And there was much rejoicing…

Searles tells Richt he’s staying.

This isn’t understatement:

“For us to keep him is big for Georgia.”

History being made before our eyes in Columbia

As you might guess, it doesn’t take much.

Kenny McKinley, Ryan Succop and nine other USC players are set to do something special.

When they take the field in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day, they will be the first Gamecocks to play in three bowl games.

The Gamecocks played in the Independence Bowl in 2005 and the Liberty Bowl in 2006.

This will be USC’s 14th bowl, and the first time it has gone to three bowls in a four-year span.

That’s legendary stuff right there.  Oh yeah, there’s this:  Steve Spurrier will tie Jim Carlen and Joe Morrison for the most bowl appearances (three) by a South Carolina coach. Wow.  I bet that takes the OBC right back to his glory days in Gainesville.

This is the best part, though.

… Sorensen, when told of his upcoming special status, made another point:

“The worst thing is I’ve been (bowl) eligible every year I’ve been here,” said the fifth-year senior.

Last year’s team reached the six-win mark but was passed over, and the 2004 team took itself out of consideration after the brawl with Clemson.

With that kind of track record, you can understand why Gamecock fans think their team has been a preseason powerhouse for the last few years.

Heirs apparent

The Chattanooga Times Free Press’ David Paschall takes a look at what’s in the Dawgs’ cupboard for next season if Moreno and Stafford leave early for the NFL.

There’s plenty of talent, and Cox has experience, but I’ll feel a whole lot better about their prospects if there’s a healthy offensive line blocking for them next season.

Ugly business

The New York Times college football blog, The Quad, has an interesting three-parter about the recruitment of stud defensive tackle Jamarkus McFarland.

In the end, it was a battle between Oklahoma and Texas (the Sooners won his commitment), but there were plenty of interesting stops along the way, like this one in Baton Rouge.

… Of the four universities, L.S.U. made the worst impression. After the Tigers lost to Georgia, 52-38, on Oct. 25, McFarland, his mother and his grandmother attended a catered meal at the home of Tigers Coach Les Miles.

“He was very dry,” Adams said of Miles.

I bet.

In the end, this one came down to one thing:  don’t mess with mama.