Nathan Pepper News

STEVE SPURRIER AND ELLIS JOHNSON had a difficult time getting the bitter taste of South Carolina's Papajohns.com Bowl performance against Connecticut out of their mouths immediately following Saturday's game.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- It proved a tough way for University of South Carolina All-American linebacker Eric Norwood to end his collegiate career.

Three SEC teams take the field for bowls on Saturday: Ole Miss plays Oklahoma State in the Cotton, South Carolina plays Connecticut in the Papajohns.com, and Arkansas plays East Carolina in the Liberty.

COLUMBIA - Although he didn't lead the team in tackles and isn't flamboyant, probably no one on the University of South Carolina football team is respected more than Nathan Pepper.

USC head football coach Steve Spurrier watches as the Gamecocks run through drills during practice.

When he takes the field against Connecticut in two weeks in the Papajohns.com Bowl, defensive tackle Nathan Pepper will make history as the only player in South Carolina history to play in four bowl games.

When he takes the field against Connecticut in two weeks in the PapaJohns.com Bowl, defensive tackle Nathan Pepper will make history as the only player in South Carolina history to play in four bowl games.

Eric Norwood, right, signs an autograph for Anna Capin, 8, of Hilton Head on Monday.

COLUMBIA - It is a feeling University of South Carolina senior defensive tackle Nathan Pepper never wants to experience again.

With last season's blase effort in a 31-14 loss to Clemson in Death Valley, many South Carolina football fans questioned whether the USC coaching staff put enough emphasis on the rivalry.

The coaching staffs at Clemson and South Carolina know each other well - on and off the field.

No one on South Carolina's defense has a Heisman Trophy vote, although the Gamecocks have had a first-hand look at more candidates this year than anyone who was mailed a ballot.

After it looked as though his early off-the-field troubles might get the best of him, sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia has developed into the type of signal caller the Gamecocks had hoped for when he arrived in Columbia.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier says the Gamecocks are playing their biggest game of the year this weekend against Clemson.

Tim Tebow couldn't have come up with a more satisfying way to wind up a chapter of his Southeastern Conference career, in front of fellow a Florida Heisman Trophy winner and a coach he respects.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow No. 15 dives into the end zone on the left side of the line for a touchdown during the first quarter.

COLUMBIA - Nathan Pepper remembers it as if it were yesterday. During the defensive tackle's freshman season in 2005, his University of South Carolina football team defeated the University of Florida 30-22 at Williams-Brice Stadium.

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Steve Spurrier says he'll be back in the middle of South Carolina's playcalling and back on the Gamecocks' sidelines next season.

Garrett Chisolm started and played throughout at left guard. Tailback Bryce Sherman saw his first significant action, returning three kicks for 69 yards and catching a 48-yard pass on the final drive.

Ellis Johnson does not condone how South Carolina safety Chris Culliver acted this week.