Connecticut defense included defensive end Lindsey Witten, who led the Big East with 11.5 sacks,[70] and linebacker Lawrence Wilson, who led the Big East and was fourth in the nation with 136 tackles, averaging over 11 per game.[66][78]

Connecticut kicked off to South Carolina to begin the game. The Gamecocks gained only a single yard in three plays on their first possession, forcing them to punt. UConn proceeded to also gain only one yard and punt. After another Gamecock punt, the Huskies took over at their own 34 and made a first down—the first of the game—after three consecutive Dixon rushing plays. Two completed passes to Marcus Easley earned Connecticut a second first down, moving them to the South Carolina 39-yard line. After a two-yard Jordan Todman run and an incomplete pass,[83] Zach Frazer threw a pass down the right sideline ahead of Kashif Moore. Reaching out, Moore made a one-handed running catch into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.[84] After the extra point conversion, Connecticut led 7–0 with 6:37 left in the quarter.[83]

South Carolina regained possession on their 26-yard line following the kickoff, but was only able to advance nine yards in three plays. Rather than punt, the Gamecocks attempted to gain a first down on 4th-and-1 at the 32-yard line. Steven Garcia's quarterback sneak was stopped for no gain by the UConn defense, returning the ball to Connecticut on loss of downs.[83] The Huskies began their next drive in a favorable position due to the Gamecocks' turnover on downs. A 16-yard run by Todman advanced the ball to the South Carolina 16-yard line, where Connecticut's offense was stymied by South Carolina's defense. Dave Teggart made a 33-yard field goal, giving the Huskies a 10–0 lead with 3:35 left in the quarter.[83] On the ensuing possession, South Carolina again went three-and-out, punting the ball to Connecticut. The Huskies began driving down the field, collecting two first downs before the first quarter ended. At the end of the first quarter, UConn held a 10–0 lead.[83]

Zach Frazer hands off to Andre Dixon

Beginning the second quarter with a 1st-and-10 at their 44-yard line, Connecticut failed to make progress and punted. After the Gamecocks again went three-and-out and punted, the Huskies tried a trick pass from Todman to Easley that fell incomplete. After that, the Huskies advanced the ball off short runs by Dixon and Todman, and passes from Frazer to Easley and Moore. South Carolina stopped UConn's drive at the 27-yard line; Connecticut settled for a 44-yard field goal that extended its lead to 13–0.[85]

Garcia led the Gamecocks on their next drive, either passing or rushing himself on every play except the last. After a first-down sack by Kendall Reyes pushed South Carolina back to its 18-yard line, the Gamecocks advanced the ball to the Connecticut 35-yard line. On 4th-and-10, Stephen Flint was tackled nine yards behind the line of scrimmage, returning the ball to UConn on loss of downs. The two teams traded punts until halftime; Connecticut still held a 13–0 lead.[85]

South Carolina on offense in the third quarter

The Huskies received the ball to start the half, but were unable to obtain a first down after three straight running plays. UConn punted; South Carolina was called for roughing the kicker,[Note 4] giving Connecticut a first down after the penalty. After two plays netted no yardage, UConn threw a pass on 3rd-and-10 that fell incomplete. The Gamecocks were called for a personal foul, again giving the Huskies a first down. Connecticut advanced the ball to the South Carolina 26-yard line, but Frazer fumbled; the ball was recovered by South Carolina.[86]

The Gamecocks responded with a drive that earned two first downs. After a sack on third down by Lawrence Wilson, South Carolina punted. The Gamecocks got the ball back on their 8-yard line after the Huskies went three-and-out. After two first downs and a 15-yard personal foul penalty against it, South Carolina faced a 1st-and-10 on its 26-yard line. Garcia fumbled, and the ball was recovered by Scott Lutrus of UConn at the 35-yard line. Four Dixon rushing plays advanced the ball to the 24-yard line; the quarter expired with the Huskies leading 13–0 and in good position to expand their margin.[86]

Connecticut on offense in the fourth quarter

Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, UConn struck again. On his fifth run of the quarter, Dixon rushed into the end zone from ten yards out, giving Connecticut a 20–0 lead and effectively putting the game away as South Carolina would need three scores to take the lead.[84][87] The two teams exchanged three-and-outs before South Carolina began a drive that penetrated Connecticut territory; however, South Carolina was soon pushed back to its 47-yard-line. On 4th-and-19, Garcia threw a deep pass that was intercepted by safety Robert Vaughn on the UConn 7-yard line.[87]

After three Dixon runs failed to get a first down, Connecticut punted;[87] the kick by Desi Cullen was partially blocked, and South Carolina recovered the ball at the UConn 40-yard line.[88] Garcia promptly completed his deepest pass of the game, a 38-yard connection to wide receiver D.L. Moore. The Gamecocks scored on the next play, a two-yard run by Brian Maddox, which ended the Huskies' bid for a shutout. South Carolina attempted an onside kick to retain possession, but Connecticut recovered the ball. Dixon drove UConn to within the Gamecock 2-yard line; rather than running up the score, the Huskies were content to run out the clock. Connecticut won the game 20–7.[87]