The South Carolina Gamecocks are slated to head to Tampa this week to begin on-site preparations for their January 1 date with Michigan in the Outback Bowl.
Before breaking for the Christmas holidays, the Gamecocks worked out at the Bluff Road practice field and in Williams-Brice Stadium. During the practices in Columbia, head coach Steve Spurrier addressed the quarterback situation for the bowl game.
Connor Shaw has been the Gamecocks’ starting quarterback most of the season. But injuries cut into his playing time, limiting him to 10 games, and his effectiveness. He completed 136 passes in 202 attempts for 1,732 yards and 15 touchdowns with seven interceptions. The numbers were good but could have been even better if he had stayed completely healthy.
When Shaw couldn’t go, Spurrier turned to sophomore Dylan Thompson of Boiling Springs, S.C., and he responded with 59 completions in 117 pass attempts, good for 910 yards and eight touchdowns against two interceptions. Thompson started the final game of the season against Clemson and was 23 of 41 passing for 310 yards and three touchdowns.
But Shaw is as close to healthy as he’s been since the season started and Spurrier has named him the starter for the bowl game, although the coach said that regardless of Shaw getting the start Thompson will definitely play against the Wolverines.
“Connor Shaw is healthy. He was running around pretty well,” said Spurrier. “He’ll start the game but Dylan will play.”
“We’re getting ready for the game, going through our stuff and getting the game plan down,” said Thompson, who had no problem with Shaw starting but liked the fact that he knows he will see action.
“It definitely gets you a little more amped up for it,” admitted Thompson. “Honestly, I felt we’re in great hands with Connor and great hands with myself, so however that works out Coach will make the right decision and we’ll roll with that.
“It’s my job to work as hard as I can and be ready when my number’s called, just like every other second guy on the depth chart. Whatever opportunity I get is what I roll with.”
Quarterback coach G.A. Mangus explained the decision.
“Connor is getting as healthy as he’s been in a while,” Mangus said. “He’s looked good. (The quarterbacks) had good tempo and good enthusiasm about them. (Connor) has had a pretty good stretch of staying off (his injured foot), hopefully that will pay off.
“Connor’s been the starter. He’s earned it. It’s nice to have a couple guys who can go in there and play. That hadn’t been the case necessarily over the last few years. Both will play (against Michigan).”
The game will start at 1 p.m. Eastern Time at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 1.