<< BackGamecocks Post Highest Finish in History, Ranked #8
Originally published on www.gamecocksonline.com
The University of South Carolina football finished the 2012 season as the highest ranked squad in school history, it was announced today. The Gamecocks finished eighth in the final Associated Press poll and seventh in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches poll, both one spot higher than in 2011.
"I'm very proud of our team and what we accomplished this season," said head coach Steve Spurrier. "We are obviously thrilled to be ranked one spot better than we were last year and the highest in school history. Much of the credit goes to our seniors, especially the leadership provided by our captains - D.J. Swearinger, T.J. Johnson, Justice Cunningham and Shaq Wilson - which was instrumental in our success. We lose a lot of outstanding players but have a good nucleus returning for next season," continued the Head Ball Coach. "Our goals will be just as high. Our No. 1 goal is to win the SEC Championship and we'll try to accomplish that next season."
The Gamecocks finished the season with an 11-2 record following a 33-28 win over Michigan in the Outback Bowl on January 1, and have posted a school-record 11 wins in each of the past two seasons. Carolina has recorded the most wins in two- (22), three- (31) and four- (38) consecutive seasons in school history. In addition, the Gamecocks have been ranked among the nation's top-25 for 47 consecutive polls, the most in school history and tied for the fifth-longest current streak in the nation.
The 2012 Gamecocks defeated four teams that finished among the AP top 25 including Georgia (5), Clemson (11), Vanderbilt (23) and Michigan (24).
The SEC finished the year with five teams in the AP's top 10: Alabama (1), Georgia (5), Texas A&M (5), South Carolina (8) and Florida (9). LSU finished 14th, while Vanderbilt came in at number 23. The SEC has captured seven consecutive national championships.