Jadeveon Clowney declares for the NFL Draft after South Carolina beats Wisconsin
Jadeveon Clowney's answers were simple and straightforward.
After South Carolina defeated Wisconsin 34-24 in the Capital One Bowl, Clowney talked about how much fun he's had in his three years at South Carolina. When ESPN reporter Tom Luginbill asked if that meant that 2013 was his last year in a South Carolina uniform and if he was declaring for the NFL Draft, Clowney answered both with "Yes sir."
The junior had a disappointing season by the lofty expectations that were set for him a year ago when he leveled Michigan running back Vincent Smith, but is widely expected to be a top pick in May's draft. (And he's also gotten a couple of speeding tickets.)
Wisconsin had its chances to come back against South Carolina on Wednesday, but was doomed by three turnovers in the final five minutes of the game. The final turnover came with just over a minute left when running back Melvin Gordon couldn't handle a lateral back from Jared Abbrederis after a quick pass from Curt Phillips.
Phillips was in the game for starter Joel Stave who left the game because of a shoulder injury. Before the fumbled pitch, the other two late Wisconsin turnovers were consecutive Phillips interceptions, though immediately following the first, South Carolina fumbled the ball back to Wisconsin.
South Carolina senior quarterback Connor Shaw was also playing his final game in a Gamecock uniform and he hooked up with Bruce Ellington for three touchdowns. Two of them were from Shaw to Ellington and the middle touchdown was a nine-yard pass from Ellington to Shaw.
Shaw also scored a fourth touchdown on a one-yard run that extended South Carolina's lead to the final margin. Before his run, Wisconsin's Kenzel Doe had made it a three-point game with less than 11 minutes to go with a 91-yard kickoff return that included this stiff-arm.
South Carolina finishes the season at 11-2, while Wisconsin ends it 9-4.
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is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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