South Carolina seeking strong defensive finish

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Defensive tackle J.T. Surratt hasn’t let go of South Carolina’s disappointing season and is eager for the Gamecocks to make one, final statement in their bowl game.

The Gamecocks (6-6) will face Miami (6-6) in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana on Dec. 27. Surratt says it’s a chance to show the program’s once-dominant defense can find that performance level again.

Surratt was the lone returning starter on a defensive line that made South Carolina one of the Southeastern Conference’s leading defenses from 2011-2013. This year, the Gamecocks were 13th in yards allowed in the 14-team SEC.

South Carolina had memorable fourth-quarter meltdowns to lose games against Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee to finish 3-5 in the SEC.

Surratt says players were enthusiastic when they returned to practice this week.