Belk Bowl Matchup

Posted December 02, 2018 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

South Carolina defensive back Israel Mukuamu (24) celebrates a defensive stop against Akron during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Akron 28-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford) The Associated Press

Virginia (7-5, Atlantic Coast Conference) vs. South Carolina (7-5, Southeastern Conference), Dec. 29, noon EST.

LOCATION: Charlotte, North Carolina

TOP PLAYERS

South Carolina: QB Jake Bentley, 2,953 yards passing, 27 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. WR Deebo Samuel has 11 for the Gamecocks' 32 receiving TDs.

Virginia: QB Bryce Perkins, 2,472 yards and 22 TDs passing; another 842 yards and nine touchdowns rushing. DB Bryce Hall leads the nation with 20 pass breakups.

NOTABLE

South Carolina: The Gamecocks are tested and successful in close contests. Four of their wins came by four points or less. Will Muschamp has won 22 games in three seasons, the most of any Gamecocks coach in his first three seasons.

Virginia: The Cavaliers, making their first consecutive bowl appearances since 2004-05, were in the thick of the ACC Central race until late season losses. They had conference victories over Miami, Louisville and Duke. Averaged 170.3 yards per game on the ground this season.

LAST TIME

South Carolina 31, Virginia 7 (Sept. 6, 2003)

BOWL HISTORY

South Carolina: Gamecocks make their third straight bowl appearance under coach Wil Muschamp. South Carolina has 22 bowl appearances but none against Virginia.

Virginia: Cavaliers have not played at the Belk Bowl since 2003, when it was the Continental Tire Bowl. They've lost three straight bowl games, including a 49-7 loss to Navy in last year's Military Bowl.

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and twitter.com/ap_top25

South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley (19) throws a pass under pressure from Akron defensive lineman Brock Boxen (50) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Akron 28-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford) The Associated Press

Akron running back Deltron Sands (4) runs with the ball against South Carolina linebacker T.J. Brunson (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Akron 28-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford) The Associated Press

South Carolina wide receiver Bryan Edwards (89) tackles Akron cornerback Darian Dailey (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Akron 28-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford) The Associated Press

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