Live Blog: Outback Bowl vs. Iowa

2:30 PM - That wraps it up from Tampa, Fla. Carolina booted a late FG to wrap it up 31-10. We'll see you next time.

Be sure to check out the TheDailyGamecock.com for a game recap, slideshows and more.

1:48 PM - Not much here to report now. Carolina fell behind 31-0 at the start of the fourth, and Smelley finally got his team on the board with a 3rd and goal touchdown pass to tight end Jared Cook.

Gamecocks are hoping to make it as respectable as possible from here on out.

12:57 PM - Start of the third quarter here in Tampa Bay. Big news here, sophomore Chris Smelley has entered the game at quarterback for the Gamecocks. He threw four interceptions in Carolina's last game against Clemson. First pass is complete to Moe Brown, but he fumbles. It's just been one of those days for the Gamecocks.

12:28 - After forcing a USC punt, Jasper Brinkley brings down a tipped Norwood ball for an interception. With 1:04 left in the first half, Carolina can't do anything with the ball. Surprised?

That's the end of the first half. Iowa leads, 21-0.

On the injury front, USC safety Darian Stewart is out for the remainder of the game with a hamstring injury.

Carolina needs a massive second half to win this game. But for those that don't remember, the Gamecocks led Ohio State here in 2001 by a score of 28-0. The Buckeye's came back and tied it before USC kicked a game ending field goal.

12:00 PM - Start of the second quarter and its more of the same. After silly penalities put Carolina in a 1st and 30 hole, Garcia's pass deep in the end zone was underthrown and picked off. Iowa takes over at the 20 yard line.

Greene rushed for a first down and Iowa got a huge chunk threw the air on what looked like a Marvin Sapp blown coverage over the middle.

Iowa respond's with a one-yard touchdown to put Iowa up 21-0. Anybody wanna play for the Gamecocks?

11:40 AM - Things aren't looking good for the Gamecocks. Second turnover in as many drives for Garcia. If you are counting at home, that's twice in four snaps. On a second an seven, Garcia scrambled up the middle and the ball was jarred loose by a Hawkeye defender.

Big stop by the Carolina 'D' this time. They forced a fourth and ten, and Iowa's kicker booted a 45-yard attempt wide wide right.

Garcia is finally starting to complete some passes here, two of which went to senior wideout Kenny McKinley, both for first downs.

That's the end of the first quarter. Iowa 14, South Carolina 0 with the Gamecocks driving.

11:23 AM - So much for a critical stop. Greene handled the majority of the work on the drive, and capped it with a one-yard dive to put the Hawks up 14-0 with 4:41 left in the first quarter.

Iowa's fans are beginning to get very rowdy here. Bringing most of the fans, it is slowly turning into a home game for the team from the Midwest. Garcia needs to forget what just happened, get out, and lead Carolina down the field.

11:18 AM - Carolina won the toss and differed to the second half. Unfortunately, it wasn't a great start for the Gamecocks. The run defense held All-American Shonn Greene at bay, but quarterback Ricky Stanzi constructed a 13 play, 64-yard drive that lasted over seven minutes. The sophomore completed four passes on the drive, three of which went to tight end Brandon Myers. The drive was capped by a six yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Trey Stross.

Uh, oh. Garcia throws an interception on the second play from scrimmage to Tyler Sash. The ball was returned all the way to the 19-yard line. The Gamecocks need a critical stop here.

10:42 AM - We're here live for the New Year's Day Outback Bowl between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big 10.

South Carolina comes in having dropped two consecutives games, a 50-point, blowout loss to the Florida Gators and a 17-point defeat at the hands of rival Clemson.

On the other side of the spectrum, Iowa has won three out of its past four contests, including an upset over then top-five Penn State.

The big storyline of the game is starting quarterback Stephen Garcia's return to his hometown of Tampa, Fla. It's the redshirt freshman's first start since a three touchdown victory over the Tennessee Volunteers and his third start of the season. He has completed 56 of 104 passes for 753 yards and six touchdowns this season while having rushed for 260 yards and two touchdowns.

Countering him will be Doak Walker award winner Shonn Greene, who has amassed over 1,500 yards on the ground this season for Iowa. It will be key for South Carolina to hold him in check, especially in the red zone. Obviously, the Gamecock defense will be without star safety Emaneul Cook, a definite blow to USC's hopes.

Stay tuned for in-game updates throughout the contest.

Welcome One... Welcome All

The time is finally here. Your trusty, dusty Daily Gamecock sports staff is shaking the cobwebs off of its typewriters and joining the 21st century.

This blog will aim to keep you constantly updated on Gamecock sports of all kinds. By no means do we plan on replacing the information in The Daily Gamecock with the information that you will find on this blog but we do plan on significantly supplementing it.

At any time here, you may find video or audio that you, quite obviously, will not be able to find in the newspaper. You may find stories and tales of the many run-ins/encounters with athletes on and around campus that the writers of The Daily Gamecock so often find themselves having. You may find the wonderings of baffled students that search for the answers to questions such as: What was Emanuel Cook really thinking? How do you actually pronounce Carolina women's golfer Bénédicte Toumpsin's name? How many baseballs are currently in orbit as a direct result of USC batters doing things to them that would have gotten them burned at the stake in medieval times?

Not only will you find the answer to these questions and more but you will also find the questions that plague much of the sports world. Gene Chizik, really? Why does no one say, "Act like you've been there before!" When Wes Welker makes a snow angel in the endzone although the Patriots are winning 27-0? What is happening in this picture and why does it look so familiar?

Hopefully you'll jump on board with us. Between first-year basketball coaches, Ray Tanner trying to replace his entire infield and a bowl game yet to come, the end of the 2008-2009 college athletic year is one to look forward to.