THURSDAY SPORTS: Morris finalist for OC of the year; Clowney makes AFCA list; Gamecocks get JUCO star

Clemson Offensive Coordinator Chad Morris is one of five finalists for National Offensive Coordinator of the Year by 247Sports. Morris is joined on the list by Mike Bobo of Georgia, Rhett Lashlee of Auburn, Tom Herman of Ohio State and Dave Schramm of Fresno State. Earlier this year Morris was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

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South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has been named to the 2013 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America team. The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all five of its divisions.

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DL Abu Lamin of Fort Scott JC, Kansas has committed to play football for South Carolina. Lamin had committed to the Gamecocks last July but ended up taking official visits to Nebraska, Arkansas, Florida and Tennessee as well as USC.

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Furman seniors Dakota Dozier and Ray Early have been named Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-Americans following the release of three squads by different organizations on Wednesday. The Associated Press, Sports Network, and Walter Camp Foundation squads included Dozier as a first team All-America selection as an offensive lineman, and the AP second team featured Early as a placekicker.

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If Mother Nature decides to dump a whole lot of snow on this year’s first-ever outdoor, winter-weather Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, officials say they’re ready. Game organizers held a press conference Wednesday to assure the public that snow won’t stop the February 2nd game, saying the stadium has several snow melters than can clear the field quickly, and removable snow chutes that can funnel snow out of the seating and concourse areas. The New Jersey Department of Transportation also assured that they had enough trucks and salt to clear the roads that people would need to travel to get to the game in the event of a snowstorm. The officials said they would only consider rescheduling the game in extreme circumstances, but noted that’s the case with every Super Bowl.

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South Carolina hosts intrastate rival USC Upstate on Thursday in a quick turnaround after the Manhattan contest on Tuesday evening. Thursday’s contest will tip at 4 p.m. ET, as the Gamecocks begin travels for the Diamond Head Classic following the game vs. the Spartans

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The Furman men’s basketball team plays its final home contest of 2013 when it hosts Big South Conference member Liberty University on Friday evening on YP Court at Timmons Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Coverage on 96.3 WGOG will get underway tomorrow night at 6:30 PM.

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In the NBA Wednesday, Kyle Korver made seven straight 3-point attemps on his way to a season-high 28 points, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 124-107 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Kemba walker hit a buzzer-beating jump shot in overtime and the Charlotte Bobcats beat the Toronto Raptors 104-102, snapping a three game losing streak in Toronto.

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South Carolina junior infielder Joey Pankake earned second-team Preseason All-America honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) as announced on Wednesday afternoon. Pankake is one of the top returning hitters in the SEC and the country.