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Dec. 30, 2013

Each day of the bowl trip we’ll post a journal-style entry here on GamecocksOnline.com, along with other video features and coverage of the week’s activities leading up to the game. Stay tuned for more and keep up with all the action on our Bowl Coverage page!

The excitement has ramped up with the game we’ve all been prepping for just two days away. Carolina held the final full practice of the season today at Celebration High School. Energy was high as the players enjoyed their “Thursday” of game week. Before warm-ups, a group of non-kickers decided to see who could make a (very short) field goal. With successful kicks from linemen Na’Ty Rodgers and Cody Waldrop, and some not-so-successful ones from Victor Hampton (MAN DOWN!) and others that earned a big laugh, they all decided Elliott Fry’s job was certainly in no danger.

A portion of the team got their day off to an early start with a visit to a local church for the Capital One Bowl’s FCA Breakfast. Players and staff from each team participated in the event to share their personal testimonies. While the team practiced, fans had the opportunity to enjoy the Florida Citrus Parade, which included the Mighty Sound of the Southeast marching band, Carolina cheerleaders, Cocky, Sir Big Spur, and more. See parade highlights and more of the day’s video in our day five video report.

After practice, Ronald Patrick and Chaz Sutton joined Steve Spurrier Jr. and Lorenzo Ward for a press conference (watch full video here) while the rest of the squad made their way to Best Buy to redeem their bowl gift from the Capital One Bowl, a $450 gift card. Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, Apple TV, XBOX One, HD TV’s, and phone accessories were all popular choices among the players.

Stay tuned to GamecocksOnline.com tomorrow. We’ll have video and photos from the Capital One Bowl Kick-Off Luncheon, and some exclusive sneak peeks from the Citrus Bowl stadium when the team heads there for an afternoon walk-through. All fans are encouraged to come out to the Pep Rally at Pointe Orlando (9101 International Drive). The Gamecock segment is scheduled for approximately 4:45 pm, with Wisconsin’s pep rally preceding Carolina’s.

BONUS FEATURE: We need to let the student-athletes handle the interviewing more often. Watch what happened when we let best friends Dylan Thompson and AJ Cann take over and help you get to know them a little better:

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