Dixon, Connecticut run past Gamecocks

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Connecticut Huskies made a statement in the Southeastern Conference’s backyard, while Steve Spurrier and South Carolina left embarrassed by what the coach described as a “sad, sad effort.”

Andre Dixon rushed 33 times for 126 yards and a touchdown and resilient Connecticut ended a trying season with a 20-7 victory over the Gamecocks (7-6) in the Papajohns.com Bowl on Saturday.

“I was a little worried that the season had been so long and so tough on them that I didn’t see a whole lot of emotion from them,” Huskies coach Randy Edsall said. “But I guess they were just saving it up for today.

The Huskies (8-5) won their final three regular-season games and overcame the October stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard to reach a bowl.

“This is a really special team,” Dixon said. “It says something about our character and how strong of a family UConn is and how tight we are. It’s just amazing when 105 guys come together and commit themselves to doing something great and then they do it.”

Dixon was the Most Valuable Player and joined teammate Jordan Todman as 1,000-yard rushers, the first time two UConn backs have surpassed that mark in the same season.

UConn had a pristine performance with zero penalties. Linebacker Lawrence Wilson called it “the most complete game we’ve played all year.”

The Gamecocks avoided their first shutout in three seasons on Brian Maddox’s 2-yard touchdown run with 3:24 left.