Motivation is often the leading performance factor during postseason play and South Carolina’s Jonathan Walton needed no extra incentive during the Gamecocks’ Independence Bowl win over Miami on Saturday.

The sophomore linebacker left little doubt during his breakout performance, managing his first career interception to go along with four tackles and a pass breakup.

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Walton’s move from the middle to the outside linebacker this spring has paid off in a big way for the 6-foot, 235-pounder from Daphne, Ala. who appears to be South Carolina’s second-best returning defender behind Skai Moore.

After playing in all 13 games last season primarily on special teams, Walton made a name for himself as a reliable tackler on a defense that struggled with fundamentals. If Lorenzo Ward is retained as the team’s defensive coordinator, he’ll lean on Walton to help budding defenders and likely 2015 starters Bryson Allen-Williams and Rico McWilliams.

In Shreveport, Walton’s final sophomore outing included a pair of ferocious stops, the first tackle coming on a 3rd-and-7 stretch play inside the red zone during the first quarter that thwarted a potential touchdown drive on Miami’s first possession.

It gave South Carolina’s defense a momentum boost they carried throughout the opening 30 minutes to build a 17-6 lead. The Gamecocks’ second touchdown came after Walton picked off a pass near midfield and leaped a defender during a nice return that initially provided great field position.