The NCAA granted a “one-time blanket waiver in FBS football to exempt postseason participation from the limit of four contests a student-athlete may participate in without using a season of competition,” according to a Twitter post from Cole Cubelic of the SEC Network on Friday afternoon.
What that means is, if a player has competed in four football games this season, that player can participate in the bowl game and still keep his redshirt season intact. With so many players opting to sit out bowl games or deciding to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, the exception this season is certain to help multiple programs – and their coaches – put a competitive team on the field.
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It’s a great addendum, but one that may really only have an effect on one player for the South Carolina football team. Perhaps two?
There are two Gamecocks, coming off of an 8-4 regular season with two top 10 victories to close out the year, who have played exactly four games so far. Quarterback Luke Doty and defensive back David Spaulding would be able to play in the Gator Bowl against Notre Dame without forfeiting their redshirt. Doty, of course, is the backup quarterback behind starter Spencer Rattler.
Spaulding was a starter and key contributor for the defense, but suffered a foot injury against Missouri and head coach Shane Beamer said the nickel would likely be out for the year.
Rattler had one of the best quarterback performances in program history in game 11 of the season against Tennessee, and was great again in the season victory over Clemson. In the game prior, against Florida, Rattler was far from his best, and his season up to that point could probably be classified as below expectations.
Probed about Doty’s status following the game against the Gators, Beamer said he that while Doty has been available, they’re trying to keep his redshirt intact.
Doty played in four of the first five games of the season – Georgia State, Georgia, Charlotte and S.C. State – in a backup role. He was 10-of-14 passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions for 146 yards. He also rushed five times to total 63 yards and a score.
Spaulding may be interesting to track, though. Beamer said the injury suffered was similar to that of running back Christian Beal-Smith, who played in a game less than a month after suffering the injury. Spaulding got hurt on October 29, which would be right at two months before the Gator Bowl.
South Carolina will begin Gator Bowl practices on Thursday. After the holiday break, the team will meet back up in Jacksonville, Fla. on the evening of December 25. The team will begin on-site preparation on Dec. 26. Kickoff between South Carolina and Notre Dame on Friday, Dec. 30 at 3:30 p.m. with television coverage on ESPN.
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