CELEBRATION, Fla. — There's a 2-inch scar on the back of Alshon Jeffery's left hand, though the junior receiver doesn't need any reminder of an injury he says now does not impact his ability to catch the football.

Jeffery broke a bone in his hand during the Gamecocks' season-ending win over Clemson (he returned and caught a touchdown pass in that game). He's been recovering ever since, though.

He's not pain-free, but he said he felt "pretty good" Friday, the third practice in a row he's worked with a wrap protecting the ailing extremity.

The Gamecocks' leading receiver wouldn't miss Monday's Capital One Bowl — not with the knowledge that he'll be matched up with the Big Ten defensive back of the year, Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," Jeffery said. "I'm sure he's looking forward to the challenge. So we're going to try to give you all a show."

Jeffery spoke softly to reporters Friday, somewhat of a contrast to the confident demeanor that he usually carries.

He's 6-foot-4, 229 pounds. Eyes naturally gravitate toward his frame. On Friday, he was the only Gamecock still wearing his practice jersey — presumably he took off his pads, then put them back on — as the team conducted a brief, post-practice weight lifting session. He wears No. 1.

Dennard has just as much swagger, a 5-foot-10, 205-pounder who feeds off his emotions and marquee matchups like this one. He held Iowa receiver Marvin McNutt to four catches last month, and most of the production came late.

"I'm a competitive guy, so I like stuff like that," Dennard said. "If he wins, it's all on him. I'm not going to hold my head down, because he's a very good player."

Gamecocks keeping an eye on David

There is one player on Nebraska's defense that the Gamecocks have to locate and identify each and every snap, junior center T.J. Johnson said.

That's senior linebacker Lavonte David, the Huskers' leading tackler with 122 stops.

"He's all over the field," Johnson said. "He's definitely a guy we've got to key in on."

And, why is that?

"Because he always makes plays," Johnson said.

Spurrier says team is 'tired of practicing'

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said his team was sloppy and looked a little tired during Friday's practice at Celebration High School. Spurrier said heat could have even been a factor, too.

"We're a little bit tired of practicing, because you practice so much for a bowl game," he said. "But mentally, I think our guys will be sharp enough and ready to go."

Don't discount a little fatigue, though, as the Gamecocks have taken a different approach after losing in bowl games after each of the last three seasons.

Junior defensive tackle Aldrick Fordham said Craig Fitzgerald, the Gamecocks' strength and conditioning coach, has put the team through its paces since arriving in Orlando.

"It's a lot of work," Fordham said. "Some of the guys might not like it at the beginning, doing all this running, but if it comes through to help us, we'll really appreciate it.

"Coach Fitz, I can't remember what he said when we first got here, but it was like: We were doing the same thing for the last three bowl games, and it's time for us to do something different."

South Carolina on verge of historic season

South Carolina is not only trying to stop a three-game bowl skid, but is going for a school-record 11th victory.

"It's important to all of us here, to try to do things that have never been done before," Spurrier said. "And we've already talked about that.

"Really, now we need to talk about what it takes to play the very best you can. So we don't want to get ahead of ourselves about the total wins, or this, that and the other. We need to talk about what it takes to beat Nebraska."

Carnes' ex-teammate offers encouragement

South Carolina receiver Ace Sanders and Nebraska quarterback Brion Carnes have shared a little good-natured trash talk ever since the former high school teammates learned their teams were meeting in the Capital One Bowl.

In some of the same conversations, Sanders also has advised Carnes to keep his head up when he's realized that the Husker backup might be a little frustrated.

"He is, but I told him just be patient," said Sanders, who played with Carnes at Manatee High in Bradenton, Fla. "I said, 'Just be patient. Just wait your turn. Your time will come.' He's just sitting back, learning everything. He seems OK."

Injury shakes up South Carolina's O-line

After South Carolina right guard Terrance Campbell worked out with the Gamecocks earlier in the week on an injured leg, he was back on crutches Friday and is not likely to play in Monday's Capital One Bowl.

Tackle Rok Watkins — 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds — is likely to slide inside to take Campbell's spot, while Kyle Nunn — whose petition for a sixth year of eligibility was denied — moves to Watkins' spot at tackle. Freshman Mike Matulis is at right tackle while redshirt freshman Cody Gibson "should be able to play some," Spurrier said.

Robertson prepared to take on Caputo

On paper, South Carolina defensive tackle Travian Robertson looks like one of the toughest matchups of Nebraska center Mike Caputo's career.

The 6-foot-4, 303-pound senior doesn't have the accolades of Penn State's Devon Still or Michigan State's Jerel Worthy. But he's started his last 26 games, compiling 87 tackles, six sacks and 19 tackles for loss in that span. And that's on a defense that keeps most of the big plays for the defensive ends.

But Robertson said he was impressed with Caputo and the rest of NU's interior line, which features three former or current walk-ons.

"He's pretty good," Robertson said. "He's quick. I'm looking forward to it. It's a battle. I love battles. Being inside is a challenge, being that they're going to run the ball."

— Rich Kaipust, Jon Nyatawa and Sam McKewon

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