Gamecocks pull out of Gasparilla Bowl due to COVID-19 cases

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — According to a source close to the Gamecock football program Tuesday, the Gamecocks will not play in Saturday’s Gasparilla Bowl against UAB, due to COVID-19 issues within the organization.

Carolina ends the season with a 2-8 record.

“Between members of the coaching staff and student-athletes, COVID and contact tracing has taken a toll too high for us to overcome,” Athletics Director Ray Tanner said in a statement Tuesday. “I have notified the bowl and the SEC office that we are not able to play in the game on Saturday.

ABC Columbia can confirm the Gamecocks had to cancel practice Monday after at least one positive COVID-19 test within the organization. According to ESPN, all offensive coaches with the exception of interim coach Mike Bobo would have been unable to coach in the bowl game due to COVID-19 and contact tracing.

The Gamecocks had a players-only meeting at noon Tuesday, followed by a meeting with Tanner.

South Carolina (2-8) was able to get through the regular season without any disruptions in the schedule. Bobo was scheduled to coach the Gamecocks in the game in place of Will Muschamp, who parted with the program in November.

Shane Beamer was hired as South Carolina’s new head coach earlier this month.

South Carolina joins Tennessee as the second SEC team unable to play in a bowl game because of COVID-19 issues.

ESPN contributed to this report.