Happy New Years from LOHD

We here at Leftover Hot Dog would like wish everybody a happy and safe new years. I know it is a bit early but I got to get packing as I will be heading to B'ham soon.

Please check back tomorrow and Saturday for updates from Birmingham and the PapaJohns.com bowl.

We will have live updates from the game and will have some posts up on LOHD about the match-up so "you all come back now, you hear!"

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Go Gamecocks!

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Gamecock Clippings / New Year's Eve Headlines

2 days till Gamecocks v Huskies !

Here is a morning shot of some selected gamecocks sports headlines and other info worthy of a read.....

Gamecock Football

• Garcia grows into South Carolina leader
• UConn uses duo to replace RB Brown
• Connecticut has had plenty of close losses on the field, and one tragedy off it
• Morris: Legion Field brings back memories for Spurrier
• Garcia's aim errs at wet practice

News from the UConn side

• A Busy First Day In Birmingham
• Scott Lutrus: UConn Defense Respects South Carolina Offense
• Huskies Facing A Tough Defense
• Teams Getting Ready For The Papajohns.com Bowl
• Huskies set to finish heartbreaking season
• Marcus Easley: from walk-on to potential NFL draft pick
• Huskies' offensive line more than big bellies
• Papajohns.com Bowl: Schools can win, lose big in bowl business
• Huskies Ready to go Bowling

Gamecocks Basketball
Boston College squeezes past USC

Former Gamecock Wide Receiver Sidney Rice makes NFL Pro Bowl Roster

Wide receiver Sidney Rice, a Gaffney and Univ of South Carolina product, was named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad when the rosters were released Tuesday evening.  Big Congrats!

Rice, in his 3rd NFL season, is having a great year in the NFL and a big reason for this standout year is Brett Favre.  They seem to have a good connection on the field.

Rice, who will be a reserve in the game, leads the Vikings with 77 receptions and 1,200 yards along with six touchdowns and is only the fifth Minnesota receiver to post 1,200 receiving yards in a season.

Make sure to check out the Sidney Rice Blog - HERE

Gamecock Clippings / Wednesday Headlines

Here is a morning shot of some selected gamecocks sports headlines and other info worthy of a read.....

Gamecock Football

• Morris: Today's rules make USC a bowl regular
• USC running game is a priority
• LSU now out front with Beaufort's Parker
• Anderson wraps up a memorable career
• Coaching unity a major contributor to Gamecocks' defensive harmony

Gamecock Basketball
Horn, USC take another crack at the ACC

Other Stuffs
Lattimore, Greene named to all-state team

Garnet & Black Attack Blog
Previewing the Papa John's Bowl: Topics for Discussion on UConn's Offense

Know your UConn Huskies: WR Marcus Easley

This is the fourth installement of "Know your UConn Huskies" and this time around we want to profile their deep ball threat with the 4.3 speed - meet Mr. Marcus Easley.

Easley, who was a walk-on before this past spring, had 44 catches for 853 yards, 8 touchdowns and averaged 19.4 yards per reception.  Not too shabby for the redshirt senior seeing how he did not get looks the first 4 games of the year and for some reason UConn coaches never gave a chance until this season.

The 6-foot-2, 216-pound Easley is someone the USC secondary must be ready for because if not he can easliy burn ya.

Part 3 - Know your UConn Huskies: LB Lawrence Wilson
Part 2 - Know your UConn Huskies: DE Lindsey Witten

Part 1 - Know your UConn Huskies: QB Zach Frazer

Gamecock Clippings / Tuesday Headlines

Here is a morning shot of some selected gamecocks sports headlines and other info worthy of a read.....

Gamecock Football

• USC freshmen Alshon Jeffery, Stephon Gilmore, DeVonte Holloman contributing
• USC had soggy time in 1979
• Meyer's initial move surprised Spurrier
• Nathan Pepper's perseverance leaves lasting mark at USC
• Boyd builds upon coaching chance
• Quite a Catch

News through UConn's eyes

• Interactive Depth Chart: UConn vs. South Carolina, Papajohns.com Bowl
• UConn's Bowl Opponent: Spurrier Driven To Be First
• Huskies Gearing Up For Bowl Game
• UConn's Easley the ultimate late bloomer

Former Gamecocks
Knee injury ends McKinley's season with Broncos

Know your UConn Huskies: LB Lawrence Wilson

This is the third installement of "Know your UConn Huskies" and this time we want to introduce you to a kid in their linebacking corp that must be accounted for on every play... his name is Lawrence Wilson.

He is 6 foot 1 inch and every bit 220 pounds.  This redshirt junior is one of the top players at his position (weakside linebacker) in the Big East with a team-leading 136 tackles (11.3 tackles per game), including 10 TFLs, 4 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Only three players in the FBS averaged more tackles per game than Wilson.

Along with those excellent stats, he also is playing to prove something. His hometown is only a 30-minute drive from Legion Field in Birmingham, and said his father is trying to secure around 40 tickets for family and friends to attend the game.

I know USC has faced many good linebackers this season and this is just yet again another good one they must plan their attack around.

Part 2 - Know your UConn Huskies: DE Lindsey Witten
Part 1 - Know your UConn Huskies: QB Zach Frazer

Gamecock Clippings / Monday Headlines

Here is a morning shot of some selected gamecocks sports headlines and other info worthy of a read.....

Gamecocks Football
LeCorn looks for bowl time
Bowl week schedule, weather for USC, fans

Gamecocks Basketball
NIT Bound? Why The USC Gamecocks Will Miss Dominique Archie.

SEC related
Urban - Not resigning, will take leave instead
UK's Brooks 80 percent sure he's not returning

Garnet&Black Attack Blog
Thoughts on the Urban Meyer Situation

Catching up with Gamecocks in the NFL

Here is a quick snapshot of USC products in the NFL through Week 15...

USC products

John Abraham / Falcons DE
30 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Fred Bennett / Texans CB
18 tackles

Jasper Brinkley / Vikings LB
20 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Sheldon Brown / Eagles S
48 tackles, 5 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

Emanuel Cook / Buccaneers S
Practice squad

Jared Cook / Titans TE
9 catches, 74 yards

Andre Goodman / Broncos CB
37 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 sack

Jonathan Joseph / Bengals CB
59 tackles, 6 interceptions

Lance Laury / Seahawks LB
21 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Kenny McKinley / Broncos WR
No stats

Jamon Meredith / Packers OT
7 games, 3 starts

Captain Munnerlyn / Panthers CB
35 tackles, 24 punt returns

Jamar Nesbit / Saints OG
12 games, 0 starts

Dunta Robinson / Texans CB
52 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Ko Simpson / Lions CB
30 tackles, 1 interception

Ryan Succop / Chiefs K
21-25 FGs, 53 long, 3-3 PATs

Travelle Wharton / Panthers OG
14 games, 14 starts

Troy Williamson / Jaguars WR
3 catches, 34 yards

Rod Wilson / Buccaneers LB
3 tackles