WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Both South Carolina and Clemson opt out of bowl games due to brawl

Both South Carolina and Clemson opt out of bowl games due to brawl

(Columbia-AP) Nov. 23, 2004 - Officials at Clemson University and the University of South Carolina say neither team will accept post-season bowl bids after a brawl during Saturday's game between the Palmetto State rivals. Read USC conference transcript

Both the Gamecocks and Tigers are bowl eligible, each sporting a 6-5 record.

University of South Carolina athletics director Mike McGee says, "The actions on Saturday are not consistent with the core values, morales and ethics at Carolina." He says the decision could cost the university more than $1 million. McGee says there also will be individual suspensions handed down.

President Sorensen also firmly stated the university's position on the fight, "I want everybody in the Gamecock family to understand that this university doesn't approve of hooliganism at anyplace at anytime."

Clemson athletics director Terry Don Phillips says the bench-clearing brawl does not reflect the values and character of the school. He says his decision was endorsed by school President James Barker.

Phillips says in a statement that the circumstances surrounding Saturday's game have impacted the perception of the character and integrity of the university. He says he knows the decision is not fair to the majority of players or coaches, but he believes strongly that it's the right decision.

An athletics spokesman says Clemson coach Tommy Bowden declined comment until a later date.

The fight broke out with 5:48 left in the game when South Carolina failed to convert on fourth down while trailing 29-7. The mass of players moved to the east end zone before security, state troopers and other law enforcement officers could break things up.

The public address announcer asked all players to clear the field. Police, security and coaches tried to separate the teams, who scuffled before the game started and continually pushed and shoved each other throughout. Both teams were assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, and the game was halted for about ten minutes. Clemson won the game 29-7.

Officials with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference are reviewing the incident and could hand out further punishment. Clemson police chief Gregory Harris says he has not ruled out filing charges in the incident.

Coach Holtz before the decision was made said of the fight, "I've never had anything like this happen in all my years of coaching, and I must say it is certainly the most disappointing thing I've experienced as a head coach. I care deeply about our players and I care deeply about how our players react to situations. On Saturday, they reacted inappropriately and I feel bad about that."

Holtz, 67, in what turned out to be his last game before he retired on Monday , dove into the pile as a peacemaker, "For our players to run out onto the field like they did is devastating to not only me as a coach, but to the University of South Carolina and college football in general."

South Carolina's athletics department says the only known injury was to USC quarterback Syvelle Newton when a number of players landed on his leg.

South Carolina last turned down bowl bids in 1989 and 1990 because of final exams.

updated 7:50am by Chantelle Janelle