South Carolina will try and avoid its first losing season under Steve Spurrier on Saturday when the Gamecocks tackle Miami in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl. Here’s five opposing players all Gamecocks fans should know before heading to Shreveport or watching from home:
- Duke Johnson, RB: Miami’s all-time leader in rushing and all-purpose yards records, Johnson leads the Hurricanes with 13 total touchdowns this season. The junior ballcarrier who is just 80 yards from eclipsing the 1,600-mark for the season will announce his NFL Draft decision after the bowl game.
- Brad Kaaya, QB: This true freshman from West Hills, Ca. has thrown for 25 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards through the air this season and has been especially efficient over his last six starts. Since throwing nine interceptions the first half of the season, Kaaya touchdown to turnover ratio has been 6:1 the rest of the way.
- Denzel Perryman, LB: The Hurricanes’ leader in tackles with 102 this season, Perryman excels in coverage, against the run and off the edge on the blitz. No player has recorded more tackles for loss in this matchup (8.5).
- Deon Bush, DB: Keep an eye on No. 2 at the back end, a hard hitter in the secondary who has picked off two passes and forced a team-best five fumbles.
- Phillip Dorsett, ATH: Arguably the fastest player on the field, Miami’s 5-foot-10, 190-pound lightning bug is averaging 26.6 yards per catch this season and has a team-high nine touchdown receptions (31 catches, 826 yards). He has recorded three multi-touchdown games.
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