South Carolina will not play in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl on Saturday against UAB due to COVID-19 problems, the school announced on Tuesday.
“Between the members of the team of coaches and student-athletes, COVID and the pursuit of contacts were too great to be overcome,” South Carolina sporting director Ray Tanner said in a statement. “We have announced the bowl and the SEC office that we cannot play the game on Saturday.”
It has not yet been a decision on the state of the game. UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said in a tweet that the Blazers are still hoping to play in the Gasparilla Bowl if a new opponent can be found.
“ESPN and Conference USA are working hard to find us a new opponent. Our team has won the opportunity and the privilege to play.” – @UAB_AD Mark Ingram pic.twitter.com/W4zLW7hy4p
– UAB @ Football (@UAB_FB) December 22, 2020
Sources told ESPN’s Mark Schlabach that the entire Gamecocks offensive staff, with the exception of one coach – interim coach Mike Bobo – could not train in the game due to positive coronavirus cases and contact tracking. Offensive analysts and graduate assistants were also unavailable.
South Carolina (2-8) managed to get through the regular season without any interruption of the program. Bobo was scheduled to coach the Gamecocks in place of Will Muschamp, who left the program in November.
Shane Beamer was hired as the new head coach of South Carolina earlier this month.
South Carolina joins Tennessee as the second SEC team unable to play in a bowl game due to COVID-19 problems.