CARQUEST BOWL : South Carolina Pressured; West Virginia Cautious

South Carolina tight end Boomer Foster wasn’t sure how he’d feel when the moment arrived. Now, after five years, he knows.

“You get a little bit of nervousness at every pre-game type of a deal, but this one is going to be a little bit worse,” Foster said as the Gamecocks got ready for their first postseason appearance in six years.

South Carolina (6-5) meets West Virginia (7-5) today in the Carquest Bowl at Joe Robbie Stadium with a chance for the Gamecocks’ first bowl victory in nine tries.

Foster said the Gamecocks’ mood was easy and relaxed upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale a week ago, but has tightened the past few days. Particularly among the seniors, facing their final game.

South Carolina Coach Brad Scott said his seniors have held several players-only meetings this week to drive home the importance of beating West Virginia and leaving a successful legacy.

“The pressure’s on us right now,” Foster said. “After (today), we don’t put on the garnet and black anymore. We know how much this means to us. Some of these guys have next year or the next three years. But we have to take control.”

Receiver Toby Cates said the impromptu gatherings have worked out for the Gamecocks, who were hitting intensely during workouts. All that’s left, he said, was to bring that enthusiasm to the field.

West Virginia Coach Don Nehlen said he was also pleased with his team’s practices and just hopes the Mountaineers are wary of South Carolina’s schemes. The Gamecocks, on offense and special teams, have made use of trick plays to reach the Carquest Bowl.

South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill, who set a school mark this season by completing 231 of 367 passes (62.9%), said it’s too late to worry about preparation.

“If we’re not ready now, we’re not going to be ready,” he said. “We had fun the beginning of the week, but now, we’re serious and knew we had to get ready for the game.”

CARQUEST

TODAY’S GAME

* Teams: West Virginia vs. So. Carolina.

* Site: Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami.

* Time: 10:30 a.m. PST

* Records: W. Va. 7-5, So. Carolina 6-5.

* TV: Ch. 2.

* Radio: None.