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Miami Hurricanes fall to South Carolina in Independence Bowl

 
SHREVEPORT, LA - DECEMBER 27:  Pharoh Cooper #11 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is pursued by Thurston Armbrister #34 of the Miami Hurricanes during the third quarter of the Duck Commander Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium on December 27, 2014 in Shreveport, Louisiana.  (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) 528870147
SHREVEPORT, LA - DECEMBER 27: Pharoh Cooper #11 of the South Carolina Gamecocks is pursued by Thurston Armbrister #34 of the Miami Hurricanes during the third quarter of the Duck Commander Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium on December 27, 2014 in Shreveport, Louisiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) 528870147
Published Dec. 28, 2014

SHREVEPORT, La. — Postseason success continues to elude Miami.

South Carolina beat the Hurricanes 24-21 on Saturday in the Independence Bowl, extending their bowl losing streak to five games dating to 2006.

The Gamecocks' Dylan Thompson threw for 294 yards and two touchdowns, and Pharoh Cooper, the game's offensive most valuable player, caught nine passes for 170 yards and a touchdown.

It was another frustrating game for the Hurricanes (6-7), who lost four straight games to end the season.

"I'm not disappointed in our fight and resolve and the way the guys went after it," coach Al Golden said. "Just disappointed in some of the execution and penalties we had that hampered us."

South Carolina (7-6) has won a school-record four straight bowl games.

Miami took a 6-0 lead and was controlling the game thanks to Duke Johnson, who ran for 132 yards and caught five passes for 51 yards. South Carolina's offense, meanwhile, wasn't doing much of anything.

But in the middle of the second quarter, South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier decided to cut the passing game loose, even in cold, wet weather.

"We're going to chuck it down the field and see what happens," Spurrier said.

The strategic change paid off immediately. Thompson hit Cooper on a long pass over the middle of the field, and Cooper made a few more moves in the open field to finish off a 78-yard touchdown play and give the Gamecocks a 7-6 lead.

"We gave up an easy one there," Golden said.

South Carolina never trailed again. The Gamecocks scored 17 straight to take a 17-6 halftime lead.

It was a satisfying end to a disappointing season for the Gamecocks, who started with aspirations of competing for SEC and national titles before quickly fading into mediocrity.

Spurrier has had just one losing season in 25 seasons as a college head coach: his first season with Duke in 1987.

Miami's Brad Kaaya threw for 236 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The touchdown came late in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard throw to Phillip Dorsett with 2:16 remaining to pull the Hurricanes within 24-21.

But they never got the ball back after South Carolina picked up a crucial first down on Mike Davis' 3-yard run with 1:34 left.

It was an another impressive game for Johnson, a junior who likely played his last game with the Hurricanes. His mother, Cassandra Mitchell, told the Palm Beach Post that he plans to enter the NFL draft.

But he had a costly fumble on Miami's 29 with 5:24 remaining, and South Carolina recovered.

Johnson also injured his right ankle on the play and didn't return to the game, though he was up and walking on the sideline in the final minutes. Johnson said he was fine after the game and probably could have returned if it had been needed.

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"We are what our record is," Golden said. "But in so many ways we're better than that."

South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore was the defensive MVP after making 11 tackles.