Will Spurrier employ the Wildcat today?

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Without being asked about it, Connecticut coach Randy Edsall brought up Wednesday the idea of South Carolina running the Wildcat package.

The Gamecocks hadn't used it all season until their final regular season game, a victory over Clemson. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore guided an important early touchdown drive that included a 39-yard pass to Alshon Jeffery.

South Carolina went on to win 34-17.

Might we see it again today in the Papajohns.com Bowl? Well, South Carolina has at least practiced the formation a time or two during the December bowl practices. The Gamecocks didn't even do that during the season, leaving the freshman Gilmore to concern himself solely with playing defense.

"I think I'm pretty natural at it," said Gilmore, a high school quarterback at Rock Hill's South Pointe High. "Go over it a couple of times in practice, and I'll be all right."

Gilmore confesses that the pass was a little behind Jeffery, but the pair of freshman All-Americans made the connection nevertheless.

The threat of the pass is something a lot of teams have built into their Wildcat repertoire.

"It helps in different ways," Gilmore said. "People have got to respect the pass. If they don't, we can throw it."

Return men

UConn has had a great season in the return game. South Carolina has had difficulty covering kickoffs and punts this year.

Look out.

Sophomore running back Robbie Frey averages 29.5 yards a kickoff return and has one return TD.

Leading rusher Jordan Todman has a 96-yard kickoff return for a score on his resume. Receiver Mike Lang returned a kick 80 yards for a score against Syracuse.

Corner Robert McClain has a punt return for a touchdown.

"Whenever you can score points, it's a plus," Todman said. "When you do it on special teams, that's a big advantage for your team. We hope it continues to happen. It's not easy at all, but we've been successful at it."

Boosting his stock

Of the Gamecocks' five seniors who regularly play, two will play in postseason all-star games. Linebacker Eric Norwood has been invited to the Jan. 30 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and safety Darian Stewart will play in the Jan. 23 East-West Shrine Game in Orlando, Fla.

"I feel like it's very helpful to maybe help raise my draft stock," said Stewart, a Huntsville, Ala., native who collected 56 tackles and broke up five passes this season. "I'm looking forward to it."

Stewart will be joined in the East squad by UConn defensive end Lindsey Witten and running back Andre Dixon.