As South Carolina prepares for its match-up against Miami in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl, we take a look back at the last time the Gamecocks and the Hurricane’s met on the field – and specifically look at the brawl that ensued.

After the game, South Carolina officials swore they would never schedule Miami again, calling the Hurricane’s “cheap-shot artists”. Here is an excerpt from an article written by Randy Mell of the Sun Sentinel on December 7th, 1987:

The Miami and South Carolina series ended this year, but UM Athletic Director Sam Jankovich confirmed that a continuation of the series was being negotiated.

“We had discussed the possibility of scheduling future games, but they have all broken off since the game,” South Carolina Athletic Director Bob Marcum said. “It’s too bad since we are both independents in the same part of the country. We are very sorry it had to happen.”

“I sat down with (coach) Joe Morrison and we decided if that`s the type of football Miami wants to play — fine — but it is our privilege who we play and we concluded that South Carolina will not play Miami anymore.”

Jankovich, who is out of town, released a statement through the UM sports information office.

“I won`t have any comment until I get back and visit with our coaches and South Carolina Athletic Director Bob Marcum,”  Jankovich said.

A South Carolina official told The State newspaper in Columbia that game films showed a Miami cornerback slugging receiver Danny Smith and another shoving receiver Ryan Bethea from behind after whistles had ended plays. Also, he said it showed UM receiver Brian Blades running across the field to deliver a blindside blow to the head of quarterback Todd Ellis during the fourth- quarter brawl.

“Joe Morrison said after the game that Todd was woozy on the interception he threw after the brawl,” the South Carolina official said. “I told him I didn’t think getting thrown to the ground by Daniel Stubbs would have done that. He then showed me the film and during the brawl (Brian Blades) came up behind Ellis and hit him across the head with an elbow.”

“Ellis was just standing there after the referee had blown the whistle. . . No. 55 (Randy Bethel) came and also hit Todd in the back of the head. That`s just not the type of team we want to associate with.”

 

You can read the rest of the fascinating article by clicking here.

Of course, it’s highly unlikely any animosity remains between the two program today, especially since no players on either team were actually born when the 1987 brawl took place.

South Carolina and Miami kickoff at 2:00pm (ET). The game will be televised on ABC.